Jordan Boyd
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DualShockersLatest Reviews
At $40 Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is an absolute steal for those who had countless hours of fun with the original game. For $60, players who may want to give the game a try for the first time can do so with the base game included. The whole package acts as a great introduction to what awaits at the end of the entire story, which altogether probably amounts to around 80 or 100 hours at this point. With Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, this game has definitively become the best entry in the series by far.
Despite a handful of missteps and some convoluted narrative decisions in the final act, Oninaki is a really fascinating game that I want to learn more about even after completing almost everything it has to offer. Quite frankly, Oninaki sits boldly next to some of the best Japanese games released this console generation. While it may give off a smaller indie vibe, there are some bold ideas explored that really affected me in ways I didn't expect.
Dauntless has plenty of room for growth, but it's already one of my favorite free-to-play games. I initially overlooked Dauntless as another Monster Hunter clone and I was wildly wrong for thinking that. Whether you're a newcomer to the genre or just looking for an alternative while you wait for Iceborne, you can't go wrong with Dauntless. As the West's first foray into the monster hunting genre, Phoenix Labs' Dauntless is an absolute triumph.
Layers of Fear 2 is one of the best pure horror games I've played in some time. Bloober Team has created a title that pushes common horror tropes aside for something more fascinating and exciting. While I ultimately left unsatisfied with my first run, the journey to the end was a hell of a ride that had me uneasy in the best ways the entire time.
While Steins;Gate Elite certainly delivers a storyline that's unconventional and interesting once you get through the first couple of chapters, new players may be turned off early on due to the monotonous nature of the slower paced storyline. However, the second half really does pick up and with new story content that'll certainly appeal to longtime fans of the series, Steins;Gate Elite is a worthy visual novel that's worth jumping into once again.
All in all, I'd say that if you enjoyed The Last Remnant the first time around give this re-release a shot. And if you're looking for an old-school deeply challenging JRPG, this title will also be for you. It certainly wasn't for me, but I can respect what it tries to do. I just wish its unique and sometimes weird design decisions were explained a lot more to the player and for that reason, it comes just a bit short of being a truly good game to me personally.
Ultimately, Earth Defense Force 5 boils down to a very shallow entry in a series that I've typically enjoyed in the past. Single-player only works in short spurts, as this is a title that's meant to be enjoyed with others. I think it's time for Earth Defense Force to evolve into more than just a game that relies on nostalgia and monotonous killing. There's definitely potential here and it shines through at multiple points throughout the game. If you're a fan of this series, this game is definitely worth giving a shot, even if it's your first time. But if you're hoping for some improvements over Earth Defense Force 4.1, you may be disappointed. At least Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain looks very promising.
Ultimately, I'd say Arena of Valor is a great appetizer to the greater world of MOBA games. It's definitely got to be one of the best mobile takes on the genre I've ever played, and there's no doubt I'll boot it up every so often on my Switch. As mentioned, I think having some friends to go in with would help out a lot, especially if you'd like to win. A little coordination goes a long way in this game considering matches move at a lightning fast pace compared to others. It runs well, looks great, and is a whole lot of fun to play on the Nintendo Switch. It'll be interesting to see whether or not the community on Switch will grow in the coming future.
Moonlighter is available now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, the title will be coming to Switch sometime at a later date. Players can grab the game on PC via Humble Bundle.
I find it difficult to be critical towards anything about Undertale because it was designed with such a deft hand. It's simply hard to find anything that feels out of place because it all feels so intentional. I'm happy I can finally confirm that Undertale is not just hype and while it's available on PS4, PS Vita, and PC I couldn't recommend it more. If you're a fan of RPG's or somebody who values a deeper experience, I think you'll appreciate how beautiful this game can be.