Not Quite Retro-Review: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC Evolution

Not Quite Retro-Review: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC Evolution

I think it was this 2015 article from Kotaku that first got me interested in The Legend of Heroes series. Jason Schreier sold it as an RPG for people who like to read, and it piqued my interest with that. Boy did it deliver, as a PSP game with a simple, but compelling story and a battle system that was easy at first, but layered depth as the game went on. It was not a perfect game, and it can lean into some problematic tropes as anime-style things can often do, but this was a great jumping-off point to a series that is now spanning I think 11 games in a series of separate, but connected story arcs.

Review: Triangle Strategy

Review: Triangle Strategy

In a year of slow starts, Triangle Strategy is one of the slowest games I’ve played in a long time. In the first two hours or so, you do almost nothing. You’re introduced to protagonist Serenoa Wolffort, his many subjects, and mystical bride-to-be. At a glance, the combat is clearly inspired by Final Fantasy Tactics, and one of the best JRPGs of all time is quite the pedigree to live up to.

Review: Horizon Forbidden West

Review: Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Zero Dawn was the victim of poor timing. A great open-world game with lush environments and a memorable narrative that stuck to what felt like an old formula in contrast to The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, which was released a mere month later. With Forbidden West sharing a launch window with the critically revered Eldin Ring, is it destined for the same fate?

It’s not quite that simple, but underneath some old worn-out open-world design and a lackluster intro, Horizon’s latest installment offers a lot for the patient player.

Review: Lucasfilm Classic Games: Zombies Ate My Neighbors & Ghoul Patrol

Review: Lucasfilm Classic Games: Zombies Ate My Neighbors & Ghoul Patrol

There was a point in gaming history when many games didn’t take themselves too seriously. Instead of opting for top-tier graphics or inventive mechanics, there was a greater focus on creativity and humor within video gaming. When Zombies Ate My Neighbors came out, a fun co-op experience that was reverent to horror movies of yore was released to the world. Its sequel, Ghoul Patrol, was released a year later. A collection of the two games was released midway through last year. While there is certainly some fun to be had in reminiscing on what games were, the collection released in 2021 showed what limitations the genre had at the time and how far the medium has come.

Review: Pokémon Legends Arceus

Review: Pokémon Legends Arceus

We have seen Pokémon grow as a brand in the past few years, with numerous games released. Also, we have witnessed Pokémon venture outside of gaming and into merchandising, culture, and even daily grooming activities. Right now, Pokémon is one of the biggest gaming franchises that exist.

For years, longtime fans have dreamed of an open-world Pokemon game where Pokémon roam the landscape, and you could control an avatar that could get lost in the natural landscape. The player could go anywhere and capture any Pokémon free of linear gaming.