#review
#review
by Amr (@siegarettes)
“A game ultimately based on capitalism”. That’s the way SEGA producer Yosuke Okunari described Fantasy Zone, in an interview on its 3DS remaster. Given its roots as an arcade game, that’s not too far from the truth. Amidst its cute aesthetics is a game not scared to play rough, to rob you of both your quarters and the in game currency you use to keep yourself capable of fighting back. The SEGA AGES release gives you ways to adjust how rough you want to play, but it’s still that same arcade game, and it’s gonna make you work. Instead it finds an interesting new way to rebalance the game: creating generational wealth.
By: RJ (@rga_02)
2019 was a good year for rhythm games. Sound Voltex saw its fifth iteration released, Groove Coaster made its way to the Nintendo Switch and lastly, DJMAX made a return to the PC.
I could make a pun about how Neowiz deserves some respect for porting over DJMAX Respect over to the PC, but that would just be lame. The word respect can’t be thrown around in a meaningless fashion. To achieve that title, you need to earn it as they would say.
But enough from taking quotes from a fortune cookie, how does DJMAX Respect V fare?
by Amr (@siegarettes)
Returning to the series PC roots, DJMAX Respect brings over the latest entry in the stylish rhythm game series, with some new features and major omissions. When the original PS4 version of Respect dropped three years ago, both RJ and I adored it, and I personally found it to be the best introduction into the bullet hell-esque sensory overload of the series. Respect V is generally that same game, but the changes here leave it feeling barebones compared to its console counterpart.
by Amr (@siegarettes)
Sydney Hunter wastes no time diving into every adventurer trope, then immediately lampshading them. The titular Indiana Jones imitator drops right into an ancient temple, meets the native people, and sets out to prevent an ancient curse from stopping the progress of time itself. Sydney doesn’t understand the local language, so the first stop is to pick up an ancient artifact to let you understand them. Sort of. Turns out they understand you, and the whole ancient artifact thing is just a bit of fun they were having with you. They even point out that “Mayan” is incorrect, as the people themselves are called the Maya.
By: RJ (@rga_02)
• Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls
• Developer - Compile Hears
• Publisher - Idea Factory
• PC/Steam
We’ve already reviewed this game - not once, but twice. But as the resident Neptunia expert ™ here on clickbliss, I feel that I should give my two cents.
by Amr (@siegarettes)
Born of the Wii party game boom, the Mario & Sonic games have often been relegated to side attractions. Outside of the novelty of putting Mario and Sonic head to head for a foot race, they never inspired a larger response. Mario & Sonic 2020 aims to change that, introducing a new story mode that sees the cast competing in the ‘64 Olympics to escape a world that’s trapped them in their retro forms. Alongside some engaging events, this goes a long way to making Mario & Sonic 2020 more of a complete package, one that lasts beyond the initial novelty, even if its uneven in where it puts its attention.
by Amr (@siegerettes)
Debuting at the Sonic Amateur Games Expo, Polyroll isn’t shy about its inspirations. Its mix of blue skies, urban vibes and geometric landscapes pay homage to SEGA aesthetics, and the spin dash takes a prominent role. Unlike other momentum platformers, however, Polyroll focuses on exploring the ball mechanics rather than pure speed. It gives the game a more exploratory feeling, one that recalls DOS PC platformers like Jazz Jackrabbit or Charlie the Duck, and bring back memories of early Sonic fangames built through Klik n Play and The Games Factory.
by Amr (@siegarettes)
Seeking to bring new life to a lesser regarded entry in the series, Banana Blitz HD removes the motion controls, brings the game to HD, and tags on a sharp new interface. These additions do a lot to make the original game more playable, but also makes clear the glaring compromises in the original design, while sanding off some of the unique appeal of the original.
