Luke_Forester
A surprisingly niche choice for a remaster release, these 2 adventures had been on my wish list to try since the original release on DS & Wii
Recollection is an impressive upgrade to the original DS game, feeling more like a full remake than remaster. It does feel a touch more generic on Switch - with a few DS specific puzzles replaced.
The sequel, fares a little worse in the package - fighting a slower pace and seemingly less puzzle focused game. Although released on better hardware, the larger outdoor areas have not aged as well as the mansion from the first game.
Overall, it’s nice to have both games available on a modern console.
Recollection is an impressive upgrade to the original DS game, feeling more like a full remake than remaster. It does feel a touch more generic on Switch - with a few DS specific puzzles replaced.
The sequel, fares a little worse in the package - fighting a slower pace and seemingly less puzzle focused game. Although released on better hardware, the larger outdoor areas have not aged as well as the mansion from the first game.
Overall, it’s nice to have both games available on a modern console.
House in Fata Morgana often appears on many best visual novel lists, praised for its narrative and writing
Being a fan of more adventure infused VN’s (Ace attorney & Danganronpa, etc) - The House in Fata Morgana is more truly a novel, with limited dialog options and interaction throughout its run time.
Narratively, house is data Morgana is truly twisted and affecting - despite running out a little bit of steam in its final act
Being a fan of more adventure infused VN’s (Ace attorney & Danganronpa, etc) - The House in Fata Morgana is more truly a novel, with limited dialog options and interaction throughout its run time.
Narratively, house is data Morgana is truly twisted and affecting - despite running out a little bit of steam in its final act
2022
An interesting blend of non traditional storytelling, deduction puzzles & shelf organisation.
Strange Horticulture is captivating enough that a completed it in just 2 sittings, but can admit the rather “still” gameplay and visuals may not impress all
Playing on Switch also felt a little cumbersome, a mouse and keyboard is probably ideal (and a larger screen for the font!)
Strange Horticulture is captivating enough that a completed it in just 2 sittings, but can admit the rather “still” gameplay and visuals may not impress all
Playing on Switch also felt a little cumbersome, a mouse and keyboard is probably ideal (and a larger screen for the font!)
2023
It’s more Picross - what else can you say?
After skipping a few of the “S” entries, I have been impressed by S9
Colour Picross is still a fun addition & the new music is extremely catchy for a light puzzle game
That’s said, it’s still an iterative sequel, simply more puzzles to solve
(I will note some of the pictures are becoming quite obscure and fun to solve compared to your standard “objects” from previous entries!)
After skipping a few of the “S” entries, I have been impressed by S9
Colour Picross is still a fun addition & the new music is extremely catchy for a light puzzle game
That’s said, it’s still an iterative sequel, simply more puzzles to solve
(I will note some of the pictures are becoming quite obscure and fun to solve compared to your standard “objects” from previous entries!)
Little Goody Two Shoes feels like a lost cult gem from the SEGA Saturn era, with its hand painted backdrops, pixel art & somewhat obscure game mechanics
Part life-sim, part witch dating simulator and part survival horror - the game blends all three into something larger than the sum of its parts. This is mainly due to the overwhelming atmosphere of nostalgia - if you’ve ever watched 90’s anime.
It can feel like the games controls / engine can’t quite live up to what it expects you to do in the “nightmare” sections - but if anything, this almost adds to the feeling of playing an older gen game
Part life-sim, part witch dating simulator and part survival horror - the game blends all three into something larger than the sum of its parts. This is mainly due to the overwhelming atmosphere of nostalgia - if you’ve ever watched 90’s anime.
It can feel like the games controls / engine can’t quite live up to what it expects you to do in the “nightmare” sections - but if anything, this almost adds to the feeling of playing an older gen game
2021
One of those “don’t read about it before you play it” games that are always a bit of a gamble
The core card game / deck building mechanic is deeply satisfying once you learn it’s rules - although the added elements later in the game do almost tip this system over
Its what happens in between the cards that makes this game special, subverting expectations of the genre
Lots of creepy / fun secrets also has made me keen for a second play through!
The core card game / deck building mechanic is deeply satisfying once you learn it’s rules - although the added elements later in the game do almost tip this system over
Its what happens in between the cards that makes this game special, subverting expectations of the genre
Lots of creepy / fun secrets also has made me keen for a second play through!
A somewhat underwhelming end to the generation, the Indigo Disk sees your character flown back to Unova to explore an artificial terrarium and battle a new set of elite 4 trainers.
The focus on only double battles introduced a welcome challenge lacking for many previous Pokemon games.
It’s hard not to mention the lack of any improvements to performance, there are numerous points where the game will drop frames (mud!)
Most disappointing is the apparent focus on completing BB quests for in game points to unlock a bulk of the DLC’s content. It’s a slow grind, with menial tasks that aren’t compelling enough to sustain the grind required.
The focus on only double battles introduced a welcome challenge lacking for many previous Pokemon games.
It’s hard not to mention the lack of any improvements to performance, there are numerous points where the game will drop frames (mud!)
Most disappointing is the apparent focus on completing BB quests for in game points to unlock a bulk of the DLC’s content. It’s a slow grind, with menial tasks that aren’t compelling enough to sustain the grind required.
2023
Giving that Nintendo polish!
A nice blend of the second and third games, with the enjoyable addition of missions.
Night levels felt a little “tacked on” but still enjoyable and meaty post game content too
A nice blend of the second and third games, with the enjoyable addition of missions.
Night levels felt a little “tacked on” but still enjoyable and meaty post game content too
Loved that additional content is available for such a special game. These 3 cases felt a little looser in their construction, logic wise & the unfamiliar character naming did add some difficulty to their solutions
Once it clicks, it really clicks - some extremely satisfying logic puzzles wrapped in a unique art style
The Switch control scheme can be a little fiddly, but overall a totally unique experience and onto the DLC
The Switch control scheme can be a little fiddly, but overall a totally unique experience and onto the DLC
The island of Kitakami felt like a more tightly designed open world and had more fun exploring it than the base game
Slightly disappointed in the lack of new Pokémon, but trained up a few new members for my team
Overall feels like a warm up to DLC 2
Slightly disappointed in the lack of new Pokémon, but trained up a few new members for my team
Overall feels like a warm up to DLC 2
Enjoyed the smaller scale / character based story and the improvements to the UI.
The change to an “over the shoulder” camera was also a nice improvement.
Some small slowdowns and graphical glitches were noticeable and some choices felt a little too forced
Overall a good send off for Clementine & the series
The change to an “over the shoulder” camera was also a nice improvement.
Some small slowdowns and graphical glitches were noticeable and some choices felt a little too forced
Overall a good send off for Clementine & the series