Review by Harvard L. Building upon the ideas of Cotton 100% (which we reviewed here), Panorama Cotton takes the series out of 2D and into pseudo-3D, using the Super Scaler technology of the Sega Mega Drive. The gameplay as a result becomes similar to titles like Star Fox or Space…
Read MoreReview by Harvard L. The Cotton games were novelties even on their original release in the 90’s, and now with their re-release on the Nintendo Switch, a new generation of players can experience these rarities for themselves. The series, created by little-known Japanese team named Success, rarely left its home…
Read MoreReview by Matt S. Blue Reflection was such an unfortunately misunderstood game that I never thought we’d get a sequel. It told a heartfelt and wonderfully romantic story of coming of age and companionship between girls. Of acceptance and solidarity. Of dreams lost and social responsibility. Backed with character design…
Read MoreReview by Matt S. In some ways, the success of NieR: Automata has cursed Yoko Taro. Following the profound success of that game, people now expect him to be subversive and deep, sharply funny and wildly creative with everything that he touches. Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is not…
Read MoreThe concept of a puzzle game built around moving into a new house and unpacking boxes is a neat one. The process of finding just the right spot for every little object, piece of clothing, book, and so on is oddly soothing—especially in the context of a game, where you…
Read MoreReview by Matt S. I just want to start this review to just clarify something for future PR people, writing the descriptions of the games that they’re working on: “misery” and “mature” are two very different things. Disciples: Liberation claims that it’s a “dark, mature RPG”, but, no. It’s certainly…
Read More“Frivolity” and “humour” are not usually things that you associate with Otomate’s otome visual novels. Whether it’s classics like Hakuouki and Amnesia, or more modern games like Piofiore: Fated Memories and Olympia Soiree, with Otomate, you expect some pretty powerful romances with some very dark edges (especially if you wind…
Read MoreReview by Matt S. Mario Party Superstars is exactly what I want my Mario Party experience to be. It offers simple, well-designed game boards, dozens of fun mini-games, and all that Nintendo sheen that we love. Could this have been something more than it is? Yes. It really should have…
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Project Zero is the most Japanese of horror properties. Capcom’s Resident Evil series is developed by Japanese artists and is great fun but closely intertwined with western B-grade horror traditions. Konami’s Silent Hill is (for the most part) intelligent and artful, but it was heavily inspired by western psychological horror…
Read MoreReview by Matt S. Dungeon Encounters is quirky and different enough that it’s easy to overlook or put to the side. Square Enix almost forgot it was even making it, announcing it at TGS about a month from release. I joke (I’m sure the timing of the announcement was deliberate),…
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