March2019
Review Dead or Alive Xtreme 3: Scarlet - A Sun-Soaked Romp That Loses Its Appeal Too Soon
Leer, there and everywhere
Welcome, one and all, to this beautiful tropical retreat – a place where weary people come to unwind with a host of activities including ball sports, endurance races, knocking opponents off platforms or simply relaxing on the beach. Oh yes, you can do all this and more on wonderful Wuhu Island... Hang on, that’s not...
January2019
A Musou buffet
Thanks to its continued success, Switch now plays host to even the most niche of genres. In fact, less than two years into its lifecycle, the debut of the Dynasty Warriors franchise on the platform isn’t even the first ‘Musou’ game to appear in hybrid form; everything from The Legend of Zelda to One Piece has been given the...
October2018
Review Warriors Orochi 4 - A Boisterous But Samey Sequel That Won't Win Over Naysayers
They did the Musou Mash
Developer Omega Force’s hack and slash Warriors games have become a genre in themselves with a fiercely dedicated following and more spin-offs than you’ve had hot dinners. Versions with famous properties – including One Piece, Gundam and Dragon Quest, to name a few – have helped widen the audience but Nintendo gamers...
May2018
Review Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (Switch)
Third time's the charm
When Nintendo first unveiled Hyrule Warriors, people didn’t exactly know what to expect. The company had seldom handed over the keys to one of its cornerstone franchises before, and the proposed concept was odd, to say the least. The final product was an enjoyable (if flawed) experience, and over the years since release,...
April2018
Review Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists And The Mysterious Paintings (Switch)
Wrapping up the trilogy
Note. In April 2021, Koei Tecmo released Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings DX and subsequently delisted the original version of the game on the Switch eShop that this review refers to. While the bulk of the information will still be relevant, it's worth keeping in mind that the review...
March2018
Review Attack On Titan 2 (Switch)
Slaying on the shoulders of giants
If the recent barrage of Dragon Ball games has taught us anything, it’s that games based on popular anime/manga are at their very best when they embrace their source material with the passion of an obsessive cosplayer. Fans aren’t just clamouring for stories set in those familiar worlds; they want the stories...
November2017
Review Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon (Switch)
Girls Just Wanna Draw Blood
Some developers become so associated with a particular property that their name is almost synonymous with the series; such is certainly the case for Gust, whose annual alchemy-based Atelier titles have been delighting PlayStation gamers with intricate crafting and sunny slice-of-life storytelling since the PS One days. In...
October2017
Review Fire Emblem Warriors (New 3DS)
Nobody gets left behind
Fire Emblem Warriors has already impressed us with its mix of real-time combat and tactical planning on Switch, and given the current popularity of that console it's easy to forget that the game has also come to the New Nintendo 3DS. While you'd be forgiven for overlooking this entry altogether, it's important to...
September2015
Review Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf (Wii U eShop / SNES)
Who knew that Genghis Khan was so cool, calculating, and complex?
Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf was originally developed by Koei and released for the PC-8801, PC9801, and the MSX in 1992. The following year, Genghis Khan II saw releases for MS-DOS, Sega Genesis, Sega CD, PC Engine CD, NES, and SNES. Five more years later, and the game would...
July2015
Review Samurai Warriors Chronicles 3 (3DS)
Live by the sword, grind by the sword
Koei's hack and slash franchise returns to Nintendo platforms with Samurai Warriors Chronicles 3 – a title that provides a more personal touch when it comes to retelling the events of Japanese history. This is a game that's largely about your own custom made character, as you follow a mostly historically...
June2009
Review Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf (SNES)
Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!
Koei's 'Universal Ruler' simulator lets you live the life of the Mongol legend himself. You'll go where he goes, defile what he defiles and eat who he eats. But before you misjudge this game as an indecipherable Japanese take on medieval Mongolian life, understand that Genghis Khan II is actually a conquer the world style game...