Like most developers, Nippon Ichi Software frequently creates follow-ups for their successful titles. But far more interesting are the developer/publisher’s divergences. From Phantom Brave’s melancholic reworking of Disgaea, to the evolution of rogue-like mechanics across ...
Read More »The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel (PS4) review
Only a few years ago, the console role-playing game seemed to be in peril, its existence whittled down to a few decisive hit points. Pundits predicted that a combination of escalating production prices, dwindling audiences, ...
Read More »Made in Abyss: Journey’s Dawn review
When works are adapted for other media, there’s always the risk that something will be lost in the process. Certainly, that’s a possibility with Made in Abyss: Journey’s Dawn, which is twice removed from its ...
Read More »New Releases: March 21st-27th, 2019
With titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World, reissues like Danganronpa Trilogy and The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel Decisive Edition, there’s plenty ...
Read More »Fate/Extella Link review
With lore which traverses several mediums and revolves around different universes, the Fate franchise might seem impenetrable to newcomers. Paradoxically, that’s part of the allure. Immerse yourself in Type-Moon’s well-liked visual novels, manga, anime, games ...
Read More »SNK 40th Anniversary Collection (PS4) review
For many, SNK is probably best known for Neo Geo-based franchises like Metal Slug, Samurai Shodown, The King of Fighters, Art of Fighting, and Fatal Fury. But the company has a rich history that began ...
Read More »IndieGo #13: Defense Grid 2 and Android Assault Cactus+
Sporadically, small sacrifices must be made when console games are ported onto the Switch. Typically, the trade-off for portability is visual fidelity or a reduced framerate. With IndieGo 13, we examine a pair of titles ...
Read More »New Releases: March 14-20th, 2019
With releases like Fate/EXTELLA LINK, One Piece: World Seeker, Chocobo Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy! and SNK 40th Anniversary Collection imminent, J-game fans have plenty to be excited about. If you prefer Western games, there’s no ...
Read More »IndieGo #12: Braveland Trilogy and Treasure Stack
We tackle rudimentary hex-based strategy across the Braveland compilation before sending a heap of trash blocks to rivals in Treasure Stack, as we look at two recent indie releases for the Nintendo Switch. Braveland Trilogy, ...
Read More »The Caligula Effect: Overdose review
Japanese role-playing aficionados know that allegory is a frequent storytelling strategy. Whether it’s Hyperdimension Neptunia’s spirted take on game console competition or the Persona series’ ruminations about our inner psyches, there’s something rather potent about the technique. Pleasingly, ...
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