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game review

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Video Game Review

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake takes an already-seminal title and makes it one of the must-play games of 2024. Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation is already a seminal title among Japanese RPGs: a pillar of the genre whose influences run wide and deep across Japanese pop culture. Countless games have come in its wake, all inspired by that original game and its many creative decisions. The decis...
game review

Sonic X Shadow Generations Video Game Review

Sonic X Shadow Generations is a strong contender for one of the best 3D Sonic experiences ― Shadow is so damn cool, guys. There are a lot of positive things I'm going to say about this game, from the narrative to the replay value to the level design. But if there's one major thing I took away from this game, it's that Shadow The Hedgehog is one of the coolest characters ever to come out, and it's bee...
game review

Yakuza Kiwami - Switch Version Game Review

The Yakuza brand of stylish combat and badass special movies is just as fun today as it was nearly a decade ago. ― This review of the brand new Yakuza Kiwami port for the Nintendo Switch is going to basically be split in half to serve two different audiences. The first group that I'll be talking to are the folks who have never had the chance to dig into Sega's venerated crime-drama beat'-em'-up saga ...
game review

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake Video Game Review

You can always find a new avenue to explore, new storyline to uncover, or new battle to be waged across the campaigns included, and the breadth of options makes summarizing the game somewhat challenging. Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake is a grand strategy game of overwhelming scope and possibility that makes a lasting impression. I have never played the original Romance of the Three Kingdoms...
game review

SINce Memories: Off the Starry Sky Game Review

If you enjoy a slow-burn visual novel, this is going to be right up your alley. ― The Memories Off series of visual novels first debuted in 1999, and it's only now in 2024 that we're finally getting one of them in English. In fact, SINce Memories: Off the Starry Sky is the first new entry in the franchise since 2015, and while one or two characters from the earlier games pop in as bit players, this i...
game review

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Game Review

Like any great game with immersive sim elements, Echoes of Wisdom feels like you're getting away with something anytime you solve a problem with anything other than the most obvious solution. ― How do you even review a Zelda game? They're some of the most overtly influential video games in the medium's history and are directly responsible for the art form's growth several times over. It's impossible ...
game review

Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town Game Review

More anime should have cozy tie-in games. We need more un-serious, Animal Crossing-esque fun. And that’s where Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town comes into the picture. ― More anime should have cozy tie-in games. If we could convert gachas and musou games into an energy source, they could single-handedly take care of the energy needs of the entire globe for years to come. What we need is more un-ser...
game review

Silent Hill 2 (2024) Video Game Review

The Silent Hill 2 remake introduces a fun gameplay experience that pays proper respect to its iconic predecessor. ― The original Silent Hill 2 is a horror classic. In terms of aesthetic and psychological intrigue, not only was it groundbreaking when it came out, but you could argue that it inspired an entire generation of horror games. There's just one problem: it is tough to play the 2001 version at...
game review

Ys X: Nordics Game Review

Ys X: Nordics follows Adol Christin once again as he sets sail on a new adventure, but the game harkens back to older Ys games with a charming PS2 look. Ys X: Nordics is the latest entry in the action RPG series, Ys. Over the past several entries, the Ys series transitioned to featuring party-based combat like many other modern Japanese RPGs like Final Fantasy VII Remake, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and ...
game review

Metaphor: ReFantazio Game Review

By building upon and reflecting on everything that Atlus' veteran developers have learned over the past twenty-five years, Metaphor: ReFantazio doesn't just stand tall and proud beside its forebears—it may very well surpass them. ― After bringing Atlus some of its greatest accolades and global impact ever with the release of Persona 5 in 2016, legendary Shin Megami Tensei and Persona director Katsura...
game review

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO Game Review

After seventeen years, we finally have the long-awaited fourth installment in the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series. One thing remains true after all these years: if it ain't broke, don't fix it! ― It's here, guys! After seventeen years, we finally have the long-awaited fourth installment in the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series. Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is one of the most hyped-up gam...
game review

Hookah Haze Game Review

I get it – the point isn't a challenge; it's vibes. And I must confess, Hookah Haze's vibes are impeccable. ― Not to sound judgmental, but some of y'all out there are really into the aesthetic of anime girls blowing clouds of smoke. If you number among them, I have good news! Hookah Haze is a game about watching anime girls exhale billowing clouds of smoke. Based on my social media feeds, that alone ...
game review

Reynatis Game Review

Reynatis is a high-flying action RPG that stands on its own, but it has a rather shaky stance. Reynatis is a high-flying action RPG that, to its credit, has a solid identity and visual aesthetic. A lot of comparisons have been drawn between it and Kingdom Hearts, and while they're not uncalled for, it's worth pointing out that about all Reynatis has in common with Kingdom Hearts is a teenaged prota...
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DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Game Review

DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia doesn't serve as a good entry point to see whatever positives the series has to offer, and this title is best reserved for more dedicated fans and true believers. DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia is one of the most difficult games I've had to review. Not in terms of actual difficulty but more in trying to sort out how best to quantify my experience playing it. I was walking into ...
game review

Sunsoft is Back: Retro Game Selection Game Review

Sunsoft digs up three lesser-seen Famicom games for a Retro Game Selection. Are they classics or better left buried? ― The NES and Famicom era is a fascinating period, especially in terms of what was or wasn't released outside of Japan. The Nintendo Entertainment System was a 600-pound gorilla in North America during the late 1980s, and Japanese publishers and their American branches made it a curiou...
game review

Fate/Stay Night Remastered Game Review

This is a great way to experience one of the most iconic—and certainly long-awaited, in the case of the English-language market—visual novels of all time. ― It's very interesting that the Fate franchise has been so successful in the English language market without the official release of its source material: the 2004 visual novel by Type-Moon, Fate/stay night (FSN). I get that in this market, visual ...
game review

MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Game Review

There’s room for improvement, but as a whole, this release feels like a win for both players and game preservation. ― Few fighting games have proven to have the staying power of the Marvel vs. Capcom series. And while it's easy to hear that and be reminded first and foremost of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (and for good reason), the popularity of the #FreeMVC2 movement is testament to how this applies to its ...
game review

BAKERU Game Review

BAKERU is a fantastic game for kids and kids at heart. ― Late last year, BAKERU's initial Japanese release seemed to spark what could only be described as “pure, nostalgic joy” among those who played the 3D platformer. Particularly, a nostalgia for the Ganbare Goemon series and its Nintendo 64 installment, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon. Which makes a lot of sense when one considers that BAKERU's dev...
game review

Shadow of the Ninja Reborn Game Review

Is Shadow of the Ninja Reborn a sharp remake of a semi-classic NES game? Or is it something much more? ― The original Shadow of the Ninja had its moment, but it wasn't very long. Critics and players rightly saw it as a well-crafted and harshly challenging side-scroller back in 1990, yet it arrived in the busiest time for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was rapidly swept aside without gaining se...
game review

Gundam Breaker 4 Video Game Review

Even the mecha-on-mecha battles of Gundam Breaker 4 come second to the real core gameplay hook of collecting thousands of plastic parts to smash together to create the ultimate Gunpla figure. ― I love Mobile Suit Gundam, and I have relished the dozens upon dozens of hours I have spent learning to build my own Gunpla model kits over the last few years (it was the nerdy and time-consuming new hobby tha...
game review

Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Party Dash Game Review

You're seriously telling me this franchise of all things doesn't include HORSE as an option for its basketball mini-game? ― Getting the foal-cal mobile game for Uma Musume Pretty Derby in English has oddly proved a pipe dream thus far for fans of the anthropomorphized racehorse girls. In the meantime, players are presented with a horse of a different color to hop onto with Party Dash: a sports-festiv...
game review

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI CHRONICLES Game Review

Like Rimuru himself, the game pulls from a ton of other sources to combine them together in search of a greater goal. Unlike Rimuru, the parts don't always mesh together all that well. ― With all of the faux RPG mechanics in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, converting it into an RPG was a pretty safe choice. It might not be a game with a lot of bite to it, but That Time I Got Reincarnated as...
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Elrentaros Wanderings Game Review

Dungeon dives and village-building combine in this action-RPG from the makers of the Rune Factory series, but can Elrentaros Wandering live up to its inspirations? Elrentaros Wanderings clearly doesn't mind comparisons to the Rune Factory series. After all, Rune Factory made a nice little home for itself, combining the farming of Harvest Moon with the combat of a fantasy action RPG. It's a place wh...
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Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Video Game Review

Tasked with re-starting the story—becoming the foundation for the next decade-spanning epic, from the very moment of its conception, Dawntrail was in a tough spot. ― From the very moment of its conception, Dawntrail was in a tough spot. With Endwalker, Final Fantasy XIV reached the narrative conclusion to the story it had been telling for 11 years. This left Dawntrail tasked with re-starting the stor...
game review

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Game Review

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is the best execution of its core concept as it could ever be: a celebration of speedrunning and friendly competition between gamers. ― Nintendo's extensive history is its greatest strength; the Big N sits on a dragon's hoard of iconography and memorabilia that will forevermore be synonymous with video gaming. The barest brushing against their history is enou...
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Princess Maker 2 Regeneration Game Review

30 years later, the child-raising sim is back with a fresh coat of paint. Rebecca tries to get her favorite (of 74) endings in Princess Maker 2 Regeneration. ― The original Princess Maker 2 game was released thirty years ago, in 1994, and hasn't gone away since. Some English-language players may remember the version for DOS (or DOS Box, depending on your age), but it did eventually get an official re...
game review

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Game Review

Games with such a confident, bold vision rarely come around, and it's even rarer that they execute that vision with such success. ― The first thing you will likely notice about Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is how utterly spellbinding its world is. The lead director of the game is Shuichi Kawata, and it is immediately apparent how he is drawing on his experience as an art director and cinematic d...
game review

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak Game Review

Trails Through Daybreak is a phenomenal RPG that provides a strong opener for the next era in the series while also serving as an excellent starting point for newcomers. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak is a phenomenal RPG that provides a strong opener for the next era in the series while also serving as an excellent starting point for newcomers. The Legend of Heroes series—often simpl...
game review

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Game Review

Elden Ring's DLC dares to ask the question: Can a solid story, an impressively designed, vertical world, and tons of cool new weapons offset the punishing combo of hyper-aggressive enemies and a flawed leveling system? ― I love Elden Ring. Even after years of avoiding the “Soulsborne” games due to constantly hearing about their punishing difficulty, the lure of a world created by George R. R. Martin ...
game review

Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- Game Review

Successfully balancing fresh and familiar content and expanding on its own story, Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- ranks among the all-time best video game remakes I’ve ever played. ― It's hard to overstate just how big a deal the official English language release of Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- (TBGM) is. Until very recently, English-speaking fans of Type-Moon—the creators of Tsukihi...
game review

Samurai Warriors 4 DX Game Review

These games front-load the fun and give the player a type of spectacle and power fantasy that can only really be found within this series. Samurai Warriors 4 DX is a great Warriors title through and through, and a surprise port dropped out of the blue for us to enjoy. Like hot-blooded warlords mustering armies in past eras, even the mere mention of the Warriors games gets people gathering into warr...
game review

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Game Review

While people understandably don't want to encourage Atlus to keep trying for two bites at the apple, this one is worth it. ― There's no ignoring the Grimalka in the room with this one: Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an Atlus Remake. And with the original Shin Megami Tensei V only being three years old, folks have plenty of trepidation towards Vengeance. The good news is that if you haven't played...
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Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Video Game Review

Here we have a from-the-ground-up remake, but does this beloved classic still hold up in a modern sense, or is that praise just nostalgia talking? ― It's nice when Nintendo surprises us with a remaster or re-release of one of their more difficult-to-obtain games. The original Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for the Nintendo GameCube is a classic for many. However, since the game was never re-rele...
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Cupid Parasite: Sweet & Spicy Darling Video Game Review

With seven full routes and one mini-route with a character from the previous game, if you enjoyed Cupid Paradise, Sweet & Spicy Darling is worth playing. ― The first order of business is this: if you haven't played the original Cupid Parasite otome game, there isn't much point in picking up Sweet & Spicy Darling. There is one new route for this sequel, but even that relies on you knowing the backgrou...
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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Video Game Review

I cannot imagine how Square Enix could top themselves after this. ― Final Fantasy VII Rebirth initially launched on the last day of February, and if you look at the date of this review's publication, you will immediately be able to discern one thing about this second entry of the FF7 Remake series: It is gargantuan. The first game got plenty of praise (and plenty of flak) for taking the relatively sh...
game review

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron HD Remaster Video Game Review

With a new Nintendo Switch port available, even more gamers can experience Enoch's transcendental adventure across the world. How does it fare on Nintendo's portable device? El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron was a curious game when it released in 2011. The world wasn't quite ready for it then, but time (and a PC port) helped people accept it. With a new Nintendo Switch port available, even more...
game review

SAND LAND Video Game Review

SAND LAND is a curious game that combines an eclectic set of gameplay features into a well-realized package that, despite its flaws, is perfectly solid and more than the sum of its parts. SAND LAND is a curious game that combines an eclectic set of gameplay features into a well-realized package that, despite its flaws, is perfectly solid and more than the sum of its parts. Going into this one, all ...
game review

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Game Review

People might think of this game as a celebration of the energy and experimentation of RPGs past, a tribute to a time when archetypes and genre conventions hadn't yet calcified and anything was fair game. And for once, they'd be right. ― There's a point that Lady Perielle returns to often when people ask her why Nowa, a young warrior from a small village, is the leader of the resistance front against ...
game review

Ufouria: The Saga 2 Game Review

Ufouria: The Saga 2 delivers a long-overdue comeback for a cult classic from the NES era, but can it live up to a legacy? Ufouria: The Saga 2 delivers a long-overdue comeback for a cult classic from the NES era, but can it live up to a legacy? The original Ufouria: The Saga was one that got away. Its North American release was canceled back in 1991, and even though the game made it out in Japan an...
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Mario vs Donkey Kong Game Review

The most interesting part of Mario vs Donkey Kong is trying to figure out why Nintendo released this title, in this way, at this time. Mario vs Donkey Kong is fine. I should probably open this review by talking about the mechanics of the game, how much should or should not change in a remake, or if this title is worth its $50 price point; but, several hours after seeing the credits roll, I remain f...
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Sympathy Kiss Game Review

Sympathy Kiss is guaranteed happy escapism despite its workday setting and sometimes awkward writing. This is a nice low-key treat for otome game fans. ― Some otome games go all in on the escapism factor, putting their playable protagonists in various fantasy or dangerous situations where finding love and survival go hand in hand. That's not the kind of game Sympathy Kiss is. Otomate and Idea Factory...
game review

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island Game Review

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island could very well become someone's "forever" game: even if you reach the peak and obtain all the riches...maybe you'll be down for one last romp through the dungeon. ― In one run through the mystery dungeon, my sword and shield had been rusted to -1 stats by a ninja using water jutsu. I was low on health, and I had accidentally wandered int...
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Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash Video Game Review

Cursed Clash is a retelling of the first couple of arcs from the franchise, and right off the bat, there is something undeniably cheap about the presentation. ― What's this? A 3D arena-based fighting game with tag team mechanics based on the current most popular shonen anime? Where have I seen this before? Cursed Clash is a game that will feel familiar to fans of anime video game adaptations that hav...
game review

Granblue Fantasy Relink Video Game Review

Gorgeous visuals highlight Granblue Fantasy Relink as an ambitious title that is exceptional in most categories and solid in the rest. Granblue Fantasy Relink is an ambitious title that is exceptional in most categories and solid in the rest. At this point, there's a good chance that if you are plugged into the gaming space, you have heard of Granblue Fantasy in some capacity. Granblue Fantasy Reli...
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Tekken 8 Video Game Review

Tekken's bombastic story continues in this latest franchise entry, coupled with an impressive soundtrack and a story that doesn't take itself too seriously. ― I love Tekken! It's such a fun, dumb franchise where the same three people constantly try to kill each other, but it's over-the-top fun in all the best ways. I have not played every iteration, but I wanted to dive into the latest installment si...
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KONOSUBA - God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Love For These Clothes Of Desire! Game Review

KONOSUBA - God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Love For These Clothes Of Desire! offers plenty of wonderful content for existing fans of Konosuba but some aspects of the game make it rather unsuitable for newcomers. ― Are you the kind of fan who can not get enough Konosuba? Have you read the books and watched the anime—including the film and Megumin spin-off—multiple times? Did you even watch Ise...
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Another Code: Recollection Game Review

What does it mean to die? What does it mean for the people left behind? What does it mean for a memory to die? These questions and more are answered in this remake of a 2005 cult classic. ― What does it mean to die? What does it mean for the people left behind? What does it mean for a memory to die? These weren't questions people were ready to answer when Trace Memory was first released in the United...
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Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Game Review

A strong contender for one of the best games in the series, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is most enjoyed not blitzing toward its credits but basking in the depths of its detours. ― As a fan of the Yakuza series, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth's announcement felt like fondling a Christmas present and trying to discern the quality of its contents by the grooves of its packaging. Although Infinite Wea...
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Apollo Justice Trilogy Video Game Review

This is the perfect way to complete your Ace Attorney collection, with lots of extras and features that will delight long-time fans and give newcomers a look into all the talent and creativity that goes into these games. ― You don't know how to get into all the Ace Attorney games? OBJECTION! In 2024, there is simply no excuse not to play through the entire Ace Attorney catalog — every mainline game, ...
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Anonymous;Code Game Review

Less beefy than it's Science Adventure predecessors, Anonymous;Code nevertheless introduces an interesting gameplay mechanic to keep players engaged. ― Anonymous;Code is the newest title in the Science Adventure series of games and is in the same world as Steins;Gate, Robotics;Notes, and Chaos;Head. If you've played any of these visual novels (or seen their anime adaptations), you likely know what to...
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Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC: The Indigo Disk Game DLC Review

The Indigo Disk features more narrative strength equivalent to what we saw in the main game with the right amount of foreshadowing in payoff towards the game's worldbuilding. The Indigo Disk DLC is some of the better post-game content in the franchise for a while. If the Teal Mask was a side story that you could check out at your leisure, then The Indigo Disk is the proper follow-up to the events o...
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Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising Game Review

After the pandemic mired Granblue Fantasy Versus' release, Rising is giving it a new lease on life with impressive gameplay upgrades and new modes to explore. Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising is a release I've been looking forward to for some time now, despite having next to zero knowledge of Granblue Fantasy. The original Granblue Fantasy Versus was sandwiched between unfortunate timing for real-wor...
game review

Cuisineer Game Review

Approaching Cuisineer wasn't that different from reading an ingredients list before I'd begun cooking. With a bit of time and step-by-step instruction, the disparate parts begin to coalesce into a rather appetizing treat. Cuisineer is a delightful title that blends several disparate elements in ways both fresh and familiar, all in an affordable and adorable package. You'll recognize a lot of mechan...
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World of Horror Video Game Review

World of Horror is like being alone in the computer room downstairs late at night, cautiously clicking through some danger-filled adventure game without hints about what lies ahead. World of Horror is every possible fear from that night. ― We're certainly at no loss for modern throwbacks, those games that expertly summon the aesthetics of pixel-built classics from the 1980s and 1990s. We have retro-s...
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Little Goody Two-Shoes Game Review

With ten endings, yuri romance options, and unsettling horror Little Goody Two-Shoes deserves a spot in your visual novel library. ― The first thing you'll likely notice about Little Goody Two-Shoes is the name and its apparent juxtaposition with Elise's character. Today, we use the phrase "goody two-shoes" to describe someone who is sanctimoniously perfect, which comes from the 18th-century children...
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Sonic Superstars Game Review

As a high-speed platformer, Sonic Superstars still doesn't play as well as the original Genesis games from decades ago, but it hits the realm of "close enough." ― From the creators of Balan Wonderworld comes the latest mainline 2D Sonic game...kind of? Sonic Superstars is more of a 2.5D title, but it is a continuation of the classic mainline Sonic games that started with the Genesis titles up until S...
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Super Mario Bros. Wonder Game Review

The newest Mario platformer is oozing charm, thanks partly to surprisingly fresh level design. ― After years of New Super Mario Bros., we finally got a…new Super Mario Bros. game (I had to make the joke, I'm sorry). So here it is, the first original 2D Mario game for the Nintendo Switch, and it only took them way longer than any of us were expecting. However, given Nintendo's very open philosophy abo...
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Detective Pikachu Returns Takes on Police Corruption

Detective Pikachu Returns interrogates humanity's fear of those unlike themselves, their willingness to subjugate others for a sense of safety, and the desire to assimilate themselves into those groups for power. ― In order to discuss important themes in Detective Pikachu Returns, this review will contain major plot spoilers. Detective Pikachu Returns is starkly political, from a franchise best known...
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Sonic Frontiers: The Final Horizon DLC Game Review

New playable characters, a new ending, and expansive lore all make Sonic Frontiers: The Final Horizon DLC worth it, but players will have to overlook unsatisfying controls and grinding. ― This review contains spoilers for the base game of SONIC FRONTIERS. Sonic Frontiers was a pleasant surprise. In the world where SEGA seems to constantly struggle with what it wants to do with the spiky blue hedgehog...
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Resident Evil 4 (2023) DLC: Separate Ways Game Review

Let's be honest here—the original "Separate Ways" mode was more of a fun novelty. What could CAPCOM possibly do with a $10 DLC to justify the double-dip? As it turns out, the answer is, "A hell of a lot." ― 2023 has been stuffed to the brim with incredible video games, so it may well warrant reminding you all that, even though it's been nearly twelve months since it released, the Resident Evil 4 rem...
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Silent Hope Game Review

For a first attempt at a dungeon crawler, Silent Hope does a stellar job of capturing what makes these games so addicting. ― First and foremost, Rune Factory and Story of Seasons fans need to be aware that Silent Hope is not a farming game. Yes, those are Story of Seasons cows roaming around the hub, and farming and cooking are important systems. The main weapon types in this game even call back to t...
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Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC: The Teal Mask Game Review

An intriguing story can't hide how appallingly poor The Teal Mask DLC runs on the Switch system. ― It has been almost a year since the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It might not be my favorite game on the Nintendo Switch, but I have put the most time into it. As a Pokémon game, it does almost everything right to update the material and bring it to a new generation, only held back by the fact...
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Samba De Amigo: Party Central Game Review

Sega diehards and casuals should consider adding Samba de Amigo: Party Central to their rotation of party games, along with Mario Kart and Wii Sports. ― Sega has finally seen fit to bring back one of their missing party-game favorites; Samba de Amigo: Party Central now exists in a world where Guitar Hero and Rock Band no longer dominate the rhythm game genre and where the most people can look forward...
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Rune Factory 3 Special Review

Longtime fans will undoubtedly appreciate that Rune Factory 3 Special gives us all a second chance at a forgotten entry to the series Rune Factory 4 was long considered the crown jewel of the Rune Factory series, and fans were delighted to see it escape Nintendo 3DS Jail and receive updated ports across a variety of modern systems. XSeed and Marvelous decided to look back a bit further and give the...
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Touhou: New World

There are moments where the game's "fan-made" status sticks out like a sore thumb, but there's plenty to do here for franchise fans with missions to repeat and stats to tinker with and max out until you're satisfied. ― It's been fascinating to see the progression of the Touhou franchise. Once an internal institution of the hardcore otaku crowd, where Western fans had to import (or download) its PC en...
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Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg

Atelier Marie can be clunky and might need you to be patient with its many peccadilloes. But also, it's a sweet, cozy sim game that reinforces the notion that everyone has a place in the world, and even the people in the dusty corners can be important. ― For 26 years, the Atelier series has delighted fans around the world with its comforting stories of charming alchemists working away in their little...
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Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE

The newest game from Danganronpa's Kazutaka Kodaka is here! Read our spoiler-free review before setting off on this rain-soaked mystery. Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE is the latest game from Danganronpa mastermind Kazutaka Kodaka and character designer Rui Komatsuzaki. Fans of his earlier work will see similarities immediately, from neon pink blood splatter to the eccentric personalities of ...
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Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

While there are imperfections to the game's new lease on life, Ghost Trick remains the utterly unique, earnestly recommendable experience it was thirteen years ago. ― Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is one of those games that I have been harping on others to play for ages. For well over a decade. So, at last, I have this fresh opportunity to say that if you somehow have still not played Ghost Trick ye...
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Charade Maniacs

I played it on the bus. I played it while walking. I played it after I got home from my day job and stayed up later than I should have. I was fully engrossed in the mystery and the characters. ― I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I have a major weakness for death game-style, social deduction adventure games. I'll choose to replay the Danganronpa or Nonary Games series in a heartbeat over the...
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Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life

Just in time for the 20th anniversary, we have Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life, an updated remaster of that beloved game. Does it live up to its predecessor's memory? ― Back before the Harvest Moon games had their complicated split, A Wonderful Life and its subsequent distaff counterpartAnother Wonderful Life became the introduction for many a farm-sim fan to the genre. While it wasn't too differe...
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Puzzle Bobble Everybubble!

Overall, Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! is a stellar little game. The puzzles are witty and addicting, the co-op mode is sure to ruin friendships, and the Space Invaders mode—while a bit sudden—is a fun surprise. ― Ah, Puzzle Bobble. What a delightful classic of the arcades it is. Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! is similarly a delightful take on the old classic formula. While it's been a while since I've last...
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The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story

Are you a murder mystery buff? Then The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story should go on your “to-play” list immediately. ― Are you a murder mystery buff? Then The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story should go on your “to-play” list immediately. Borrowing heavily from the traditions of Golden Age mystery novels (roughly equivalent to the time between WWI and WWII), this is a game that both challenges and r...
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Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter Six respects what came before and, in some ways, effectively passes the torch onto a whole new generation of fighters. ― With its iconic characters and robust techniques, Street Fighter has gone down in history as one of the most influential fighting game franchises of all time. However, Capcom has not always treated it as such throughout the years, with the release of Street Fighter V...
game review

Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord

With Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord, we return to the land of Fairies and Furies. How does the newest entry shape up? ― Compile Heart may be best known for the Hyperdimension Neptunia games, but their Fairy Fencer series has quietly chugged along in the background since 2013. With Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord, we return to the land of Fairies and Furies. How does the newest entry shape up? Well, for ...
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Trinity Trigger

Trinity Trigger is a solid game with several interesting elements, held back by a somewhat lackluster and repetitive presentation. Trinity Trigger is a game from another time, often to its benefit but at times to its detriment as well. Trinity Trigger draws its line in the sand early: this is a throwback to the action RPGs of the 90s at its heart. If you've played titles like those in the Mana seri...
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Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories

Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories is a bit deceptive in its title. What we actually get is, for lack of a better phrase, weirder than that. Melon Journey is far more irreverent and yet bizarrely touching, all at once. Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories is a bit deceptive in its title. With a title like that, players expect a much more emotional journey about reminiscing on their past and maybe e...
game review

Resident Evil 4 (2023)

RE4 was hailed as one of the greatest games ever made for a damned good reason. This remake takes everything that worked about that original game and makes all of it even better. ― For any of the youngsters or new fans that have only just recently been welcomed into the Resident Evil fold, it might be hard to believe that it wasn't even all that long ago that the entire Resident Evil brand was seen a...
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Alice Gear Aegis CS: Concerto of Simulatrix

Despite it's huge roster and customization options, Alice Gear Aegis CS remains threadbare in the story department and is hindered by repetitive combat. Alice Gear Aegis CS: Concerto of Simulatrix is probably one of the most “ok” games I have ever played. It is perfectly functional and achieves everything it sets out to do. It is stable, runs at a consistent frame rate on the Switch, and has everyt...
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Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key

Ryza is and always will be that charming, winsome alchemist with an eager smile and boundless joy for seeing the world. And it just feels good to explore the world with her and her friends. ― In the grand tradition of the Atelier games, the series is divvied up into subseries connected by protagonists. With Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key, we not only see the end of the unpreced...
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PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo

While missed opportunities keep PARANORMASIGHT from being a truly standout game, I still enjoyed the process of uncovering the story, even if it goes into some truly off-the-wall directions in its end-game content. PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a horror visual novel written and created for me, personally. I do not know how director and scenario writer Takanari Ishiyama tapped into...
game review

FATAL FRAME: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse

Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse sadly never came to the United States to the disappointment of many fans fifteen years ago. KOEI Tecmo is here to right that old wrong, giving us the long-awaited localization. Was it worth the wait? Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse sadly never came to the United States in 2008, to the disappointment of many fans fifteen years ago. KOEI Tecmo is here to ...
game review

Little Witch Nobeta

Little Witch Nobeta has a palpable sense of it being crafted out of genuine love for style and genre. That makes it easy to like, even as some Souls-like fans might find it too easy to beat. ― Part of me doesn't want to be this guy. I'm not even a games critic, specifically, but Little Witch Nobeta here still landed in my lap thanks to demographics and opportunity. So then I load into this thing and ...
game review

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

You cannot help but fall into the rhythm of daily life in Like a Dragon: Ishin!, and that immersion blurs the line between player and non-player characters, between the game being played and a life being lived. ― My wife and I order the same meal from the same restaurant every Friday. We share an order of fajitas from our favorite Mexican restaurant. It's part of our weekly ritual, where we get a spe...
game review

Wild Hearts

Wild Hearts feels like a variant of Monster Hunter Rise, but does it offer enough to stand on its own two feet? Wild Hearts has to deal with a very obvious elephant in the room: with its heavily-Japanese-inspired aesthetic and open-world structure, it's going to be fending off a lot of “Like Monster Hunter Rise, but...” comparisons. This isn't a death sentence: the last time Koei Tecmo tried their ...
game review

Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters

Neptunia Sisters VS Sisters isn't doing anything new in the JRPG space, but is it at least a fun ride? ― The Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise has been pretty extensive since 2010. Including the mainline games and the spin-offs, there have been over a dozen games released for the franchise spanning various genres, from online card games to side-scrolling action games to hack-and-slash games with rhyt...
game review

Fire Emblem Engage

Fire Emblem Engage has had a rough time coming. The art style left a lot of people unconvinced, and it's coming on the heels of the widely-beloved Fire Emblem: Three Houses. How does Intelligent Systems' newest strategy RPG hold up? Fire Emblem Engage has had a rough time coming. The title was weird, the art style left a lot of people unconvinced, and it's coming on the heels of the widely-beloved ...
game review

One Piece Odyssey

The presentation is top-notch the entire way through. There are plenty of gorgeous action sequences during combat, voice acting for a large majority of the game's dialogue, and a rich and beautiful world that is easy on the eyes. ― Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this game for the purposes of the review with the pre-order bonus DLC. Additionally, though I am a good ways into the main story, I...
game review

Witch On The Holy Night

I can imagine kinetic novels being a tough sell for most gamers, but for people who are fearless of text in their stories, Witch on the Holy Night has lots to offer. ― Reviewing a kinetic novel is a curious thing. There's no gameplay to discuss or criticize, and there aren't any mechanics to discuss. What you have is a story. The good news is while Witch on the Holy Night is a prequel to Lunar Legend...
game review

The 13th Month

This unique interpretation of Sleeping Beauty features beautiful artwork and an impressive voice cast. The only snag is some rather clunky gameplay mechanics. ― We all know the story of Sleeping Beauty, or at least the versions by Charles Perrault, the Brothers Grimm, and Walt Disney. The fairy tale known as ATU 410 tells of a king and queen desperate for a child who finally have one later in life. T...
game review

Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered

With such an old installment being given new life in this modern age, is there something modern players can enjoy in this blast from the past? ― The SaGa series is considered a beloved classic franchise amongst many RPG circles. They've had mechanics that have been directly inspired by and have led on to inspire other popular RPG franchises. Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered is a remaster of ...
game review

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

The new mainline title has sold over 10 million copies and is the fastest-selling game in Nintendo history. It has a boatload of innovative and call-back features for fans but...it also runs like garbage. ― Have you heard of the fable of the Monkey's Paw? Or the idea of having one's wishes granted but not in a desired form or manner? That is probably the best way that I can describe my feelings towar...
game review

Gungrave G.O.R.E

The controls might be the biggest hurdle in Gungrave G.O.R.E, but once the more exciting locations and bosses appear, this action game has enough charm to smooth over its shortfalls. ― Wow, it's been 18 years since Gungrave: Overdose released on the PS2! Gungrave was one of many weird, mid-budget games you could find on that old console, the likes of which you don't see as often anymore. The thing yo...
game review

Sonic Frontiers

The Blue Blur's latest foray into 3D shows promise for future installments but still lacks the polish fans were hoping for. Sonic the Hedgehog is a franchise that continues to impress me with its ability to persevere even in the face of constant frustration. Despite revolving around an anthropomorphic hedgehog whose main gimmick is running fast, it's almost impressive how often Sega has tripped ove...
game review

Resident Evil Village: Shadows of Rose DLC

What ties this all together is a rather beautiful conclusion to Ethan's story and while that conclusion might be predictable, it is no less emotionally rewarding. ― SPOILER WARNING: As this expansion takes place after the major events of Resident Evil Village, there will be some story spoilers for the sake of context. Please do not try to play this expansion without first completing the base game. If...
game review

Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher

This game will surely please Ultraman fans with plenty of kaiju to discover. If only it was easier to pull our favorite monsters. ― Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher is quite literally Monster Rancher with the beloved kaiju from the Ultraman series replacing the usual stand-bys like Suezo. As a Monster Rancher, you'll earn a breeding license to raise and train kaiju on your ranch. As you train your kaiju, ...
game review

Bayonetta 3

Bayonetta 3 is a game of extremes. One moment, it is mind-blowingly awesome as you smoothly fight through hordes of enemies. The next, it is rage-inducingly frustrating as the game grinds to a halt mid-climax for a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. ― © Nintendo © SEGA published by Nintendo Bayonetta 3 is a game of extremes. One moment, it is mind-blowingly awesome as you smoothly fight through hordes o...

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