Hardcore Gamer

• SWITCH
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Disgaea 1 Complete is a remaster of a classic Strategy-RPG that might have been better left in our memories. It’s a reminder of how far the series has come in the last fifteen years, at least in terms of streamlining a number of combat mechanics. Unfortunately, it has gotten to a degree where I wished Disgaea 1 Complete was a full-on remake and not just a nice coat of paint as all through my lengthy adventure I wanted to go back to Disgaea 5, even with how overly complicated it was. It doesn’t help that I ran into more crashes than I thought a console game could produce, let alone a Switch game, and there are areas that didn’t get the visual overhaul as rest of the game did. Even with all this complaining, Disgaea was and still is a great game with solid mechanics and an enjoyable cast of characters, but this remaster will mainly be for those with the deepest of nostalgia for the original.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Even if it could stand to benefit from a little something extra, this is still a triumphant return for the Blue Bomber. Mega Man 11 is another stellar entry in the series, plain and simple. The classic gameplay still works as well as it did years ago, and the newer touches courtesy of the graphical enhancements and the Double Gear system are welcome additions. It’s a sweet blend of the old and the new that makes for one rock solid platformer, and one you should check out, even if this is your first experience with the franchise. Welcome back, Mega Man. I know we shouldn’t call it a comeback because you’ve been here for years, but you still know how to deliver a knockout.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

FIFA 19 is an impressive continuation of the series, which tweaks the experience in different places and once again offers players a plethora of modes to enjoy. The Champions League was always going to be EA’s biggest attraction — and rightfully so in many ways — with it integrated superbly into the title and creating a surreal atmosphere during different clashes. What is disappointing about this FIFA installment, though, is the developer sticking so close to the established formula that only a few real changes are evident, raising questions behind EA Sports’ annual release for the series. If soccer fans weren’t too concerned about Europe’s premier club competition, then they wouldn’t miss out on a whole new level of innovation if they chose to skip out on the latest installment. FIFA 19 falls short of crowning EA the title of undisputed champion of the soccer world, though it’s the right stepping stone for the next installment to be bold enough to push the franchise in a new direction.

• PS4
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Creed: Rise to Glory is an experience unlike any I’ve ever had with a video game. While not a boxing simulation, the technology that powers the game is fun and addicting. I don’t recommend cancelling your 9Rounds membership, but Creed: Rise to Glory will get you into shape. There’s not a plethora of modes to choose from, but for $29.99, the in-ring action will keep players coming back for more. With each passing match, players will get better and have a better understanding of what it takes to land punches that count. The PVP has a ton of potential, but unfortunately it needs a lot of work. Because the fighting mechanics work so well, though, Creed: Rise to Glory is a reason to get in on virtual reality.

• PC
• XONE
• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Transference is a novel concept with with adequate execution. It's intended to be played in VR for the greatest impact, so those with multiple platform options should factor that into the decision process of choosing which one to go with. The story is fascinating and fans of horror will most likely find an enjoying and disturbing experience. The short length is a double-edged sword, though, as it can be comfortably played in VR in one sitting but is ultimately a very short game. Being story driven, the simplistic gameplay is just interactive enough to keep the player engaged, making Transference a worthwhile descent into madness to take once but offers little reason to come back for more.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Obvious it may be that Valkyria Chronicles 4 proves to be more of what made the original Valkyria Chronicles so enjoyable in the first place — its conservative approach this time round preventing it from achieving essential status — that’s not to say that the careful-and-considerate style of tactics, complete with its unique approach to turn-based/real-time style of play, have in anyway resulted in a lesser iteration a decade on from the original. With its wonderfully-orchestrated aesthetic, together with a surprisingly well-written and likeable cast of characters, though the game is not without its momentary frustrations, lingering legacy issues and unflattering textures, Valkyria Chronicles 4 on the whole marks a more-than-welcome return to form for one of last-generation’s most striking RPGs.

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Capcom Beat ’em Up Bundle is a respectable collection of fighters, though the seven titles offered seems rather skimpy compared to previous Capcom collections that contained around twenty titles. The inclusion of online play is a nice feature that makes good implementation of dropping in and out of games in progress, recreating the arcade feel of just walking up to an open cabinet and joining in. The lack of voice chat support and technical issues do hurt the online experience. The titles themselves are solid choices as any fan of beat ’em ups from the ’80s and ’90s can attest, but missing titles like Alien vs. Predator, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, The Punisher and the other titles mentioned above prevent this from being the definitive collection. Missteps aside, the quality of the seven games that are included make this a worthwhile acquisition for fans of the genre.

• PS4
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Besides some of the same nagging issues with the franchise, the portions that got upgraded truly shine. RPM Technology is no joke as the results are seen on the ice. Gameplay is fast and fun and the AI helps complete the experience. CEHL is extremely fun with a good bit of variety, but could use some more depth when compared to The ONE in NBA Live 19. The unified progression system that is here is quick and allows styles to be easily adjusted. Having 200 NHL Legends is fantastic if they were included in other ways outside of Ultimate Team. All the nitpicking gets thrown out the window once you hop on the ice, though, as NHL 19 is fun and exciting in action.

• SWITCH
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Little Dragons Café first appears as though it requires constant attention to every little detail, but actually makes for a relaxing time. Exploration is well paced with each step further getting more creative and exiting, and managing the café is simple without feeling overly stressful. It’s a laid back title that is easy to get absorbed in and focus for long hours, but also makes for a wonderful time to pop into every once in a while and just explore what it has to offer. Little Dragons Café makes for a memorable, sweet journey that any person can pick up and enjoy without worry.

• PS4
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

NBA 2K19 continues the series’ legacy for offering the best basketball simulator on the market thanks to refined gameplay and a truly immersive presentation. The modes featured this year have their ups and downs, with the MyCareer mode featuring a story worth playing through despite a frustrating protagonist and a heavy dosage of microtransactions, and some complimentary modes that rarely go above what is expected of them for better and worse. Fortunately, the core basketball action at the center of NBA 2K19 is stronger than and just as enjoyable as it’s ever been, featuring intense matches that should please both experienced and casual players alike for another NBA season’s worth of deep, fast-paced gameplay.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

NBA Live 19 continues to trend in the correct direction in terms of overall success. The product on the court plays a fun and excellent game of basketball thanks to Real Player Motion. It might not be as detailed and sim-focused as NBA 2K, but it offers all the options needed to compete. In terms of career modes, nothing touches The One. Varying ways to make your player better while playing online with or against other players is fun. It’s also not behind a micro-transaction wall, either. The One, however, is still where the money is and inevitably is leaving the actual NBA modes an afterthought. Players still want an innovative Franchise Mode.

• SWITCH
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

While SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy has the potential to be a fun hunk of cheese and fanservice, ultimately it relies too much on the game’s premise to carry things. The core tag team gameplay isn’t anything bad – rather fun and unique, even – but extremely short matches, a lack of variety and uneven AI means that said gameplay never achieves its full potential. Only the most diehard SNK fans may want to pick this one up, and even then, odds are you’ve seen these femme fatales done better in both gameplay and sex appeal in previous fighters.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

There’s no beating around the bush that Destiny 2 was a disaster. Bungie has owned up to their mistakes and the result is Destiny 2: Forsaken. While it’s not cool that it’s taken $140 to get here (and more if you splurge on microtransactions), Destiny 2: Forsaken presents Destiny 2 with its much-needed reset. The campaign is compelling enough thanks to its excellent boss design, though Uldren lacks the history to be a strong antagonist. The new locales are a joy to explore and provide a nice change in pace compared to the vanilla worlds. Gambit is an exciting new mode, but, like the Blind Well, is heavily dependent on what kind of teammates you have. Destiny 2 needed something to save it and Forsaken bought it a new lease on life.

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

NASCAR Heat 3 is a fun and entertaining stock car racing game that needs to take more steps towards offering a simulation for racing fans. Opening up an eSports division should encourage the cream of the crop to represent the real life sport in a virtual world. Champions of other racing games have literally gone on to win great things. The Career Mode is deep and engaging and the Xtreme Dirt Series is an excellent addition to the series. The visual and audio issues are something that need an update, but there’s enough new content that the fans of this series will really enjoy.

• PC
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is an enjoyable game but too many shortcomings prevent it from being memorable or extraordinary. Fans of the series who want a fast-paced game they can whittle away countless hours on multiplayer can get a lot of enjoyment from this, though the lack of proper voice communication limits the social aspect. Single player mode can be an entertaining way to kill time but doesn’t feel like it fulfills much purpose outside of grinding. There is fun to be had and there are much worse anime titles out there, but there are also much better ones. Dedicated Naruto fans looking for fast-paced, gravity defying multiplayer beat ’em up action need look no further, but for those looking for a worthwhile single player experience or multiplayer with voice chat can skip this one.

• SWITCH
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

There are nice ideas and a plentiful amount of passion put into replicating the look and feel of classic first-person, dungeon-crawling in Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk. If one were to approach this with the intent of short, couple-hour bursts with little aim other than the acquiring of more loot or leveling up one’s disposable units, the game services those eager on that aspect of dungeon-crawling. Sadly, Labyrinth of Refrain is a game far too convoluted with illusionary depth to be considered wholly enjoyable. With a dispensable story, poor mid-game communication (that often feels like a deliberate attempt to waste player time) and a hefty number of interfaces requiring a fair amount of cleaning up, Nippon Ichi’s attempt to alternate from their usual Disgaea forte, though intriguing in a few areas, ends up being frustrating and cumbersome to the point of cancelling out the enjoyment it initially creates.

• PC
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Konami will be able to appease the PES fanbase with PES 2019. The improvements to the visuals brings the game to life at times. With over 400 teams and 10,000 players, the hardcore football fan has a lot to marvel over. While losing the Premier League license hurts, Konami hopes adding some other major regional leagues will help. Lacking the licenses makes the game less appealing, but the player selection makes myClub a good mode to go with, even if it’s currency-based. PES 2019 still plays a very good game of football, but needs a bit of modernization.