Zyphe
2019
Let me be absolutely clear, if ANY studio other than Atlus used this formula they could easily make a masterpiece. Unfortunately, the company is saddled with some of the most incompetent writers in the business, and the rest of them are content in making a stylish, vapid mess.
One of the worst examples of turn-based combat in recent memory, exploitable, repetitive and overused to a comical extent. Palaces are still boring to traverse and feel like pointless, extremely padded set dressing.
The character writing is so surface level and tropey I can only describe it as cringe-worthy. Some exceptions do apply but the vast majority of confidants and team members are mediocre and uninteresting at best.
The direction is also extremely questionable, they were more interested in fanservice than sticking to the themes they attempted to explore initially. Every female character devolved into a different type of waifu-bait the moment their introduction in the main story is finished. Am I'm NOT gonna touch the pedo shit.
One of the worst examples of turn-based combat in recent memory, exploitable, repetitive and overused to a comical extent. Palaces are still boring to traverse and feel like pointless, extremely padded set dressing.
The character writing is so surface level and tropey I can only describe it as cringe-worthy. Some exceptions do apply but the vast majority of confidants and team members are mediocre and uninteresting at best.
The direction is also extremely questionable, they were more interested in fanservice than sticking to the themes they attempted to explore initially. Every female character devolved into a different type of waifu-bait the moment their introduction in the main story is finished. Am I'm NOT gonna touch the pedo shit.
2014
As far as party games go this is an undisputed legend. An absolute blast with a couple of friends and a drink or two.
2012
Utterly indefensible.
Morally reprehensible.
Plays like ass.
I don't believe the pixels on my screen can actually be called characters.
Disgusting on every level.
Morally reprehensible.
Plays like ass.
I don't believe the pixels on my screen can actually be called characters.
Disgusting on every level.
2019
Outwards heart is in a good place, its ideas ranging from okay to excellent but the execution is consistently mediocre.
It tries to emulate souls combat but falls very, very short.
It tries to have in-depth death mechanics that help you tell unique stories, but ends up with repetitive events that only end up making death meaningless.
It tries to make a situational and highly interactive magic system but gets hamstrung by it's ux choices.
It tries to create a large world that's fun to traverse but ends up with maps with a few, very obviously signposted locations where things are, surrounded by empty, boring space that you have to slowly walk through.
It tries to emulate souls combat but falls very, very short.
It tries to have in-depth death mechanics that help you tell unique stories, but ends up with repetitive events that only end up making death meaningless.
It tries to make a situational and highly interactive magic system but gets hamstrung by it's ux choices.
It tries to create a large world that's fun to traverse but ends up with maps with a few, very obviously signposted locations where things are, surrounded by empty, boring space that you have to slowly walk through.
2022
An incredibly tense game about making connections and surviving in a place that doesn't even consider you alive. It's mechanically brilliant, marrying it's themes, it's mechanics and it's atmosphere together like very few games before it. This is an absolute gem.
Fun fact: This is the first game to my knowledge that's been inspired by the tabletop RPG Blades in the Dark. Its great, go play it NOW.
Fun fact: This is the first game to my knowledge that's been inspired by the tabletop RPG Blades in the Dark. Its great, go play it NOW.
2021
A ridiculously fun fighting game with an incredible community behind it.
If only it worked.
If only it worked.
2023
This is the most complete package a fighting game has ever had. Very solid singleplayer content with new and inventive ways to get people into the genre. Training and learning tools were clearly a priority and it shows.
Character diversity is much much better than sfv, with much more distinct characters this time around. There arent many complaints to be had about the game balance either, all characters are viable if not good, and it is far to soon to know what "broken" means in a game with parry and drive rush.
However, the perennial problem of street fighter players being the most boring mfers imaginable persists.
Ken Players delenda est.
Character diversity is much much better than sfv, with much more distinct characters this time around. There arent many complaints to be had about the game balance either, all characters are viable if not good, and it is far to soon to know what "broken" means in a game with parry and drive rush.
However, the perennial problem of street fighter players being the most boring mfers imaginable persists.
Ken Players delenda est.
An excellent investigation vn with compelling characters, fun puzzles, a good mystery (including a non-anime-bullshit resolution!), and an absolutely gorgeous artstyle. Incredibly, this game dodges all the worst traits of a weeb game. No pedo-bait, no creepshots, no insufferable stereotypes.
My only gripe with it is that it could have gone further with many of the gameplay elements it promises at the start. Many concepts don't get reused past their introduction and some very interesting mechanics look like they would be way more important than they end up being.
Overall it is an excellent experience with very broad appeal that somehow square enix forgot? to market? like at all?
My only gripe with it is that it could have gone further with many of the gameplay elements it promises at the start. Many concepts don't get reused past their introduction and some very interesting mechanics look like they would be way more important than they end up being.
Overall it is an excellent experience with very broad appeal that somehow square enix forgot? to market? like at all?
2023
It's ok, fun presentation and concept but I don't get the itch to go back and complete the challenges. The concept seems to be the main draw and as someone with very little experience in traditional city builders I won't comment on the mechanics beyond admitting that they lost my interest shortly after their introduction.