Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless was just announced, and I am interested in keeping up with my newfound interest in strategy games. I haven’t played any of the games in this series either, but I have always heard good things. The game looks adorable and the little gameplay I saw looks manageable for my skill level. This SRPG is promising a bunch of new features like a Hell Mode, an auto-battle feature, and online ranked play for those competitive folks out there. I will be watching for more news and gameplay.
The game is set to release in the fall of 2023 on the Nintendo Switch, Steam, and PlayStation. As of writing this, you can only preorder the different collection bundles and plushies directly from the NIS store, and the swag looks pretty neat if you are a fan of the series.
Traditionally, I haven’t been a fan of strategy games, but with age, I find myself coming around. I have never played a Fire Emblem title before, and when I saw the ads for Engage, I thought this would be a great time to start. I loved the art style, and the animation looked very cool. I was not disappointed by this title, and Engage quickly became one of my obsessions. I recommend this game to anyone looking for a new game to play, even if you don’t like the genre.
Fire Emblem Engageis a strategy JRPG for the Nintendo Switch where you play as Alear and her allies as they fight against the evil ancient dragon Sombron and try to stop him from taking over the world. With the help of the spirits of great warriors, you and your allies fight against formidable foes in decisive battles that can change everything. Can you collect all the emblems and defeat Sombron before it is too late?
Images are Screenshots from game
I found the story for this title a bit generic and predictable. It leans heavily on anime tropes, and I found some of the character development a bit lacking. That said, the story is good enough for the casual experience this became for me. It isn’t a bad story, but I have a feeling that there are better stories in the series that I will be exploring in the future.
The gameplay is a bit of a mixed bag. There are elements of the gameplay like the combat that I loved, but there are other elements that felt like they bogged the game down, like the training mini-games. What sets Engage apart from other strategy games I’ve played is its social mechanics You are encouraged to make friends with your allies through a series of activities you complete in-between battles. You can eat, train, and talk with allies to unlock additional backstory and small buffs. This was an interesting concept that quickly became a chore as the stories I sat through stopped being as interesting, and the minigames stopped being fun. I just wanted to beat the next chapter, but I also wanted to make sure I collected all the available buffs. If you like the characters you interact with, this might not feel as much of a chore.
I loved the combat in this game. I played this game on normal difficulty and on casual because I couldn’t handle the permanence of death. There is a mode in this game where death is permanent. Units that die in combat die in the story, and you no longer have access to them. This is a very cool mechanic, but one that I wasn’t ready for at the start of my adventure. I found the normal difficulty challenging enough for my abilities, but the options are available from the start for those of you who need the extra challenge. One thing to note about the normal difficulty is that it is very easy to over-level. I can’t speak for harder difficulties, but you don’t really need to grind much on normal to beat the story.
So is this game worth it? Yes. Although it has its flaws, it serves as a fantastic introduction to the series. As someone who has never played another Fire Emblem game, I am left wanting more. I went into this title blind without knowing anything about the series, and never felt lost with the lore. The mechanics were easy to pick up, the story is good enough, and the animation is very cool. There are settings in this game to speed up combat by turning off animations, but I left them on because I loved watching the combat. If you are looking for a fun strategy game that isn’t a huge commitment, check out Fire Emblem Engage.
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This year is looking pretty good for the Nintendo Switch and console gaming in general. I am definitely going to struggle to keep up with my ever-growing backlog of games. I just saw the ad for the Persona 3 Portable & Persona 4 Golden Bundle and I am very excited. I am still busy with Fire Emblem Engage. but I will try to finish it up quickly to attempt to squeeze it in. If you are a fan of these classic titles, you can now get them on each modern console. It looks like they have upgraded the graphics and it looks pretty sick. I haven’t had a chance to play any of the persona games, but this looks like it’s a nice place to start. Grab your copy for the Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch today!
I got Samurai Maiden as an impulse. I wanted something to do while I waited for Fire Emblem Engage. I liked the art, and I needed something to do. Unfortunately, my interest faded quickly the deeper I got into this series.
You play as a high school girl who finds herself in the past. It has prophesied that she would come to save the world from a great evil. With the help of a group of sexy ninjas, you must now fight against the forces of evil and fulfill your prophecy.
I don’t believe I need to be any more specific because the narrative is as generic as it gets. There is an audience for this game, but it wasn’t me. The writing for this game is bad. This might be due to a poor translation, but I just couldn’t get past it. The voice acting is okay, but it bothers me that they constantly pause after each line of dialogue. I couldn’t get invested in a story that was poorly executed. The only aspect of this game that I liked was the art. Samurai Maiden is a beautiful game, but it remains a shallow experience.
The main gameplay exists within this very stiff hack-and-slash game. As the main character, you fight your way through small dungeons and call on your friends for support. There are some dating sim elements to this game. You gain friendship with your support characters as you use them. You can also form romantic relationships with the other ninjas. You unlock more combos and back story as you develop relationships with the other characters. I liked this mechanic and thought it was an interesting way to handle support characters and worldbuilding. It wasn’t good worldbuilding, and I didn’t care for the dating sim bits, but it was an interesting mechanic.
If you like these kinds of games, you might have a better time. There is enough fan service and cute moments, but the gameplay just isn’t there. For everyone else, it isn’t worth the trouble, especially for the price of $59.99. It looks great, but the game isn’t. But for those interested, you can get it on Steam, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch.
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I played the first Octopath Traveller and liked it enough to want to play the sequel. It was a cute and relaxing little JRPG with an interesting article. I found the story a bit lacking, but not enough to be turned off by it.
Take control of unique heroes as you make your way through their stories. You are offered enough choices in your playthrough that the game should stay fresh. Some stories were better than others, but if the sequel is anything like the first, it will be a relaxing journey. I might be busy with Digimon World: Next Order when this game releases, but I plan to pick it up when I need something casual.
Octopath Traveller 2 is set to release on February 24, 2023, on the Nintendo Switch and the Playstation 4 & 5. You can preorder yours today! For those considering a physical copy, try using my affliate links: Switch, PS4, PS5
This art book features a collection of package art, world maps, and illustrations depicting eight travelers and their Crossed Path. The pages are specially bound to open flat at 180 degrees, making it very easy to view and appreciate the full-size spreads. The cover has a smooth matte finish with foil stamping giving the book a luxurious feel.
※Size: B5 (182 x 257 mm) / Hard Cover Album Bound / 44 pagesOCTOPATH TRAVELER II –Extended Battle Tracks–
This mini OST includes 24 variations of Extended Battle Tracks, with unique intro melodies for each of the eight protagonists, which play when taking on a strong foe. This is a special CD with song variations not included in the complete soundtrack which will be sold separately.
※These song variations may be sold separately at a later date.OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Travelers Bust Set
A set of bust figures depicting the eight travelers, the protagonists of the title. The striking expressions in their respective gazes foreshadow each of their journeys about to begin. Also the background inside the figure package features a map of the Solistia continent. When displaying this map as a backdrop for the figures, it feels the epic world of OCTOPATH TRAVELER II unfolds right in front of you. Of course, these stylish figures can be displayed on their own as well.
※Approximate Figure Size: W 32 mm x D 24.6 mm x H 76 mm
With the debut of The Legend of Vox Machina’s second season, I can’t help but remain excited for the fantastic adventure it will be. The season is off to a great start as it sets up the new villains and tells a narrative so captivating, I am impatient for next week. If you haven’t watched the first season, now is a great time to start.
An enclave of dragons has attacked Emon, destroying the newly found home for our group of misfits. Now it is up to Vox Machina to care for the refugees and find a way to save the world from dragons. Can this band of ne’er-do-wells step up and become the heroes the world needs, or will they be another blood stain on dragon scales?
I have said this before, The Legend of Vox Machina is a great series for those who know nothing about fantasy or dungeons and dragons. While the series is heavy with easter eggs for fans of Critical Role and Dungeons and Dragons, knowledge of either isn’t required to enjoy the story. Even if you aren’t a fan of fantasy, I dare you not to like this story.
The voice acting is as amazing as you’d expect from a cast of this caliber, the art is beautiful, and the story will keep you on the edge of your seat. I have seen the campaign that this series is based on, and despite knowing how everything ends, my heart still races when Vox Machina faces danger. This is just a testament to the scale of how epic this series can get. The action is well-choreographed, the stakes are well-established, and the heroes are imperfect enough that the danger is still palpable. The series does a fantastic job at making you fall in love with a group of assholes that begin to find their call to heroism, and they reluctantly take the call.
If you haven’t seen this series, it is a great time to start. I must warn you, this series is graphic. It is full of nudity, profanity, and gore. Viewer discursion is advised. That aside, it tells a fantastic story for an adventure that I am sure will be amazing. I am excited for what is to come, and you should be too. You can stream it on Amazon if you have a Prime membership.
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Come February, Bandai is remastering Tales of Symphonia and bringing it to the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Xbox One. I am loving this trend of bringing these classic games to a modern audience because I missed out on a lot of them growing up. Now that I have money but no time, I will try to squeeze in as much as possible.
Tales of Symphonia Remastered is a JRPG that seems to have a decent story and an interesting combat system. Aside from the visual upgrades, the remastered edition is promising co-op modes, 3D animated cut scenes, and a fantastic adventure to set out on. If you are a fan of the original or are looking for a classic JRPG to get into, check out Tales of Symphonia. The game is set to come out on February 17th, 2023. You can preorder your physical copy today, otherwise you will need to wait till launch for digital. For those interested in physical copies, please consider preordering through my affiliate links: Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.
Bandai also offers a chosen edition that includes the game, a steelcase, and stickers if you would like to spend the extra $10.
I’ve noticed that Nintendo has been trying very hard to bring classic titles to a modern audience. I for one am in full support and am excited for what is to come. These aren’t just simple ports, at least they don’t promise to be. These seem to be full-on remasters with updated graphics and improved gameplay. I hope this will be the norm for the rest of the Switch’s lifespan.
The first remastered game I want to bring to your attention is GrimGrimoire OnceMore. This is a fantasy real-time strategy game. Play as Lillet as she enters her first year at Magic Academy and learn from the different schools of magic. Use the magic you learn to summon minions and cast powerful spells to defend the school from disaster. Can you save the school before it is too late?
The art looks great, the story seems interesting, and it is promising fantastic world-building. The game looks to play like a tower defense game. I may not be good at the genre, but it is one of my favorite genres. Whether it is the custom games from Warcraft 3 or Orcs Must Die, I’ve spent more hours than I’d care to admit obsessing over ways to stop the hordes. GrimGrimoire OnceMore is looking to be a very relaxing experience that I will probably pick up at launch to see how good the world-building is.
According to the official website, this version promises a myriad of improvements to the gameplay, and art, and it will even come with new features. As nostalgic as I am for the classic era of gaming, I can’t help but be grateful for the quality of life changes that come with the modern age.
Dragon Quest Treasures was an impulsive buy for me. I liked the art and was familiar enough with the title to risk sinking some time into it. I knew nothing about this game going into it except for having a vague memory of playing the first Dragon Quest on the original Gameboy. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was ready for an adventure. I was relieved to find this game a comforting and casual experience that I can recommend to those interested in this title.
Images and Video taken from my play through
Dragon Quest Treasures is an RPG adventure game where you play as a young protagonist in search of buried treasure. With the help of monsters you befriend along the way, you aim to form the mightiest crew of Treasure hunters in all the land. But with so much competition doing the same, this task will not be easy.
The game is geared toward a younger audience, as reflected in language, art, and humor. Treasures have a simple story that is very linear and easy to follow. The story requires very little attention. It is almost negligible against the gameplay, but it was nice to hit the cut scenes, and I even laughed at a few of the puns, but there isn’t anything deep to sink into.
Treasure hunting makes up most of the gameplay. I found this to be an interesting mechanic until it wasn’t. Collecting treasure comes in the form of scavenger hunts, random dungeons, and story quests. I liked that treasure hunting becomes an alternate way to level up your characters, but it gets repetitive. That said, it was neat to see your base fill with treasure as you progressed. I became obsessed with filling the treasure not only to unlock helpful boosts, but also to see my base get nicer.
Combat is where it gets a bit tricky to recommend this game. On the surface, it appears simple, but there is an unexpected layer of complexity to it. It is not so complex that it loses its casual standing, but complex enough where putting thought into your builds makes a difference in how quickly you can progress through the story. I was able to do well enough with picking monsters I thought were cool, but I could see areas where min-maxing is a deal. I recommend playing whatever you find fun. The types of monsters you use, the food you give them, and the gear you hand them make a difference. Aside from how you build your crew and what ammo you carry, combat isn’t too varied. You can either beat an enemy with your knife until it dies or shoot it with your slingshot. There are instances where you don’t even need to fight if you have a strong enough crew to fight for you.
If you haven’t guessed by now, my only complaint with this game is that it gets repetitive. The combat, the quests, and treasure hunting never changes. Sure the types of monsters you fight get tougher the deeper you get into the story, and you get access to different abilities, but there was nothing new to keep me hooked for longer. Treasure hunting also loses appeal after a while, and it began feeling like a chore if I played too long. It never got so bad that I quit the game entirely, but it meant I was only playing this game in short bursts.
In the end, I liked the game enough to not regret spending the $60. I like that it is a casual experience that I can pick up and not become too invested in. The art was cute, and I liked how different it felt from the games that I was used to. However, I believe $60 is a bit much to ask for. If you are getting this for kids, it’s a cute enough title that will keep them entertained. If you are looking for a casual title to relax to as you take a break from your busy schedule, I think you can find $60 of value in this game. For everyone else, however, I would wait for a used copy or a sale to justify what you are getting. If you don’t mind the nearly mindless repetition and lack of story, this is a solid game worth your attention. You can get this game for the Nintendo Switch.
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With the craziness of the holidays behind me, I finally got around to watching Avatar: The Way of Water in theaters. I watched this movie in 3D, and if you are thinking of watching this movie, I suggest you do the same. The 3D in The Way of Water is not a silly gimmick to sell tickets but is successfully used to create a truly breathtaking experience.
There are a couple of issues to keep in mind before you decide on which format to watch. If you are someone who easily gets motion sickness, watch this movie in 2D instead. I got motion sickness towards the beginning, and although I eventually got used to it, it made the first few minutes of this movie unpleasant. It will be impossible to sit through three hours of motion sickness. If you are someone who suffers from frequent migraines, watch this movie in 2D instead. My wife got one of the worst she has ever experienced, and while she enjoyed most of the film, the migraine ruined her experience. She won’t be watching any 3D movies in the future.
The Way of Water deals with the aftermath of the initial conflict between the Navi and the Sky people. Jack has since become the leader of his tribe and has started a family on Pandora. For the years that follow the conflict, he and the Navi enjoy their peaceful lives on Pandora. But this peace is short-lived when Sky People return, this time with more advanced technology. Earth is dying, and its people look to Pandora as their potential new home. But for Pandora to replace Earth, the Sky People must eliminate the defiant Navi. Will Jack and the Navi ever find peace on Pandora, or will the sky people claim the planet as their own?
The Way of Water is a beautiful movie. You should watch this movie just to experience the beautiful alien planet. The creatures, the cultures, and the ecosystems have all come together to create a fantastical narrative. Every scene of nature is vivid, and I appreciate the work put into the movie to make it all so realistic. The acting was fantastic, and the story is solid, but I will admit that this movie could have been shorter. There are a lot of scenes in this movie where Cameron shows off the technology he used for this movie. There are a lot of beautiful shots of swimming, for example, that look cool but only pad the film. I am glad I watched it, but I needed an intermission.
The conflict in this movie is what made this movie for me. Cameron does a fantastic job at making the battles and action feel epic. Despite knowing the outcome, I was so invested in the plot and characters that I was still anxious. I was consistently at the edge of my recliner with my nails digging deep into the pleather. I won’t deny that there are slow parts, and the story isn’t perfect, but I never felt the need to leave the theater. If you find yourself getting bored, I am here to assure you that it gets better. Use the boring bits as your intermission.
If you haven’t watched the original, you don’t have to. I don’t remember what happened in the original, but I never felt lost by the events in this one. The movie does a great job of summarizing the crucial events from the first one to keep everyone up to date. If you are on the fence, don’t be. Go watch this movie in theaters. Avatar: The Way of Water is worth the theater experience, even if you watch it in 2D. As of writing this review, you can still watch this movie in theaters.
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