Attack of the Fanboy

Crash Bandicoot : N. Sane Trilogy

Attack of the Fanboy

SWITCH
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Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy was one of the best remakes available on the PS4 and it earns that honor once again on Nintendo Switch. The visuals don’t fully match up, but they are much closer than would be expected out of Nintendo’s little console/handheld hybrid. And it’s in that dual state that the game shines the brightest, allowing for portable play that works so well with Crash’s gameplay structure.

Crash Bandicoot : N. Sane Trilogy

Attack of the Fanboy

PS4
États-Unis

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a textbook example of an amazing remake. Taking three all time classics and mashing them together into a single package is great, upgrading the visuals is fantastic, and adding in a few subtle touches without impacting the game itself is the cherry on top. Players still need to keep in mind that these are PS1 platformers, with all of the gameplay limitations and design choices that that entails. Once you get past those rougher edges though this becomes an excellent tribute to one of gaming’s most iconic characters.

Unravel Two

Attack of the Fanboy

PS4
États-Unis

Unravel isn’t a game that necessarily needed a second game in the franchise to solidify its legacy. The new ideas found in Unravel Two could have very well been a brand new franchise in itself as the inclusion of cooperative gameplay and challenge levels seems to have led to a lack of charm in this follow-up.

Dark Souls Remastered

Attack of the Fanboy

PS4
États-Unis

So if you’ve been there and done that do you need to go back and play Dark Souls again in Dark Souls Remastered? It’s a game that definitely laid the roadmap for the Souls games to come. The level designs, boss designs, art style, and gameplay certainly hold up. It’s the Dark Souls of Dark Souls games, and the issues that plagued the console versions that released in 2011 have been remedied… what else needs to be said here.

Dragon's Crown Pro

Attack of the Fanboy

PS4
États-Unis

When you deftly combine gorgeous aesthetics, solid RPG mechanics and old-school beat-’em-up action into a single game, it’s hard to go wrong — and it didn’t. Dragon’s Crown was already a stellar game back in 2013 and its remaster is an equally stellar game in 2018. Sure, it would have been great if Vanillaware added extra content to further differentiate it from the original, but when a game plays — and looks — as good as this, it’s hard to hold such complaints against it. Though with that in mind, you really have to consider whether a purchase is worth it here. For those who own the original, Dragon’s Crown Pro offers little more than the convenience of playing on modern consoles. For everyone else though? Go for it.

Little Witch Academia : Chamber of Time

Attack of the Fanboy

PS4
États-Unis

With how popular anime has become in recent years, it’s all too common for developers to push out some cheap game relying on the source material’s popularity for quick money. This was the fear I had with Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time and I was wrong. There are some flaws, but the most important aspect — the franchise’s ethos — is fully intact and on full display, permeating every inch of this game. That said, this is still a game utilizing the “Little Witch Academia” IP, so while fans will be left spellbound, those unreceptive to the format will likely pass this up. To them, all I can say is that this is still a good beat ‘em up. If you’ve been looking forward to a new age beat ‘em up and refuse to pick up Dragon’s Crown Pro, then why not try out this pretty little number? You might just become a fan yourself.

Celeste

Attack of the Fanboy

SWITCH
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Celeste blends old gameplay ideas with progressive story telling and the results are nothing short of amazing.

Atelier Lydie & Suelle : Alchemists of the Mysterious Painting

Attack of the Fanboy

PS4
États-Unis

As someone who left the series several years ago, I didn’t expect to enjoy my time with Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings, but I gave it a shot and had a ball. This game exceeded my expectations and I rediscovered why I fell in love with this series in the first place: the story was enjoyable, the characters were entertaining and the gameplay was solid. Yes, the lack of characters and inconsistent translation were frustrating, but I finally understand why people who played an imported copy were hyping it up: this game is good, great even. I’m very happy I gave this game a shot and if you’re a fan of niche JRPGs (or the Atelier series), you should too.

Far Cry 5

Attack of the Fanboy

XONE
États-Unis

We didn’t get it with the last two numbered entries in the series, but Far Cry 5 feels like the generation leap that fans have been waiting for. Innovations in gameplay and a provocative story will keep you engaged for the entirety of this lengthy campaign. The ability to do and see it all with a friend makes it even better, and for those that really dig in there’s a ton of online content to consume or create. Far Cry 5 certainly feels like the biggest game in terms of content and it just might be the best Far Cry game to date.

A Way Out

Attack of the Fanboy

XONE
États-Unis

A Way Out takes some of the very best ideas from action adventure gaming and mixes them with the story telling of a great film. It’s near perfect in pace and progression, while offering the player plenty of variety across the course of this five hour experience.

Sea of Thieves

Attack of the Fanboy

XONE
États-Unis

Jack of many trades, master of none. Sea of Thieves has a beautiful, wide ocean to explore. It’s too bad that it feels about as deep as a puddle.

Life is Strange : Before the Storm

Attack of the Fanboy

PS4
États-Unis

Life is Strange: Before the Storm isn’t without its faults. As I explain in my individual episode reviews, the lack of choice can sometimes be frustrating and occasionally the dialogue comes off as contrived. You might have to surrender to the game’s set narrative more than you’d like and you might have to play the first game to fully appreciate this one. But if you can get past some of this, you might find that what Before the Storm offers the Life is Strange series is pretty great. The exploration into Chloe’s character is excellent and even if you can’t relate to her or find her behavior annoying, she proves to be very interesting and Deck Nine does a great job bringing this character into the spotlight. The bonus episode neatly wraps up the Max and Chloe saga of Life is Strange while providing even more insight into both characters. Is this game as good as the original Life is Strange? Personally, I don’t think so. But it’s still great nonetheless and definitely shouldn’t be missed by fans of the first game.