[Review] Pac-Man World Re-Pac
Posted on 2 years ago by Nicholas Serpa in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: August 26, 2022
Developer: Bandai Namco / NOW Production
Publisher: Bandai Namco
It’s not a stretch to say that almost everyone who plays video games is at least aware of Pac-Man; the puck-shaped pellet muncher is perhaps one of the most iconic gaming protagonists of all time. So, while it shouldn’t be a surprise that of course he featured in his own series of 3D platformers in the late 90’s and early 2000s – those games were a dime a dozen back then – it was a bit of a left-field announcement when Bandai Namco revealed that the original Pac-Man World would be getting a remake. It’s a solid 3D adventure that has its fans, sure, but it didn’t leave a substantial impact on the genre in the same way that Mario, Crash and Spyro did. Sometimes, though, a game doesn’t need to innovate to be a good time, and Pac-Man World Re-Pac is a perfect example of how tight, responsive platforming and a dollop of arcade-fueled nostalgia can be a timeless, satisfying combination.
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[Review] Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Posted on 2 years ago by Elias in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: July 29, 2022
Developer: Monolith Soft
Publisher: Nintendo
With five years between the release of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 3, we’ve had plenty of time to devote ourselves to the world of Alrest and pick apart the differences and similarities between it and the world of the original Xenoblade Chronicles. With the Definitive Edition hitting Switch a mere couple of years ago, we’ve had the series fairly fresh on our minds while waiting for the next release. With side content like Torna: The Golden Country from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and the Future Connected content from Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition, there has been a lot to take in before getting to 3 – and that’s not counting those of us who also spent time with the stranded-on-Wii U entry of Xenoblade Chronicles X (a completely unrelated story, but with similar gameplay and an unconnected world.)
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[Review] Digimon Survive
Posted on 2 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: July 29, 2022
Developer: Hyde
Publisher: Bandai Namco
From the Digimon tri. films to the dark Cyber Sleuth games, Digimon has seen renewed life in recent years with its new focus and emphasis on more somber tones and older, relatable characters. It’s no surprise then that Digimon Survive would once again continue this new vision and provide what is interestingly its most thought-provoking entry yet. The game features a deep and rich story, and it’s all implemented within a tactical RPG that’s rewarding, engaging, and worthy of the Digimon name.
[Review] Hindsight
Posted on 2 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: August 4, 2022
Developer: Team Hindsight
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
A few months back, Nintendo Everything was invited to a personal discussion and presentation regarding Hindsight with developers Joel McDonald and Emma Kidwell, courtesy of Annapurna, which gave us a closer look at their new outing in wanting to provide a palpable and intimate story of life, its values, and the things we hold dear (and why). It was an insightful showcase that opened our eyes, and the eagerness to experience more of the protagonist Mary’s timeline of events only grew with each passing thought. Now after a three-hour playthrough before rolling credits on Hindsight, it’s arguably one of the most authentic, relatable, and well-established narratives on the topic in quite some time.
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[Review] Live A Live
Posted on 2 years ago by Nicolas in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: July 22, 2022
Developer: Square Enix / Historia
Publisher: Square Enix
Back in the days of the SNES, it wasn’t uncommon for games to never see a western release, remaining land-locked to their native Japan. This was relatively common in the case of JRPGs, an arguably oversaturated genre at the time that remained relatively niche in the west. Even new installments of big flagship franchises like Square Enix’s (then Squaresoft) Final Fantasy series didn’t always make it overseas. It’s no surprise then that some of Square’s less well-known JRPGs ended up falling through the cracks, one of these being Live A Live. Live A Live was originally released in 1994 and had even been initially planned as a worldwide release before underwhelming sales prospects in Japan caused those localization plans to be scrapped. But with the game now receiving an unexpected remake, it’s gotten a new lease on life and a long overdue international release, letting everyone experience this presumed classic. That being said, how well does the game truly hold up today? And were the improvements made to this remake enough to bring it up to a more modern standard?
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[Review] F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch
Posted on 2 years ago by Elias in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: July 12, 2022
Developer: TiGames
Publisher: Astrolabe Games
Metroidvania games have seen a small surge since the release of Metroid Dread. With no small sampling of offerings, F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch arrives at a great time in the Switch’s life cycle – a point where the library of most players has been filled out with first-party titles and are itching for something new before the next big game drops. While the game has been out on other platforms since last year (with great ratings, even!) how does the Switch version compare?
[Review] Azure Striker Gunvolt 3
Posted on 2 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: July 28, 2022
Developer: Inti Creates
Publisher: Inti Creates
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost ten years since Azure Striker Gunvolt debuted on 3DS, having spawned sequels and spinoffs since then. All of these games expanded the universe and repertoire of Inti Creates’ expertise in 2D platforming that rightfully feels like a modern spiritual successor and take on the Mega Man formula. Now with Azure Striker Gunvolt 3, the studio has bumped production up tenfold and created arguably the best in the series yet, with tons of optimization, upgrades, and options to make it the most approachable and enjoyable game so far.
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[Review] Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
Posted on 2 years ago by Elias in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: June 30, 2022
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Monster Hunter Rise brought seamless zones to Nintendo’s hybrid console last year in the spring, shipping over nine million units between then and now. With our Hunter leaving Kamura for Sunbreak’s fresh new Elgado, how does the expansion for Rise fare?
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[Review] Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series
Posted on 2 years ago by Nicholas Serpa in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: July 8, 2022
Developer: Monkey Craft
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Normally, when a game franchise fails to meet a publisher’s sales expectations, that tends to be the end of the road for it. Indeed, despite both 1997’s Klonoa: Door to Phantomile and 1999’s Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil garnering a very positive reception from critics at the time of their release, these 2.5D platformers never managed to reach a big enough audience to truly compete with the likes of Mario and Crash Bandicoot. The franchise has been dormant for well over a decade now, with no new games being developed since 2008’s Wii-exclusive remake, which was an attempt to revive Klonoa that never took off. Fortunately, Bandai Namco is giving their plucky cat-like hero yet another chance to shine with Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series, which remasters both classic games for a modern audience. But how well do these decades-old platformers hold up today?
[Review] Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
Posted on 2 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Developer: Koei Tecmo / Omega Force
Publisher: Nintendo
Warriors games have done exceptionally well at providing a strategic hack-and-slash experience, and Koei Tecmo has done a wonderful job at adapting many different properties into that format. In the case of Fire Emblem, it’s primarily been under the umbrella of strategy RPGs since its inception, but throughout the years we’ve seen it grow and become something more, turning into quite a deep experience. With so much to take into account when expanding on the Fire Emblem universe and given that Warriors games typically provide a straightforward experience, it’s incredible to see Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes essentially become a semi-sequel to Three Houses, as this is not just Fire Emblem Warriors 2, but genuinely feels like a brand-new Fire Emblem game where the battles are essentially replaced with Omega Force’s prowess in action-focused combat. Fire Emblem and Warriors titles both have a long history and have seen some fan favorites, yet marrying them together once more has created arguably one of the best games for both properties.
