I played The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero on Luna for a bit when it was free, but the game quickly become unplayable. When Amazon finally came around to fixing their copy, I had already purchased it on the Nintendo Switch. This review will be based on the Switch version.
Screenshots and video taken from the game
Trials from Zero is a 2D turn-based strategy game. You play as a team of misfit detectives brought together to form the SSS. The SSS is a special unit of the police force created to try to repair the relationship between the police and the citizens of Cabell. The game has you fighting monsters as you run errands and solve mysteries.
I thought this game was cute. I loved the art, the voice acting is fantastic, and the story is fine. This game certainly has its niche. Unfortunately, I am not part of this niche. While I did enjoy sitting through the dialogue, I just couldn’t get into the combat.
Combat in this game is like most turn-based strategy games. The gimmick in this game is that you have to collect gems that give your character stat boosts and magical abilities. The grind involves finding the perfect combination of gems to optimize your team. The problem I had with the combat is that I found it boring. Most of the time I found it easier to keep bashing my way through combat rather than attempting to think tactically. I admit I am terrible at these games, but I can usually force myself through the grind to enjoy the story.
In the end, the grind proved too much for me. I am sure someone smarter who enjoys the genre will have a greater appreciation for this game’s mechanics, but I just couldn’t. A neat feature about this game is that it does have 2x speed mode. I recommend keeping this on because it makes movement through the overworld and combat that much quicker. This setting helps make the grind feel a little better so that you can enjoy the story, but I still found it too dull.
This game isn’t terrible, the bits of the story I got through were fine, but I just couldn’t justify grinding through combat just to get the next bit of story. This is a niche game. If you are looking for a turn-based strategy game and don’t mind the anime tropes it exists within, give it a try. For the rest of you, I would hold off.
I got to play YSIX: Monstrum Nox when it was free on Amazon Luna, and I quite enjoyed the experience. This isn’t a promotion for the platform, it was a game I was interested in, and I got it free through my Twitch Prime membership. If you don’t know, Luna is Amazon’s cloud gaming solution. For 9.99 a month, you are able to play any game in their library without the need to download the games. This is a great solution if you have a good and stable internet connection but don’t have the money for the hardware. I mostly played on my iPad, but it ran nicely on my PC as well.
YS IX is an action RPG that sort of plays like GenshinImpact. You take control of characters with unique abilities as you try to solve a mystery and fight monsters. I was able to solve the mystery immediately, but I enjoyed the journey. The game is divided into chapters and each is dedicated to a playable character you unlock along the way. The stories are a bit of an anime trope, and the cast is full of familiar archetypes. I like anime so I had no problems with the story or the characters.
The gameplay is a lot of fun. Like any RPG, you can craft items, buy upgrades, and change the skills you use. I am not the best at theory crafting so I often went with whatever was fun. The game is limited in its exploration, but I was here for the story anyways. Combat was fun and the game does a good job of keeping it fresh by giving you new characters and abilities to use as you explore the city and advance the story. I loved that I could switch between characters at will so I was always allowed a unique combat experience. There is a slight grind as is tradition in these types of games, but I didn’t feel like it was that bad. I never felt the need to spend hours fighting the same mob in the forest in order to advance. This is also a pretty contained game, I was able to finish it quicker than most of my RPGs, but your mileage may vary.
This game is the 9th installment of the YS series, but it isn’t necessary to play any of the others. This was my entry to the series, and I never felt lost. Outside of a few references to the previous game, the story in IX exists independently. YX has been announced for 2023, and I can’t help but feel excited about more news.
You should get this game if you are in the market for something new. The combat feels great, the story is fine, and the art is awesome. YS IX: Monstrum Nox is available on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Amazon Luna.
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2023 is going to be a great year for me and my switch, but a bad one for my wallet. Digimon World: Next Order is being ported to the PC and Nintendo Switch. I am excited. I didn’t get to play this when it was on the PS4 and Vita, and I had honestly forgotten about it till I saw the trailer a few days ago. I have always preferred Digimon over Pokémon, but I was never on the correct console. I never got to play the first Digimon World on the PS1 either, but have always heard great things.
The game seems to be similar to the original at least in concept. You will get to explore a new world with your favorite Digimon, trying to rid it of evil. The combat looks like your typical RPG combat. There is a base mechanic that is reminiscing of Animal Crossing, but I don’t think it will be as in-depth. It looks like you will be able to make a small village where you can gather Digimon, train, and buff them. I haven’t done too much research outside of watching the trailer because I like to go in as blind as possible and avoid spoilers.
The story seems interesting based on the trailer’s summary. I can see it being another typical Digimon story, but I am fine with it because I love Digimon. I am very happy that there will be English voice acting because as much as I love to read, I’d like to sit back and listen to the story.
Digimon World: New Order is set to release on February 22, 2023 on PC and Switch. Preorders for the Switch version are now open, but you will have to Wishlist it on Steam if you prefer to play it on PC. I can’t wait to play another Digimon game!
I never played any games in the Xenoblade series, but I thought it was about time I tried. The trailer sold it very well, and I was in the market for a new Switch game. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a turn-based JRP with a unique twist on the genre. Where most games in the genre let you plan your turns, this one makes you wait for cooldowns. Attacks are automatic, but you have full control of your abilities and positioning. If you haven’t played any games in this series, this mechanic will take some getting used to.
At first, combat feels very passive. I felt like I was waiting around for cooldowns, and a lot of it is, but as you start unlocking more skills and classes, it becomes more about managing your teams, builds, and abilities. If you can make it past the tutorial, this game becomes more enjoyable. I found the grind very relaxing, but I suggest you play on mute, or else you will get tired of the voice lines.
There is a strategy to this game as you build your characters and combos, Don’t be discouraged. As dumb as I am, I was able to figure it out. I just went with whatever worked with my play style, but there is ample opportunity to min-max. I am sure there are guides available to help you do so.
The game keeps combating interesting by introducing new classes, mechanics, and abilities as you get deeper into the story. You are encouraged to explore, do side missions, and play different as different characters, but it isn’t mandatory. There is a lot to do in between cutscenes, but it doesn’t get overwhelming.
The story is the main draw for this game. I loved the story, but it is a bit of an anime cliché. I didn’t mind it because the voice acting was fantastic, and I love anime. One thing to note about this game is that the cut scenes are long. The game has enough gameplay in between that I can’t count it as a visual novel, but be aware that you will have to sit through a lot of narratives. But trust me when I say, it’s a great one.
This game is a huge commitment. It takes about 100 hours to complete, more if you start doing side quests. I skipped a lot of them because I wanted to finish them while I still had free time, but I will be going back to do them on my second playthrough. I didn’t feel like I needed to do them, but they will help and add valuable world-building. It is up to you how much time you want to invest in this world, but the investment is worth it.
There is a reason Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was nominated for game of the year. The story is great, the gameplay is fun, and the art is cool. That said, this is a very niche game. I didn’t like combat at first, but I found myself enjoying it more the more I played. I found it a relaxing experience, but one that proved a challenge if I wasn’t cautious. If the gameplay is something you can sit through, then I highly recommend this game. If you want a game with a great story, add this to your collection. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is only available on the Nintendo Switch. Go get your copy today!
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The Megaman Battle Network Legacy Collection was just announced for the Nintendo Switch, and I for one can’t wait to dive back into this nostalgic adventure. The collection includes all 10 games in the series which makes this bundle a steal for $60.
The game isn’t your typical Megaman game. Instead, it is a JRPG with card game elements. Build your decks and collect abilities in order to save the world against viruses and shady organizations. This collection will support online play where you can battle against your friends or random people. The trailer seems to suggest that there will a ladder of some sort. While I doubt my abilities, I will be trying my best to win.
I remember this game was my obsession when I used to have it for the Gameboy advanced. It was one of the few games that I no-lifed because I loved everything about it. The art was great, the story was amazing, and the combat was so satisfying. I have since sold my copy, but my love for this game still burns in my heart. I can only hope that the memory is as powerful as the actual experience. In preparation, I will be rewatching the anime and possibly cringing at its cheesiness.
I was about 10 when I played this game, so I wasn’t very strategic. I played whatever was cool and somehow brute forced my way through the ones I could afford for the Gameboy. Now that I am much older and wiser, I will probably do the same, but I have google handy for when I get stuck. The game collection is set to release on April 14, 2023, for the Switch, PS4, and steam. You can preorder your copy today!
This was not a review code. I bought this game when it came out because I love Digimon. Digimon Survive is a visual novel with some survival and RPG elements. You can play it on all major consoles, but this review is for the Switch version.
If you are a fan of visual novels, this is a solid one based in the digital world. The art is cool, the voice acting is amazing, and the story is fine. Most of the gameplay involves flipping through a visual novel with a bit of exploration and combat sprinkled in.
The exploration is simple. You move between rooms and talk to other characters to unlock more of the story. The game does encourage exploration by hiding useful items in each room, so be sure to click on everything. The exploration is limited to whatever rooms are relevant to the current events in the story. There is no voice acting for the exploration scenes, so you will have to do the voices yourself. This isn’t a criticism because I love the sound of my own voice.
All images and video are taken from the game
Combat is where I had the most fun, but it is a bit limited compared to other RPGs like Fire Emblem. You control a team of Digimon that you can continually edit as you progress through the story. You can move, make attacks, use abilities, boost your Digimon, and even befriend enemies. I recommend you mess with the settings to speed up the combat unless you don’t mind the tedium of sitting through the animations. Compared to other games in the genre, the grind is almost non-existent. You can grind as much as you feel necessary, but it wasn’t a life-sucking endeavor that others have been. You can enter combat whenever you want in between stories, but I wish there was a bit more in the form of dungeons personally. I had a lot of fun with the combat. It was my favorite part of the game.
The visual novel makes up most of the gameplay in Digimon Survive. The story is fine, but if you don’t like anime, you are going to have a bad time. I watch a lot of anime and felt the story to be a bit on the generic side. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t do much to break the mold. If you are a fan of anime and love Digimon, this will be a decent experience. The story is voice acted by very talented actors. It is in Japanese and I couldn’t have it any other way. I can only hope that this can become adapted as an anime because the fights would be amazing!
So is this game worth it? It depends on your tastes as a person. This is a very niche game made for a specific audience. If you are a fan of Digimon and anime and enjoy visual novels, pick it up. If you don’t mind spending your gaming time reading and want to dive into the visual novel genre, this is a decent place to start. If you are on the fence, I would wait for a sale. While I did enjoy this game and am glad I bought it, I could only play it in small bursts because of my short attention span.
You can play this on the Switch, Playstation, and Xbox. Links are for my affiliate shop.
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I would like to mention that I was sent this game as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let that sway my opinion. This will be my honest review.
All pictures and video are taken from the game
Soccer story is a cute little soccer RPG that you can play on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Switch. This review will be on the PC version.
Evil corporate soccer has banned all recreational soccer. The world is in shambles as people are desperate for their favorite games. You and your team must band together, raise the ranks, beat the evil corporation, and bring back soccer for the people. Are you up for the task?
This game is like FIFA without the bugs or predatory ultimate team and Zelda without the challenge. You roam around different parts of town collecting coins and completing quests with your soccer skills. You can level up your players with the coins you collect to gain an advantage in soccer matches. Soccer matches are 4v4 3-minute games. Soccer Story reminds me of the Inazuma Eleven game for the 3ds, but not as good.
The RPG aspect of this game is simple. You shoot at targets, run races, and collect things for NPCs. It’s cute at first, but it gets a bit repetitive. If you level up too quickly or wrong, quests become tedious. I started liking this aspect of the game the more I played.
The soccer part of this game is a lot of fun. It is a more simplified version of Fifa, but that doesn’t mean it is easy. There is some skill and strategy required to progress. I played it on normal and it was perfect for my skill level. You can play this in multiplayer, but I didn’t get a chance to play with other people. This would make a fun party game, but it is much too expensive to be one.
The game is cute, but it lacks any depth. The story is simple and negligible. I found that this was a game I could only play in small bursts. The gameplay quickly grew repetitive and stale. There is a niche this game fills, but it doesn’t fill it well. It isn’t a bad game, but it isn’t something I would keep coming back to.
If you like art and love Fifa, I would still wait for there to be a sale. $20 is too much for this game. Yes, I had fun and enjoyed it, but that enjoyment was short-lived. You can go buy it on Steam, Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox.
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I want to start by saying that I was sent this game as a review code. While I am grateful for the opportunity, I will not let this sway my opinion. This will be my honest review of the game.
All media are taken from the game
Pinball Wizard is a cute little pinball game with a few extra steps that I am sure you will enjoy. You can play it on the Nintendo Switch, PC, and IOS devices. This review will be on the Nintendo Switch version.
There is no story mode for this game. Instead, you choose from two game modes: Tower mode and Dungeon mode. In tower mode, you progress through different tables with increasing. Dungeons are larger tables that you can play with as long as you don’t die. Both modes offer a calm and relaxing experience as you try to clear each room, get your loot, and level up your wizard.
This game plays like a pinball. Instead of a ball, you bounce around a cute little wizard. Each table is themed as its own dungeon room with its set of roaming monsters. As you play, your wizard will level up, and you use the loot you collect during each run to level up your abilities and spells. There might be a way to min-max your wizard, but I suggest you unlock the skills that fit your playstyle. You’ll have more fun that way.
My only complaint about this game is that it can be slow as you wait for the wizard to finish traveling. It is only a problem in earlier levels where you don’t have any spells, but it isn’t a huge spell as the tables aren’t too big. Once you get your spells, there is always something to do, but it never gets overwhelming.
Pinball Wizard is worth the $8. This is a great game to pick up if you want something relaxing to play that isn’t a huge commitment. The art is cute, the gameplay is solid, and you can come back to it anytime without feeling lost. If you like pinball and magic, check this game out. You can pick it up from Nintendo, Steam, and the App Store.
I’d like to start by mentioning that I was sent this game as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let this sway my opinions. This will be my honest opinion of the game.
Of Blades & Tails is a 2D turn-based RP that I had a lot of fun with. I played it on steam, but there are plans for its release on all major consoles in Q3 2023. This game is currently in early access, and this review will be more of my initial impressions of the experience. I will be consistently returning to this game over time so that I can experience its growth.
All pictures and video are taken from the game
The game lets you take control of Reik, a fox person with an empty slate. As you grow, you are allowed to grow Reik and whatever manner you wish. I played him as a warrior with a sword and shield, but the combinations are nearly endless. Want to do magic? There is a skill tree for that. Want to play a rogue? There is a skill tree for that. Want to punch people to death? It’s in the game! If you are indecisive, I have great news: you never have to commit to a class or skill tree! The game allows you to reset your skill trees whenever, provided you have the materials to do so.
The game lets you choose from three different difficulties: relaxed, adventure, and a challenge mode that isn’t out yet. I played on the adventure difficulty and thought it was perfect. I suggest you start there unless the challenge mode is available when you play.
Combat in this game is relatively simple. You move around on an open map with roaming monsters that attack you on sight. If you agro a monster, combat starts. Combat is turn-based. You can take one action per turn. You can move, attack, use an item, or use an ability as your action. Monsters don’t move unless you complete your action, allowing you time to plan appropriately.
Do not let the appearance of this game fool you; this game can be unforgiving. I died a lot because I was careless and cocky. If you die, you restart from your last save. You need to be constantly saving or risk losing items.
One thing to note about the gameplay is that it is a grind. If you don’t like grindy games, this probably isn’t for you. The grind isn’t bad, but it is repetitive. You will be fighting the same monsters in the same locations until you are strong enough to move to the next area and do it all over again with a different set of monsters. I didn’t mind this grind, but it is something to keep in mind.
I loved the aesthetics of this game. I love the 2D pixel art of the world. It was very cute to see how my little fox warrior changed as I geared him over time. I never got to enjoy the NES era of gaming, so I was very excited to see that this game has a retro filter to emulate the experience.
So what do I think? For the price, I think it is a solid experience. If you don’t mind this game being a grind and in its early stages, I would say support it. It is only 13 bucks. Otherwise, I would wait til it is further refined. Some missions aren’t available yet, so you are currently only getting a fraction of the experience. This isn’t something that I mind much because this is a game I will be coming back to.
Of Blades and Tails is a game that you throw on when you just want to chill and not have to be too invested in story and mechanics. There is some min-maxing you can do for those of you that like that style of gameplay, but I am not smart enough to speak on that. As a filthy casual, I never felt the need to min-max. At the very least, you should consider adding it to your watch list.
I was sent Warpips as a review code, and while I am grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let that sway my opinion. This will be an honest review of the game.
Warpips is a real-time strategy game that is similar to the mobile game Clash Royale. The game is available on pc and all major consoles. I played this game on the Nintendo Switch, so this review will be based on that experience.
Warpips is a 2D, card-based strategy game. You choose from a myriad of pips and traps to use against an oncoming enemy hoard. To win, you must destroy the enemy base before they destroy yours. This game has three game modes: Conquest, Quick Battle, and Endless. Conquest takes you through a campaign through different countries as you try to free them of their oil. Quick Battle is a random mode with three difficulties: Easy, Challenging, and Hard. You are given a random deck of pips and traps and try to defeat an enemy on a random map. Endless mode has you surviving an endless assault as you try to beat your previous high score.
The gameplay is very simple. You summon your pips and watch them fight against the enemy hoard. You can summon air strikes, use tools, and set up traps to help your pips secure their victory. In conquest mode, you can purchase additional cards and upgrades with the currency you earn while playing. There is some RNG, but I always thought it was fair.
Don’t let this game’s cuteness deceive you, you will need to be strategic with your choices. I played on easy and still found enough of a challenge to keep me engaged. If I wasn’t paying attention or was too conservative with my choices, I was easily overwhelmed by the enemy AI. I suggest playing this game on the harder difficulties for a more fulfilling experience.
This game ran smoothly most of the time, but I did notice the occasional stutter. The game would freeze for a second before resuming. It never crashed on me or affected my game, but it is something to keep in mind. I didn’t notice much of a difference between docked and handheld mode, but I preferred handheld mode because of its versatility.
The gameplay is a bit repetitive, but it might be a symptom of having it on the easiest difficulty. I played on higher difficulties, but I was never smart enough to get by. This game is deceptively unforgiving. Most of the game however is the same, and you find yourself constantly waiting for cooldowns.
I liked this game a lot, and I’d recommend it if it were cheaper. I am not a huge RTS fan, but this was a manageable game for my skill level. I thought the pixel art was a fantastic choice, and it definitely made losing sting less. The music is pretty fantastic as well. I recommend playing with the sound out, at least for the first hour or so. Warpips is a game you pick up when you want to chill but still need a challenge. This is a game where you don’t need to be too invested in a story or mechanics, but you will need to be strategic. I personally wouldn’t spend $20 on it and would wait for a sale, but I can see this being worth it to someone who really loves the genre.
