BlackStarGaben
BACKER
[DEMO]
Interesting concept. Could do with speed-up options as the battle pace feels a bit slow. Otherwise, gameplay is pretty solid and the fragility of the slimes requires more thinking and planning your moves than some SRPGs. Visuals are decent, not amazing but clear and nice use of colours, and the music is nice in that it has that 16-bit Japanese console feel.
Interesting concept. Could do with speed-up options as the battle pace feels a bit slow. Otherwise, gameplay is pretty solid and the fragility of the slimes requires more thinking and planning your moves than some SRPGs. Visuals are decent, not amazing but clear and nice use of colours, and the music is nice in that it has that 16-bit Japanese console feel.
2018
The Black Sheep of the Ryu Ga Gotoku games is still a fun, if very flawed and frustrating, game.
Even when it was released on the PlayStation 3, Yakuza 3 was seen as a black sheep. Not because of (at least for the western release) cut content but due to the mechanics, the (initial) change in location and how the game feels somewhat stiff at times.
This is not to say that Yakuza 3 was seen as a terrible game or a misstep. Far from it. It was just that it was something that felt different and took a while getting use to but also paradoxicality not feeling like much has changed in the formula (this was felt even more in the West, due to how long it took for us to get it and again cut content.)
Which is what puts Yakuza 3 Enhanced in a weird spot. 1 and 2 got revamped with Kiwami, but Yakuza 3 Enhanced is basically just updated graphics with all content from the Japanese version. But the gameplay remains unchanged from the PlayStation 3 version. No revamp to the awkward combat, the experience and many of the mini-games are a shell of what you’d come to expect from Yakuza Zero, 1 and 2 Kiwami and the visuals don’t leap out like before. And if you’ve come from those games, it’s going to be an even rougher experience.
There’s the level up system which feels very restrictive. It may have been done to prevent grinding to make Kiryu into a near-overpowered badass early into the game but it also feels gated.
The same feeling goes for getting heat actions, weapons and armour, with the game’s modding system not being noteworthy until very late into the game and even then the available options still feel limited. It’s justifiable to not have Kiryu once again become overpowered early/midway into the game, but it’d be nice if Yakuza 3 Remastered was more generous in what you could unlock.
The combat feels off. It feels like they had to nerf Kiryu and so you don’t feel as badass as before. Some heat actions don’t feel as epic and it does have an awkward feel. This is especially noticable against bosses and tough opponents (e.g. the ones you face in the Coliseum activity), where it seems you have to cheese them more than use what you’ve learned up to that point. It’s not a total disaster, as its still solid enough to be enjoyable but you do feel like a handicapped badass.
Visually, even considering the time frame and how this is only a remastered and not a remake/overhaul like the Kiwami games are, it’s still a let down to an extent. This wasn’t a huge leap back in the PS3 and you can see the age and rough edges still present, such as sudden pop-up and sometimes NPC’s having derpy or dead-eyes look.
And of course, it has its own set of Yakuza restrictiveness: Save points are really far apart, you can’t accept more than one hitman mission, can’t buy more than one food at a time, item inventory is always a pain.
Again though, this must be stressed that DESPITE these issues Yakuza 3 Enhanced is still overall a fun game. When it hits its stride, the dopamine hits hard and you remember why you love the series;
Kamurocho feels like an old friend, vibrant, looking different but also similar and hiding its share of secrets underneath all the glitz and glamour and while Ryukyu isn’t Sotenbori (Osaka), it still has its character and charm, feeling like a place to visit and absorb a different aspect of Japan. While the visuals might not pop out, its still an impressive showcase of packing cities with details and small touches that still make it fun to explore and just run around.
The music is banging, as expected with the Ryu Ga Gotoku library (and this being Sega, who rarely drop the ball when it comes to music,) with a mix that ranges from techno to J-pop (and that’s not getting into the Karaoke songs.)
There is always moments that are dramatic or comedic (sometimes swinging around in the same scene) that make one actually care what is taking place and invest in characters, even those who just appear in a small substory. Speaking of those, the substories once again reveal the soul of Yakuza/Ryu Ga Gotoku series, with some amusing (and even downright heart-warming) scenes.
And yes, some of the activities aren’t that engaging or fully fleshed out (hostess ones spring to mind) but Yakuza 3 still has a lot of content that it hits more than it misses and just when you begin to flag or tire of one thing it throws something else to keep you hooked.
Yakuza 3 Enhanced is often seen as the “worst” of the games in the franchise and it is justifiable line of opinion. But it also hides a truth about it; That even the “worst” games in the Ryu Ga Gotoku franchise are still solid b-tier fun. This is enhanced (ahem) by the fact that the price of the game is dead-cheap (it’s also part of the Yakuza Remastered Collection, again a fantastic bundle).
It is best to come to Yakuza 3 Enhanced with expectation in check but also the fact that you’re still going to have a lot of enjoyment pounding solutions into people’s faces.
Rating: 7*/10
(*More towards a 6 than an 8)
Even when it was released on the PlayStation 3, Yakuza 3 was seen as a black sheep. Not because of (at least for the western release) cut content but due to the mechanics, the (initial) change in location and how the game feels somewhat stiff at times.
This is not to say that Yakuza 3 was seen as a terrible game or a misstep. Far from it. It was just that it was something that felt different and took a while getting use to but also paradoxicality not feeling like much has changed in the formula (this was felt even more in the West, due to how long it took for us to get it and again cut content.)
Which is what puts Yakuza 3 Enhanced in a weird spot. 1 and 2 got revamped with Kiwami, but Yakuza 3 Enhanced is basically just updated graphics with all content from the Japanese version. But the gameplay remains unchanged from the PlayStation 3 version. No revamp to the awkward combat, the experience and many of the mini-games are a shell of what you’d come to expect from Yakuza Zero, 1 and 2 Kiwami and the visuals don’t leap out like before. And if you’ve come from those games, it’s going to be an even rougher experience.
There’s the level up system which feels very restrictive. It may have been done to prevent grinding to make Kiryu into a near-overpowered badass early into the game but it also feels gated.
The same feeling goes for getting heat actions, weapons and armour, with the game’s modding system not being noteworthy until very late into the game and even then the available options still feel limited. It’s justifiable to not have Kiryu once again become overpowered early/midway into the game, but it’d be nice if Yakuza 3 Remastered was more generous in what you could unlock.
The combat feels off. It feels like they had to nerf Kiryu and so you don’t feel as badass as before. Some heat actions don’t feel as epic and it does have an awkward feel. This is especially noticable against bosses and tough opponents (e.g. the ones you face in the Coliseum activity), where it seems you have to cheese them more than use what you’ve learned up to that point. It’s not a total disaster, as its still solid enough to be enjoyable but you do feel like a handicapped badass.
Visually, even considering the time frame and how this is only a remastered and not a remake/overhaul like the Kiwami games are, it’s still a let down to an extent. This wasn’t a huge leap back in the PS3 and you can see the age and rough edges still present, such as sudden pop-up and sometimes NPC’s having derpy or dead-eyes look.
And of course, it has its own set of Yakuza restrictiveness: Save points are really far apart, you can’t accept more than one hitman mission, can’t buy more than one food at a time, item inventory is always a pain.
Again though, this must be stressed that DESPITE these issues Yakuza 3 Enhanced is still overall a fun game. When it hits its stride, the dopamine hits hard and you remember why you love the series;
Kamurocho feels like an old friend, vibrant, looking different but also similar and hiding its share of secrets underneath all the glitz and glamour and while Ryukyu isn’t Sotenbori (Osaka), it still has its character and charm, feeling like a place to visit and absorb a different aspect of Japan. While the visuals might not pop out, its still an impressive showcase of packing cities with details and small touches that still make it fun to explore and just run around.
The music is banging, as expected with the Ryu Ga Gotoku library (and this being Sega, who rarely drop the ball when it comes to music,) with a mix that ranges from techno to J-pop (and that’s not getting into the Karaoke songs.)
There is always moments that are dramatic or comedic (sometimes swinging around in the same scene) that make one actually care what is taking place and invest in characters, even those who just appear in a small substory. Speaking of those, the substories once again reveal the soul of Yakuza/Ryu Ga Gotoku series, with some amusing (and even downright heart-warming) scenes.
And yes, some of the activities aren’t that engaging or fully fleshed out (hostess ones spring to mind) but Yakuza 3 still has a lot of content that it hits more than it misses and just when you begin to flag or tire of one thing it throws something else to keep you hooked.
Yakuza 3 Enhanced is often seen as the “worst” of the games in the franchise and it is justifiable line of opinion. But it also hides a truth about it; That even the “worst” games in the Ryu Ga Gotoku franchise are still solid b-tier fun. This is enhanced (ahem) by the fact that the price of the game is dead-cheap (it’s also part of the Yakuza Remastered Collection, again a fantastic bundle).
It is best to come to Yakuza 3 Enhanced with expectation in check but also the fact that you’re still going to have a lot of enjoyment pounding solutions into people’s faces.
Rating: 7*/10
(*More towards a 6 than an 8)
2014
Medicore soul-crushing game that wastes the interesting concept
Forget this being a letdown as a showcase of next generation console gaming, this would have been merely good if it had been released years earlier. Even with hindsight that this game failed to live up to its lofty promises, one can't help but still feel drained and irratated that they wasted their time on this game.
It's not the worse sandbox game, but there something wrong with the sum of its parts that make for a broken whole; The hacking becomes tedious, the side quests and collectables become a chore to get, the game can't decide if it wants to be loose (driving is like ice skating while drunk) or too immersive (well done for making Poker boring Ubisoft!), forced stealth sections, action either being unfair or easily broken via explosives, Pierce being a schizophrenic hyporcrite...oh and nice job of ruining Clara. And this is just gameplay as technically the game is badly optimised and the graphics, while solid, start it feel drab and lifeless...These are just some of the issues that take away from the initial thrill of playing this game and make it settle into some forced self-punishment to finish the game.
Okay it's not all bad, despite the above. The driving missions of the game - once you get use to the wonky physics of the vehicles - are a lot of fun (mainly because the game gives you some leeway, Clara - until end game - along with Jordi, Iraq and Damien are likeable and using explosives to take out unsuspecting enemies is fun (if again, cheap thanks to the D.I.Y anywhere crafting).
But after completion, the game leaves nothing but a sour taste in your mouth and temptation to demand compensation from Ubisoft for 20+ hours wasted and on that I can't recommend it, even if it's on sale.
Rating: 3/10
Forget this being a letdown as a showcase of next generation console gaming, this would have been merely good if it had been released years earlier. Even with hindsight that this game failed to live up to its lofty promises, one can't help but still feel drained and irratated that they wasted their time on this game.
It's not the worse sandbox game, but there something wrong with the sum of its parts that make for a broken whole; The hacking becomes tedious, the side quests and collectables become a chore to get, the game can't decide if it wants to be loose (driving is like ice skating while drunk) or too immersive (well done for making Poker boring Ubisoft!), forced stealth sections, action either being unfair or easily broken via explosives, Pierce being a schizophrenic hyporcrite...oh and nice job of ruining Clara. And this is just gameplay as technically the game is badly optimised and the graphics, while solid, start it feel drab and lifeless...These are just some of the issues that take away from the initial thrill of playing this game and make it settle into some forced self-punishment to finish the game.
Okay it's not all bad, despite the above. The driving missions of the game - once you get use to the wonky physics of the vehicles - are a lot of fun (mainly because the game gives you some leeway, Clara - until end game - along with Jordi, Iraq and Damien are likeable and using explosives to take out unsuspecting enemies is fun (if again, cheap thanks to the D.I.Y anywhere crafting).
But after completion, the game leaves nothing but a sour taste in your mouth and temptation to demand compensation from Ubisoft for 20+ hours wasted and on that I can't recommend it, even if it's on sale.
Rating: 3/10
2017
A Very Good Homage to Road Rash
Road Redemption is a nice diversion that is simple to grasp but quite tricky to complete. The music is catchy, the graphics are clear if a uninspiring and there's enough to unlock to keep coming back, even if you eventually manage to consistently conquer the campaign.
It can be unfair at times (from vehicles coming out of nowhere because your view is blocked due to being at an angle to enemies hitting really hard at the later stages) and it can be a bit too chaotic at times. Also the stages can sometimes feel like a slog to get through.
But overall it knows what to offer, the execution is very good and there is a satisfaction of eventually getting better (due to unlocking buffs and passives for your driver and bike) each time. Plus the online mode is fun in short bursts too.
Rating 8/10
Road Redemption is a nice diversion that is simple to grasp but quite tricky to complete. The music is catchy, the graphics are clear if a uninspiring and there's enough to unlock to keep coming back, even if you eventually manage to consistently conquer the campaign.
It can be unfair at times (from vehicles coming out of nowhere because your view is blocked due to being at an angle to enemies hitting really hard at the later stages) and it can be a bit too chaotic at times. Also the stages can sometimes feel like a slog to get through.
But overall it knows what to offer, the execution is very good and there is a satisfaction of eventually getting better (due to unlocking buffs and passives for your driver and bike) each time. Plus the online mode is fun in short bursts too.
Rating 8/10
A masterpiece, striking the perfect balance of fun and emotional open-world gameplay
NOTE: THIS GAME JUST TOUCHES ON THE SINGLE PLAYER. I HAVE NOT PLAYED THE MULTIPLAYER. CHECK OTHER REVIEWS FOR OPINIONS ON THAT IF THAT IS WHAT YOU'RE AFTER!
What is it about?
It's American Old West in 1899. The Wild West is being tamed. The days of the outlaw are dying out, with the few that are clinging on to it finding out the hard way. We follow the life of Arthur Morgan and the notorious Van der Linde gang, which is as close to family as Morgan has.
We follows the gang as they try to survive, get that one big score and find a better life for themselves, or the while they are pursued by lawmen, fellow gangs and Pinkerton agents.
The Review
Back in 2010, Red Dead Redemption was released on Xbox 360 and PS3. It wasn't just Grand Theft Auto in the Wild West, it was a near-revelation, showing that Rockstar could not only pull off a open-world game that was fun but also a game that was mature and tell a down-to-earth story. A great game that stood alongside GTA, instead of its shadow.
To say that Red Dead Redemption 2 has surpassed it is almost an understatement. This is a game that had high expectations and has not only met them, but made it look so easy that it's quite breathtaking how good this game is.
This is a very detailed game. Even if you're PC isn't a powerful, future-proof kind of rig, it's still looks fantastic on high settings and damn good on medium. Places just look breathtaking and you come across locations and sites that make you pause rather than just glance and pass them by and the way cinematic are used just add to the visual flair.
But it's not the surface that gives it the visual appeal it's the way that everything seems natural. The way people and animals go about their lives, the conversations you can overhear, the layout of locations and establishments. the details on items and weapons, etc, the world feels alive and not in a artificial way.
You could argue that characters in Red Dead Redemption 2 aren't the most visually impressive in a AAA game, but they feel as real as they can get in a game. The conversations they have is charming and you really begin to feel emotionally tied to people, whether you love them, hate them, find them charming, creepy, etc. Other great small touches are a journal that is joy to look through and newspapers that are fun to read, detailing exploits not just touched by your hands.
The music just adds another delightful slice to the thick layer of presentation, especially in the later stages of the game.
Of course, you can have a beautiful game but it all becomes nothing but a pretty, expensive picture if the game is not up to scratch and while it's bursting at the seams, it's held together.
The controls can be a bit finicky at times (especially when picking up items that are close together) and take a while to get use to, but after a while the latter is cleared up and becomes second nature and the former is never a deal breaker.
The missions are excellent fare and don't always end up with shooting someone, with a favourite standout being a drunken night out with a fellow gang member. There are a few key choices in the game that can have an impact (there is also a morality system, but this has less of an impact on the story, more helpful to see how good or bad you are). Optional missions are worthwhile as they opened up to anecdotes and fun missions that make them more than throwaway distractions.
Outside of missions, the game rewards exploration. There is some repetition to what you can encounter but mostly just when you think you've seen what this game has to offer, it subverts your expectations by throwing something new or calling back to a moment you thought was insignificant such as one very early mission ends up having huge ramifications down the line. And hunting and fishing can take up huge hours, being frustrating at times but hugely satisfying when you catch a big game fish, a legendary predator or snag a perfect pelt. A few side-quests are long scavenge hunts, so if you are someone who considers 100% a game to collect EVERYTHING, you are in for the long haul.
There are some weird gameplay choices, like fast travel (which has to be unlocked) only available while camping or at your home base (same for crafting), Eagle Eye (allows you to highlight tracks and items/collectables in close range) only being temporary instead of being able to keep it on for good and no-mid auto-saves for missions. These don't even really impact the game negatively, it's more of a chin-scratcher.
But really the biggest issue (PC wise) is the technical issues. Still the game has crash issues, loading issues, bugs and even some glitches. These are the closest to deal-breakers but honestly, the game is so damn great that if you experience these, you grin and bear it. And you maybe lucky to not experience these at all. Even at full price, this game more than justifies its worth.
This is more than just some violent open-world with shooting and collectables. This is a gritty adventure with a tale worth seeing to the full end, with flair, personality and substance to last for a long, long time.
Rating: 10/10
NOTE: THIS GAME JUST TOUCHES ON THE SINGLE PLAYER. I HAVE NOT PLAYED THE MULTIPLAYER. CHECK OTHER REVIEWS FOR OPINIONS ON THAT IF THAT IS WHAT YOU'RE AFTER!
What is it about?
It's American Old West in 1899. The Wild West is being tamed. The days of the outlaw are dying out, with the few that are clinging on to it finding out the hard way. We follow the life of Arthur Morgan and the notorious Van der Linde gang, which is as close to family as Morgan has.
We follows the gang as they try to survive, get that one big score and find a better life for themselves, or the while they are pursued by lawmen, fellow gangs and Pinkerton agents.
The Review
Back in 2010, Red Dead Redemption was released on Xbox 360 and PS3. It wasn't just Grand Theft Auto in the Wild West, it was a near-revelation, showing that Rockstar could not only pull off a open-world game that was fun but also a game that was mature and tell a down-to-earth story. A great game that stood alongside GTA, instead of its shadow.
To say that Red Dead Redemption 2 has surpassed it is almost an understatement. This is a game that had high expectations and has not only met them, but made it look so easy that it's quite breathtaking how good this game is.
This is a very detailed game. Even if you're PC isn't a powerful, future-proof kind of rig, it's still looks fantastic on high settings and damn good on medium. Places just look breathtaking and you come across locations and sites that make you pause rather than just glance and pass them by and the way cinematic are used just add to the visual flair.
But it's not the surface that gives it the visual appeal it's the way that everything seems natural. The way people and animals go about their lives, the conversations you can overhear, the layout of locations and establishments. the details on items and weapons, etc, the world feels alive and not in a artificial way.
You could argue that characters in Red Dead Redemption 2 aren't the most visually impressive in a AAA game, but they feel as real as they can get in a game. The conversations they have is charming and you really begin to feel emotionally tied to people, whether you love them, hate them, find them charming, creepy, etc. Other great small touches are a journal that is joy to look through and newspapers that are fun to read, detailing exploits not just touched by your hands.
The music just adds another delightful slice to the thick layer of presentation, especially in the later stages of the game.
Of course, you can have a beautiful game but it all becomes nothing but a pretty, expensive picture if the game is not up to scratch and while it's bursting at the seams, it's held together.
The controls can be a bit finicky at times (especially when picking up items that are close together) and take a while to get use to, but after a while the latter is cleared up and becomes second nature and the former is never a deal breaker.
The missions are excellent fare and don't always end up with shooting someone, with a favourite standout being a drunken night out with a fellow gang member. There are a few key choices in the game that can have an impact (there is also a morality system, but this has less of an impact on the story, more helpful to see how good or bad you are). Optional missions are worthwhile as they opened up to anecdotes and fun missions that make them more than throwaway distractions.
Outside of missions, the game rewards exploration. There is some repetition to what you can encounter but mostly just when you think you've seen what this game has to offer, it subverts your expectations by throwing something new or calling back to a moment you thought was insignificant such as one very early mission ends up having huge ramifications down the line. And hunting and fishing can take up huge hours, being frustrating at times but hugely satisfying when you catch a big game fish, a legendary predator or snag a perfect pelt. A few side-quests are long scavenge hunts, so if you are someone who considers 100% a game to collect EVERYTHING, you are in for the long haul.
There are some weird gameplay choices, like fast travel (which has to be unlocked) only available while camping or at your home base (same for crafting), Eagle Eye (allows you to highlight tracks and items/collectables in close range) only being temporary instead of being able to keep it on for good and no-mid auto-saves for missions. These don't even really impact the game negatively, it's more of a chin-scratcher.
But really the biggest issue (PC wise) is the technical issues. Still the game has crash issues, loading issues, bugs and even some glitches. These are the closest to deal-breakers but honestly, the game is so damn great that if you experience these, you grin and bear it. And you maybe lucky to not experience these at all. Even at full price, this game more than justifies its worth.
This is more than just some violent open-world with shooting and collectables. This is a gritty adventure with a tale worth seeing to the full end, with flair, personality and substance to last for a long, long time.
Rating: 10/10
A Disappointing end to the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy
What's it about
Lightning, the heroine of FF XIII and the goddess Etro's hand-picked chosen warrior of FF XIII-2 faces a crisis. She's failed to protect her sister, Serah twice and Etro has died, causing the world to fall into chaos. However, she is given one final chance to carry out a mission by the God Bhunivelze; In seven days, the world will end and she must save as many souls as she can. If she can do enough, she can meet her Serah. With the aid of Hope Estheim, Lightning sets off with renewed determination.
The Review
And so, we come to the end of Square Enix's attempt at a Final Fantasy trilogy (having done a duology with Final Fantasy X and X-2) and It ends not with a bang but with a “sigh.”
And its call because of the damn time limit imposed on you. You see you only (initially) have seven days to complete your mission. You have 24 hours to do as much as you can in each day. Sounds fine right? Well a) the time goes pretty fast to the point it can be a shock to the system b) Some quests force you to grind for items c) you will struggle if you don't get use to time management quickly.
The time limit pressures you to be as fast as you can, not being able to go at your own pace, miss out on the sites and dialogue of the world and make you feel you're not part of the world but speedrunning a game and the trial and error compound the issue. Yes you can skip almost all cutscenes, but having to see the same locations again and again because you have to restart the game is maddening.
The battle system feels less fun and more of an exercise on brain training and muscle memory and until you become one with the game, most battles feel tedious, especially boss battles afterthought. Many of the Outfits (via the Schemata system) will be unused due to a few being more than enough to get to end-game (which is a shame, because many have great designs. It would have been excellent if you could choose who the Schemata looks based on what you've collected.)
The story of the game is okay. There are some nice moments but it tends to be very eye-rolling, with a ton of quests ending in the same tired-way, Aesops aplenty to the point it can feel like a lecture from a spiritual guru and it's quite hammy. Still the familiar faces are nice to see and hear and Lumina is a very strong character.
Same goes for music, with a few catchy tunes but many of it falling flat or being unmemorable.
Despite the huge criticisms though, there are some neat ideas in Lightning Returns and credit have to be given to Square Enix to try something ambitious and different. Lightning Returns does run smoothly and there are lots of variation in terms of NPC design (compared to Final Fantasy XV, a graphically superior game) and replayability is heavily promoted, with one achievement not available until you've done so.
But it doesn't pay off. Again the replayability is a bit forced, some features aren't even available until you've completed the game (Want to upgrade your weapons and armour? Better finish the game!) and the tedium increases.
Is this the worst Final Fantasy game? Well that's always debatable and there is a strong argument. But it's not the worst JRPG. It's a huge let down but there is fun to be had, and for those who love to be challenged and pressured into finding the best way to finish a JRPG, this maybe for you. But for those who just like to do so at their own pace with gameplay that isn't mediocre, you're better off looking elsewhere.
Rating: 5/10
What's it about
Lightning, the heroine of FF XIII and the goddess Etro's hand-picked chosen warrior of FF XIII-2 faces a crisis. She's failed to protect her sister, Serah twice and Etro has died, causing the world to fall into chaos. However, she is given one final chance to carry out a mission by the God Bhunivelze; In seven days, the world will end and she must save as many souls as she can. If she can do enough, she can meet her Serah. With the aid of Hope Estheim, Lightning sets off with renewed determination.
The Review
And so, we come to the end of Square Enix's attempt at a Final Fantasy trilogy (having done a duology with Final Fantasy X and X-2) and It ends not with a bang but with a “sigh.”
And its call because of the damn time limit imposed on you. You see you only (initially) have seven days to complete your mission. You have 24 hours to do as much as you can in each day. Sounds fine right? Well a) the time goes pretty fast to the point it can be a shock to the system b) Some quests force you to grind for items c) you will struggle if you don't get use to time management quickly.
The time limit pressures you to be as fast as you can, not being able to go at your own pace, miss out on the sites and dialogue of the world and make you feel you're not part of the world but speedrunning a game and the trial and error compound the issue. Yes you can skip almost all cutscenes, but having to see the same locations again and again because you have to restart the game is maddening.
The battle system feels less fun and more of an exercise on brain training and muscle memory and until you become one with the game, most battles feel tedious, especially boss battles afterthought. Many of the Outfits (via the Schemata system) will be unused due to a few being more than enough to get to end-game (which is a shame, because many have great designs. It would have been excellent if you could choose who the Schemata looks based on what you've collected.)
The story of the game is okay. There are some nice moments but it tends to be very eye-rolling, with a ton of quests ending in the same tired-way, Aesops aplenty to the point it can feel like a lecture from a spiritual guru and it's quite hammy. Still the familiar faces are nice to see and hear and Lumina is a very strong character.
Same goes for music, with a few catchy tunes but many of it falling flat or being unmemorable.
Despite the huge criticisms though, there are some neat ideas in Lightning Returns and credit have to be given to Square Enix to try something ambitious and different. Lightning Returns does run smoothly and there are lots of variation in terms of NPC design (compared to Final Fantasy XV, a graphically superior game) and replayability is heavily promoted, with one achievement not available until you've done so.
But it doesn't pay off. Again the replayability is a bit forced, some features aren't even available until you've completed the game (Want to upgrade your weapons and armour? Better finish the game!) and the tedium increases.
Is this the worst Final Fantasy game? Well that's always debatable and there is a strong argument. But it's not the worst JRPG. It's a huge let down but there is fun to be had, and for those who love to be challenged and pressured into finding the best way to finish a JRPG, this maybe for you. But for those who just like to do so at their own pace with gameplay that isn't mediocre, you're better off looking elsewhere.
Rating: 5/10
Greta Thunberg's 3rd favourite game.
Note: I'll do a proper review in the future. But I'll say real quick that is a tough game but one with an engaging core loop, mixing city building and survival, with excellent sense of character.
Note: I'll do a proper review in the future. But I'll say real quick that is a tough game but one with an engaging core loop, mixing city building and survival, with excellent sense of character.
Excellent, stylish shump that lacks content
The Raiden series has been known for delivering a enjoyable shmup experience and Raiden V: Directors cut does not buck that trend.
Excellent presentation, fantastic soundtrack and solid gameplay, with a surprisingly fleshed out story, caters to not just bullet hell experts but also those who want to dip into the genre and get use to it. All this makes a very good package for all types of shmup skill levels.
The only knocks on Raiden V is that it is very barebones, there isn't much replay value and it can be distracting trying to listen/read the story while trying to not get hit but it is highly recommended nevertheless.
Rating: 8/10
The Raiden series has been known for delivering a enjoyable shmup experience and Raiden V: Directors cut does not buck that trend.
Excellent presentation, fantastic soundtrack and solid gameplay, with a surprisingly fleshed out story, caters to not just bullet hell experts but also those who want to dip into the genre and get use to it. All this makes a very good package for all types of shmup skill levels.
The only knocks on Raiden V is that it is very barebones, there isn't much replay value and it can be distracting trying to listen/read the story while trying to not get hit but it is highly recommended nevertheless.
Rating: 8/10
2020
Every day's great at your Junes!
Look, it's a Persona game on the PC. That alone makes this a must-buy.
If you're not aware of what Persona brings, it's a JRPG with added, heavy, focus on social aspects and trial-and-error (unless you're following a guide, you're not gonna come even close to getting most things done or even beating the game.)
It may have difficulty, frustrating difficulty spikes (even early game can see you get your ass kicked hard) but it has great charm, excellent, catchy soundtrack, nice looking graphics (this originated as a PlayStation 2 game, though this HD version is taken from the PS VITA version) and rewarding if you stick with it makes this highly recommended.
If you're looking for something that, even today, is different and refreshing in the JRPG market, Persona 4 Golden is it.
Rating: 10/10
Look, it's a Persona game on the PC. That alone makes this a must-buy.
If you're not aware of what Persona brings, it's a JRPG with added, heavy, focus on social aspects and trial-and-error (unless you're following a guide, you're not gonna come even close to getting most things done or even beating the game.)
It may have difficulty, frustrating difficulty spikes (even early game can see you get your ass kicked hard) but it has great charm, excellent, catchy soundtrack, nice looking graphics (this originated as a PlayStation 2 game, though this HD version is taken from the PS VITA version) and rewarding if you stick with it makes this highly recommended.
If you're looking for something that, even today, is different and refreshing in the JRPG market, Persona 4 Golden is it.
Rating: 10/10
2016
A Worthy Follow-Up To A Masterpiece
It's not as intimate as the first game, but in return, Dishonored 2 has better graphics, presentation and more exploration of the world, not just in world building but how to achieve your objectives. There's always some new way you never thought of but accidently stumbled across to complete your goals or to takedown, bypass or kill people.
Having two characters gives replay value and more playstyles.
Also, it's nice that Dishonored 2 actually gives the DLC of Dishonored more than lip service and actually use them as building blocks.
Very recommended if you liked Dishonored
Rating: 9/10
It's not as intimate as the first game, but in return, Dishonored 2 has better graphics, presentation and more exploration of the world, not just in world building but how to achieve your objectives. There's always some new way you never thought of but accidently stumbled across to complete your goals or to takedown, bypass or kill people.
Having two characters gives replay value and more playstyles.
Also, it's nice that Dishonored 2 actually gives the DLC of Dishonored more than lip service and actually use them as building blocks.
Very recommended if you liked Dishonored
Rating: 9/10
Phantasy Star Online 2 is a fun time sink
PSO2 still looks good so many years and the designs of areas are really well done. The ARKS hub has a bit of a sparse feeling in cutscenes though. Music is hella catchy and the presentation is on point for the most part. Yes it looks like an early PlayStation 3 game (for obvious reasons) but one that looks good.
PSO2 isn’t Pay 2 Win, but there are advantages for plunking down cash for AC. There are workarounds for some of this if you don’t desire to pay any money and you can get “Star Gems” (the other premium currency) pretty easily without using your credit card. But it just makes the game less of a hassle if you do so. Think of it as "Pay 4 Advantage" (and convenience.)
While there is no true endgame (the joke is that “fashion” is the real endgame), there is plenty to do/keep you busy. There are always events going on, there is a PVP mode (not great but not horrible and at least each match is quick), a challenge mode (which is again ok,) crafting, upgrading and the fact you have access to all your classes. Again, premium members can take the most out of this but it’s not like there is nothing to do, even if you get the best stuff
There is a story mode, but it’s quite a slog and (until recently) not really well put together due to how they reworked it from its original format. But at least you get rewards so it’s not a total wash.
Gameplay is pretty good. It’s constant, somewhat quick and quite forgiving. You don’t have to “git gud” to get the most out of it, though content is being released where you have to be somewhat competent (or at least use a class and sub-class that can help you brute force your way.) It’s not entirely mindless but you can’t just “press x to win” as well. Classes are fun to try out and you will find one that makes you go "oh this is fun/challenging".)
There is no pressure on how you play. If you’re a social butterfly, PSO2 has you covered. If you’re a lone wolf, this works fine, as ALL group content can be joined without having to ask for an invite and you can get bots to help you in other content. No one expects you to chat during missions so as long as you play decently, no one is going to boot you. Alliances (this game’s version of guilds) are plentiful and welcoming.
Pretty much worth the wait. In a genre that is becoming saturated and hyped up games are failing to live up to their potential, PSO2 is up there with Warframe, Destiny 2, World of Warcraft and EVE in games that deliver one way or another. It's refreshing but also familiar. Not the deepest MMO and if you’re going to commit fully, you may have to get that credit card out but it’s fun and satisfying. Highly Recommended.
Overall: 9/10
PSO2 still looks good so many years and the designs of areas are really well done. The ARKS hub has a bit of a sparse feeling in cutscenes though. Music is hella catchy and the presentation is on point for the most part. Yes it looks like an early PlayStation 3 game (for obvious reasons) but one that looks good.
PSO2 isn’t Pay 2 Win, but there are advantages for plunking down cash for AC. There are workarounds for some of this if you don’t desire to pay any money and you can get “Star Gems” (the other premium currency) pretty easily without using your credit card. But it just makes the game less of a hassle if you do so. Think of it as "Pay 4 Advantage" (and convenience.)
While there is no true endgame (the joke is that “fashion” is the real endgame), there is plenty to do/keep you busy. There are always events going on, there is a PVP mode (not great but not horrible and at least each match is quick), a challenge mode (which is again ok,) crafting, upgrading and the fact you have access to all your classes. Again, premium members can take the most out of this but it’s not like there is nothing to do, even if you get the best stuff
There is a story mode, but it’s quite a slog and (until recently) not really well put together due to how they reworked it from its original format. But at least you get rewards so it’s not a total wash.
Gameplay is pretty good. It’s constant, somewhat quick and quite forgiving. You don’t have to “git gud” to get the most out of it, though content is being released where you have to be somewhat competent (or at least use a class and sub-class that can help you brute force your way.) It’s not entirely mindless but you can’t just “press x to win” as well. Classes are fun to try out and you will find one that makes you go "oh this is fun/challenging".)
There is no pressure on how you play. If you’re a social butterfly, PSO2 has you covered. If you’re a lone wolf, this works fine, as ALL group content can be joined without having to ask for an invite and you can get bots to help you in other content. No one expects you to chat during missions so as long as you play decently, no one is going to boot you. Alliances (this game’s version of guilds) are plentiful and welcoming.
Pretty much worth the wait. In a genre that is becoming saturated and hyped up games are failing to live up to their potential, PSO2 is up there with Warframe, Destiny 2, World of Warcraft and EVE in games that deliver one way or another. It's refreshing but also familiar. Not the deepest MMO and if you’re going to commit fully, you may have to get that credit card out but it’s fun and satisfying. Highly Recommended.
Overall: 9/10
A JRPG That Is Very Challenging But Also Very Rewarding
You have to come to Trails in the Sky: The Legend of Heroes FC (FC standing for "FIrst Chapter") bearing in mind that this game will test you and trip you up, even if you are an experienced player of JRPGs.
It's very challenging, with grinding pretty much minimal, normal battles can be tough and can wipe you out if you're not careful or prepared and many of the bosses can and will downright destroy you, the Quartz system can take a while to get your head round and it's VERY easy to miss out on sidequests and the last dungeon is pretty much a test of patience.
Not to mention the game does feel archaic. The graphics have a lovely charm (think of an a PlayStation 1 JRPG upscaled) but menus are a bit cumbersome to operate and lag, and sometimes the viewpoint istoo zoomed in.
It's also quite short, though this is a blessing as it doesn't overstay it's welcome (and there is a legit reason; Trails in the Sky was so huge they had to release it in two parts.)
So what's the damn appeal with seemingly so much negativity? Well while the challenge maybe offputting, it's also refreshing for those who feel JRPGs are too easy. And the story is fantastic. It was boasted as having tons of dialogue but it rarely feels wasted. Even NPC's are fun to talk to instead of just being "there" and the game does a good job with presentation and showing (as well as telling.)
As a result, characters have an impact and aren't just introduced merely to advance the plot and then be forgotten about, but have a lasting purpose and developing more depth than you'd expect. It's also rare to hate a character as even almost all the villains have some empathy towards them (and if you do, it's very warranted)
Yes this JRPG is NIntendo Hard in many places and yeah it's old school in looks and gameplay (a valid point even when it was released a long time ago) but it's also still a damn fine RPG and worth playing.
Rating 8/10
You have to come to Trails in the Sky: The Legend of Heroes FC (FC standing for "FIrst Chapter") bearing in mind that this game will test you and trip you up, even if you are an experienced player of JRPGs.
It's very challenging, with grinding pretty much minimal, normal battles can be tough and can wipe you out if you're not careful or prepared and many of the bosses can and will downright destroy you, the Quartz system can take a while to get your head round and it's VERY easy to miss out on sidequests and the last dungeon is pretty much a test of patience.
Not to mention the game does feel archaic. The graphics have a lovely charm (think of an a PlayStation 1 JRPG upscaled) but menus are a bit cumbersome to operate and lag, and sometimes the viewpoint istoo zoomed in.
It's also quite short, though this is a blessing as it doesn't overstay it's welcome (and there is a legit reason; Trails in the Sky was so huge they had to release it in two parts.)
So what's the damn appeal with seemingly so much negativity? Well while the challenge maybe offputting, it's also refreshing for those who feel JRPGs are too easy. And the story is fantastic. It was boasted as having tons of dialogue but it rarely feels wasted. Even NPC's are fun to talk to instead of just being "there" and the game does a good job with presentation and showing (as well as telling.)
As a result, characters have an impact and aren't just introduced merely to advance the plot and then be forgotten about, but have a lasting purpose and developing more depth than you'd expect. It's also rare to hate a character as even almost all the villains have some empathy towards them (and if you do, it's very warranted)
Yes this JRPG is NIntendo Hard in many places and yeah it's old school in looks and gameplay (a valid point even when it was released a long time ago) but it's also still a damn fine RPG and worth playing.
Rating 8/10
2016
Ha! I remember this. Got hyped up for it a bit but then just forget about it and moved on. Back when Early Access was even more of a mess. Anyway game is dead.
Someone actually said three years ago "Project Genom, a game that everyone thought failed ... They actually pulled through ..."
Poor person. Must have been crushed after being betrayed. If you seem them, give them a hug ^_^
Someone actually said three years ago "Project Genom, a game that everyone thought failed ... They actually pulled through ..."
Poor person. Must have been crushed after being betrayed. If you seem them, give them a hug ^_^
2013
As close to a true Free to Play MMO you're going to get.
Okay, sure if you're gonna go "all-in" with Path of Exile, it is near-mandatory to invest in expanding storage space. But there is no pay-to-win, no boosts to pay and no way to gain a competitive edge other than "get gud" gameplay.
It's a simple game to play with a HUGE, complex layers underneath that are thankfully, not thrown at your face at once and the community is so helpful and on-top, that builds, mechanic advice, overlays and anything else that will stump you is easy to find and easy to read/use. Just beware that the mechanics have a huge shift themselves per each milestone update.
The amount of content is had (and receives) does make things a bit more daunting, on top of the already massive mechanics it can be a bit headache inducing and even cause some anxiety. But again, to the game's credit, it does try and slowly bring you into these things rather than put it on one plate and expect you to consume it in one go. And it also takes into account that when you do encounter them, you're not expected to go far until late-game
Yes, PoE can be daunting and if you're looking for "wow!" graphics, this game won't deliver it (but it does give that classic Diablo charm, even after all these years.) but it is worth the time sink.
As someone said, Path of Exile is "Diablo III for diehard Diablo II fans."
Rating: 9/10
Okay, sure if you're gonna go "all-in" with Path of Exile, it is near-mandatory to invest in expanding storage space. But there is no pay-to-win, no boosts to pay and no way to gain a competitive edge other than "get gud" gameplay.
It's a simple game to play with a HUGE, complex layers underneath that are thankfully, not thrown at your face at once and the community is so helpful and on-top, that builds, mechanic advice, overlays and anything else that will stump you is easy to find and easy to read/use. Just beware that the mechanics have a huge shift themselves per each milestone update.
The amount of content is had (and receives) does make things a bit more daunting, on top of the already massive mechanics it can be a bit headache inducing and even cause some anxiety. But again, to the game's credit, it does try and slowly bring you into these things rather than put it on one plate and expect you to consume it in one go. And it also takes into account that when you do encounter them, you're not expected to go far until late-game
Yes, PoE can be daunting and if you're looking for "wow!" graphics, this game won't deliver it (but it does give that classic Diablo charm, even after all these years.) but it is worth the time sink.
As someone said, Path of Exile is "Diablo III for diehard Diablo II fans."
Rating: 9/10
Continuing the great story and challenging gameplay from Trails in the Sky FC
Pretty much similar to Trails in the Sky FC (because the game was so huge, it was split into 3 parts, hence SC standing for Second Chapter, hence why it's very similar to FC)
This is a very good jRPG game that offers very challenging gameplay with an engaging story, helped by excellent characters, dialogue and excellent music, as well as well executed visual placing that still holds up despite the Trails in the Sky SC's age.
Even despite questionable gameplay design choices (even with, again, the game's age taken into account) and the story a few times being a bit too twee, this is highly recommended if you enjoyed the firs (of course, if you didn't like FC, there's no way you're liking SC.)
Rating: 8/10
Pretty much similar to Trails in the Sky FC (because the game was so huge, it was split into 3 parts, hence SC standing for Second Chapter, hence why it's very similar to FC)
This is a very good jRPG game that offers very challenging gameplay with an engaging story, helped by excellent characters, dialogue and excellent music, as well as well executed visual placing that still holds up despite the Trails in the Sky SC's age.
Even despite questionable gameplay design choices (even with, again, the game's age taken into account) and the story a few times being a bit too twee, this is highly recommended if you enjoyed the firs (of course, if you didn't like FC, there's no way you're liking SC.)
Rating: 8/10