Vincent Ingenito
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Writing For
IGN Latest Reviews
Dead or Alive 5 is, without any question, the best entry in the series. It retains its identity as a fast-paced, visually stunning 3D fighter, while shedding much of the baggage that's typically held it back. While there's still plenty of eye candy for both the ladies and gents, it's taken a back seat to what fighting games should be all about: fighting. It gives the casual fan a fighting experience that's as easy to grasp as it is exciting to watch, while providing more serious players the depth and features they need to stay interested. Give Dead or Alive 5 an honest chance, and you’ll find a formidable, enormously entertaining fighter that will keep you busy for a long time to come.
It's hard to believe that such a content rich, well-polished title could be the product of one man's hard work. Aside from the incredible orchestral soundtrack and savvy voiceovers, creator Dean Dodrill is responsible for every aspect of Dust. Sure, the RPG elements could have been stronger, and the boss battles are a bit of a letdown, but if those are the worst things about your game, you're in pretty good shape. An Elysian Tail is a rare example of artisanal game craft. Conventional wisdom says that can't happen anymore, but Dust proves otherwise.
I had high hopes for Atelier Meruru. The way the series shuns world-threatening evils for personal conflicts is refreshing, and the crafting system is so deep I could get lost in it forever. But this latest entry makes changes to the overall structure that obscure the game's best elements instead of accentuating them, and the lack of any central conflict left me completely uninterested in the story and characters. All that's left is an occasionally fun grind to finish your chores and an overall aesthetic that you will either love or hate.