Kirstin Swalley
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Hardcore Gamer Latest Reviews
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is what sheer simple fun Mario vs. Donkey Kong really is. It's so simple in concept, but never really gets old or tiresome as they keep building up new ideas along the way. It's hard not to keep obsessively going to see what challenge is coming next. There might be moments where it's easy to get stumped, but it's easily fixed simply by looking around and re-examining the options to come to the proper solution. If there's anything that's a downside about the title, it's that we only wish there was even more to play. Hopefully this entry puts it back on the map for Nintendo and they consider expanding upon it even more in the future, as it's a delight and well worth picking up for all those who love charming, puzzling adventures that won't overwork the mind too much.
Fashion Dreamer is not necessarily a title that someone is going to sit down and play for hours on end, but it's impressive how addictive the simple gameplay loop quickly becomes. The excitement of getting new clothes, creating new styles, trying on outfits others are wearing and so many other little things is fantastic. Even for someone who only has a mild, passing interest in fashion, there's fun to be had here. The ability to simply have fun in a digital world where it doesn't cost real money to buy and wear fantastic outfits is well worth picking up this title in and of itself, and it's simply a wonderfully-welcoming title for anyone who loves the creative side of clothing. Fashion Dreamer is a fantastically-designed title that's perfect for those who are fashion-forward or anyone who even remotely is interested in the idea of playing in the creative digital dress-up world of Eve.
It's no exaggeration to say that Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one of the greatest Mario titles to come out in the last fifteen years, likely since New Super Mario Bros. DS itself. The only real complaint to be had is that we wish there were even more beautiful and fantastic levels to play after the ones that are there have all been beaten. What Nintendo has crafted here is a title with over 38 years of love for their most-iconic platforming series. It's been a long time since we've had a Mario platformer so reminiscent of the much older titles, but also so full of the magic that modern inclusions can bring to the table. This is not a title that any Mario or platforming fan should be missing out on as Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a must-have for fans of the genre and anyone looking for one of the most utterly charming adventures in franchise history.
While it may not have all the whistles and bells of Rune Factory 4 or 5, this delightful remaster of 3 is a welcome addition to the continued trend of bringing back older enjoyable titles for more to get their hands on. It's well worth playing and sinking a good amount of time into, especially for those who love completing every last element of simulation titles and being offered a meaty challenge for them to take on. Anyone who loves Rune Factory will want to pick up 3 Special, and this is a welcoming and accessible title for anyone who hasn't ever played one before and wants to give it a try for the very first time.
It's easy to say without hesitation that Pikmin 4 is the strongest the series has ever been. It's easy to get into from the get-go, but offers a good level of challenge for those looking for it. The amount of content available to do is far above that of the previous entries, and while its story may be simplistic much like the others, there's so much more heart and love of the series here than ever before. Pikmin has always been that interesting Nintendo series that was perfectly successful but never carried the huge air of noteworthiness about it. Pikmin 4 feels so much different than that with such an inviting urge to pull in new players to this world where they can be their own individual and be a part of the crew looking to save their friends and allies and work alongside these mysterious plant creatures to make it out alive. The biggest accomplishment of Pikmin 4 is the fact that it's so packed full of fun that it's hard to stop playing. This is not a title that should be missed out on by Pikmin fans or those who have been waiting to finally try it out.
In truth the hardest thing about LISA is talking about it because it's just one of those titles that's really better experienced. It's dark and depressing, but has an amusing sense of humor that makes it easy to smile through the suffering. It's a title that benefits wildly from making frequent saves, so when Brad gets to an unskippable segment where he has to watch his entire party die through a chance of luck, it's easy to go back and try again with a hopefully better outcome the next time around. There's slews of ways to approach a lot of scenarios which makes for unique outcomes as well and LISA is a title that really sells itself on replaying multiple times for those that want to get the absolute most out of it. For those willing to take on the dark tone, visuals and story, LISA: Definitive Edition is well worth picking up for those who haven't experienced it before.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE feels a bit like another entry into the Danganronpa series simply without the school approach, leaving it feeling like it's not really standing on its own two legs. The highlights end up being the investigation elements and many side quests which are the most somewhat original parts it could manage. The main story will keep players engaged, but it's a shame it's held back by outdated elements disguised as “humor” that only those stuck in an edgy school kid mindset could enjoy. It's easy to see how many will still be able to look past the flaws and enjoy the overall experience, but it's a shame they had to exist at all due to poor writing that feels as though it's from those who never consumed anything but their own creations. For those who have enjoyed Danganronpa this will likely be at least mostly enjoyable through and through, but it's a shame Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE couldn't find a good footing to stand up and feel like a truly original title.
There's no hesitation in saying that Fuga: Melodies of Steel has some of the best tactical turn-based combat ever created. Both the first and second titles create a stream of combat based on skill and strategy that keeps the player from feeling both weak or overpowered at any time. Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 manages to feel much the same while adding new abilities and changes that help combat and challenge flow without any problem. It's perfectly balanced throughout the entire journey and simply requires a lot of dedication to move forward through each fight no matter the outcome. While there are multiple endings that depend on various decisions made throughout the story, there are also helpful options for those who might not get what's considered the best one the first time around, and new game plus for those who want to challenge themselves to unlock every little last nugget of information that can be uncovered. Fuga is short enough that it feels easy to replay at any time, but long enough to keep thoroughly invested throughout. We cannot recommend Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 enough to those who played the first title and hope those who haven't consider giving...
It's easy to say without hesitation that Tears of the Kingdom is better than Breath of the Wild. It improves and adds to what was already a great title. It's not a perfect experience through and through, but it lends to the creative side of the franchise with some of the best puzzle-solving in any adventure title to date. While it would still be nice to see a return to form of the shorter and more linearly-focused Zelda titles, it's hard to deny the lasting impact that Tears of the Kingdom will have for many more years to come. It's hard not to smile when trying wacky and crazy new things, and seeing Link blow up when he investigates a new object that turns out to be a bomb. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a love letter to Breath of the Wild in the best kind of way and is well deserving of anyone's adventuring spirit.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a wonderful remaster with a good amount of love put into it. While it may not be as vast as last year's new Forgotten Land title, it has a lot to offer players, especially those who may not have touched it before. Those who have previously played Return to Dream Land might not have much to look forward here unless they're a hardcore fan, but those who like Kirby and have never tried this title will want to consider picking it up. It doesn't do anything crazy compared to the typical Kirby adventure, but it's so well put together with tons of optional activities that it's well worth going along with Kirby and his friends to see it through to the end.