Onelargeprawn
Earlier this year, Level 5 released Yo-Kai Watch 2 for the Nintendo 3DS, and it came in two flavours: Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls. Now there’s a third flavour that combines the best of both prior versions, and adds a bunch more stuff to the game to boot: Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Spectres. But how does it compare? Is my 3DS possessed? Must be the work of a Yo-Kai…let’s investigate!
The original Dragon Quest VIII released in the EU regions on the Sony PlayStation 2 back in 2006 (simply titled Dragon Quest: Journey of the Cursed King because it was the first Dragon Quest title to release in EU regions), and was a highly-acclaimed title back then. I personally loved it and found it to be one of my favourite Dragon Quest games, despite a weaker story than VII (which we reviewed here). Square Enix has remastered Dragon Quest VIII game for the Nintendo 3DS, so it was with great glee I tackled this title to find out what had changed between the original and this version.
Remakes and remasters seem to be a theme for many video game titles this year, and our latest review title is no different. Well, okay, it’s a little different. Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past is a new old game for the Nintendo 3DS family, and the developers have completely rebuilt the game from the knees up (because the game’s original story, setting, and characters are still very much in place). The original, which debuted on the PlayStation 1, was incredibly well received, so how do you improve on a game that’s already a classic? Come along, I’ll tell you.
It should say something about the origins of this game that it was originally titled Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem; it’s got a new name now, but Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE (pronounced “Sharp FE”) is still a Shin Megami Tensei (or as the fans call it, Megaten) game underneath. I’ve been a huge fan of the Megaten series for years, so I was looking very much forward to getting my hands on Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE to see what it was about.
Valkyria Chronicles was an absolutely beautiful tactical RPG that released on the PS3 back in 2008. It was lauded for the sketchbook-style artwork of the game, as well as its story and characters. Sega decided to, by way of preparing us for the next home console sequel later this year/early next year, release a PS4 version of the original called Valkyria Chronicles Remastered. For those of you who missed it and wondered whether it’s worth buying, read on.
Bravely Default made its appearance back in 2013 (reviewed by us here), showing the world a new way to play JRPGs with its “Brave” and “Default” mechanisms. The sequel to the game, titled Bravely Second: End Layer is now upon us, and the game continues the story of Agnés Oblige, the Vestal of Wind who was promoted to Pope at the end of the first game. What else is new in the land of Luxendarc? Come, let’s find out, but mind you don’t step on the goblin.
Back in April, we reviewed Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, a portable remake of the Wii game of the same name, and we rated it quite favourably. Following that, we now have Xenoblade Chronicles X (pronounced as “Xenoblade Chronicles Cross”) for the Wii U, a spiritual sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. If you enjoy massive games with a huge emphasis on exploration, pay attention. Oh, and transforming mechs. It has transforming mechs. Who doesn’t love a good, transforming mech?
It’s a bit weird to be reviewing an NES game 26 years after its first release, but that’s the wonders of modern gaming for you. Earthbound Beginnings—or Mother, as it was known in Japan—is one of those legendary JRPGs that you hear about but have probably never played. Although the game was translated into English way back then, it was never officially released in the west because that era was the dawn of the Super Nintendo. We in South Africa never got this game, nor its sequel, Earthbound. Thanks to the Wii U’s Virtual Console, now you can play this NES classic, but is it worth playing 26 years later? Let’s find out.
Level 5 are known for some of the most amazing JRPGs ever created, and the new Fantasy Life for the Nintendo 3DS is no different. Read on, and I’ll take you on a journey that you’re going to not want to end.
Tales of Symphonia was one of the most successful Tales games to ever grace the now-aged Playstation2 and now-defunct GameCube, and it saw a followup, oddly enough, on the Wii with Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. The games were so popular, in fact, that they’ve given rise to books, manga, audio dramas (Japan only, sadly), and four anime films. The two games have been remastered in HD and brought together again for the PS3, now titled Tales of Symphonia Chronicles. Fans of JRPGs would be well advised to join me in this review—I have a few good tales of my own to regale upon you.