At their core, video games are an expression of humanity. They are an expression of fun. And for the health of the industry, I think we need to return to projects that unrelentingly cognizant of that.
All tagged Xbox
Sonic X Shadow Generations Review: A Solid Celebration of the Old and Promise of the New
Sonic X Shadow Generations is a remarkable blend of past, present, and future. Sonic Generations reminds us of the legacy of this long-running platformer franchise and the many peaks and valleys its run through over that time. Shadow Generations is an indicator of the progress that Sonic Team has made over the last decade and is a great representation of what polished Sonic gameplay can and should be moving forward.
Size over Substance: How Larger Levels Make Banjo-Tooie an Inferior Sequel
Banjo-Tooie is a cautionary tale about what happens when you try so hard to create something revolutionary and new that you partially forget what made the original experience so magical for a lot of people.
Yakuza 4 Review: An Insightful Examination of Loyalty in a Leap Forward for the Series
Yakuza 4 is a textbook example of what a sequel should be - it takes the foundation of what the previous game established and builds upon and improves what was there. Yakuza 4 simply feels a lot more fun to play and tells a story that, through its more stylized structure, is one that feels more dramatic, emotional, and impactful. While it still doesn’t quite reach the heights of later entries, Yakuza 4 is clearly a stepping stone that transitions the series from an awkward, transitionary phase to a greater, more polished experience.
5 Easily Accessible, Beginner Friendly, and Must-Play JRPGs for Genre Newcomers
The JRPG genre is not as hard to get into as some may think. The games discussed here are proof that the genre is capable of being welcoming to newcomers. Regardless of which JRPG you start with, know that the genre is beloved for a reason. They transport players to other worlds to explore, offer various characters to talk to, and deliver gameplay experiences that can be strategic, stylish, and satisfying.
Yakuza 3 Review: A Powerful (if Unrefined) Tale of Kindness and Empathy
There’s very much a strong core to Yakuza 3. There’s nothing explicitly bad or unenjoyable at the game - it just feels like a victim of a series that naturally improved its execution of its ideas over time. Later games refining what Yakuza 3 brings to the table isn’t the fault of Yakuza 3, but it does highlight how unpolished and unrefined Yakuza 3 is as a result.