RYAN JOHNSON
Destroy all Humans! (PS4) Review
Destroy All Humans is full of fun, 1950s human zapping memories for people who played it fifteen years ago. As a remake, the game was meticulously recreated from the ground up. While this is an overall great thing for the game to get an ultimate edition, fans of the game have already done it all, while new gamers may find themselves stuck with issues that plagued gaming fifteen years ago.
CrossCode (Xbox One) Review
CrossCode is a love letter to 16 bit gaming, with an awesome amalgam of traditional RPG tropes, fast-paced combat, and Zelda action.
Wartile (PS4) Review
Wartile is a unique game that plays like a single-player board game based on Nordic mythology with a hint of “Indian in the Cupboard” feel, as these playing pieces take on a life of their own.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD (Switch) Review
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz was a unique entry into the series, fully utilizing the Wii’s motion controls at the peak of the hype. As a re-release, Banana Blitz HD drops the waggle in favor of a traditional control scheme. While it’s still Monkey Ball, you can really tell the game was created with motion in mind. It’s up to you to decide if the change is for the better.
Dragon Star Varnir (Steam) Review
Dragon Star Varnir, previously a PS4 exclusive, comes to Steam. Basically the same game ported over, Steam users buying the Deluxe Edition can come across a few pieces of bonus artwork. Overall a great RPG that deserves equal billing as a visual novel.
Aggelos (Switch) Review
Aggelos is a love letter to classic RPG and action games, feeling like a mishmash of Zelda II, Metroid, CastleVania, and Mega Man. Some of it’s classic skin makes one see how far we’ve come, as it hearkens back to exactly how it used to be. However, Aggelos’ tight gameplay makes for a fun and easily affordable experience.
I'm Hungry (PSVR) Review
I’m Hungry is an arcadey VR take on a mobile food truck game. It isn’t as deep as some VR games, but it’s nice to see an upgrade to an addictive mobile style game into VR mode. I’m Hungry may be repetitive at times but it still provides a wonderful bit of fun to a group of people who can get together for some silly virtual burger-flipping.
Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain (PS4) Review
Earth Defense Force: iron Rain attempts to take the usually cartoony gameplay of the EDF series and inject a more realistic tone. Despite the slicker graphics, the game retains the feel of the series and lets you blast bugs left and right in this frantic arcade shooter.
Trüberbrook (Switch) Review
Trüberbrook is a unique point and click style story with a unique art twist: each background was modeled in the real world and photographed, giving each scene a storybox motif. The sci-fi story in 1960’s Germany is unique, but simple, as are the puzzles you find. The beautiful scenery and light gameplay might be just what you want for a relaxing game and interesting storyline.
Vaporum (PS4) Review
Vaporum is a strange yet enticing mix, merging dungeon crawling mechanics with a steampunk motif. There are a few nagging issues that keep it from reaching greatness, but it’s ability to switch on the fly from real-time grid based combat to turn based scenarios give you a chance to overcome a lot of the frustrations you may face.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel (PS4) Review
Trails of Cold Steel is an acclaimed series of RPGs under the larger Legend of Heroes banner. The original two games are being remastered with a bunch of presentation and quality of life improvements in preparation for the upcoming English language release of the third in November of this year. Number One releases here in March, with Number Two in May. They show a bit of age by default but are integral to the enjoyment of number 3, which will take full advantage of the PS4 platform.
Earth Defense Force 5 Review
Earth Defense Force 5 continues in the tradition of the series with no real regard to story besides “There’s monsters, blow em up!” While a little rough around the edges, EDF5 provides some good mindless gaming, something missing in today’s modern gaming society.
Heavy Fire: Red Shadow (PS4) Review
Heavy Fire: Red Shadow pulls an arcade shooter into your living room. Unfortunately the VR aspect adds another $10 to the price which is a frustrating piece of a rather simple puzzle. In the midst of a loud, crazy arcade this game would be amazing. As an at-home event, though, the cracks begin to show.
STAY (Nintendo Switch) Review
In STAY, you find yourself in a chat room with a victim of kidnapping. Quinn is lost and alone and doesn’t know who his captors are or why he is in his prison. Will you help him succeed, or toy with his emotions? Every moment matters, even the ones when you are away. Quinn needs you to STAY and help him survive.
Hover (Switch) Review
Hover is a futuristic cyberpunk neon-infused trip reminiscent of Jet Grind Radio, where you speed around the city, tagging graffiti, helping the citizens, and finding the best way to overthrow an oppressive government. While the core gameplay is amazingly fun, the story and missions can be bland and the interface seems as if it wasn’t optimized off of the PC for home console users.
NASCAR Heat 3 (PS4) Review
NASCAR Heat brings simulation management and fun arcade simplicity together in a mesh that works rather well. The new manager mode allows you to watch and upgrade your cars which adds another dimension to the intense bumper-to-bumper racing action.
Haunted Dungeons: Hyakki Castle Review
Haunted Dungeons: Hyakki Castle is a dungeon crawler crossed with a horror element. Unfortunately it is rough to put something so twitch based (horror) with something so methodical (dungeon crawler) and have it come out satisfying either party. The new mechanic the game introduces (splitting the party in two) feels shoehorned in rather than an integral part of gameplay.
Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk Review
Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk is a new dungeon crawler from the makers of the Disgaea series. Within, the mysterious witch Dronya attempts to discover the mysteries and treasures that await within the titular labyrinth. This statistic-heavy game is sure to please fans of the genre.
Brawlout (PS4) Review
Brawlout is a fun game for hardcore fans of the “mascot brawler,” but it loses a bit of it’s panache now that Smash Ultimate is on it’s way. It very recently came out for the X1 and PS4. With them missing out on Smash by default, is it worth the purchase?
Ninjin: Clash of Carrots Review
Ninjin is a retro style run-n-slice game where you play a ninja bunny (or fox) as you chase down the evil Shogun and his army who stole all the carrots in your hometown. It’s a lighthearted and fun take on classic twitch gameplay. Read in for a full review.