Etanks
The apex of action games mechanically. Great enemies, bosses, moves, difficulty options for any level of player.
Insane amount of content where you are always moving forward to what's next, from story progression to sidequesting to superbosses.
I get the impression that this is the game Nomura and team were looking to make, with the original and chain of memories as necessary stepping stones to get here.
All that being said, certain elements were lost from the original to make this entry possible, this includes nonlinear level design being able to hide more secrets. Quirks from a slower more deliberate combat system leading to player experimentation and discovery when it comes to enemy patterns. A subtle progression system more closely resembling a classic RPG deemphasized to instead feature more bombastic chuuni tones.
This game marked a shift in style and tone for the series, a series I still enjoy despite a growing laundry list of shortcomings. This game is the undisputed peak of the rollercoaster known as Nomura's wild ride. And yet despite the undeniably high standard this game set, I can't help but be endeared to that slow, emotional climb that got us here.
Insane amount of content where you are always moving forward to what's next, from story progression to sidequesting to superbosses.
I get the impression that this is the game Nomura and team were looking to make, with the original and chain of memories as necessary stepping stones to get here.
All that being said, certain elements were lost from the original to make this entry possible, this includes nonlinear level design being able to hide more secrets. Quirks from a slower more deliberate combat system leading to player experimentation and discovery when it comes to enemy patterns. A subtle progression system more closely resembling a classic RPG deemphasized to instead feature more bombastic chuuni tones.
This game marked a shift in style and tone for the series, a series I still enjoy despite a growing laundry list of shortcomings. This game is the undisputed peak of the rollercoaster known as Nomura's wild ride. And yet despite the undeniably high standard this game set, I can't help but be endeared to that slow, emotional climb that got us here.
2019
Shitpost game that flew under everyone's radar. It's very cool when it wants to be but it's also very dumb.
The setting and characters are so in media res that it feels like the second season of a show where the writing took a noticeable downturn.
Platinum does it again by putting a cool combat system on a Nintendo console exclusively, meaning any combination of perfect dodges and air juggle satisfaction will cause the framerate to dip to 20.
Decidedly leans more RPG than other genre entries with simple skill trees for each of your robot demon partners.
Enemy variety is a step up with lots of targets to make you strategically switch your fighting style, while some enemies border on puzzle with a health bar, it never becomes tedious to expose their weak point and go to town.
Bosses however range from boring to peak Platinum, with the most fun boss in the game being some cyberpunk asshole named Kyle.
The investigation sections and minigames are amusing on a first play, but I can't imagine slogging through them for a Pure Platinum run of hour long levels with a dozen ranked fights.
The setting and characters are so in media res that it feels like the second season of a show where the writing took a noticeable downturn.
Platinum does it again by putting a cool combat system on a Nintendo console exclusively, meaning any combination of perfect dodges and air juggle satisfaction will cause the framerate to dip to 20.
Decidedly leans more RPG than other genre entries with simple skill trees for each of your robot demon partners.
Enemy variety is a step up with lots of targets to make you strategically switch your fighting style, while some enemies border on puzzle with a health bar, it never becomes tedious to expose their weak point and go to town.
Bosses however range from boring to peak Platinum, with the most fun boss in the game being some cyberpunk asshole named Kyle.
The investigation sections and minigames are amusing on a first play, but I can't imagine slogging through them for a Pure Platinum run of hour long levels with a dozen ranked fights.
This review contains spoilers
This is how the franchise should've ended, with Kakashi soloing Orochimaru and restoring peace to the Land of Fire.
2006
I wonder what will the Wii Sports be for my generation. No, not in the sense of a launch title that is more tech demo than fully realized game. Moreso what entertainment device is going to be plastered over every assisted living home in ~50 years?
2011
I sure wish this fun gameplay had some original levels!
How does a game overcome its technical limits? Does it not render that one rock when you don't look at it, recolor the same goblin 5 times and give it a different name, have you revisit old areas to pad the game's length?
Are these methods outdated, malicious, fraudulent, ontologically evil???? Nah, but they are noticeable flaws in a product that costs money and time.
The sequel to quite possibly my favorite game, a disappointment for many, as the quality is admittedly and understandably far below a blockbuster near launch title for the PlayStation 2.
The story marks a low point for some as Disney film environments are represented as simulacrum that both we and the characters know are not real, and the villains become decidedly more shonen in appearance and motivations.
Gameplay over complexifies a simple action rpg into a deck builder where powerful combos have to be weighed against their cost both in and out of battle. A single misunderstanding in the game's mechanics, dumped all at once at the start (which can be considered a positive compared to hours of tutorials), can lead to a massive dip in enjoyment as you run out of cards, again, either/or in and out of battle.
Despite all of this though, I, the one writing this review, see this game as a bundle of ambition which sought to carry on the torch of its predecessor with mixed success.
Once you understand the economy of deckbuilding and the methods of farming resources, you can steadily amass strategies for both waves of enemies and 1v1 boss fights.
The game is fun. It's not for everyone, from Kingdom Hearts fans to RPG fans to even Deckbuilder fans. But damnit, I like it.
Are these methods outdated, malicious, fraudulent, ontologically evil???? Nah, but they are noticeable flaws in a product that costs money and time.
The sequel to quite possibly my favorite game, a disappointment for many, as the quality is admittedly and understandably far below a blockbuster near launch title for the PlayStation 2.
The story marks a low point for some as Disney film environments are represented as simulacrum that both we and the characters know are not real, and the villains become decidedly more shonen in appearance and motivations.
Gameplay over complexifies a simple action rpg into a deck builder where powerful combos have to be weighed against their cost both in and out of battle. A single misunderstanding in the game's mechanics, dumped all at once at the start (which can be considered a positive compared to hours of tutorials), can lead to a massive dip in enjoyment as you run out of cards, again, either/or in and out of battle.
Despite all of this though, I, the one writing this review, see this game as a bundle of ambition which sought to carry on the torch of its predecessor with mixed success.
Once you understand the economy of deckbuilding and the methods of farming resources, you can steadily amass strategies for both waves of enemies and 1v1 boss fights.
The game is fun. It's not for everyone, from Kingdom Hearts fans to RPG fans to even Deckbuilder fans. But damnit, I like it.
2017
Lives and dies by how much Williams DLC you're willing to buy.
If you really love Bob's Burgers or other FOX cartoons, boy howdy will you love this game!
If you really love Bob's Burgers or other FOX cartoons, boy howdy will you love this game!
1997
They made like 12 different fully animated cutscenes depending on how well you did in the tutorial so you gotta give credit where it's due.
A burst of 3D platformer excellence where the focus on evocative visual set pieces & "n+1" level design make for a great experience. While never demanding mechanical perfection, seamlessly makes the player feel stealthy and sneaky at all the right moments.
New techniques from obtaining every collectible in a level never feels tedious, as are the timed challenges which reward the player with commentary tracks that are the perfect cherry on top of this fun, engaging adventure.
New techniques from obtaining every collectible in a level never feels tedious, as are the timed challenges which reward the player with commentary tracks that are the perfect cherry on top of this fun, engaging adventure.
How invested should a story be in its setting? Trails in the Sky says "with all your heart".
While this game acts as a prelude to a much more involved narrative, it's these humble beginnings that make you yearn for every RPG setting to have a long, near-slice of life preamble where you tour an idyllic before the events of the plot truly kick off, if you're into that sort of thing.
Dialogue and characters feel refreshingly grounded, with extremely minimal trope parading.
Combat is simple and effective, where a simplified network of Materia like gems are used to execute magic and build characters' parameters to your liking.
If you want a low stakes adventure with the slippery slope of an entire series of games to dominate your time, this is the game for you.
But don't actually play Cold Steel please.
While this game acts as a prelude to a much more involved narrative, it's these humble beginnings that make you yearn for every RPG setting to have a long, near-slice of life preamble where you tour an idyllic before the events of the plot truly kick off, if you're into that sort of thing.
Dialogue and characters feel refreshingly grounded, with extremely minimal trope parading.
Combat is simple and effective, where a simplified network of Materia like gems are used to execute magic and build characters' parameters to your liking.
If you want a low stakes adventure with the slippery slope of an entire series of games to dominate your time, this is the game for you.
But don't actually play Cold Steel please.
Pinnacle of rhythm gaming and also what a fanservice title should hope to achieve.
2009
You should play this game but skip every cutscene but also know what you're doing because the paradigm you're in doesn't only effect what moves you can use but gives passive bonuses to your other party members so if you're going to be hit by a massive AoE switch to a double Sentinel formation to mitigate the damage .
This review contains spoilers
Great characters but a narrative that stumbles hard in the 3rd act. Teaches an important lesson that higher stakes does not always make for a more engaging story.
Corruption in politics trickling down to harm the most vulnerable classes
Vigilantism for societal good versus self serving one's ego
The clash of ideals born from differing stations in life
All of these interesting themes discarded for
AN ANCIENT EVIL HAS AWOKEN
The gameplay is also unfortunately pretty clunky.
I sure am saying a lot of negative things in this 4 star review but I do believe this is a fun game but you should have some Tales games under your belt so you know what to expect and take the good with bad.
Corruption in politics trickling down to harm the most vulnerable classes
Vigilantism for societal good versus self serving one's ego
The clash of ideals born from differing stations in life
All of these interesting themes discarded for
AN ANCIENT EVIL HAS AWOKEN
The gameplay is also unfortunately pretty clunky.
I sure am saying a lot of negative things in this 4 star review but I do believe this is a fun game but you should have some Tales games under your belt so you know what to expect and take the good with bad.
2000
Insanely fun arcade style shooter where your observational skills hold a stronger sway over your success than pure reaction time and aim.
A spectacle that will make you forget it's an N64 game, with deliciously hammy line deliver carries shades of Evangelion though not nearly as pretentious.
Easier to play now thanks to Switch Online, I implore you to give this game the hours it demands, which sometimes requires being kicked back to the beginning.
A spectacle that will make you forget it's an N64 game, with deliciously hammy line deliver carries shades of Evangelion though not nearly as pretentious.
Easier to play now thanks to Switch Online, I implore you to give this game the hours it demands, which sometimes requires being kicked back to the beginning.
1990
The landscape painting to Mario 3's still life.
Where it lacks in powerup variety it makes up for in tightness of control and it's rewarding secrets.
Where it lacks in powerup variety it makes up for in tightness of control and it's rewarding secrets.