Matthew Zimmari
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With I am Setsuna, I found the same kind of memories flooding back even though the game is recent; which is exactly what Tokyo RPG Factory has set out to do. With a mix of sombre and emotional storytelling, and a simplistic battle and gameplay style, I am Setsuna is a wonderful tribute to the games of yesteryear. Only let down by minor aspects (like seriously, Chrono Trigger was a long time ago, you CAN improve on things) such as battle balance and extremely repetitive locations, I am Setsuna is a great RPG that will make you reminisce about the past.
The PS4 version of Alienation was primarily tested for the purpose of this review.
Despite the silly and over-the-top story, Fire Emblem Warriors takes aspects from both respective series and breathes new life into them – the elements of the Warriors series make perfect sense in the Fire Emblem world, and the features and mainstays of the Fire Emblem series bring a new depth to the Warriors franchise. While some may be put off by the fact that the game can be overly helpful, this is adjustable, and ultimately a really good addition to the musou game genre. A real gem for both Warriors and Fire Emblem fans alike.
As a well-rounded gaming experience, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare takes steps in the right direction to give itself some serious realism. Offering more grounded gameplay than instalments such as the Black Ops or Advanced Warfare games, the gunplay and controls are tight and very balanced for both the experienced and casual player alike. The only thing that the game and Infinity Ward themselves seemed to truly struggle with was the narrative – where it works in some cases, often you’re left feeling like you’re stuck in a half-concocted American political propaganda piece.
Picking right up where it left off with Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is a return to form and a celebration of everything Dragon Ball. Reinvigorated with characters and transformations from Dragon Ball Super as well as your favourites from Dragon Ball Z, the game feels both brand new and classic as it brings fast-paced action and eye-popping graphics into the new generation. While some players may be frustrated or overwhelmed with the learning curve of the controls, the rewards lie in mastering your favourite characters, and crafting an experience that blends your imagination and classic Dragon Ball.
God Eater 3 doesn’t particularly do anything new and amazing for the hack-and-slash RPG genre – but what it does, it does really well. Despite the drags of the narrative, and extreme gripes with button bindings (and sometimes forgetting which buttons to press), God Eater 3 manages to keep you wanting more through combat, weapon upgrades and different battle tactics.
Underneath the extremely rough and laggy exterior, Fallout 76 has the makings of a great and entertaining game. To some, the damage may have already been done and the appeal may have already worn off, but with Bethesda’s level of support, the game has potential to grow into something much more than it currently is.
Despite initially being a first-party title for a Sony handheld, the decision by Bandai Namco Entertainment to expand Freedom Wars Remastered to other consoles is a masterstroke, as the game is definitely more deserving of audiences with a potential to a sequel in the future. While some of the graphics feel quite dated, and there is an awful lot of wandering that takes place at the start of the game, Freedom Wars Remastered is a game that will have you coming back for more and wanting to fight for the Greater Good.
For all its flaws, Monster Hunter: World is a game that manages to balance the expectations of newcomers while not straying too far from its roots. It is clear Capcom have tried their best to make it as accessible as they can without breaking tradition. This might frustrate new players who are expecting to have their hand held throughout the beginning, but if a newbie like me can pick it up in no time then it shouldn’t be too difficult for you. Long-time fans are sure to love the tweaks and changes that have taken place, and will feel right at home getting back to what they love – slaying monsters. It remains to be seen how the game will continue once the online sessions open properly, and how this adds an extra dimension to the gameplay. With so much to explore and ways to play to suit a lot of different styles, this is definitely worth jumping into.
Tekken 8 shows just how easy it is for a long-running franchise to remain fresh and relevant, while still offering a familiar experience to established fans. An engaging Story Mode coupled with Character Episodes keeps the narrative running, while Arcade Quest and Tekken Ball gives newcomers the opportunity to learn the ropes. While some fans may not like that their favourite character is missing from the roster, Tekken 8 fills the gaps with fresh new faces and the hint of more characters on the horizon. It’s time to get ready for the next battle!