Tasomachi: Behind the Twilight
Tasomachi: Behind the Twilight was a game that I personally had high hopes for, based on its visual style and perceived gameplay. Unfortunately, the game was ultimately a disappointment. As mentioned, the game’s vibrant visuals did stand out, though different areas looking very similar was a bummer. Where the game disappointed though was the general gameplay loop, and “Tasomachi is a simplistic collect-a-thon without a clear motivator to drive the player forward.”
Marvel’s Avengers
Although first released last year, Marvel’s Avengers was also released this year on the latest Xbox and PlayStation consoles. While I enjoyed my time with the original game last year, my biggest gripe with it was the long load times associated with the game. Despite much-improved load times and performance, Marvel’s Avengers still disappointed for the same reasons, primarily a lack of content that was not repetitive. Our review praised the performance of the game, but noted that “none of that can overcome the uninspired level design and lack of enemy variety.”
Tennis World Tour 2
Sports titles are always a bit of a hit-or-miss, and unfortunately, Tennis World Tour 2 was more of an unforced error. Simply put, the game looks good, but poor AI, controls, and gameplay mechanics hold the game back. It is definitely interesting given that tennis games and mechanics should remain unchanged. In our review, we conclude that “Tennis World Tour 2 Complete Edition will make even the most die-hard tennis fanatic want to smash their racquet and head to the dressing room.”
Balan Wonderworld
Balan Wonderworld is a curious case, to say the least. The game is directed by Yuji Naka of Sonic and Nights into Dreams fame and looked to be a throwback to platforming games of old. Upon first look, Balan Wonderland is easily reminiscent of the aforementioned titles, though the dated formula ultimately crept up, especially with a lack of challenge and poor movement. In our review, we conclude that “although the game has a lot of charm, it does little to stand out amongst the crowd and due to this, it can be rightfully overlooked.”