ZenCier
2006
Well-rounded SRPG built on a solid gameplay foundation and guided by an interesting story premise.
+ great skill stone mechanic that enables unit flexibility and is satisfying to progress
+ reasonably challenging difficulty with accessible ways to grind
+ charming characters in both design and personalities
+ unusual setting that blends history and fantasy well
+ frequent animated cutscenes between stages
+ uniquely melancholic soundtrack
+ a small amount of side and post-game content
- some visibility issues in spite of the rotatable camera
- tiresome early antagonists who just won't die
- several slow animations that repeat constantly
+ great skill stone mechanic that enables unit flexibility and is satisfying to progress
+ reasonably challenging difficulty with accessible ways to grind
+ charming characters in both design and personalities
+ unusual setting that blends history and fantasy well
+ frequent animated cutscenes between stages
+ uniquely melancholic soundtrack
+ a small amount of side and post-game content
- some visibility issues in spite of the rotatable camera
- tiresome early antagonists who just won't die
- several slow animations that repeat constantly
2005
Uniquely humorous JRPG that tells a serious story with inspired frivolity:
+ one-of-a-kind protagonist characterized by confident stupidity rather than competence
+ charming visual direction making the dated graphics hold up well
+ huge number of distinct recruitable characters (177) plus a significant narrative branch offering decent replayability
+ lively setting that is enhanced by various gimmicks (ability to kick anything, meaningful passing of time, etc.)
- barely serviceable action combat with noticeable input lag
- random difficulty spikes that necessitate a lot of grinding
- labyrinthine environments with a map that rarely helps
- lackluster quality of life (unskippable cutscenes, slow animations, rare save opportunities, poor menu, etc.)
- frequently unclear objectives that require waiting or stumbling upon an answer
+ one-of-a-kind protagonist characterized by confident stupidity rather than competence
+ charming visual direction making the dated graphics hold up well
+ huge number of distinct recruitable characters (177) plus a significant narrative branch offering decent replayability
+ lively setting that is enhanced by various gimmicks (ability to kick anything, meaningful passing of time, etc.)
- barely serviceable action combat with noticeable input lag
- random difficulty spikes that necessitate a lot of grinding
- labyrinthine environments with a map that rarely helps
- lackluster quality of life (unskippable cutscenes, slow animations, rare save opportunities, poor menu, etc.)
- frequently unclear objectives that require waiting or stumbling upon an answer
Constructive story prequel that could have been a masterpiece with more playtime dedicated to its actual narrative instead of obvious padding.
+ significantly better designed and more mature cast that retroactively enriches some old characters
+ engaging combat with the addition of a brilliant player switch mechanic
+ no more annoying gacha rolls and thus imbalanced skill checks
+ slightly expanded and still amazing soundtrack
+ welcoming eastern-themed city to explore
- relatively few and small areas ruining plot pacing and the sense of adventure
- lack of nuance in antagonists compared to the main game
- removal of specific difficulty options making inflated enemy health bars a real problem
- forced side quests that add up to at least 3-5 hours of uninteresting content (out of ~15 hours total)
+ significantly better designed and more mature cast that retroactively enriches some old characters
+ engaging combat with the addition of a brilliant player switch mechanic
+ no more annoying gacha rolls and thus imbalanced skill checks
+ slightly expanded and still amazing soundtrack
+ welcoming eastern-themed city to explore
- relatively few and small areas ruining plot pacing and the sense of adventure
- lack of nuance in antagonists compared to the main game
- removal of specific difficulty options making inflated enemy health bars a real problem
- forced side quests that add up to at least 3-5 hours of uninteresting content (out of ~15 hours total)
2019
Tepid puzzle adventure game that ultimately boils down to a superficial sight-seeing tour of pretty but soulless environments.
+ generally great-looking realistic graphic style with a few caveats: poor close-up textures, frequent clipping, and a lack of individuality
+ classical piano- and string-based soundtrack that accompanies every step as pleasant ambiance
+ no difficult hurdles to delay progression
- clunky controls hindering the constant platforming
- crude level design with a main path that is either too open and empty or overly narrow with invisible walls
- uninspired hidden collectibles
- not the least bit of interesting story or lore to be found
- wholly unsatisfying conclusion
+ generally great-looking realistic graphic style with a few caveats: poor close-up textures, frequent clipping, and a lack of individuality
+ classical piano- and string-based soundtrack that accompanies every step as pleasant ambiance
+ no difficult hurdles to delay progression
- clunky controls hindering the constant platforming
- crude level design with a main path that is either too open and empty or overly narrow with invisible walls
- uninspired hidden collectibles
- not the least bit of interesting story or lore to be found
- wholly unsatisfying conclusion
2019
A modest exploration game that delivers exactly what the title suggests in a wonderfully charming package.
+ straightforward premise in a small open world filled with amiable characters
+ many noticeable movement upgrades
+ cozy presentation from visuals to sound
+ neat collectibles and short side quests that encourage straying from the main path
- ugly pixel filter enabled by default
- no narrative, technical, or emotional depth
+ straightforward premise in a small open world filled with amiable characters
+ many noticeable movement upgrades
+ cozy presentation from visuals to sound
+ neat collectibles and short side quests that encourage straying from the main path
- ugly pixel filter enabled by default
- no narrative, technical, or emotional depth
Purely fun-oriented alien wave shooter that uses spectacle and scale to make up for what it lacks in depth.
+ endearingly stupid dialogue with iconic voice acting (special shoutout to all the incompetent army command transmissions)
+ constant escalating battles giving a rather authentic war impression
+ excellent mindless multiplayer experience
+ hundreds of distinct and powerful weapons
+ fittingly grand soundtrack
- barely passable graphics
- pathetic mobility for three out of four classes
- no progression sync between local and online modes
- no weapon drops for other classes preventing spontaneous switching
- significant mission bloat with repetitive enemies and forgettable objectives
+ endearingly stupid dialogue with iconic voice acting (special shoutout to all the incompetent army command transmissions)
+ constant escalating battles giving a rather authentic war impression
+ excellent mindless multiplayer experience
+ hundreds of distinct and powerful weapons
+ fittingly grand soundtrack
- barely passable graphics
- pathetic mobility for three out of four classes
- no progression sync between local and online modes
- no weapon drops for other classes preventing spontaneous switching
- significant mission bloat with repetitive enemies and forgettable objectives
2022
One of the better top-down survival shooters out there that is worth trying for its clean visuals and solid gameplay.
+ genre-suited, color-coded art style with almost perfect clarity
+ distinct upgrade paths and satisfying synergies
+ good number of visually appealing characters who play differently enough
+ quite imbalanced but nonetheless fun weapons
+ decent game settings including difficulty and aiming style
- a few bugs when using controller
- messy display of chosen upgrades
- underwhelming bosses that are barely worth paying attention to
- lack of variety in environments
- some obviously overpowered choices in a fairly small pool of upgrades
+ genre-suited, color-coded art style with almost perfect clarity
+ distinct upgrade paths and satisfying synergies
+ good number of visually appealing characters who play differently enough
+ quite imbalanced but nonetheless fun weapons
+ decent game settings including difficulty and aiming style
- a few bugs when using controller
- messy display of chosen upgrades
- underwhelming bosses that are barely worth paying attention to
- lack of variety in environments
- some obviously overpowered choices in a fairly small pool of upgrades
2012
Delightful adventure game that displays an abundance of creativity and hardly any objective flaws.
+ great sense of identity with a consistent presentation and attention to detail
+ one-of-a-kind art style that makes traveling and purifying the world a joy
+ inspired ability system that is used well throughout
+ large open world featuring interesting locations and little backtracking
+ extensive and rewarding optional content including fun mini games
+ light-hearted humor in most interactions
+ enjoyable if rarely challenging action combat
- trivial puzzles (except for a few obscure ones)
- slow start and excessive length for such a straightforward story
+ great sense of identity with a consistent presentation and attention to detail
+ one-of-a-kind art style that makes traveling and purifying the world a joy
+ inspired ability system that is used well throughout
+ large open world featuring interesting locations and little backtracking
+ extensive and rewarding optional content including fun mini games
+ light-hearted humor in most interactions
+ enjoyable if rarely challenging action combat
- trivial puzzles (except for a few obscure ones)
- slow start and excessive length for such a straightforward story
2022
A simple interactive visualizer for your own music library that doesn't provide the challenge most rhythm games do.
+ quick and always playable song conversions
+ functional albeit basic presentation
- frequently delayed timings (which is somewhat mitigated by the generous input judgment)
- annoying loss of control after failing an obstacle
- very low difficulty ceiling that usually translates to almost perfect first tries regardless of the kind of song or settings
- unvaried and somewhat unclear (all centered) hit note sequences
+ quick and always playable song conversions
+ functional albeit basic presentation
- frequently delayed timings (which is somewhat mitigated by the generous input judgment)
- annoying loss of control after failing an obstacle
- very low difficulty ceiling that usually translates to almost perfect first tries regardless of the kind of song or settings
- unvaried and somewhat unclear (all centered) hit note sequences
One of the grandest JRPG adventures out there that is held back by its deeply flawed gameplay and questionable main party.
+ another incredible soundtrack that ranks among the best in any game
+ fantastical setting just like its predecessor (if a bit less conceptually inspired)
+ remarkable amount of diverse content
+ impressive environmental design
+ solidly written antagonist faction (even if they are individually annoying)
+ ambitious story that often gets silly or corny but still delivers its themes well
+ interesting active combat system with enjoyable timing elements
+ freely adjustable difficulty settings
- a lot of barely explained mechanics
- generally unhelpful map
- memorably bad main character designs
- nonsensical enemy pathfinding and hitboxes
- very slow beginning not helped by the disagreeable initial cast
- bothersome gacha mechanic that promotes grinding for battle effectiveness
- tedious menu navigation that is constantly forced upon the player (field skills...)
+ another incredible soundtrack that ranks among the best in any game
+ fantastical setting just like its predecessor (if a bit less conceptually inspired)
+ remarkable amount of diverse content
+ impressive environmental design
+ solidly written antagonist faction (even if they are individually annoying)
+ ambitious story that often gets silly or corny but still delivers its themes well
+ interesting active combat system with enjoyable timing elements
+ freely adjustable difficulty settings
- a lot of barely explained mechanics
- generally unhelpful map
- memorably bad main character designs
- nonsensical enemy pathfinding and hitboxes
- very slow beginning not helped by the disagreeable initial cast
- bothersome gacha mechanic that promotes grinding for battle effectiveness
- tedious menu navigation that is constantly forced upon the player (field skills...)
2010
Traditional JRPG that does everything serviceably well and displays just enough unique ideas to establish its own identity.
+ exceptional replayability because the story is immediately split into two paths with different casts, focus, and tone that rarely cross and only join at the very end
+ interesting weapon system to share skills between characters
+ solid balancing that makes the heroes feel appropriately strong while letting enemies hit hard
+ beneficial speed-up button (if only it worked outside combat...)
+ helpful maps to navigate the often labyrinthine areas
+ not amazing but generally decent soundtrack
+ creative albeit few enemy designs
+ adult main cast on one side
- mediocre writing especially for the story conclusion
- poorly integrated ending requirements
- excessively drab environments even in the few "towns"
- bad antagonists who never seem threatening or even entertaining
+ exceptional replayability because the story is immediately split into two paths with different casts, focus, and tone that rarely cross and only join at the very end
+ interesting weapon system to share skills between characters
+ solid balancing that makes the heroes feel appropriately strong while letting enemies hit hard
+ beneficial speed-up button (if only it worked outside combat...)
+ helpful maps to navigate the often labyrinthine areas
+ not amazing but generally decent soundtrack
+ creative albeit few enemy designs
+ adult main cast on one side
- mediocre writing especially for the story conclusion
- poorly integrated ending requirements
- excessively drab environments even in the few "towns"
- bad antagonists who never seem threatening or even entertaining
Outstanding sequel that builds an ambitious narrative over the previously laid foundation.
+ excellent additions to the main cast along with well-written characterization for everyone else
+ serious plot about the future of a nation as well as more intimate stories
+ intricately developed and constantly changing region that can be explored quite freely
+ great execution of the usual "Trails.." gameplay loop with relatively minor repetition
+ spirited soundtrack as expected
+ small combat refinements and a balanced difficulty
- only decent ending that could have been elaborated upon
+ excellent additions to the main cast along with well-written characterization for everyone else
+ serious plot about the future of a nation as well as more intimate stories
+ intricately developed and constantly changing region that can be explored quite freely
+ great execution of the usual "Trails.." gameplay loop with relatively minor repetition
+ spirited soundtrack as expected
+ small combat refinements and a balanced difficulty
- only decent ending that could have been elaborated upon
Silly rail shooter with speed-typing controls that is quite fun to play through in spite of its age mostly due to the lack of similar games.
+ entertaining one-hour-long "story" mode with quick pacing
+ obviously dated yet fitting visuals featuring grotesque monster designs
+/- super cheesy writing and hilariously bad voice acting
- a little obnoxious music (which is fine for a short time)
- no space inputs or capitalization required
- unintuitive main menu
- words sometimes obfuscated by the HUD
- randomized sentences with frequently disproportional difficulty
- no persistent save data
+ entertaining one-hour-long "story" mode with quick pacing
+ obviously dated yet fitting visuals featuring grotesque monster designs
+/- super cheesy writing and hilariously bad voice acting
- a little obnoxious music (which is fine for a short time)
- no space inputs or capitalization required
- unintuitive main menu
- words sometimes obfuscated by the HUD
- randomized sentences with frequently disproportional difficulty
- no persistent save data
2017
Slow fox running simulator wherein you seek out glowing objects while listening to a couple's childhood stories.
+ nice music that gives the game a meditative nature if nothing else
+ decent voice acting (excluding the recording quality)
+ very short playtime (1-2 hours for non-completionists)
+ neat ending sequence due to a vocal song and slight community involvement
- useless collectibles strewn about
- bothersome pop-in of trees and grass
- boring environments in terms of design (needlessly large and arbitrarily filled with generic assets)
- trite narrative that is told in an awkward dialogue format
- incredibly simplistic gameplay with floaty movement — the only thing you'll be doing
+ nice music that gives the game a meditative nature if nothing else
+ decent voice acting (excluding the recording quality)
+ very short playtime (1-2 hours for non-completionists)
+ neat ending sequence due to a vocal song and slight community involvement
- useless collectibles strewn about
- bothersome pop-in of trees and grass
- boring environments in terms of design (needlessly large and arbitrarily filled with generic assets)
- trite narrative that is told in an awkward dialogue format
- incredibly simplistic gameplay with floaty movement — the only thing you'll be doing
Ambitious sequel that reaches far greater narrative heights at the expense of gameplay:
+ intriguing large-scale story divided into four distinct parts and told from different, often opposed perspectives
+ brilliant closure to old plot threads along with purposeful new ones
+ solid graphics enhanced by brisk animations
+ several great cutscenes (aside from the iffy voice acting)
- varied but often poorly designed maps with an overabundance of NPCs
- diminished support system lacking proper conversations
- minimal appearances for most of the cast
- generally high and erratic difficulty that switches drastically without warning
+ intriguing large-scale story divided into four distinct parts and told from different, often opposed perspectives
+ brilliant closure to old plot threads along with purposeful new ones
+ solid graphics enhanced by brisk animations
+ several great cutscenes (aside from the iffy voice acting)
- varied but often poorly designed maps with an overabundance of NPCs
- diminished support system lacking proper conversations
- minimal appearances for most of the cast
- generally high and erratic difficulty that switches drastically without warning