Latest Reviews
Nocturne isn’t just a classic to be admired from afar; it is “required reading” for any RPG fan and a modern-day masterpiece. This was true before Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster existed, but this version makes it easier and smoother than ever to experience. The journey you undertake as the...
Returning SPECTREs will have the same good time, with bells and whistles to accentuate it all. Prospective players, even those whose RPG interests are of the decidedly Japanese variety, will be hard-pressed to find a better sixty-dollar buy in 2021.
A Fumble in the Dark may have lost sight of what made the first iteration great in some respects, but for those who want more of the charismatic duo and excellent observational humor, this is an admirable sequel. More is on the way, as well, so for those who worry...
Outriders
Despite my complaints, Outriders makes for a solid, if slightly underwhelming, experience. Several elements left me scratching my head, and there are some bizarre glitches. But going god-mode with your abilities is good fun, even if battles can feel repetitive. Your enjoyment of the game will stretch further if you...
This review was originally published on April 22, 2021. It was re-published to include the video version above.
Those visual and technical annoyances and failure to stick the landing properly on its otherwise strong narrative muddied the experience for me. Bravely Default II is a beautiful, interesting throwback RPG that falls short of its full potential because of small details. The 2020 worldwide pandemic during Bravely Default II’s...
My time with Monster Hunter Rise was both pleasant and exciting, though I found it less challenging than I’d hoped. The initial set of credits after defeating the flagship monster come roughly eight to ten hours in, yet the game doesn’t end there. The story continues through the Hub quests...
The price tag for this remaster may seem a little high, but considering the amount of effort required to overhaul this flawed classic into an enjoyable play experience amongst other games in the instant-gratification era, SaGa Frontier Remastered is appropriately priced at $24.99 USD on all platforms at the time...
*NOTE: The developers released a patch on April 12th after this review was written that addresses “a number of story inconsistencies” and reported errors to improve the experience.
Evil Inside
Did I enjoy being scared? Yeah, I did. I don’t understand people who watch a horror movie, laugh at it the whole time, and then talk about how the movie just wasn’t scary. If you allow yourself to be scared, this game creates some reliable tension. Unfortunately, the entire premise is...
Part of the appeal of roguelikes is the depth. Since static maps aren’t developed and a linear (or non-linear) story doesn’t unfold in typical RPG fashion, a generous serving of content is almost required. Curse of the Dead Gods feels like a proof of concept in this way, because what’s...
Once again, I find myself disappointed in a Neptunia spin-off. I always appreciate Compile Heart trying different things with the series, but many don’t turn out well. I have a sudden urge to replay Producing Perfection, the other game in which the CPUs become idols. At least that game was...
