Hardcore Gamer

• VITA
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Good or bad, if there's one thing Tecmo Koei is sure to do with their games, it's re-release them. Luckily, Dead or Alive 5 remains the great fighting game it was on consoles and is enhanced here with multiple new and exciting additions. While none of them may be worth re-buying the game for, simply having a console quality version of it on the go that can play online with the PS3 version is. Those who haven't experienced the original incarnation of the game will find Plus to be the premier version, and the fact that it's the handheld rendition of a graphically-intense six month old game makes that fact alone worth the price of admission.

• 3DS
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

After the masterpiece that was Fire Emblem: Awakening, it’s hard to believe that we are getting another fantastic RPG in a mere matter of weeks, but that’s what Atlus’ dungeon-crawler is: a truly wonderful piece of that roleplaying pie for which we all have a hankering. And like any good piece of pie, Legends of the Titan should be enjoyed slowly and until there are only crumbs left. Etrian Odyssey IV takes an unapproachable series and genre and makes it relevant and accessible to almost all gamers out there. It also builds upon the sturdy foundation laid by its previous installments, and refines the formula with a distinct degree of expert precision: better gameplay, map plotting, story, control, graphics and sound. In fact, all of these factors are so well-executed that they come together to make the best Etrian Odyssey yet. If someone is looking for one of the most entrancing, addictive RPGs on the 3DS, then they should not hesitate to run as quickly as they can to their nearest game store to purchase Legends of the Titan; it’s certainly worth every penny of its price tag, and then some.

• PS3
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires is something you have to have a lot of heart and dedication to play. If you’re someone who enjoys encyclopedias of Chinese history, you’ll more than likely find what’s being offered to be entertaining. Sure, the visuals are lackluster and the combat can be repetitive, but having empire building tactics and expanding on the multiple ways to play the game won’t leave hardcore fans disappointed. It has its share of issues, but DW7: Empires turns out to be an incredibly addictive experience.

• VITA
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2+ is an excellent game that makes the transition to the Vita quite well. As a package, it's hurt a bit by its high price tag at launch, making it hard to recommend as an instant purchase given that the 360 original looks a little bit better, is more comfortable to control on a full controller and goes for about ten dollars now. That being said, if you adored that game and have done everything there is to do in the original Sigma +, you'll get the full asking price out of this. If that doesn't describe you, then feel free to wait for a price drop, or hope that it, like its predecessor, becomes a PS+ freebie at some point.

• PS3
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Despite this, though, Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory somehow comes out as charming and likeable. The graphics engine needs to be put out to pasture, the characters are little more than cliches, the story and everything in it is little more than a long stream of video game references or in-jokes, and the entire setup is a giant attempt at pandering to the gaming nerd stereotype. On paper it’s wrong in far too many ways to count, but in practice it’s actually pretty fun overall. The strong battle system manages to salvage Neptunia’s faults, and once you fall into the game’s tempo, the story is light and fluffy rather than the cliched obnoxiousness it could be. I have to admit that I went in to Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory with gritted teeth and huge reservations, but ended up finding the game a small guilty pleasure.

• PSP
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Diehard fans of the series won’t be swayed one way or another by this review, because those folks already know if this game is for them. For fans of the genre looking for an interesting take on the tried and true strategy roleplaying formula with that very distinct Japanese flare, though, Pandora’s Reflection is worth checking out. It certainly isn’t the best RPG around, mostly due to the less-than-interesting story, overuse of character archetypes and lack of challenge, but it’s also not the worst, not by a long shot. In truth, it’s the best of the Generation of Chaos titles. That’s not saying much, of course, but the game’s unique combat system and solid presentation make it a decently fun experience, though somewhat of a forgettable one.

• PS3
• 2.5 / 5
• États-Unis

At the end of the day, whether players enjoy Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage 2 will hinge upon their level of fandom of the original manga and anime. For the most devote enthusiast, it does enough to warrant a looksee, if for nothing else than for the sake of sheer nostalgia. For everyone else, however, there just isn’t enough here that's all that interesting. Ken’s Rage 2 feels like it was developed by Koei’s B-team thanks to performance issues, subpar graphics, a shallow character development system and fighting mechanics that are only as fun as the game’s limited combat engine allows. For the price, there are so many better alternatives out there that it would feel irresponsible of us to recommend this to anyone who's not a diehard fan.

• VITA
• 2.5 / 5
• États-Unis

While the Vita is not in dire need of fishing titles, it is of addictive ones, which is exactly what Let’s Fish! Hooked On should be. Unfortunately, it’s a rather humdrum experience that is passable at best and frustrating at worst. The gameplay tires quickly enough that many will find it challenging to get even twenty dollars worth of enjoyment from it. It’s not advanced enough to be a fishing simulator, but not entertaining enough to be disposable arcade fun, rendering it an exercise in futility. Those devoted to the genre with a lot of patience may enjoy its meaty campaign, but anyone else would be better off buying one of the many superior entires in the Rapala series.

• X360
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Skulls of the Shogun is a unique samurai game that has remnants of both modern and 16-bit titles stashed away in its gameplay and aesthetics. While it can be daunting to pick up and play at first, and some of the character designs can blend together, this is still a remarkable experience that shouldn't be overlooked. It’s a massive game filled with a lengthy single player campaign and a long-lasting multiplayer component that can be played day-by-day or minute-by-minute. Patience is a virtue as Skulls of the Shogun was worth waiting for.

• IOS
• 1 / 5
• États-Unis

Final Fantasy: All the Bravest caters to a very specific audience: huge Final Fantasy fans with money to waste and a head injury that has remained untreated for an extended period of time. This is a game with only two gameplay features: tap the screen and give Square money. It’s true that the music is great and the nostalgia value is off the charts, but neither of these things justify a release that is little more than a blatant cash grab. This is less a game and more a trip to the nostalgia museum where all the cool exhibits cost extra to see. If you ever have the urge to buy this game, find a friend to play one of the classic Final Fantasy titles while you vigorously rub the screen to the point where it’s impossible to see what’s going on. You’ll have entirely the same experience, and save $4 that can be put towards something substantially more entertaining, like a pet rock or dental surgery.

• PC
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

A New Beginning – Final Cut comes down to aesthetics and presentation over gameplay and translation. If the mediocre script, stale voice acting and occasional buggy gameplay is fought through, a strong storyline filled with beautiful artwork and a masterful orchestrated score will be found. It’s a back and forth battle, as it’s an enjoyable experience, but one that falls short of the adventure game and technological standards many have come to expect. If there was only a little bit more polish, A New Beginning – Final Cut could have been a unforgettable adventure.

• PS3
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

All things considered, Black Knight Sword is truly a one-of-a-kind experience thanks to its imaginative art direction, soundtrack, narrative and overall concept. For $9.99, those qualities might be enough to warrant a purchase. Sadly, the game often feels like a case of style over substance, which is something Suda 51 has struggled with all along. The lack of actual gameplay innovation means all the other interesting, superficial aspects are negligible. The merciless difficulty might pull in some gamers who dig that tough-as-nails design approach, but those who like to just enjoy their experience without being punished at every turn may want to get their fill elsewhere. “Obscure” is one of the most fitting words to sum up Grasshopper Manufacture and Digital Reality’s tag team effort. “Unique” is another one to use. Unfortunately, “flawed” also comes to mind. As it stands, Black Knight Sword is just an average sidescroller with an attractive window dressing.

• WIIU
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper is a surprisingly thick game filled with tons of content, but it means grinding through a tedious battle system that takes a little while to get used to on the GamePad. Even with a shoddy frame rate, wearing down the Y button, and not so hot visuals, it’s offset by the hundred+ characters to recruit, a lengthy single player campaign and an entertaining cooperative mode. It may be a flawed experience, but it’s certainly an addictive one.

• WIIU
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• WIIU
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

While it's an excellent game, it's hard to recommend Mass Effect 3 for the Wii U unless you missed out on the series before and only have the Wii U to play it on. Even with this 'special edition' including the From Ashes and Extended Cut DLC to extend the campaign, knowing that not all of it will be coming to this version hurts its overall value. It's hampered more by the upcoming ME Trilogy release coming to both the 360 and PS3 that will allow you to get all three core games (sans DLC) for the same price as this. Given that both the PS3 and 360 versions of ME 3 go for $25 tops now, it's impossible to recommend if you own either of those systems.

• WIIU
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

This is arguably the definitive version of Trine 2, offering more content and the ability to draw and aim with a touchscreen. While some of those controls can be a bit finicky when in the heat of battle, it does offer a fun and interactive way to play this brilliantly crafted game. Trine 2: Director’s Cut does the Wii U’s eShop a favor in creating a platformer that’s both luscious and well designed and could easily go as a standalone product in some capacity. Even if you own the original, this is definitely worth checking out to see the enhancements.

• WIIU
• 5 / 5
• États-Unis

Assassin’s Creed III is a beautiful, sprawling adventure that proves to be one of the most, if not the most, ambitious titles ever created. Just when you think you have it figured out, an entirely new element is introduced that enriches it further, rendering it one of the least repetitive experiences to be had with a controller. The Wii U version of the title is practically the same as the other console versions, but unlike Wii U ports that originally came out months ago, it's possible that prospective buyers have still not purchased it. If that's the case, the Wii U version is as fine option as any, but those who have the game have absolutely no reason to buy it again. Still, forgetting its a port, Assassin's Creed III is the best game in the Wii U launch line-up and should be a must-buy for those yet to experience its incredible adventure.

• WIIU
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

ZombiU is a frustrating game -- both in execution and the gameplay itself. Perhaps the most intense survival horror game ever to grace a Nintendo console, there are elements of fear, isolation and mystery that have never been as executed as well as seen here. Unfortunately, design flaws and unforgiving difficulty lead to frequent moments of annoyance that detract from the unnerving atmosphere. If just a few nagging flaws would have been corrected, ZombiU could have been a revelation for the floundering genre. Still, with top-notch graphics, a huge world and great exploration elements in play, it remains a must-buy for the console for those with the patience to see it through.