LSav00
Nowhere near as gut-wrenchingly bad as others are claiming, but that ISN'T to say it's some sort of hidden masterpiece. Very much a case of 'perfectly fine, but not much else;' whether or not you're looking for a short, sweet weekend romp or consider this a case of damnation via faint praise, depends on a person-to-person basis.
For me personally, while it was as simple as you'd expect an introductory adventure game to be (younger players are definitely going to get a kick out of the intrigue and action, whereas I guessed 95% of the main plot in the first case), the upbeat and charming writing was entertaining enough to make me want to keep playing. The music was bizarrely good, too. Luxray's theme especially is an absolute banger.
You can tell this was a project that started life on the 3DS, most likely got battered by covid (and not being as high-priority as other Pokémon games) and was parped out in its twilight years as 'lip filler' to make the Switch's lineup feel more well-stocked.
Overall, I feel bad for this game. It's going to get absolutely torn apart through no real fault of its own, given the circumstances it released in. If anything, it's a pleasant curio, and definitive proof that the Switch has been fantastic for letting Pokémon spinoffs experiment and do their own thing with the series. The story of the 3DS game wraps up with this sequel, but I would love to see a third instalment - I want this sort of unique spin on Pokémon to REALLY shine.
For me personally, while it was as simple as you'd expect an introductory adventure game to be (younger players are definitely going to get a kick out of the intrigue and action, whereas I guessed 95% of the main plot in the first case), the upbeat and charming writing was entertaining enough to make me want to keep playing. The music was bizarrely good, too. Luxray's theme especially is an absolute banger.
You can tell this was a project that started life on the 3DS, most likely got battered by covid (and not being as high-priority as other Pokémon games) and was parped out in its twilight years as 'lip filler' to make the Switch's lineup feel more well-stocked.
Overall, I feel bad for this game. It's going to get absolutely torn apart through no real fault of its own, given the circumstances it released in. If anything, it's a pleasant curio, and definitive proof that the Switch has been fantastic for letting Pokémon spinoffs experiment and do their own thing with the series. The story of the 3DS game wraps up with this sequel, but I would love to see a third instalment - I want this sort of unique spin on Pokémon to REALLY shine.
2012
One of the best Pokémon spinoffs, bar none. Completing the 'story' mode, only to find out it's a tutorial for the rest of the game - wherein you get to play as EVERY single warlord, each with their own campaigns - was mindblowing when I first played.
Never fully completed this game as a result, but my god there's hours upon hours of content waiting for you, and as deep as you want the strategy to be, too - a damn shame it's never gotten a followup.
Never fully completed this game as a result, but my god there's hours upon hours of content waiting for you, and as deep as you want the strategy to be, too - a damn shame it's never gotten a followup.
A breath of fresh air that Mazza SORELY needed.
The amount of creativity packed into the game's (a little disappointingly) short runtime is nothing short of delightful. You'll never quite know what's coming next, and the presentation factor with the vibrant graphics and fantastic sound design make it a treat for the senses. The uniqueness in course aesthetics and overworld theming compared to the previous games (even if they're based on old trends, like 'grassland' and 'lava') remains fresh.
The only real major disappointment is the bosses, which are both far too sparse, and are also unable to catch up with the game's own wellspring of ideas, leaving them feeling far too tame for the game, and boring in design. The design of the final boss made me roll my eyes, and if you've played other Nintendo games, you'll know exactly why.
Overall, though, this is an absolute diamond of a game, and proof that, even after all this time, when Nintendo know what they want to do with an IP, they know HOW to do it.
The amount of creativity packed into the game's (a little disappointingly) short runtime is nothing short of delightful. You'll never quite know what's coming next, and the presentation factor with the vibrant graphics and fantastic sound design make it a treat for the senses. The uniqueness in course aesthetics and overworld theming compared to the previous games (even if they're based on old trends, like 'grassland' and 'lava') remains fresh.
The only real major disappointment is the bosses, which are both far too sparse, and are also unable to catch up with the game's own wellspring of ideas, leaving them feeling far too tame for the game, and boring in design. The design of the final boss made me roll my eyes, and if you've played other Nintendo games, you'll know exactly why.
Overall, though, this is an absolute diamond of a game, and proof that, even after all this time, when Nintendo know what they want to do with an IP, they know HOW to do it.
I am so, SO glad I took a chance and played this game.
The story, and the way it connects the player with the delightful cast of characters, goes places I have never seen another game go before. My jaw was on the floor with certain a certain plot twist, and it's pulled off amazingly.
The pre-rendered (pre-painted, I believe?) backgrounds give this game a timeless look... Outside of some awkward character animations. The creativity on display is on another level.
The luck-based element of the deckbuilding combat can be frustrating if you get a crap hand at a critical moment, and there's some frustrating bosses towards the end - the remaster's framerate is insanely spotty too - but those issues are waylaid but just how amazing the game looks, the writing, and the satisfaction of kicking you enemy to the curb with the combat system.
Please, PLEASE give this game a chance if you're even remotely curious or enjoy RPGs - you may just find a new favourite, like I did.
The story, and the way it connects the player with the delightful cast of characters, goes places I have never seen another game go before. My jaw was on the floor with certain a certain plot twist, and it's pulled off amazingly.
The pre-rendered (pre-painted, I believe?) backgrounds give this game a timeless look... Outside of some awkward character animations. The creativity on display is on another level.
The luck-based element of the deckbuilding combat can be frustrating if you get a crap hand at a critical moment, and there's some frustrating bosses towards the end - the remaster's framerate is insanely spotty too - but those issues are waylaid but just how amazing the game looks, the writing, and the satisfaction of kicking you enemy to the curb with the combat system.
Please, PLEASE give this game a chance if you're even remotely curious or enjoy RPGs - you may just find a new favourite, like I did.
2023
As someone who only played about ten minutes of the original, I can really only give my thoughts on this game from the angle of JUST playing this remake.
Holy hell, what a game this was. A fulfilling bite-size chunk of RPG - completed the main story and all the bonus postgame bosses in just under 20 hours - but despite the short length, it is stuffed to the GILLS with charm and fun character moments. It's vibrant, snappy, smooth as butter, and I enjoyed (almost) every minute of it. Very pleased I took a chance with this game.
Holy hell, what a game this was. A fulfilling bite-size chunk of RPG - completed the main story and all the bonus postgame bosses in just under 20 hours - but despite the short length, it is stuffed to the GILLS with charm and fun character moments. It's vibrant, snappy, smooth as butter, and I enjoyed (almost) every minute of it. Very pleased I took a chance with this game.
2023
I remember when the first Octopath Traveler was announced, I thought it looked interesting. Never got around to playing it, though. So, originally, I wasn't going to pick up the sequel.
Then I had a dream about playing it - more than that, LIKING it - so I took that as a sign from God that I should pick this game up.
Holy goddamn am I glad I did, as this is one of the best fuckin games (that isn't a remake or a remaster) that I've played in AGES.
The characters are immediately likable, their eight stories having me hooked from beginning to end, all culiminating in some plot twists that had my jaw FIRMLY dislocated. To say nothing of the gorgeous art style, or the incredible soundtrack accompanying it all, or even the really, REALLY fun combat!
God damn. God DAMN. One of the best RPGs I've ever played.
Then I had a dream about playing it - more than that, LIKING it - so I took that as a sign from God that I should pick this game up.
Holy goddamn am I glad I did, as this is one of the best fuckin games (that isn't a remake or a remaster) that I've played in AGES.
The characters are immediately likable, their eight stories having me hooked from beginning to end, all culiminating in some plot twists that had my jaw FIRMLY dislocated. To say nothing of the gorgeous art style, or the incredible soundtrack accompanying it all, or even the really, REALLY fun combat!
God damn. God DAMN. One of the best RPGs I've ever played.
2023
After seeing all the hype these games get (and have gotten from my online friends for about a decade) I finally took the plunge with one of these Persona games.
I cried three times at the ending. Proper dry-heave sobbing. The cast and story are among gaming's best.
Loved the way the themes tied into the gameplay, the time management made moment-to-moment choices a lot more meaningful, and exploring Tartarus was stupid addictive.
Going to be thinking about this game for a long, long while.
I cried three times at the ending. Proper dry-heave sobbing. The cast and story are among gaming's best.
Loved the way the themes tied into the gameplay, the time management made moment-to-moment choices a lot more meaningful, and exploring Tartarus was stupid addictive.
Going to be thinking about this game for a long, long while.