Allisa James
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DualShockersLatest Reviews
Crusader Kings III is a game that you become completely engrossed in as you play, and obsess over when you're not. I found myself constantly playing out scenarios and strategies for my kingdom, dreaming of the moment that I unite an entire country under my powerful rule, and celebrating the highs while cursing the lows of noble life. Even if you're not a strategy game fan, the person-focused approach to the genre allows for players to build more intimate relationships with your family, allies, and greater kingdom. Not only is it fun, but it's impactful and the experience stays with you long after you close down the game after a long session.
Overall, Shantae and the Seven Sirens is a fun and graphically stunning game with tons of replayability that greatly extends its seven-hour playtime. While it does suffer from a lack of difficulty, the excellent level design, interesting characters, mechanics that seamlessly blend with gameplay, solid voice acting, and gorgeous sprite art all work hard to make up for that detriment. If you’re a fan of the franchise, a lover of 2D platformers, or both, this is a great title to add to your collection.
Though not a perfect game, Trials of Mana is still a solid remake of a 2D classic that tragically never made it to the West until now. With a fun and strategic battle system, ample character class customization, impressive visuals, a fantastic soundtrack, and a post-game story episode with new classes for each playable character, Trials of Mana is an easy recommendation to both fans of the franchise as well as newcomers looking for an entry point into the series.
Zero Time Dilemma is an excellent follow-up and sequel/prequel, making great strides in widening the appeal of the game by overhauling the story progression with its inventive and effective "fragments systems," while avoiding the pitfall of alienating the loyal fanbase that supported Dilemma's development. Despite its tricky position as an in between of two other well established titles, it neatly fills in the gaps and serves as a great lead in for Virtue's Last Reward, which ended on a cliffhanger. Fans who have long-awaited the return of the series will not be disappointed in this swan's song.