chovyle
2021
A beautifully rendered game that would've looked even better if it wasn't Switch-exclusive. The open world elements make gameplay a lot more convenient, and yet none of this trivializes the overall difficulty.
Customization is also really fun. You don't have to stress yourself out over choosing and losing parts of your build too much, and yet the economy for skills/affinities is just scarce enough that it ensures you don't break the game.
Writing-wise, it's... fine. Standard SMT-fare where Tokyo is at the center of the apocalypse and you and your buddies have to determine the fate of the world. At least this time you have some history with said buddies, even if it doesn't go anywhere.
Customization is also really fun. You don't have to stress yourself out over choosing and losing parts of your build too much, and yet the economy for skills/affinities is just scarce enough that it ensures you don't break the game.
Writing-wise, it's... fine. Standard SMT-fare where Tokyo is at the center of the apocalypse and you and your buddies have to determine the fate of the world. At least this time you have some history with said buddies, even if it doesn't go anywhere.
Should've gotten the Maniax edition, so shame on me for not checking before getting five hours into things before asking myself why Matador wasn't popping up.
The game is... fine. Combat is fine. Customization is meh. Vibes are cool, but an interesting narrative isn't built on vibes alone, and unfortunately there isn't much else here for me in the writing department.
The game is... fine. Combat is fine. Customization is meh. Vibes are cool, but an interesting narrative isn't built on vibes alone, and unfortunately there isn't much else here for me in the writing department.
2019
ME IS DUMB
MIND IS FUCKED
GAME IS... pretty interesting
MIND IS FUCKED
GAME IS... pretty interesting
I can see why this game saved the franchise. Difficulty is just about right, customization has pretty good choices without being too overwhelming. A good starting point for someone who wants to get into the series without going through the idiosyncrasies introduced by 3H.
The writing is... fine. The motif of changing the future is handled mostly well, and it provides a nice little narrative centrifuge that pays off. Character writing is a little uneven, ranging from three-dimensional characters with interesting histories and motivations to anime cardboard cutouts.
The writing is... fine. The motif of changing the future is handled mostly well, and it provides a nice little narrative centrifuge that pays off. Character writing is a little uneven, ranging from three-dimensional characters with interesting histories and motivations to anime cardboard cutouts.
2022
A charming little game with a nice little gameplay loop. I really wish the larger Korean industry would make more games like this. Localization is a bit rough.
2020
A cute little side story for the PTs that feels like reuniting with an old friend. Nothing super amazing plotwise, but a good time nonetheless. The action RPG-style combat is also really fun, especially once you get around to figuring out each PTs combos.
2022
There are a lot of good ideas and mechanics here. Open-world Pokemon? Check. A core mechanic that makes use of the type system with both offensive and defensive utility? Check. A Pokemon game with a school setting? Check. Fun Pokemon concepts? Check. Flexible progression? Check. Larry? Check.
All of that is unfortunately brought down by an overall feeling that this game is mostly unfinished. It performs badly and looks mostly bad.
This could've been a 5/5, but as it is, it barely gets 3/5.
All of that is unfortunately brought down by an overall feeling that this game is mostly unfinished. It performs badly and looks mostly bad.
This could've been a 5/5, but as it is, it barely gets 3/5.
2020
This game is the gift that keeps giving. One moment you think you've done everything a certain section has to offer, the next you stumble upon a whole new substory or area. The amount of detail put in by the devs and the many possible outcomes that creates is truly impressive. This game really feels like a D&D session manned by a strict but sly DM.
That said, the game does get kinda buggy at times, and certain progression choices requiring extremely specific conditions to be met at times can be a bit of a letdown, especially when you're in it for the RP. Understandable given the sheer scale of the game, but still a bit of a downer on what is an otherwise flawless game.
That said, the game does get kinda buggy at times, and certain progression choices requiring extremely specific conditions to be met at times can be a bit of a letdown, especially when you're in it for the RP. Understandable given the sheer scale of the game, but still a bit of a downer on what is an otherwise flawless game.
More of the same (plus a little more) from a very good game. Revisiting Hyrule after BOTW feels both nostalgic and slightly tedious, especially when faced with the prospect of having to retread familiar territory. Had to put it down to play other games, but will definitely be coming back to it when I have the time.
2010
This game makes my blood boil. It pisses me off. I can barely play it.
But GOD, when you clear a run just by the skin of your teeth, HOLY HECK is it rewarding.
But GOD, when you clear a run just by the skin of your teeth, HOLY HECK is it rewarding.
Dusted off my old Wii just to play this, and hoo boy, was it worth it. This game feels like what 3H should've been (and I say this as someone who will defend that game, warts and all).
2015
This review contains spoilers
The score is less indicative of the overall quality of the game and more an indicator of how my experience of it has felt thus far. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to experience much of it, given that I am... not very good at video games (especially action games). I have trouble even getting to the Cleric Beast; there is absolutely no way in hell I am beating it. Make no mistake, this game is not for everyone, and I fear everyone, in this context, includes myself.
That being said, those occasional moments where the gameplay starts to click, when you start to get into the groove of the combat and feel yourself doing the "dance" that so many seasoned players describe going through... those moments were thrilling as heck. I really want to get back to this game someday and finish what I started. I'm pretty confident that once I do, the 1.5 stars missing from this rating will worm their way in.
That being said, those occasional moments where the gameplay starts to click, when you start to get into the groove of the combat and feel yourself doing the "dance" that so many seasoned players describe going through... those moments were thrilling as heck. I really want to get back to this game someday and finish what I started. I'm pretty confident that once I do, the 1.5 stars missing from this rating will worm their way in.
2009
I can appreciate a game for what it is, and I can say that the only thing I find tolerable about a game is the friends I played with along the way, and that even that got tenuous at times.
2020
The amount of hours I've sunk into this game are... unhealthily high, but that is probably a testament to how addictive it can be, for better and worse. There are some puzzles/quests that feel nigh impossible to clear without certain banner-locked characters, and the tradeoff between playtime and payment becomes abundantly clear the more you play. Still pretty enjoyable if you have either abundant time/money/restraint.
An amazing game, a cultural milestone, and a good victory lap for the franchise.
That being said, I can't stress enough how the online mode killed my desire to get into it more. I'm not exactly surrounded by people who play Smash, and the few people in my life who do aren't always in close proximity. The only ways I can maybe get some practice are either through really choppy PvP matches OR through CPU battles, and those aren't exactly the best options.
That being said, I can't stress enough how the online mode killed my desire to get into it more. I'm not exactly surrounded by people who play Smash, and the few people in my life who do aren't always in close proximity. The only ways I can maybe get some practice are either through really choppy PvP matches OR through CPU battles, and those aren't exactly the best options.