Stephan Adamus
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COGConnected Latest Reviews
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is the best version of one of my favorite video games. It has some content changed, and some content cut. But that content is very minor compared to the ocean of quality new additions. The highlights of this new package are the Dark Ties campaign and the Life at Morning Glory and Bad Boy Dragon mini games. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties has one of the series’ weaker narratives, but also has one of its best settings. I’m glad Sega are making these Kiwami games, because I worry a lot of newer Yakuza players have only experienced the games after Yakuza 0. These older titles are also classics.
I have mixed feelings about My Hero Academia: All’s Justice. At its core, it has a good 3D arena fighter battle system. Its best feature is its massive dream roster of My Hero Academia characters that all feel unique from one another. But almost every bonus mode and feature feels cheap and undercooked. Everything except the combat seems like an afterthought. But if all you’re looking for is versus battles with tons of My Hero Academia characters, then My Hero Academia: All’s Justice is a dream come true.
Overall, I really enjoyed Cassette Boy. The combination of Legend of Zelda adventuring with Fez camera rotating was an excellent combo that blended incredibly well. The game has a unique retro visual aesthetic, and gorgeous lo-fi music. Its only issues are minor. Anyone curious about Cassette Boy from the trailer should definitely make the purchase. It’s a short game, but the under $15 price is right. I can’t wait to see what the developers make next!
Unbeatable is an ambitious rhythm game that has a few major flaws. The main one is the camera during rhythm gameplay sometimes ruins what is otherwise a flawless system. The second problem is that the story mode struggles with pacing and features very little rhythm gameplay. And the third major problem is that a lot of the dialogue is going to be a major turn-off for many. Playing Arcade Mode a bit before starting Story Mode will fix some of these issues. And I love that Unbeatable has an extensive Story Mode. But I can’t recommend the game to everyone as it is. Still, Unbeatable’s probably a must-play for most rhythm game fans. I’m really rooting for it.
The Yakuza/ Like a Dragon series has become one of the most beloved video game franchises on the planet. They’re a combination of cinematic crime drama, fun third-person brawl combat, deep open world exploration, and insanely wacky sidequests and minigames. Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut is the best version of the game that brought the series into the mainstream. There are some changes that aren’t for the better, but overall, this is an excellent version of an all-time great video game.
I loved Demonschool. The tactical JRPG combat system will likely be the make-or-break component for most players. The lack of emphasis on stats is a bold choice that sometimes makes Demonschool feel more like a puzzle game than a strategy JRPG. The battle system won’t be for everyone. But the story, aesthetics, and vibes make Demonschool a real treat for longtime Shin Megami Tensei fans.
The Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is a dream come true for Mortal Kombat fans. There are multiple versions of every Mortal Kombat game, up to, and including, Mortal Kombat 4. The package has exhaustive extras, including a long documentary about the history of the series. Almost every game has online play with rollback netcode. And Mortal Kombat Trilogy has its load times and bugs fixed, so players can have every character in one game. My only complaints are minor, and that some of the games are awful. But I’m so glad those awful games are included, for completion’s sake and for nostalgic reasons. If you have any love for Mortal Kombat, the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is a must-buy. It’s arguably the best retro game collection of all-time.
I loved Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit. I was worried the gameplay might be a bit simple at first, but the level choice and non-stop gags kept things fresh. Fans of NES games and the Angry Video Game Nerd YouTube series will have a much more rich experience than newcomers, but the game is so well made that modern players will be able to play it with ease. Any AVGN fans who might be hesitant about buying the game, rest assured that it’s a fantastic experience. I’m going to get myself one of the physical NES cartridges.
Once Upon a Katamari has an excellent concept, and excellent gameplay. The problem is that there are lots of Katamari games with the same excellent concept and gameplay. The new online modes and customization options are great ideas, but are very shallow in execution. There just isn’t enough evolution in any of the series’ core ideas. If you’re a player who wants more Katamari levels, then Once Upon a Katamari has that. But if you were excited to create your own Prince character and get lost in endless online battle modes, then I’m sorry to have to share that those aspects are afterthoughts, despite being advertised as key features. As a fan of the series, I can tell there wasn’t the same amount of care and effort in Once Upon a Katamari that went into the series’ classic titles.
Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga has a lot of content, but it’s still not a very deep game. It’s made for fans of the Ys and Trails series. Its release is timed well to coincide with the release of Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter. But Ys Seven is trapped on the PSP, and the only modern access is as a crappy PC port. It’s amazing that Nihon Falcom has released Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga for their fans. But longtime Trails and Ys fans will find a lot of their favorite characters missing. Hopefully Nihon Falcom will make a proper Ys Seven modern console port soon.