Dave Payerle
Simply put, Torchlight II is a phenomenal game.
For those who never played A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds is simply an exceptional game. For those like me who have fond memories of the original though, it feels like a carefully crafted love letter. Being able to explore an old world with a new twist was an absolute treat, and I loved visiting places and characters that I remembered from before, as well as discovering new ones. From the first musical notes of the opening to the last boss fight, the game is classic Zelda, and as soon as I finished it I was ready to start all over again. Simply put it’s one of the best games available on the 3DS or anywhere else, and it’s a must play.
As a piece of RPG history, it holds up reasonably well, and gives players another opportunity to enjoy this deep game. However, those experiencing it for the first time will be well served to do some research before diving in.
As a "game" Jazzpunk could be completed in less than an hour, but running through to complete the story would be missing most of what makes it so enjoyable. The game (and its achievements) are structured in a way that encourage players to wander around and see everything there is. Even having completed the game I'll be going back through it again, just to catch some of the things I missed.
Including the Mercenaries mode and previous bonus content featuring Ada Wong, it's well worth the price for anyone who hasn't experienced the game yet, or enjoyed the original release. For those who played the 360 or PS3 HD releases though, the visual differences here are negligible, and don't warrant another purchase.
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy doesn’t take the series in any new directions, but that’s not a bad thing. With more environmental variety and a faster moving story, the game addresses the main complaints I had with Miracle Mask. The puzzle variety is excellent, and I enjoyed the mini-games more than the last few games. With a full year of puzzles on top of what’s already in the game, puzzle enthusiasts will find a lot of enjoyment here.
Triple Deluxe is great 2D platformer, with some really nice design. I needed just under 7 hours to finish the campaign, and going back to collect all of the Sun Stones and unlock bonus levels will add a few hours to that. There's also a multiplayer battle arena and platforming/rhythm hybrid game, though neither held much lasting appeal for me. For fans of 2D platformers it's a good choice, and definitely worth checking out.
While I don't know why anyone would want to play without the puzzles, even those who do will find themselves seeking them out for the extra information they provide. Ether One is a sharp, unique game that deals with a tragic subject in an empathetic way, and it's definitely worth checking out.
As someone without an existing tie to the series it was a good time, although there are certainly some rough spots in the game play. For Tex Murphy veterans it's like finding an old photo album full of happy memories, and for outsiders it's a solid, if occasionally frustrating, adventure game.
On a purely functional level Sparkle 2 is fine, but it lacks features that are not only standard for its genre, but that provide the biggest reasons to play.
Watch_Dogs borrows game play elements from GTA, inFamous and Assassin's Creed (among others), adds a hacking dynamic and pulls it all together into a great game. Despite some standout visuals though there's nothing here that feels like a leap forward in gaming, and I can't imagine the core game feeling much different had I played a last-gen version. It doesn't tarnish the experience, but players looking for a reason to need a new console still don't have one.
Players who missed this on the PS3 will find a lot to like here, but for those who have already completed it I doubt the graphical upgrade is worth another play through.
The Last Tinker is not a bad game, just one that fails to live up to its promise.
It's a must play for series fans, and a great choice for anyone looking for a deeper take on the genre.
Fans of Kevin Smith's work will be just as disappointed as adventure game fans, and players in general will do well to avoid this one.
Even with the issues, if I kept the difficulty reasonable, ignored the batting reticle, learned to work with the pitching target and never tried to steal, I had a good time with the game.
I want to recommend it, but the technical issues not only hampered my enjoyment of the game, at a certain point they completely prevented me from playing it. The core game is fun, but I would recommend sticking with one platform throughout and rotating save slots.
For those who loved the original like me, happiness awaits. After years of petitioning we have our Majora's Mask remake, and it's absolutely worth the time.
The main game is still undeniably fun, and anyone who enjoyed the first (or likes a good challenge) should check it out. Just be warned, it's an occasionally bumpy ride.
I would say it's a must play for anyone old enough to remember blowing on a cartridge, but that would be selling it short. Nostalgia certainly enhances the experience, but this is a great game for anyone.