Nic Vargus
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Writing For
IGNLatest Reviews
With Doraemon Story of Seasons, developer Marvelous is resting on its laurels and a licensing tie-in. All the ambiance and anime in the world can’t save this Story of Seasons from descending into tedium. The actual farming heart of it is feeling awfully antiquated nowadays – it's been nearly four years since Stardew Valley upended the genre, but Marvelous still has nothing new to bring to the table. But worst of all, it commits the cardinal sin of farming sims: it feels like work.
With a breezy pace and a comically weird story, Little Dragons Cafe is a unique take on farming sims. While I loved cooking meals, establishing my inn, and the anxiety-free pace, its management mechanics have been watered down just a bit too much and result in stakes so low that much of it becomes meaningless. Without making important decisions or a wealth of more interesting side-quests to capture my attention, I eventually ended up bored by the repetitive tasks.
It took nearly 40 attempts for me to finally Exit the Gungeon, and despite some underpowered weapons and an ineffective combo system, it’s an enthralling platforming roguelite challenge. It’s not as satisfying nor deep as its predecessor, but the urge to finish a run with every character, unlock all the NPCs, and try out each and every gun gives Exit the Gungeon some legs.