Review Round-up: Week ending 12/14
On the second week of December Destructoid’s reviews brought me, one sweet RPG called Ys.
Okay, that’s about as far as I’m going with turning this weeks review round-up into some sort of Christmas jingle. But feel free to keep the lyrics going in the comments below.
As for the rest of the reviews… well you can tell it’s the second week of the last month of the year. The releases are slowing up, to keep the holiday blockbusters at the top of everyone’s Christmas lists, but there’s till some fun to be had — especially on the PC side of things.
Oh and Peggle 2 is here! Who doesn’t love pachinko on Ecstasy?
Assassin’s Creed: Pirates(Android, iPad, iPhone [reviewed on an iPhone 5])Developer: Ubisoft ParisPublisher: UbisoftRelease Date: December 5, 2013MSRP: $4.99
Assassin’s Creed: Piratesis a very silly game, but it’s a great distraction if you’re left wanting more afterBlack Flag. With a host of content, tons of customization and fast-paced combat, there’s hardly a dull moment inPirates. The fact that there’s no money-grubbing microtransactions to ruin the experience is the cherry on top.
Read the fullAssassin’s Creed: Pirates review
Peggle 2(Xbox One [reviewed], other platforms TBA)Developer: PopCap GamesPublisher: Electronic ArtsRelease Date: December 9, 2013MSRP: $11.99
Peggle 2is ultimately the same basic concept as the original set of games, but it’s still most definitely worth playing if you’re a series fan. PopCap could have done so much more than they did, especially when you consider the generational leap, but the good news isPegglefans will eat this up and fall in love all over again.
Read the fullPeggle 2review
Doki-Doki Universe(PS3, PS4 [reviewed], PS Vita)Developer: HumaNature StudiosPublisher: Sony Computer Entertainment AmericaRelease Date: December 10, 2013MSRP: $14.99 (Cross-Buy across all platforms)
Doki-Doki Universeis a very odd, very cute, and very simple game. There isn’t a whole lot to it, so don’t go in expecting a deep and rewarding adventure title. So long as you don’t mind spending an afternoon helping a tiny snowman bond with his father,Doki-Dokiwill be more than adequate.
Read the fullDoki-Doki Universereview
Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians(Mac, PC [reviewed])Developer: ThreaksPublisher: Reverb PublishingReleased: August 6, 2013MSRP: $14.99Rig: AMD Phenom II X2 555 @ 3.2 GHz, with 4GB of RAM, ATI Radeon HD 5700,Windows 7 64-bit
Despite the praise forBeatBuddy‘s incredible art and sound direction, the title as a whole does not stand out as a must-play experience otherwise. The foundation for a great game is built here, but the gameplay ranges from passable to dull. Though it is never an overtly bad experience, the gameplay lacks any truly enthralling aspect to propel the player through. With a forgettable narrative, the only thing that really shines here is howBeatBuddytakes a song and really plays with it, both musically and physically within the environments. For some, that may be enough.
Read the fullBeatbuddy: Tale of the Guardiansreview
Samurai Gunn(Mac, PC [reviewed], PS4, Vita)Developer: TeknopantsPublisher: MaxistentialismReleased: December 10, 2013 (PC) / TBA 2014 (Mac, PS4, Vita)MSRP: $14.99 ($11.99 untilDecember 17th)
Samurai Gunnwill no doubt have a more limited audience due to a lack of modes, but for those of you who appreciate a deep fighting game, you’ll get hours of competitive entertainment out of it. Every time I play it I feel like I’ve mastered a new piece of the physics engine, or a new nuance to wall-jumping. It’s one of those games that keeps on giving years later due to a solid foundation, so long as you have the company to enjoy it with.
Read the fullSamurai Gunnreview
Ys: Memories of Celceta(Vita)Developer: FalcomPublisher: XseedRelease Date: November 26, 2013MSRP: $39.99 ($59.99 Silver Anniversary Edition)
Falcom’s decision to take ownership of this entry, to create a more cohesive narrative amongst the series, has once again delivered one of the finest experiences for both the series and the platform it’s landed on.Ys: Memories of Celcetais not a system seller, but it’s a game worthy of buying if you own a Vita and easily one of the best RPGs of the year.
Read the fullYs: Memories of Celcetareview
X Rebirth(PC)Developer: EgosoftPublisher: EgosoftReleased: November 15, 2013MSRP: $49.99
X Rebirthmight be worth grabbing in a Steam sale in a couple of years, after 100 patches and with a dozens of mods that create an entirely different game. That game could be fun if you are into modding. As it is right now at launch,X Rebirthis simply a broken, flawed, and almost unplayable mess. It’s a shell that has potential, but it’s not a working game on its own. Stay far away from it for now, and maybe in a few years it could be worth the time of dedicated fans.
Read the fullX Rebirthreview
- Razer Kraken Forged Edition headphones
- Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro headphones
- SteelSeries H Wireless Headset
- Roxio Game Capture HD Pro