Before Final Fantasy Tactics, there was Tactics Ogre. It’s hard to overstate the significance of Yasumi Matsuno’s Super Famicom epic—not just in how heavily its ideas drove the iconic FF spinoff, but in how it influenced a whole breed of tactical RPGs. Even if you set that legacy aside, Tactics …
It took over 30 years for Ron Gilbert and Dan Grossman to finally be able to create their continuation to the Monkey Island franchise, and while there were other Monkey Island games released post-Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge, they were completed and released post Ron Gilbert’s departure from LucasArts. As …
I’m just going to say this up front: I don’t really care about Batman. To me he’s always been a vehicle for stylish action movies or cool open-world video games. Aside from that, he’s just a libertarian power fantasy—a moneyed man that will do what that state can’t. And it’s …
When you play rhythm games, even a little bit of audio latency is a killer. That’s why, as a general rule, I only ever use wired headphones: the cable is a mild hassle worth suffering to ensure a proper game. But EPOS’ promise of a low latency connection on the …
I’ve never paid much attention to stance in a skating game. Riding switch–what’s normally your back foot in front, and vice versa—might get you a few extra points, but beyond that, in every game I’ve played, it’s superficial to the point of being unnoticeable. My skater faces whichever way they’re …
To say that the shooter market in 2022 is bursting at the seams would be an understatement. Call of Duty, Apex Legends, Fortnite—all are household names at this point. But despite the visual and mechanical differences, most still boil down to pointing an AK-47-adjacent-looking weapon at a target and pulling …
Rhythm Festival is classic, timeless Taiko no Tatsujin rhythm action, but with a new track list, new minigames, and an expansive Music Pass. Ah, Taiko. A taiko drumming arcade rhythm game with an eclectic mix of music and the utterly adorable artwork of Yukiko Yoko is the gift that keeps …
“A farm life sim but you’re a witch” is an extremely enticing proposition. Games about settling down in a quaint little town and running a farm while getting to know the locals—the old Harvest Moon model that’s grown so popular in the wake of Stardew Valley—are delightful. Being a cute …
A good metroidvania always hits the spot. It doesn’t need to be groundbreaking, or to reinvent the wheel; just the right balance of mobility, intertwining level design, and upgrades that change how you move around and interact with the game space. Get those fundamentals just right—easier said than done, admittedly—and …
When you win a dance battle in Ooblets—because dance-offs are how these particular collectible monsters compete—you get a chance to collect a seed from the leader of the other team. But rather than snatching the spoils from a vanquished foe, or ensnaring them in a little ball, you give a …
