Fran Soto
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Hardcore Gamer Latest Reviews
Moonstone Island is an addicting blend of various genres that still maintains its own identity. The monster-collecting, card-battling life sim brings aesthetics and inspirations from beloved games while still offering fresh gameplay. There's a vast world to explore that's different with every game file. It’s a gorgeous title that shows off crisp pixel graphics for a wholesome experience. There are minor aesthetic issues, like the soundtrack not always playing and causing awkward silences within the game. Sometimes selecting enemies in battle is awkward as well and feels like it doesn't register the intended target. But these hardly have a negative impact and could be more personal preference for players. The title streamlines familiar mechanics for more accessibility -- allowing players to do more than just chores. Intuitive game design makes the game easy to get into, but robust mechanics allow threshold for mastery. Players ultimately get to decide how they want to spend their time away from home -- this is not a game that wastes your time. In an age where we all feel like our time is strict, players want gameplay that feels fruitful at every turn. This game gives us this opportunity. You can focus purely on...
Super Bomberman R 2 brings a lot of ideas to the game without actually introducing new opportunities. A return to the open-air style of gameplay is reminiscent of classic Bomberman titles, but doesn't manage to push the envelop further. This title unfortunately ends up being a mixture of various genres without committing to a new style of Bomberman. It seems as if the direction is unclear and instead is trying to appeal to every demographic of player possible. It's a shame, considering this year marks Bomberman's 40th Anniversary. A lot of what we see in Super Bomberman R 2 feels like Konami wanted to do more, but ultimately decided not to. This could have been a great opportunity for an open-air Bomberman that's more than just passing through various mazes that feel the same after awhile. This could have been an amazing opportunity to go in a more robust direction like what we've seen in classic titles such as Bomberman 64 on N64, Bomberman Quest on GameBoy or even Bomberman Story on DS. The game doesn't offer any new skills or upgrades, and instead you rely on the cute mascots introduced into the game that just feel like it's trying...
Aliens: Dark Descent is a fantastic, robust extension of the Aliens franchise that puts players in the middle of hardcore xenomoroph action. Through purposeful storytelling and fantastic callbacks to the Aliens franchise, this RTS features many tactical opportunities for fans of the genre. Game mechanics, like xenomorph aggression, help to keep pressure on players in horror fashion. Large mission maps that can be returned to again and again provide extra lore collectibles and side objectives that allow you to grow our command for better support. You start with barebones resources, but can level up marines and the technology they use with every successful mission. With varying marine loadouts, weapons upgrades and xeno technology at play, there's an almost endless combination of tactics at your disposal in an ever changing mission that reacts to decisions. An interesting original story keeps players guessing as they uncover difficult truths that indicate sabotage through xenomorph infestation. From new xeno-types never seen before, to cultists, Weyland Yutani (they're the worst) rearing its head and more, Dark Descent covers all the thematic bases. Any fan of the franchise will appreciate the narrative twists, humor and technical themes that are typical of Aliens. While gameplay and aesthetics...
Darkest Dungeon II brings fresh ideas to an already stellar series. Red Hook Studio should be praised for continuing to strive for better mechanics and overall gameplay experience. Fresh UIs and the pairing down of excessive elements makes this installment a prettier version alongside gorgeous, macabre visuals. City management as we knew it has been streamlined and contained into one hub, which makes for an easier management of upgrades and unlocks. You still get the experience of "dungeon" crawling by stagecoach as you navigate through procedurally-generated maps. With various shrines and combat engagements along the way, just making it to the end of the expedition is its own reward. With newly-added affinity systems and revamped combat combos, heroes feel unique and more robust. The upgraded synergy of party members is a double-edged blade, though. It's difficult to tell what helps or hinders party relations and players just need to deal with it until the next area -- after resting at an Inn and hoping better relationships form. You're able to influence heroes' affinity for each other on the road as well, but it seems impossible to reverse bad-blood once its there. The affinity system feels imbalanced because basic skills can...
Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp is a worthy remake of some of the best strategy titles around. Deserving renewed love, these Advance Wars titles bring rich layers of tactical gameplay to a new generation. Upgraded visuals are gorgeous and continue to reflect the game's essence despite some design changes. Players can experience the campaigns at their own pace with varying degrees of difficulty, as well as the option to fast forward through play. Messing up is never fun, so a turn restart option has also been added to ease players into gameplay. From thinking about terrain bonuses, to picking a complimentary CO, players are asked to consider so many unique gameplay variables that add layers to the title. The fun doesn't have to stop with campaign completion either, as additional game modes and reward unlocks can keep the enjoyment going for hours. Despite aesthetic inconsistencies and online disappointments, WayForward and Nintendo deserve praise for bringing a solid classic to current generation play. Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp brings all the nostalgic feelings in a fresh, new package.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a title previously confined to the annals of gaming history. Never having been localized outside of Japan when originally released, this remastered installment is a fantastic opportunity for new and established fans of the franchise to get acquainted with Fatal Frame. Offering wonderfully smoothed-out character models and textures, the remaster spruces up the aesthetics for current-generation systems. Adding extra content brings novelty and entices players to explore all the mysteries of Rogetsu Island. The Camera Obscura is back, as usual, and feels better with an analog format on certain consoles. This feels somewhat disappointing when the original release was inspired by Wii motion controls. Yet deviation from native optimization is what occurs when games are remastered for current-generation hardware. Despite generational gameplay flaws, like awkward camera controls in areas and slower pacing, Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a worthy remaster and offers fun value to any survival-horror fan.
Deliver Us Mars is a small studio's notable attempt at bringing something new to their fledgling franchise. Yet the attempt falls short as it feels the title takes one small step, and one giant leap, backwards in its development. It's commendable for KeokeN Interactive to aim high and want to deliver something more robust than a walking simulator, but the overall game feels unpolished. A fantastic, emotionally-charged story and gorgeous landscape visuals aren't enough to keep this title in orbit. Any action within the game feels stiff and tedious. It's a title that doesn't give players much direction in some parts, while forcing them to slog through others. And while the narrative pace of the game keeps things moving along, its gameplay causes major stagnation and frustration. The issues with gameplay aren't even related to any of the sequences in space -- where players are floating around in zero gravity. Many of the frustrations are actually due to gameplay on the ground. Not only is gameplay overly tedious, it's difficult to find other components to appreciate when human models and other graphical decisions leave the game looking like a last-generation product in some sequences. Despite all this, fans of the...
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is an action-packed mech epic for the ages. The narrative is some of the strongest ever seen coming from Vanillaware. While there are a couple plot holes and gameplay can become repetitive in certain missions, the title is a strong and original work of art that's packed with content. There are thirteen different protagonists with their own branching stories based on player decisions. All protagonists feel like fully-formulated characters -- each also serving as a classic anime archetype. The characters are believable in this frenzied drama that takes players for a narrative ride. Emotional storytelling helps to set the tone for this sci-fi mystery and arcade-like gameplay makes for satisfyingly quick encounters. It's a title with more to discover as we go and it's a full package for any mech fan. Any fan of the genre would agree: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is an instant mech classic.
Wasteland is back and better than ever with all new settings, narratives and gameplay, but with that same wacky flavor the franchise is known for. This evolution of Wasteland comes with plenty to do for all levels of players. Veteran players will notice continued themes while the title still remains accessible to newer players. Updated gameplay, visuals and character statistics create a new experience like never before. Combat has been overhauled from previous installments to be smoother than before while adding new elements, like Precision Strikes. The title's commitment to player choice means that Wasteland 3 is a cornucopia of replayabilitiy while providing new content to explore. Gorgeous visuals and art design beg players to sink some time into the Colorado wastes without thinking too much about it. Wasteland 3 is even more approachable in a way that Wasteland 2 may not have been for its time. It's a great title for sure, but could benefit from some editing that could streamline the game a little more without making the player feel like an errand boy. One thing is certain, it does continue to carry the franchise's mantle in a completely new and refreshing way. It feels that inXile have...
Mortal Shell is a faithful homage to the games that came before it. It doesn't shy away from this and instead uses the genre's history to push players into new situations. Combat is fluid and makes use of the dodges, parries and melee attacks that veterans are used to. It's also easy enough to pick up for newer players wishing to get into the genre. Mortal Shell's gameplay style is what makes it so accessible, as new combat mechanics like shell abilities and harden give players breathing room until they learn. The title is a harsh teacher, however, as death will likely occur. Enemy designs are intriguing and telegraph beautifully. AI reacts beautifully during combat for fluid play. It's a title that streamlines a lot of the souls experience down to the bare essentials while being refreshing. Veterans of the genre may find the title too short, but may like the unique combat. Whether you've played these kinds of titles before or not, Mortal Shell solidifies itself as a serious contender.