NightDuck
By virtually every measure, this isn't a very good game, but it's also basically everything I want in a handheld game: an Action RPG with a simple, deliberate combat system and individual levels that take 15-20 minutes to play. The story, character designs, and voice acting are ridiculous and amateurish, but in a way that makes it charming to me.
Phantasy Star Online 2 is a much, much better version of this game, but I can't play that on my PSP/Vita.
Phantasy Star Online 2 is a much, much better version of this game, but I can't play that on my PSP/Vita.
2016
This game is great! It's clear that it wants to just be 2D Dark Souls, and it's good at that, but it does also have some neat ideas of its own (e.g. the level up system). I beat the game and immediately started a new playthrough, which is generally the highest praise I can give this kind of game.
I do really wish this game had an in game map though. A lot of the screens look very similar, so it's frustrating to try and figure out where I have and have not been before.
I do really wish this game had an in game map though. A lot of the screens look very similar, so it's frustrating to try and figure out where I have and have not been before.
2021
I want to like this game. I think combining RPG mechanics with a twin stick shooter works fairly well and I really like how the combat feels (you're constantly moving and ducking in and out of cover). This game reminds me of Fallout 1 and 2 in a good way and this structure seems like a good way to make that style of isometric sci-fi rpg more approachable for modern audiences. However, the game has significant performance issues, you have to do a lot of unnecessary backtracking, and the story didn't really grab my attention.
I think I would really like The Ascent 2, if they ever decide to make a sequel.
I think I would really like The Ascent 2, if they ever decide to make a sequel.
2021
Fantastic game! I like the combat in this game better than Hades, although to be fair, I wasn’t as high on Hades as some people. It's short, but I enjoyed my time with it.
Most of the characters are great! More games should let me get coffee with a lightsaber.
Most of the characters are great! More games should let me get coffee with a lightsaber.
2018
Fantastic rhythm game, wish the character designs were less lewd.
2019
This game sucks and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The game has some interesting ideas, but the first major boss is literally invincible unless you parry him repeatedly and then you only get about 1.5 seconds to damage him in a certain spot. Absolutely not fun and heavily punishes you for not having already chosen the weapon and build that the game expected.
It's cute and a fairly good JRPG, but the side quest stuff is tedious and the controls are a bit wonky. Not a bad game, but it's not my cup of tea.
1992
The first level is great because you get to go fast. The later levels suck because you don't get to go fast.
Absolutely love the ATB system in this. Zero interest in the nonsense stuff from the last 2 hours, other than that I love Zack. Hard mode is the best part of the game.
Terra is the dumbest boy to ever exist. Nomura will never let a woman do anything important in a story. Amazing game, wish they would bring this ability system back.
2002
This is the best kingdom hearts game because it's so Simple and Clean.
2008
I knew this game was going to be very simplistic, but it's even more tedious than I expected and also frustratingly difficult. When you die, you load back into town with 1 hp and no way to full heal yourself, except to save and quit and then reload the game. Why?!
2009
Great character action game, but I don't feel much of an urge to replay it.
2019
I didn't enjoy this game much at all. The characters are very different from each other with a lot of deep mechanics, but you switch between them too quickly to really dig into each of them. I wish you could play all of a characters missions back to back instead, so you can get used to them more easily. The story is dumb in a boring way, which is a problem because there are a lot of cutscenes.
Devil Trigger is an absolute banger, but that still isn't enough to save this game for me.
Devil Trigger is an absolute banger, but that still isn't enough to save this game for me.
RULES OF NATURE!
Everything about this game feels so cool and earnest. The game is a 9/10, but the soundtrack is a 15/10. A couple of the bosses have some frustrating mechanics, but the game as a whole is so good, it was easy to push past that.
Everything about this game feels so cool and earnest. The game is a 9/10, but the soundtrack is a 15/10. A couple of the bosses have some frustrating mechanics, but the game as a whole is so good, it was easy to push past that.