atelieroli
2020
I love ocean life, so I had to give Maneater a try. The gameplay is horribly repetitive, but the game isn't long enough for it to get boring. The best part about Maneater is by far the nature documentary-esque narrator making snide anti-capitalism comments and pointing out commercialism and climate change in the human race in a funny way.
I was torn on whether or not this game is anti-shark propaganda, but decided on the idea that it's almost parody of itself, making the shark seem like some extraterrestrial mega-killer battling the grip of human greed and ignorance for the planet. Lots of laughs and a quick game!
I was torn on whether or not this game is anti-shark propaganda, but decided on the idea that it's almost parody of itself, making the shark seem like some extraterrestrial mega-killer battling the grip of human greed and ignorance for the planet. Lots of laughs and a quick game!
My first Vanillaware game! The artstyle and design are what initially drew me in to Odin Sphere, but the gameplay and story made it more than worth it. It now stands as one of the best games I've ever played, and stands high on the list of games that made me cry the most.
The environments are gorgeous, encompassing everywhere from an aurora-cast city in the clouds to a glowing fairy paradise deep in a forest. The enemy design and animations aid in making every location feel alive, and the respective characters you meet in every locale adds to the fantastic ambiance of Odin Sphere that never gets boring.
2D side-scroller action games are something many consider played out and stagnant, but Vanillaware has a way of standing out with Odin Sphere's combat. It's easy to get the hang of, highly customizable, fluid, fast, and fun. Getting to experiment with each character's abilities and upgrading those that fit your playstyle allows for extremely satisfying combat. Additionally, the animations for many actions are masterfully done and simply add to how gorgeous every aspect of this game is.
The dungeon style of Odin Sphere is extremely unique, and it keeps the game fresh and fun while also being extremely simple to navigate. Exploration aspects like finding all items in a room and the clues given to you about chests with hidden psyphers was a perfect compliment to the well-made combat.
Cooking is the third mechanic that stood out to me. Collecting ingredients throughout levels, growing fruits and vegetables right there on the battlefield, and using your own power (phosons) to help them grow and give you EXP was lots of fun, and using what you grew at Maury's travelling restaurant while discovering new recipes in every chapter added to an already rewarding experience.
The original PS2 Odin Sphere was criticized for its difficulty, and I understand why. Playing the game on Hard (which was Normal difficulty in the 2007 original) was a challenge, and the easier difficulties added in Leifthrasir makes the game as a whole much more accessible and enjoyable.
Content-wise, you can play through the main story in somewhere between 25-40 hours, which felt sufficient for the story being told. I found it really cool how there are multiple final bosses, and you can fight any one of them with any of the main characters. Postgame content is almost nonexistent, except for a boss rush "Churning Rift of the World" mode.
The story in Odin Sphere is one of the best in any RPG (or any game ever) that I've seen. A main premise of five interconnected stories initially seemed like there wouldn't be any room for good development, but by the end I was extremely attached to all the characters and even a few of the antagonists. Furthermore, I never felt the pacing was reset or lost with the start of a new storybook and the beginning of a new character's story. Mercedes' ending is genuinely one of the most emotional moments I've experienced from a video game, although every protagonist was extremely well written and voice acted. The design of the main protagonists and many of the side characters is also top-tier, creating a cast of unforgettable characters that stand out immensely.
The music in Odin Sphere, while good, is simply standard. It doesn't stand out like all the other aspects of the game - with one exception. The main theme/credits music is a beautiful piece that fits the vibe of the game and adds to its beauty.
Odin Sphere is a game I will not soon forget, and a game I will soon return to and replay. Vanillaware's magnum opus, a masterpiece of writing, gameplay, and art combined into one. Absolutely worth a playthrough, or two, or more!
The environments are gorgeous, encompassing everywhere from an aurora-cast city in the clouds to a glowing fairy paradise deep in a forest. The enemy design and animations aid in making every location feel alive, and the respective characters you meet in every locale adds to the fantastic ambiance of Odin Sphere that never gets boring.
2D side-scroller action games are something many consider played out and stagnant, but Vanillaware has a way of standing out with Odin Sphere's combat. It's easy to get the hang of, highly customizable, fluid, fast, and fun. Getting to experiment with each character's abilities and upgrading those that fit your playstyle allows for extremely satisfying combat. Additionally, the animations for many actions are masterfully done and simply add to how gorgeous every aspect of this game is.
The dungeon style of Odin Sphere is extremely unique, and it keeps the game fresh and fun while also being extremely simple to navigate. Exploration aspects like finding all items in a room and the clues given to you about chests with hidden psyphers was a perfect compliment to the well-made combat.
Cooking is the third mechanic that stood out to me. Collecting ingredients throughout levels, growing fruits and vegetables right there on the battlefield, and using your own power (phosons) to help them grow and give you EXP was lots of fun, and using what you grew at Maury's travelling restaurant while discovering new recipes in every chapter added to an already rewarding experience.
The original PS2 Odin Sphere was criticized for its difficulty, and I understand why. Playing the game on Hard (which was Normal difficulty in the 2007 original) was a challenge, and the easier difficulties added in Leifthrasir makes the game as a whole much more accessible and enjoyable.
Content-wise, you can play through the main story in somewhere between 25-40 hours, which felt sufficient for the story being told. I found it really cool how there are multiple final bosses, and you can fight any one of them with any of the main characters. Postgame content is almost nonexistent, except for a boss rush "Churning Rift of the World" mode.
The story in Odin Sphere is one of the best in any RPG (or any game ever) that I've seen. A main premise of five interconnected stories initially seemed like there wouldn't be any room for good development, but by the end I was extremely attached to all the characters and even a few of the antagonists. Furthermore, I never felt the pacing was reset or lost with the start of a new storybook and the beginning of a new character's story. Mercedes' ending is genuinely one of the most emotional moments I've experienced from a video game, although every protagonist was extremely well written and voice acted. The design of the main protagonists and many of the side characters is also top-tier, creating a cast of unforgettable characters that stand out immensely.
The music in Odin Sphere, while good, is simply standard. It doesn't stand out like all the other aspects of the game - with one exception. The main theme/credits music is a beautiful piece that fits the vibe of the game and adds to its beauty.
Odin Sphere is a game I will not soon forget, and a game I will soon return to and replay. Vanillaware's magnum opus, a masterpiece of writing, gameplay, and art combined into one. Absolutely worth a playthrough, or two, or more!
I was a pretty big fan of the first Monster Hunter Stories game on 3DS, and needless to say MHS2 was a fantastic continuation! All the charm from the first game is back in full force - the cute monstie designs, the fun environments, and the fantastic soundtrack did not disappoint in the slightest. Seeing characters return from the first game was incredible as well, and solidified my love for this game.
My only major gripes are easily remedied. The English voice acting was subpar at best, especially Navirou - a character you have to hear constantly throughout the game - but it didn't bother me enough to ruin my immersion or interest in the game. I'd simply recommend playing the game with Japanese voices unless you absolutely must hear the English voices.
The characters and their writing was very hit-or-miss, with the blatant miss being Reverto. A cool father-like figure from the first game was reduced to some annoying surfer dudebro, and it didn't sit well with me. Newer characters like Ena and Kyle were decently written, nothing major to complain about there.
The story as a whole feels very cookie-cutter and generic at times, but it never felt too boring or repetitive, and it was a very comfortable length.
A flexible battle system that can be enjoyed in both simple and complex ways helps the gameplay shine, as the combat felt too boring and easy in the first Monster Hunter Stories game. Being able to customize a team of your favorite monsties and forge awesome armor was a ton of fun!
Monster Hunter Stories 2 can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether or not you've played the first game, if you like simple or complex battle systems, if you're a mainline Monster Hunter fan or a turn-based RPG fan, the game has enjoyable aspects for a wide variety of tastes. I would personally recommend playing the first Monster Hunter Stories game on 3DS if you have access to it, as it makes the characters feel more exciting and the reveals that much more meaningful. Great combat, great exploration, acceptable story and characters, and fantastic monstie designs makes Monster Hunter Stories too a solidly good game that adds to the killer lineup of the Nintendo Switch's RPG library!
My only major gripes are easily remedied. The English voice acting was subpar at best, especially Navirou - a character you have to hear constantly throughout the game - but it didn't bother me enough to ruin my immersion or interest in the game. I'd simply recommend playing the game with Japanese voices unless you absolutely must hear the English voices.
The characters and their writing was very hit-or-miss, with the blatant miss being Reverto. A cool father-like figure from the first game was reduced to some annoying surfer dudebro, and it didn't sit well with me. Newer characters like Ena and Kyle were decently written, nothing major to complain about there.
The story as a whole feels very cookie-cutter and generic at times, but it never felt too boring or repetitive, and it was a very comfortable length.
A flexible battle system that can be enjoyed in both simple and complex ways helps the gameplay shine, as the combat felt too boring and easy in the first Monster Hunter Stories game. Being able to customize a team of your favorite monsties and forge awesome armor was a ton of fun!
Monster Hunter Stories 2 can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether or not you've played the first game, if you like simple or complex battle systems, if you're a mainline Monster Hunter fan or a turn-based RPG fan, the game has enjoyable aspects for a wide variety of tastes. I would personally recommend playing the first Monster Hunter Stories game on 3DS if you have access to it, as it makes the characters feel more exciting and the reveals that much more meaningful. Great combat, great exploration, acceptable story and characters, and fantastic monstie designs makes Monster Hunter Stories too a solidly good game that adds to the killer lineup of the Nintendo Switch's RPG library!
I'm a huge Level-5 fan, and I've played most of their games. They're a developer that really put a lot of love into their games, and you can really feel that when you play them. So understandably, I came into Snack World with high hopes and high expectations - but I was sorely disappointed.
As per usual with Level-5, there is a lot of good fourth-wall-breaking humor in Snack World which was a lot of fun! The environments feel whimsical and all the major points in the town feel well-placed. The combat is solid, the exploration is intuitive, and the enemies are pretty cool as well.
Where the game went wrong is that it didn't do anything new - once you played the first dungeon, you've played them all. It was a repetitive snoozefest over and over again, and the lackluster story didn't motivate me at all to continue playing it.
I do like the characters, they're cute and funny and fit in well with the theme of the game, but they never really did anything major in the story. There were no stakes and no reasons to feel connected to any of the characters, and the combat was all the same as it was when I first played the tutorial.
I really wanted to like Snack World, and I can't say I didn't give it a shot. I know Level-5 are masterful game developers, and they've made some of my all-time favorites, but this is simply a title that is all Level-5 charm and no good substance or gameplay.
As per usual with Level-5, there is a lot of good fourth-wall-breaking humor in Snack World which was a lot of fun! The environments feel whimsical and all the major points in the town feel well-placed. The combat is solid, the exploration is intuitive, and the enemies are pretty cool as well.
Where the game went wrong is that it didn't do anything new - once you played the first dungeon, you've played them all. It was a repetitive snoozefest over and over again, and the lackluster story didn't motivate me at all to continue playing it.
I do like the characters, they're cute and funny and fit in well with the theme of the game, but they never really did anything major in the story. There were no stakes and no reasons to feel connected to any of the characters, and the combat was all the same as it was when I first played the tutorial.
I really wanted to like Snack World, and I can't say I didn't give it a shot. I know Level-5 are masterful game developers, and they've made some of my all-time favorites, but this is simply a title that is all Level-5 charm and no good substance or gameplay.
2019
I love, love, LOVE Ring Fit Adventure! When it was first revealed, I tossed it aside as another Nintendo gimmick that would be supported for less than a year and trashed (a la Nintendo Labo). After reviews came out, I figured it would be worth a shot to stay in shape during the height of the 2020 pandemic.
This game kicked my ass, big time! The tension ring combined with the leg strap will really get your blood pumping in all the ways you want it to. Customizable movesets (I chose mostly legs, abs, and yoga) allow for a very personalized experience - it felt like Nintendo themselves were my personal trainers! All you need is a 30-45 minute play session every day to see results, and I ended up seeing them much faster than I expected!
As for the game design, it's perfectly tailored to make the exercise you do feel like it's worth it in-game. Better technique and stronger reps help you do more damage to enemies and complete levels with a higher score. Collecting fruits and other food materials to make smoothies can boost your stats, which is especially helpful for boss fights.
Ring Fit is very much a slow-burn game - being around 30 hours, playing around half an hour a day will ensure you can enjoy the game to the fullest. Even when you do finish the campaign, you can use your unlocked skills/exercises to make personalized workout routines, or even choose one of the stages to go on a leisurely jog. I also really liked the idea of being able to do reps with the screen off, having the joycons in the ring let you know when you've successfully done 100 reps while you can watch something on TV.
Ring Fit is the perfect game for anyone who is lacking the motivation to exercise, but not lacking the motivation to game. A perfect mix of RPG elements and exercise-based combat will really beat you up and not just burn a few calories, but actually really get you in shape!
This game kicked my ass, big time! The tension ring combined with the leg strap will really get your blood pumping in all the ways you want it to. Customizable movesets (I chose mostly legs, abs, and yoga) allow for a very personalized experience - it felt like Nintendo themselves were my personal trainers! All you need is a 30-45 minute play session every day to see results, and I ended up seeing them much faster than I expected!
As for the game design, it's perfectly tailored to make the exercise you do feel like it's worth it in-game. Better technique and stronger reps help you do more damage to enemies and complete levels with a higher score. Collecting fruits and other food materials to make smoothies can boost your stats, which is especially helpful for boss fights.
Ring Fit is very much a slow-burn game - being around 30 hours, playing around half an hour a day will ensure you can enjoy the game to the fullest. Even when you do finish the campaign, you can use your unlocked skills/exercises to make personalized workout routines, or even choose one of the stages to go on a leisurely jog. I also really liked the idea of being able to do reps with the screen off, having the joycons in the ring let you know when you've successfully done 100 reps while you can watch something on TV.
Ring Fit is the perfect game for anyone who is lacking the motivation to exercise, but not lacking the motivation to game. A perfect mix of RPG elements and exercise-based combat will really beat you up and not just burn a few calories, but actually really get you in shape!
2017
ARMS gets a lot of criticism for a lot of good reasons. 3D arena fighting games aren't exactly everyone's cup of tea, and the gimmick of long and curvable arms may have felt out-of-place for many. However, I saw a lot of potential in this game and ended up enjoying it to the fullest.
What stands out the most for me in ARMS is the character designs, which may go down in history as some of the most memorable and creative designs for any switch game. The motifs each character goes along with all meld perfectly with the personality and mechanics of ARMS, and their arenas/stadiums are bursting with color and charm.
The music is top-notch too, with a mostly samba-inspired theme. This gives the game an upbeat and pumping feel, which adds to the excitement of playing it.
ARMS starts to show its bad side when you actually play the game. There's no story mode, and each of the wonderfully designed characters have next to no backstory, aside from a few sentences on their art pages. The grand prix is playing the same thing over and over again, and switching characters/arms doesn't make the experience much different. Even the minigames get boring after you play them a few times.
ARMS is a classic case of a Nintendo game with wasted potential - masterful character design, extremely memorable soundtrack, but a lack of actual content in-game. You can experience all there is in ARMS in less than an hour, even after the added free updates (which only added new characters + stages). I honestly can't recommend ARMS for the full $60 price tag, but I hope Nintendo decides to do more with it in the future. A sequel with a big story mode and more play options would really frame the good aspects of this game in a way that could allow it to become one of Nintendo's flagship titles.
I love ARMS, and I'm holding out hope that it will eventually get the attention it deserves!
What stands out the most for me in ARMS is the character designs, which may go down in history as some of the most memorable and creative designs for any switch game. The motifs each character goes along with all meld perfectly with the personality and mechanics of ARMS, and their arenas/stadiums are bursting with color and charm.
The music is top-notch too, with a mostly samba-inspired theme. This gives the game an upbeat and pumping feel, which adds to the excitement of playing it.
ARMS starts to show its bad side when you actually play the game. There's no story mode, and each of the wonderfully designed characters have next to no backstory, aside from a few sentences on their art pages. The grand prix is playing the same thing over and over again, and switching characters/arms doesn't make the experience much different. Even the minigames get boring after you play them a few times.
ARMS is a classic case of a Nintendo game with wasted potential - masterful character design, extremely memorable soundtrack, but a lack of actual content in-game. You can experience all there is in ARMS in less than an hour, even after the added free updates (which only added new characters + stages). I honestly can't recommend ARMS for the full $60 price tag, but I hope Nintendo decides to do more with it in the future. A sequel with a big story mode and more play options would really frame the good aspects of this game in a way that could allow it to become one of Nintendo's flagship titles.
I love ARMS, and I'm holding out hope that it will eventually get the attention it deserves!
Snipperclips is one of those games you dig off the shelf when you've pretty much run out of things to play - it's a very solid game, but it's simply overshadowed by a myriad of superior titles in the Switch's library.
Snipperclips was an awesome game when it first came out, being pretty much the only multiplayer couch co-op game for the first few weeks of the console's life. The vibrant colors and cute + silly characters allowed the game to stand out among the few Switch launch titles. The concept of the game is very creative as well, cutting out each other's characters to solve puzzles. It's something I've never seen done before, and with the plus version adding minigames and more levels, Nintendo really went out of their way to make the most out of the mechanic.
Unfortunately, I feel the game gets stale the more you play it. You and your partner may feel burnt-out and exhausted after only completing a few levels, and be ready to play something else. The downfall of Snipperclips would be the mechanics of the game making longer play sessions boring and unenjoyable. But for what it's worth, short play sessions could be exactly what the developers had in mind creating this game. It's something you can pick up and play with a friend for an hour, get bored, and play something else.
In any case, it's worth noting that Snipperclips plus IS a good game, but you may find yourself developing indifferent feelings towards it the more you play it. If you're craving couch co-op that won't get stale after one play session, you might want to look somewhere else. However, if what you're craving is a break with some cutesy colorful puzzle fun in between larger games, Snipperclips just might scratch that itch.
Snipperclips was an awesome game when it first came out, being pretty much the only multiplayer couch co-op game for the first few weeks of the console's life. The vibrant colors and cute + silly characters allowed the game to stand out among the few Switch launch titles. The concept of the game is very creative as well, cutting out each other's characters to solve puzzles. It's something I've never seen done before, and with the plus version adding minigames and more levels, Nintendo really went out of their way to make the most out of the mechanic.
Unfortunately, I feel the game gets stale the more you play it. You and your partner may feel burnt-out and exhausted after only completing a few levels, and be ready to play something else. The downfall of Snipperclips would be the mechanics of the game making longer play sessions boring and unenjoyable. But for what it's worth, short play sessions could be exactly what the developers had in mind creating this game. It's something you can pick up and play with a friend for an hour, get bored, and play something else.
In any case, it's worth noting that Snipperclips plus IS a good game, but you may find yourself developing indifferent feelings towards it the more you play it. If you're craving couch co-op that won't get stale after one play session, you might want to look somewhere else. However, if what you're craving is a break with some cutesy colorful puzzle fun in between larger games, Snipperclips just might scratch that itch.
Dragon Quest VIII is, simply put, Dragon Quest at its very best. The gorgeous 3D environments, the story, the characters, and the combat go together perfectly, making this game a bona fide masterpiece.
The combat is the classic turn-based system that somehow never seems to age badly, even with more modern DQ titles. Like the fifth game in the franchise, Dragon Quest VIII gives the option of recruiting monsters to join your party and fight in special arena battles - exactly like the DQ Monsters games. The introduction of the tension system was a fantastic choice as well, allowing you to allot a turn to charging up attacks to make them extra powerful. Watching a tensed-up Jessica unleashing a fearsome Twin Dragon Lash to obliterate enemies is, in my opinion, one of the simple pleasures in life.
The characters are genuinely perfect as well - every single one of them develops so amazingly throughout the story, and only having four party members allows for room where the characters can interact with each other to showcase the dynamics in their personalities. This is something that really captured my heart, and is something I didn't really see in Dragon Quest XI, due to having a large amount of party members. Jessica, Angelo, and Yangus are extremely memorable characters and are voice acted wonderfully, which I feel makes them some of the most iconic faces in the entire Dragon Quest franchise.
The music is a classic, it never fails to make you feel some sort of strong emotion, and will make you get so attached and immersed into the game. The sweeping yet subtle overworld theme truly conveys a feeling of an unknown world that is both scary and exciting to explore. The battle music is some of the best in the franchise as well, a truly iconic tune.
Not enough praises can be said about Dragon Quest VIII, and with the huge success of DQXI bringing new fans into the series, DQVIII is a game I feel should be next on the list of anyone who enjoyed DQXI. I personally think it is the best game in the entire series, and worth the play for any fan of JRPGS.
This game will be remembered as a classic, but it is held back by having the best version of it (PS2) locked to a physical disk on a dated console. Bringing this game to a modern audience is exactly what it needs to be elevated to one of the most perfect and iconic games of all time.
Play this game, you won't regret it!
The combat is the classic turn-based system that somehow never seems to age badly, even with more modern DQ titles. Like the fifth game in the franchise, Dragon Quest VIII gives the option of recruiting monsters to join your party and fight in special arena battles - exactly like the DQ Monsters games. The introduction of the tension system was a fantastic choice as well, allowing you to allot a turn to charging up attacks to make them extra powerful. Watching a tensed-up Jessica unleashing a fearsome Twin Dragon Lash to obliterate enemies is, in my opinion, one of the simple pleasures in life.
The characters are genuinely perfect as well - every single one of them develops so amazingly throughout the story, and only having four party members allows for room where the characters can interact with each other to showcase the dynamics in their personalities. This is something that really captured my heart, and is something I didn't really see in Dragon Quest XI, due to having a large amount of party members. Jessica, Angelo, and Yangus are extremely memorable characters and are voice acted wonderfully, which I feel makes them some of the most iconic faces in the entire Dragon Quest franchise.
The music is a classic, it never fails to make you feel some sort of strong emotion, and will make you get so attached and immersed into the game. The sweeping yet subtle overworld theme truly conveys a feeling of an unknown world that is both scary and exciting to explore. The battle music is some of the best in the franchise as well, a truly iconic tune.
Not enough praises can be said about Dragon Quest VIII, and with the huge success of DQXI bringing new fans into the series, DQVIII is a game I feel should be next on the list of anyone who enjoyed DQXI. I personally think it is the best game in the entire series, and worth the play for any fan of JRPGS.
This game will be remembered as a classic, but it is held back by having the best version of it (PS2) locked to a physical disk on a dated console. Bringing this game to a modern audience is exactly what it needs to be elevated to one of the most perfect and iconic games of all time.
Play this game, you won't regret it!
2017
It's short, it's simple, it's CATS! What else could I possibly have asked for? Cat Quest is a perfect cozy game to play cuddled up with your own cat. The combat can be mastered in 5 minutes, and once you get the hang of it, the exploration of the world becomes the main focus. Sidequests and dungeons are well-placed to make them intriguing and inviting, and the enemies never stand in your way unless you want them to.
The style and art of Cat Quest is proof that sometimes simple is better, and paired with simple, cute music makes the game feel like a classic experience. I must say my praises for the length of the game, as well. I got the platinum trophy in less than 12 hours, which I feel like is the perfect amount of time to gauge if you want to move on to Cat Quest II, which is essentially more of the same, but longer and with more content.
If I had one bad thing to say about Cat Quest, it would be that the rolling/dodging system can feel a little clunky and might not always do exactly what you want it to, but in no way does that sour the experience (the game is pretty easy either way).
While the story never really hooked me, as I focused on doing sidequests most of the time, it ended with a genuinely interesting plot twist that solidified my love for this game. It's not exactly masterpiece material, but it's certainly good enough to make the game that much more enjoyable.
Cat Quest is perfect for more casual gamers who enjoy cute, simple, cozy games, or for any gamer who wants a break from massive and detailed AAA titles and wants a game that's nothing but relaxing. Or, if you're like me and love adventure games and cats, I cannot recommend Cat Quest enough. You can pick it up and play it for half an hour at a time, or get immersed and beat it in just a few longer play sessions.
With cute visuals, a simple-but-perfect soundtrack, and intuitive combat, Cat Quest is a reminder that sometimes simple is better. Or that anything is better with cats in it.
The style and art of Cat Quest is proof that sometimes simple is better, and paired with simple, cute music makes the game feel like a classic experience. I must say my praises for the length of the game, as well. I got the platinum trophy in less than 12 hours, which I feel like is the perfect amount of time to gauge if you want to move on to Cat Quest II, which is essentially more of the same, but longer and with more content.
If I had one bad thing to say about Cat Quest, it would be that the rolling/dodging system can feel a little clunky and might not always do exactly what you want it to, but in no way does that sour the experience (the game is pretty easy either way).
While the story never really hooked me, as I focused on doing sidequests most of the time, it ended with a genuinely interesting plot twist that solidified my love for this game. It's not exactly masterpiece material, but it's certainly good enough to make the game that much more enjoyable.
Cat Quest is perfect for more casual gamers who enjoy cute, simple, cozy games, or for any gamer who wants a break from massive and detailed AAA titles and wants a game that's nothing but relaxing. Or, if you're like me and love adventure games and cats, I cannot recommend Cat Quest enough. You can pick it up and play it for half an hour at a time, or get immersed and beat it in just a few longer play sessions.
With cute visuals, a simple-but-perfect soundtrack, and intuitive combat, Cat Quest is a reminder that sometimes simple is better. Or that anything is better with cats in it.
I did the right thing coming into Dragon Quest Swords, having the mindset of it being a spinoff side-game as opposed to a full-blown Dragon Quest experience. Swords was one of many games trying to make the most out of the Wii's motion control by implementing it as a major gameplay element as opposed to a gimmick or separate control option.
It's safe to say DQS knows how to make the motion controls feel good and satisfying without it feeling unresponsive. The trick they used was to not overcomplicate the depth of the motion controls, and to keep the game as just a fun and crazy hack-n-slash. The controls are easy to get used to, work well with the story and gameplay, and the shorter length of the game helped me not get bored with the constant swinging and aiming.
The story is nothing out of the ordinary - it is Dragon Quest, after all. I particularly felt that the first-person-dungeon-crawling aspect was something that felt fresh and new to Dragon Quest, which helped me stay engaged with the game. I didn't feel like there were any major difficulty spikes, the whole game felt fair and balanced.
Dragon Quest Swords is simple, good fun with the Wii remote. It's equally enjoyed in short or long play sessions, and if you need a Dragon Quest fix without diving into one of the 60+ hour mainline titles, Swords will scratch that itch easily. It's a fresh take on the classic series that feels separate from the other games, while still maintaining that charm and feel from any other DQ game.
It's safe to say DQS knows how to make the motion controls feel good and satisfying without it feeling unresponsive. The trick they used was to not overcomplicate the depth of the motion controls, and to keep the game as just a fun and crazy hack-n-slash. The controls are easy to get used to, work well with the story and gameplay, and the shorter length of the game helped me not get bored with the constant swinging and aiming.
The story is nothing out of the ordinary - it is Dragon Quest, after all. I particularly felt that the first-person-dungeon-crawling aspect was something that felt fresh and new to Dragon Quest, which helped me stay engaged with the game. I didn't feel like there were any major difficulty spikes, the whole game felt fair and balanced.
Dragon Quest Swords is simple, good fun with the Wii remote. It's equally enjoyed in short or long play sessions, and if you need a Dragon Quest fix without diving into one of the 60+ hour mainline titles, Swords will scratch that itch easily. It's a fresh take on the classic series that feels separate from the other games, while still maintaining that charm and feel from any other DQ game.
Banana Mania is Super Monkey Ball at its best - or if you easily get frustrated at games - at its worst. Having grown up with the original Monkey Ball on GameCube, a remake of these games (SMB 1, 2, and Deluxe) was a much-needed refresher to the series to bring it back to the spotlight and give it the attention it deserves. Although I would have preferred a completely new game, considering the last SMB game was also a remake, I'm glad this version allows a modern audience to experience these classics.
It's Monkey Ball, alright - the formulaic design really shines through in both a good and bad way. Firstly, the colors, graphics, and sound design are cheery, charismatic, and engaging. However, they give the game a false illusion of being a cute, cozy, feel-good kind of game, when it's actually quite the opposite. The first world or two in any mode will be a great time, as they're pretty easy. Once you get to some of the later levels, the flaws in this game really start to show themselves.
This game is really, REALLY hard. After a certain point, it hits you with levels that you'll be stuck on for hours. Or days. Or weeks. I'm not the "raging" type of gamer, so when the game got too hard for me, I simply put the controller down and took a break with something else. However, I can see this game giving many people a really hard time emotionally.
It's been well-established that circular dead zones on the console versions of this game really kill a lot of the fun, and that couldn't be more true. A lot of the time, the ball and the camera feel downright unresponsive and wonky. This is especially frustrating on levels like CATWALK and DOUBLE SPIRAL. If the dead zones are fixed in an update, I'd be more than willing to bump up my review another star.
In any case, I'm someone who adores the style and design of Monkey Ball, so it's hard for me to give Banana Mania a bad review. If you like Monkey Ball, this is worth picking up. If you've never tried it but have an interest in the series, it's also worth trying as a first SMB game. However, if you didn't like past titles, this won't be a very redeeming game for the franchise.
It's Monkey Ball, alright - the formulaic design really shines through in both a good and bad way. Firstly, the colors, graphics, and sound design are cheery, charismatic, and engaging. However, they give the game a false illusion of being a cute, cozy, feel-good kind of game, when it's actually quite the opposite. The first world or two in any mode will be a great time, as they're pretty easy. Once you get to some of the later levels, the flaws in this game really start to show themselves.
This game is really, REALLY hard. After a certain point, it hits you with levels that you'll be stuck on for hours. Or days. Or weeks. I'm not the "raging" type of gamer, so when the game got too hard for me, I simply put the controller down and took a break with something else. However, I can see this game giving many people a really hard time emotionally.
It's been well-established that circular dead zones on the console versions of this game really kill a lot of the fun, and that couldn't be more true. A lot of the time, the ball and the camera feel downright unresponsive and wonky. This is especially frustrating on levels like CATWALK and DOUBLE SPIRAL. If the dead zones are fixed in an update, I'd be more than willing to bump up my review another star.
In any case, I'm someone who adores the style and design of Monkey Ball, so it's hard for me to give Banana Mania a bad review. If you like Monkey Ball, this is worth picking up. If you've never tried it but have an interest in the series, it's also worth trying as a first SMB game. However, if you didn't like past titles, this won't be a very redeeming game for the franchise.
2015
I chose Zestiria as my first Tales game, admittedly, because I thought the protagonist was cute. I heard very mixed things about this game, so I decided to try it out. In the end, I could definitely see both the merits and flaws of Tales of Zestiria.
What I did like was the atmosphere, music, and even the characters. Gorgeous landscapes paired with a sweeping orchestra brought a smile to my face and made exploring the large open areas a lot more fun. As for the characters, I can see why someone would love or hate any single one of them. All the main party members have something enjoyable but also something annoying about them. I didn't actually finish the game (I got to the part where Mayvin tells you to go explore and "talk to him when you're ready") so I didn't get to experience the full character development.
What I didn't particularly enjoy was the pacing of the story. I found myself having to push myself to slog through parts of the game, and it made the exploration of the areas feel much more inorganic and forced. I had heard many bad things about the overly-complex battle system, and boy were they right. Every single miniscule attack can make or break the entire battle, and so many factors play into the dynamics between characters and their armatized forms that it gets incredibly convoluted and hard to follow. I ended up just putting the game on easy mode so I didn't have to make precise calculations on when/where I was attacking and exactly which type of arte I was using.
While my experience with Tales of Zestiria was bittersweet and didn't end where I would have liked it to, I felt it was time to put up the game as I wasn't enjoying it anymore. I do hear that the anime, Tales of Zestiria: The X is worth the watch, so I'll definitely check that out to get my Zestiria fix. Nevertheless, this mixed experience didn't sour my interest in the Tales series, in fact it did quite the opposite. I'm super excited to dive into more of the modern titles that I hear much better things about!
What I did like was the atmosphere, music, and even the characters. Gorgeous landscapes paired with a sweeping orchestra brought a smile to my face and made exploring the large open areas a lot more fun. As for the characters, I can see why someone would love or hate any single one of them. All the main party members have something enjoyable but also something annoying about them. I didn't actually finish the game (I got to the part where Mayvin tells you to go explore and "talk to him when you're ready") so I didn't get to experience the full character development.
What I didn't particularly enjoy was the pacing of the story. I found myself having to push myself to slog through parts of the game, and it made the exploration of the areas feel much more inorganic and forced. I had heard many bad things about the overly-complex battle system, and boy were they right. Every single miniscule attack can make or break the entire battle, and so many factors play into the dynamics between characters and their armatized forms that it gets incredibly convoluted and hard to follow. I ended up just putting the game on easy mode so I didn't have to make precise calculations on when/where I was attacking and exactly which type of arte I was using.
While my experience with Tales of Zestiria was bittersweet and didn't end where I would have liked it to, I felt it was time to put up the game as I wasn't enjoying it anymore. I do hear that the anime, Tales of Zestiria: The X is worth the watch, so I'll definitely check that out to get my Zestiria fix. Nevertheless, this mixed experience didn't sour my interest in the Tales series, in fact it did quite the opposite. I'm super excited to dive into more of the modern titles that I hear much better things about!
Lol, what can I say about this game other than "I only subjected myself to this for the easy platinum trophy". This is not only clearly a game for children, but clearly a game meant to be played on the Wii. The pointer controls with a Dualshock 3 are unbearable, and I had to rely on glitches and bugs simply to get through certain parts of the game without motion controls. Not to mention the performance. A PS2-looking game running badly on the PS3? That's certainly something, isn't it?
Oh, I forgot to mention - I'm pretty sure this game BROKE MY PLAYSTATION 3. I was getting frequent freezes and crashes when I started playing Aragorn's Quest that I didn't get with previous games at all, and then one day the whole console simply couldn't boot up a game without completely freezing. So thanks, Aragorn, for that. This game originally cost me $7 but ended up costing $137 because of the WHOLE NEW CONSOLE I had to get after playing it.
Still got the platinum trophy though lol.
Oh, I forgot to mention - I'm pretty sure this game BROKE MY PLAYSTATION 3. I was getting frequent freezes and crashes when I started playing Aragorn's Quest that I didn't get with previous games at all, and then one day the whole console simply couldn't boot up a game without completely freezing. So thanks, Aragorn, for that. This game originally cost me $7 but ended up costing $137 because of the WHOLE NEW CONSOLE I had to get after playing it.
Still got the platinum trophy though lol.
2019
If anything, I owe this game the title of "Game that made me realize I should branch out and play other JRPG series besides Pokemon". After being a pokemon fan for the vast majority of my life, SwSh came with the shocking realization that maybe I was playing the same game over and over again with each new entry.
When the starters first got revealed, I had high hopes for this game. However, as more info and new pokemon got revealed, that hype quickly turned to disappointment. Then, all my fears came true when the game actually came out. The Galar pokemon designs all feel uninspired save a few, and while the wild area was a great idea, the pop-in and low-poly graphics made it feel like I was playing a gamecube game. And my goodness, whatever you do, do NOT turn on wireless communications and travel the wild area. Unless somehow you enjoy EXTREME stuttering and 5-10fps.
I can't say much good about this game, except the trainer/gym leader design is some of the best in the franchise. Other than that, I understand some people's like for this new generation, but it just really doesn't click with me at all.
This is probably the last pokemon game I buy day-one, and I will keep a very watchful eye on new games that come out after this massive disappointment.
When the starters first got revealed, I had high hopes for this game. However, as more info and new pokemon got revealed, that hype quickly turned to disappointment. Then, all my fears came true when the game actually came out. The Galar pokemon designs all feel uninspired save a few, and while the wild area was a great idea, the pop-in and low-poly graphics made it feel like I was playing a gamecube game. And my goodness, whatever you do, do NOT turn on wireless communications and travel the wild area. Unless somehow you enjoy EXTREME stuttering and 5-10fps.
I can't say much good about this game, except the trainer/gym leader design is some of the best in the franchise. Other than that, I understand some people's like for this new generation, but it just really doesn't click with me at all.
This is probably the last pokemon game I buy day-one, and I will keep a very watchful eye on new games that come out after this massive disappointment.
Good lord, this game. This game. I can't even begin to say anything about this masterpiece, this piece of art that deserves to be experienced by every single person on the planet. If the Ghibli collaboration isn't enough for you to pick this up, then the whimsical, heartwarming, well-written, charming story will speak for itself. Maybe it simply aligns with everything I like in both gameplay and story, but I truly think this is one of the greatest pieces of media ever created.
Hardcore JRPG fans may find the combat wonky, but it's a great introduction to action RPGs for beginners. The monster collecting is great, the familiars are well designed and each has a good use in battle, so you can really use whichever appeals to you. The world is beautiful, and complemented by an absolutely gorgeous and masterful soundtrack (shout out Joe Hisaishi) making this game an unforgettable experience. Not enough can be said about this game through a simple review, so I'll say Ni No Kuni is DEFINITELY worth picking up on any console of your preference. Cannot recommend this game enough, truly an experience.
Hardcore JRPG fans may find the combat wonky, but it's a great introduction to action RPGs for beginners. The monster collecting is great, the familiars are well designed and each has a good use in battle, so you can really use whichever appeals to you. The world is beautiful, and complemented by an absolutely gorgeous and masterful soundtrack (shout out Joe Hisaishi) making this game an unforgettable experience. Not enough can be said about this game through a simple review, so I'll say Ni No Kuni is DEFINITELY worth picking up on any console of your preference. Cannot recommend this game enough, truly an experience.