Sebastian Quiroz

“However, nearly 50 levels weren't necessary. Bandai Namco should have streamlined things a bit and eliminated all the stages that use a rather flat and boring design. Fortunately, many of the missions employ new ideas or well-executed variations on familiar concepts. It doesn't surpass the fantastic We Love Katamari , but Once Upon a Katamari is a solid entry that fans shouldn't miss.”

“Shadow Labyrinth is a very interesting experiment from Bandai Namco. The game clearly has its flaws, but there's also a lot of potential here. If the developers have the opportunity to create a sequel, I'm sure they'll take everything that worked in this title and expand on it to deliver an experience that meets the goals the team surely had for this title.”

“Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army is a game that, sadly, was forgotten by many. Thankfully, Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is a great way to bring back this hidden gem from the PlayStation 2. The story is entertaining, with a good mystery that motivates the player to keep going and interact with a cast of quirky characters. The remaster elevates this with improved voice acting and visual style that give Raidou Kuzunoha XIV's adventure a new lease on life.”

“Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a great experience. The original was phenomenal, and everything the remaster adds and changes usually works in its favor. Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is the best way to experience the 3DS classic today, and a spectacular Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. I just hope this means Bravely Second will get the same treatment, or that Bravely Third is even in development.”

“The Capcom Fighting Collection 2 does its job, breathing new life into eight great games that some have forgotten, and many more have never experienced. While there's room for improvement in the collection's presentation and content, fans will have a blast enjoying and rediscovering these classics.”

“In case Bandai Namco is thinking of revitalizing the series with a sequel, I hope this remaster is a test of what works and what needs to be updated further. Freedom Wars Remastered is a fine remaster that allows a new audience to experience one of the most beloved games on the PlayStation Vita.”

“In an age where every JRPG offers us complex experiences, with hundreds of hours of content and multiple systems at our disposal, Fantasian Neo Dimension is a little baileys chocolate. The first bite is something everyone can appreciate, the sweetness immediately grabs the player, but once you get to the end of the bite, you're likely to feel something too strong for you, but at the same time it's addictive, and it's hard not to eat another one.”

“What's worse than a bad game? A boring one. One where the player is unable to process a strong feeling, whether positive or negative. Reflector Entertainment's work does not deserve anyone to be upset about what they've played. Bandai Namco's release is one of the biggest failures of the year, and something that will be forgotten by everyone.”

“Persona 3: Reload is one of the best games of the year. If Episode Aigis had been part of the package we saw in early 2024, many of the problems with the DLC would not been so heavy, but since it is sold separately, it is very easy to see the problems that the epilogue presents us, even with all the good that we find here.”

“Milestone won the hearts of millions of fans through the two Hot Wheels Unleashed installments, which focused more on fun than realism. Monster Jam Showdown falls somewhere in the middle. On one hand, it tries to offer enough content and a number of entertaining mechanics, but ends up presenting us with an experience that doesn't quite match the level of quality of its previous works. The result is a racing title that may be hard to recommend to anyone who isn't a monster truck fan.”

“Zenless Zone Zero, like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, is here to stay. It is very certain that miHoYo is already working on future updates with more content and new characters. With three different games, the Chinese studio has extended its reach to new territories, and perhaps those who are not fans of open world games or turn-based RPGs can find their new obsession in this hack and slash.”

“Metal Slug Attack Reloaded is a bad case of transitioning an experience from mobile to consoles and PC. The only case where this doesn't feel as bad is in Switch, where you can play in handheld mode and imagine it's a tablet, but this doesn't eliminate the tedious progression, the unnecessary gacha system, and how everything feels boringness at the end of the day.”

“Final Fantasy XVI is a fantastic game from start to finish, which manages to combine the classic structure of the series with a combat system focused on action and customization. The Rising Tide is the perfect complement to this experience, and although this marks the end of this chapter in the history of one of my favorite video game series, I can't wait to see how Square Enix takes everything that worked here and expands these concepts in Final Fantasy XVII, or in a sequel to Clive and Joshua's adventure.”

“Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn is the big expansion fans have been waiting for, but is it worth it? Is a new story more than enough to justify the price of this DLC?”

“Despite not being the expected genre revolution, River City Girls 2 is a fantastic sequel. WayForward improves every element possible, and pays homage to Kunio-kun's legacy.”

“Despite making a couple of stumbles along the way, Star Ocean: The Divine Force is a quality JRPG. tri-Ace has managed to offer an adventure that combines the medieval with science fiction greatly.”

“With a boring gameplay loop and a wasted combat system, Various Daylife proves that porting games from mobile to console isn't always a good idea.”

“Despite offering fantastic fan service, great visuals, and a host of improvements, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure All Star Battle R is a fighting game that falls short of its potential.”

“Through more cars, challenges and a new map, Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels becomes a fun DLC that all lovers of this racing game and toy cars should not miss.”

“Although Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden looks like more of the same, Yoko Taro's new card has a couple of interesting details for fans of the genre.”