Netto’s Game Room
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Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is an example of a game I truly wanted to recommend because of my love for the series, but I simply cannot. Aside from the "packaging"—the beautiful graphics and superb voice acting—there is unfortunately little else to justify experiencing this game.
Bye Sweet Carole ultimately leaves me disappointed. It had so much potential to be a modern classic but fumbled the writing so hard in the second half that it only made me laugh. The gameplay is at times interesting and intense but often feels unpolished and clunky. It is a truly beautiful looking game with an amazing soundtrack. However, visuals and music alone aren't enough to carry a game. It truly saddens me that I can't recommend it, because I genuinely wanted to love this game that reminded me of my favorite childhood movies.
Scar-Lead Salvation had the potential to be a really good game. Its core gameplay is fun, the first patch greatly improved the difficulty and bosses, both the character dialogue and story are interesting, the anime aesthetics are visually pleasing, and there are some fun customization options to play with! In theory this game should have everything going for it; however, it is greatly held back by extremely repetitive gameplay.
Generic backgrounds, a single repeating song, the lack of a cancel button, and luck based gameplay aside... It's an interesting concept, and I did like the stages that didn't rely on luck. The game managed to pray on my stubbornness to get me to keep going, and ultimately it did have me feeling nostalgic for the flash games I used to play. It's a game that has potential, but it really needs a fresh coat of paint and some polish.
Overall, Echo Isle is a fun trip through nostalgia, but its short run-time will leave you wanting more.
BrokenLore: FOLLOW is a short but fun little teaser for future episodes in the series. While it isn't as strong as its predecessor, UNFOLLOW, fans will still enjoy stepping back into Anne's story and taking yet another step toward unraveling the greater mystery at play. This truly is a title for those already invested, however, so newcomers should start somewhere else—ideally with LOW.
Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection is a great compilation for fans of the series and those who are nostalgic for the original releases; however, it offers very little for anyone else. There is some fun to be had here, sure, but nothing has changed in the decades since these games were first released. All of the original annoyances remain, and the minigame-focused titles might not be for everyone, but thankfully, the new rewind feature can help players get through these frustrations. Overall, I do not regret my time playing through these classics, but players should be aware of what they are in for before diving in.
Blue Reflection is a gloomy yet cozy high school life simulator with a touch of escapism. While its underused RPG mechanics had the potential to be great, they ultimately fall flat due to how simplistic the game truly is. Although not everyone will be able to relate to its story, the narrative is what makes the title worth experiencing and is the primary reason one should consider playing. However, if taking on the role of a high schooler and encountering school drama isn't up your alley, then this one will not be for you.
Subliminal: Episode I is a fun, yet short, little experience. While it isn't perfect, the unique setting ripped directly from our childhoods is an instant blast of nostalgia, and the story is interesting enough to see through to its conclusion. Unfortunately, there are very few answers here, but this is only the beginning, and I personally look forward to seeing what is to come.
Never 7: The End of Infinity isn't a bad visual novel by any means, but it also isn't anything too special. With most of the game being taken up by generic slice-of-life moments, it isn't until the Cure routes come into play that the true plot reveals itself. While there are some interesting questions brought up along the way, the game is ultimately a product of its time that was surpassed by both the writer's and director's future works.
Neopets: Mega Mini Games Collection – The Neopian Arcade Odyssey is a difficult title to recommend. While it features a handful of addictive mini games, the appeal is inconsistent, and many of these titles exist in more "complete" versions elsewhere. However, the 2000s-infused aesthetic carries a certain charm that is bound to trigger nostalgia. This collection is likely a must-have for active Neopets members looking to farm daily rewards, but it offers very little for anyone else besides fans.
Transformers: Battlegrounds is ultimately a fine game. It's far from the best tactical game that I've ever played, and by the end of the game, I was happy to see the end. To the game's credit though, this is the only Transformers tactics game we've ever received, and as a fan of the genre and the IP, I'm happy that Battlegrounds exists. The game had some intriguing genre innovations too, and unique character builds that kept me experimenting with different mechanics. Since the game is delisted, it isn't easy to obtain now, but if you can score yourself an inexpensive copy, I feel like it's worth experiencing. If you can only find pricey copies of the game, I don't know that I can recommend it, unless you're a diehard fan of Transformers or the tactics genre.
The Grinch: Christmas Adventures is a very interesting game. While I cannot recommend it to anyone looking for a solid platforming experience, I can recommend it to families who want to play through it together. At the very least, the full digital storybook alone is worth the price, and the hours spent playing with your kids are simply priceless. It is not a good platformer by any means, but the overall novelty can still provide some enjoyment.
I Write Games Not Tragedies is a short story that has potential. On the surface, it is a story of the emo lifestyle, but in reality, it is a story of regrets and discovery. Not everyone will be able to relate to Ash and his struggles, however, and that alone is what makes it hard to fully recommend. The flashy emo art style is outstanding, and the foundation is solid; however, many might step away from the experience wanting more.
Star Overdrive is an impressive game made by a really small team, but it is also a game that tried to bite off more than it could chew. The hoverboard action is so much fun, and honestly the only thing this game really needed to succeed! The board customization is great, the power ups are fun to use in combination with the hoverboard, and the gameplay itself is both fast and fluid. Sadly the rest of the game slows to a crawl the moment you are off the board, with clunky and repetitive combat, and puzzles that overstay their welcome.
I do understand that the developers wanted to make this into a cozy game with a slow pace, and I can see that being a pro more than a con for other kinds of gamers out there. As harsh as I have been with the game, I do think it is worth taking a look at it at least, but that depends heavily on what kind of gamer you are. It is possible you might enjoy a more relaxed and slower paced experience, so don't let my critique stop you from trying it out! With its very simple control scheme, I could see this game doing well on mobile devices, and it could be a nice experience to have while being out and about during every day life. Great for when you just need a small moment to do some cozy adventuring.
It's not easy to point out both the good and bad in a game like Mighty No 9, but you can easily see where things could have been much better.
Sonic Forces is not an easy game to judge, and honestly it's a game that many will either like for what it is, or flat out hate it. On one hand the game's music is pretty good, the voice acting is great, the Avatar system is interesting, and it has both Modern and Classic gameplay... But on the other, it also feels like a major down grade from 2011's Sonic Generations.
The game is a solid foundation, and it is great to see that the developer will be actively working on it to improve it, but there is no denying that it also has a long way to go. For $15 on Steam, it isn't bad as a game to play with friends, but it isn't a game I can recommend if you are going at it solo. It also didn't have a large playerbase online during our play testing, so even finding random players could be difficult. It honestly feels like a game that would benefit from a "4 player co-op pack" version at a discounted price, as maybe asking $15 from you and your three friends could be a bit much.
Personally I found the potion making process to be the most fun part of the game, and I do hope that the developers keep on expanding on that idea for a potential sequel or other game. That being said, the game just doesn't feel fully finished. Don't get me wrong now, there is a full game there with a start to end, and with content to justify its asking price. However, as much as I like the cell shaded look of the game, it just feels a bit "off." The more I played the more it felt like the game needed just a bit more time on the presentation side of everything (in particular the eerie animals in town). It would also not have hurt to have more music in the game, as it mainly has one song on a constant loop. After a few hours it becomes fairly grating to the ears.