Console

Ambiguity is becoming increasing rare in modern games. All too often, our recreations leave little room for even an iota of doubt, devotedly explaining each play mechanic and clarifying every last plot detail. While that ...

Although Zen Studios is best known for their prolific output of pinball tables, the Budapest-based developers are known to take an occasional hiatus from the orb-focused efforts. Veteran gamers might remember 2010’s Planet Minigolf, where ...

Occasionally, a franchise can lose track of the elements that once secured success. Such was the case with 2008’s Sudden Strike 3. Developer Fireglow’s follow-up retained many of the positive qualities of its predecessors, relinquishing ...

Much of the allure of the city simulation genre stems from the mastery of an array of municipal variables.  While you might sink a township into the ground across the first few playthroughs, gradually you’ll ...

During the 1980s and 90s, if you stepped into an arcade, there was a very good chance of finding a Namco machine among the assortment of cabinets. While the Minato, Tokyo-based firm has been around ...

Even the most devoted strategy-role-playing game devotee will admit that there’s not a whole lot of variation across the genre. Instead, distinction is most often made in the subtle divergences from formula, whether it’s the ...

For years, musou games were mocked by critics and consumers alike. Both groups viewed franchises like Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors as repetitive, tedious treks, where players button-mashed their way to victory. At certainly at one time, that complaint had merit, ...

Like many Otaku-Americans, my upbringing had a strong Japanese influence- with video games, manga, and tokusatsu occupying the bulk of my recreational hours amidst the 80’s and 90’s. Moments along the way pointed to a ...

As titles like Robotron: 2084, Smash TV, and the sum of the Geometry Wars series have demonstrated, the twin-stick shooter can be a wholly immersive experience. Eluding hordes of encroaching enemies, while simultaneously snatching bonuses ...

All too often gaming franchises can grow overly comfortable, churning out a procession of sequels that compliantly follow in the footsteps of their predecessor. Certainly, the Danganronpa series could have followed this prudent blueprint, with ...