James Berich
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Borderlands 3 is what you would expect from a Borderlands game, for better or for worse. It does little to innovate on the now ubiquitous looter genre it helped to define ten years ago and plays it safe. While it’s almost the same Borderlands it was those ten years ago, it’s still hard to deny that it’s a great romp with mates.
Pikmin 4 brings together engaging cave exploration and a charming world to explore to offer up the most complete Pikmin experience so far. While the multiplayer offerings feel like a step back from Pikmin 3 and the game is too easy to begin with, Pikmin 4 more than makes up for these shortcomings with its adorable canine companion, vast sandboxes and gripping strategic combat.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses features some of the most refined and enjoyable battle mechanics the series has seen since its successful renaissance with Awakening. But the renewed focus on support relationships gets in the way of what some may have valued most from the franchise – the strength of its strategic design and the battles themselves. Regardless, it’s hard to argue that Three Houses is the best Fire Emblem since Awakening, so it’s still worth your time, even if you’ll have to spend it wisely.
Being a ghost, Ronan has a few abilities up his spectral sleeve that he can utilise to make his life a little bit easier. First off, he can pass through almost any object – which makes for some easy traversal – but doesn’t include certain items that have been “marked” by people in Salem’s past. It’s a dumb and easy way to limit the game’s boundaries but it still feels a bit restrictive. Ronan can also reveal items that used to be place somewhere, possess people to hear their thoughts or even just to look at what they’re looking at. They’re simple but useful abilities that take this beyond your average adventure game.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is well beyond anything Don't Nod has ever done. It successfully merges their renowned knack for solid characters and great stories, engaging and enjoyable combat and a unique setting to create an experience like no other. It's incredibly fun and easily the studios most ambitious game so far. It doesn't get much better than this.
Metal Gear Survive had the potential to grow into something unique but now it’s just an uninspired mish-mash of poorly balanced systems that translates to an experience that feels like a chore. The story is frustrating, the only aspects that are great are the ones carried over from Metal Gear Solid 5 and the overall gameplay loop is monotonous. Metal Gear Survive ironically won’t survive the test of time, though in several years’ time you’ll probably not be able to play it anyway.
NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... is a fantastic celebration of a game that, even after a decade, feels unmatched in how it tells its incredibly unique story. The visual overhaul is excellent, and the combat better than ever. However, some archaic quest design acts as a deft reminder that this is a game from ten years ago. Without a doubt, though, this is the best way to experience NieR where it all began.
But the sum is lesser than its parts and nothing ever quite reaches the high highs that these games that came before it did. Everything is still enjoyable, mind you, but there’s just something missing. Some extra polish, the little details, that keep ReCore from being an instant masterpiece of guaranteed success. To come back to my question, it’s obvious that most of ReCore’s budget went into perfecting the gameplay. But with that came a sacrifice. And that sacrifice was visual presentation and polish. ReCore is a game for those who yearn for an experience reminiscent of games from the fifth and sixth generation of console gaming – and in today’s gaming climate, I think that’s incredibly brave.
Vampyr is another fantastic concept from DONTNOD that falters ever so slightly in its execution. The story, the world and its characters are all oddly compelling, despite some visual and technical shortcomings. Despite its issues, Vampyr is a rare instance in a game where I felt like my choices meant something and had consequences. It’s a huge shame that repetitive combat and exploration means it doesn’t keep up that momentum from beginning to end.
Dynasty Warriors 9 attempts to expand the scope of what a Dynasty Warriors game is with varying effects. The new open world helps to break up the monotony of just playing battles repeatedly, while introducing issues of its own. These are just growing pains though, and Dynasty Warriors fans will appreciate how Koei Tecmo have successfully reinvented their franchise and what the future holds.