EMBRACING THE BIG EASY The question “why aren’t some games just made easier?” has always been a testy one. Some gamers will be quick to point out that when Nintendo gave American audiences a re-skinned Doki Doki Panic as Super Mario Bros. 2, and Squaresoft reduced the difficulty when they localized Final Fantasy IV (then known as Final Fantasy II in the US), it was … Continue reading Review – Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn (3DS)
Note: This review encompasses both versions of Yo-Kai Watch Blasters, Red Cat Corps, and White Dog Squad, as well as the free expansion Moon Rabbit Crew, included in an update not long after launch. Ambition in Need of Re-Balancing Yo-Kai Watch Blasters is ambitious, but not without its problems. It features a deep hub world filled with RPG systems to master, but the simple combat and mission structure leave … Continue reading Review – Yo-Kai Watch Blasters (3DS)
Stuffed With Fun and Games Though it’s been absent for nearly a decade, WarioWare Gold is evidence of why this franchise needs to continue. In what is likely the best entry in the series, it feels like the capabilities of the 3DS were a shot in the arm to the developers at Nintendo and Intelligent Systems. Everything from traditional buttons to the built in gyro … Continue reading Review – WarioWare Gold (3DS)
Like Trading Dollars for Quarters Though Captain Toad originally got his start in the Wii’s Super Mario Galaxy, it wasn’t until Super Mario 3D World on the Wii U that he had something to do. In specifically designed Captain Toad levels, players could walk around little isometric areas, solve puzzles, avoid enemies, and collect stars. What made these levels unique, other than the fact that Toad … Continue reading Review – Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (3DS)
Luigi Returns to His Haunting Grounds Following their work on Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora’s Mask 3D, Grezzo’s port of Luigi’s Mansion to the 3DS is better than the Gamecube original, but only by a hair. Just enough to make it worth recommending if you’re a fan. Just enough for a new generation to consider digging their 3DS’ out one more time. Just enough, … Continue reading Review – Luigi’s Mansion (3DS)
For Love Jake Hunter: Ghost of the Dusk is the closest a game has come to putting players in the shoes of a hardboiled detective. More visual novel than adventure game, this title doesn’t offer much in terms of challenging gameplay, but that’s not a bad thing. There’s no risk of failing, because making a wrong choice causes Jake to say something like “I thought … Continue reading Review – Jake Hunter Detective Story: Ghost of the Dusk (3DS)
The original Luigi’s Mansion launched with the Gamecube in America on November 18th, 2001. As Nintendo’s marquee title for the system and a new direction for the character, the game set the tone for the Gamecube going forward. Players were told to expect sequels and spinoffs to their beloved franchises that weren’t like the games that came before, but should still be enjoyable in their … Continue reading Catching Up: With the Luigi’s Mansion Series
Jake Hunter Detective Story: Ghost of the Dusk is one of a few third party titles still coming to the 3DS this year. Launching on September 28th, it is the first time the series will see a Western release since Jake Hunter Detective Story: Memories of the Past in 2009. One of the many DS titles to get published in the wake of Ace Attorney‘s popularity, this … Continue reading Catching Up: With the Jake Hunter Series
Reaching A Somber Horizon Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey never connected with me when it came out on the original DS. It was one of those games I played for maybe an hour, then moved on without a second thought. Knowing that, I approached this Redux port with some trepidation. As the last of a trilogy of RPGs Atlus released on the 3DS earlier this … Continue reading Review – Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux (3DS)
A Gem Made of Fish and Happiness Sushi Striker is what happens when you let the imagination run wild. It’s the kind of game you’d never believe was real, like your friend made it up and in your mind you’re going “yeah, that sounds really good, but it’ll never get made.” It’s what Nintendo does best. Through a collaboration with indieszero (Electroplankton, Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy), … Continue reading Review – Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido (3DS)
Tilting Windmill Studios 