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My Thoughts After 20 Hours With Monster Hunter Stories 3
The same things that will inevitably make this game more tedious for some players will also scratch a hyper-specific itch for others.
― Monster Hunter is one of those game franchises like Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons, where it's not totally uncommon to find people who get super into it, have encyclopedic knowledge of it, and have save files easily exceeding 300 hours. I… am not one of those people. ...
Pokémon Pokopia Might Be A Lot Darker Then We Think
I wasn’t expecting a game that looked like this to have potentially darker implications!
― The Pokémon franchise has always toyed with the idea of utilizing Pokémon in creative ways outside of battling. In the anime, Pokémon are sometimes used to help out with infrastructure or power cities. In the video games, Pokémon abilities can be used to alter terrain in order to access new areas or solve puzzl...
Romeo is a Dead Man Video Game Review
A zany story and over-the-top characters, along with an avant-garde and polychromatic presentation, clash with somewhat simplistic combat mechanics and camera issues.
― Suda51 is a Japanese game developer who needs no introduction. Known for games like Lollipop Chainsaw, No More Heroes, and Shadows of the Damned, his studio Grasshopper Manufacturer continues to take the enigmatic approach in storytel...
This Week in Mobile Games - CTW CEO Ryuichi Sasaki Talks the Advantages of Browsers in the Anime Game Wars
How does CTW adapt anime into games? What's the curse that hit the Steam release of Granblue Fantasy? Josh has the answers!
― Hello, and welcome once more to another installment of This Week in Mobile Games, your actually-biweekly look at the latest in gaming on phones, tablets, and other mobile devices. In our first installment, I noted that while the line between mobile games and "regular" games on...
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Game Review
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties ends up improving on the original experience enough to make it well worth the time of anyone that wants to check out this early chapter of Kazuma Kiryu's sprawling life story.
― Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties presents the Like a Dragon franchise at an interesting crossroads. Now that the series has achieved a degree of mainstream recognition and success that its original fans...
This Week in Games - Living the Tomodachi Life
Jean-Karlo looks at Tomodachi Life's new lease on...well, life. Plus, those "quality of life" changes to DQVII Reimagined.
― Welcome back, folks! Major news: I finally did it. Seven years. Two consoles. Three games and expansions. Over 443 hours. Four Welsh catgirls. I have finally finished the mainline Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy. Sure, I still have Xenoblade Chronicles X waiting in the wings, but ...
Nioh 3 Video Game Review
For a lot of folks, Nioh 3 might sound like some form of divine punishment. For sickos who crave a truly hardcore descent into bloody hell, though, Nioh 3 is just plain divine.
―
I am a hardcore fan of the Dark Souls games and their legion of siblings, cousins, and imitators, but even I have to regard the Nioh franchise with a certain amount of dark reverence. The Dark Souls games have become legend...
Can Nintendo's Biggest Flop Find New Life on the Switch 2?
ANN writer Bolts tests out the Virtual Boy to see if the oft-maligned console finally works in 2026. Plus, first impressions of Meetup in Bellabel Park, Mario Tennis Fever, Resident Evil Requiem, and PRAGMATA.
― Nintendo has many fun games, products, and expansions planned for the coming months. With Mario Tennis Fever, Resident Evil Requiem, Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Mee...
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Game Review
A worthy remake of a fan-favorite Dragon Quest that newcomers will love—but oldtimers might want to take advantage of the higher difficulty mode...
― You'd be forgiven for having some number of misgivings about Dragon Quest VII Reimagined; the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy isn't everyone's cup of tea, and while the previous Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past remake on the 3DS is app...
This Week in Games - Birdo's Back, Tennis Rackets—and Comcept is Dead
It's surprises all around this week with an unexpected character for the second Super Mario Bros. movie and a new otome game license.
― Welcome back, folks! You might have noticed a recent addition to our team, as well as a new addition to our column line-up! I'm happy to have Josh Tolentino joining us and covering This Week in Mobile Games. I respect and even like several mobile games (I've discusse...
One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 Next Gen Update Review
The game moves at lightning speed, and this next-generation update helps oil up the gears to keep them chugging along with the action.
― The Next Gen update for One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 adds yet more reasons to play one of - if not the - best One Piece games on the market. If you are unfamiliar with the base game, let me bring you up to speed. One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 is another in the long-run...
Code Vein II Game Review
If the original Code Vein is “Anime Dark Souls,” Code Vein II is “Anime Elden Ring.”
― 2019's Code Vein is very much a game built on the Dark Souls foundation. It plays similarly in most ways, but two things set it apart from that series: its anime-inspired art style and its focus on plot and characters (more than on environmental storytelling and collecting brief snippets of lore from item descripti...
This Week in Mobile Games - The Beginning of the Endfield
In the inagural entry to This Week in Mobile Games, Josh Tolentino takes a look at recently released gatcha powerhouse Arknights: Endfield.
― Hello, and welcome to the first installment of This Week in Mobile Games, Anime News Network's latest column! I'm Josh, and every couple of weeks, I'll be shining a light on the latest in mobile games. You might be wondering, "Who's this clown?" Indeed, while ...
This Week in Games - SNK Sinks, Resident Evil Bling, and How Lara Croft Came to Japan
Somehow, City of the Wolves has done well enough to get a second wave of DLC. And the trailer is another curling of the monkey's paw.
― Welcome back, folks! In an effort to find joy wherever I can, I had a bright spot this week with the arrival of the Izuna soundtrack collection I had ordered from Very Okay Vinyl. Now, I don't own a record player (or even a CD player), but seeing these sets brought m...
This Week in Games - Ike's Back, Bricks Need a Budget, and Marissa Stole the Precious Nuggets
LEGO's Pokémon sets are super-effective against your wallet! Jean-Karlo discusses the bank-breaking sets and one of the most complex video game deep cuts to sell McNuggets.
― Welcome back, folks! Nintendo offered a "Year in Review" feature this week that covered my entire history with the Switch family of consoles. With all the games I've bought, there were surprisingly few games on that list—mostly ...
This Week in Games - Live In Y○ur W×rld, △I Plays □urs
Jean-Karlo remembers David Rosen and looks forward to some new visual novels.
― Welcome back, folks! You'll notice I had a review for The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizons go live yesterday. I've long bemoaned my lack of exposure to Falcom's games, outside of playing a lot of Dragon Slayer on GameBoy in middle school; I've been thoroughly convinced. Just a shame about Falcom's dalliances w...
Elden Ring Nightreign The Forsaken Hollows Game Review
Despite its clear ups and downs, Elden Ring Nightreign The Forsaken Hollows is well worth the asking price of $15.
― Since its release, Elden Ring Nightreign has had more than a few major updates. From harder versions of each boss (which basically add an entire new phase to each fight) to a new way of playing that not only increases the difficulty the more you win but also doubles the amount of chara...
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon Game Review
The beginning of the end of the Trails saga sets off for the only worthy setting: space!
― Falcom's Trails series represents a truly massive epic in the making: twelve RPGs produced over the course of 20 years that tell the ongoing story of personal, political, and industrial change in a fictional world. After 20 years, the series is making the jump to its final frontier: space. Being a Trails neophy...
Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights Visual Novel Review
Temirana is a light, sweet game that’s easy to pick up, put down, and play when you have the time and it’s long enough to feel worthwhile while also being short enough to feel like you can play to completion.
― How much time do you have to sink into an otome game? If the answer is “not tons,” consider picking up Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights. It's not a short game by any means, ...
This Week in Games - Start Your Year on the Right Foot with... Rance?
What is coming to Steam?
― Welcome back, folks! And welcome to 2026! It's still 2025 while I'm writing this (the topic of temporal displacement relative to readers is not something I'm ready to discuss—this column will forever be in 2025, no matter when you read it). While the holidays may officially be over for most, we Puerto Ricans have one more to look forward to: Three King's Day, this upcoming ...
Utawarerumono: ZAN Game Review
Utawarerumono Zan trades out the series trademark strategy with visceral action—does it stick the landing, though?
― While the Utawarerumono series is best known for its strategic leanings, Utawarerumono Zan took the series into a more action-oriented angle when it released in 2018. After six years, Shiravune has brought it back to PC in America. While it has a few flaws in its formula, it's a nevert...
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Game Review
By and large, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a shining example of everything I love about these games, and it makes for an immersive and satisfying experience that is perfectly at home on the Switch 2.
― To say that the wait for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has been a long time coming would be a massive understatement. It has been nearly two decades since Samus last graced a Nintendo console, and needless to ...
This Week in Games - At Least Mega Man Came Back
Lots of new entries into old franchises are in the news this week, but do we really need all of them?
― Welcome back, folks! The year is winding down, but our work with games doesn't! I've been fortunate to have a bit of spending money this month, which means I can add a ton of titles to my collection that I've kept an eye on. Unfortunately, this means that I have an even bigger backlog. Man, remembe...
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Game Review
While you will still be slaying hundreds of enemies and using massive attacks to slay enemy leaders, you do have to pause and take your time to avoid being caught flat-footed.
― Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is another strong Warriors title that provides plenty of enjoyment for Zelda fans and musou die-hards alike. As I like to do in my reviews, allow me to lay out my background before I get i...
Kirby Air Riders Game Review
Kirby at his zooming-est.
― Mario Kart World—as in, not the millionth expansion for Mario Kart 8, but an actual, brand new Mario Kart game—and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds were already enough to cement 2025's status as a fantastic year for racing games. To get Kirby Air Riders (KAR)—the long-awaited sequel to the widely beloved Kirby Air Ride on GameCube—during the same year is just icing on the cartoon...
Romancing Saga: Minstrel Song Remastered International Game Review
If Romancing Saga: Minstrel Song gets its hooks into you, you'll likely find that there are few other titles out there that scratch the RPG itch in quite the same way.
― There are three facts that you probably need to know before reading much further into this review of Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song - Remastered International: 1. Aside from the newly localized scripts, this is the same game that Squa...
This Week in Games - Can't Ask Harada for Nothin'
The famed director of Tekken is hanging up his gauntlets at Bandai Namco after 30 years. Plus, Jean-Karlo looks at Brown Dust 2's untimely cancellation on Steam and more in This Week in Games!
― Welcome back, folks! I was able to greatly enjoy my birthday weekend. I didn't get to beat Future Redeemed like I hoped, but hey, progress was made. I was even able to finish my Tekkaman Blade model kit! I'd ...
Milano's Odd Job Collection Game Review
This is a game that feels like it's doing everything that it wanted to do, but on the surface, it's very nature does make it hard to recommend to people.
― Boy, kids were definitely built differently in Japan during 1999. Back then I was an annoying seven-year-old who could barely tie his shoes. But here? Milano is doing everything from making pastries to milking flying cows at the ripe old age of el...
Persona 3 Reload Game Review
Persona 3 Reload's bones are nearly 20 years old, but it easily competes with or beats many modern titles for sheer depth, beauty, and fun.
― I have agonized over the review of Persona 3 Reload like almost no other video game piece I have written, and as such, this review comes quite a ways after its release on the Switch 2. And why is that, you might ask? It's simple, really - what the heck do you s...
This Week in Games - Interview with Ryūichi Nishizawa, Director of Milano's Odd Job Collection
This week, Nishizawa discusses "'the ultimate pixel-art slow-life game" in our interview! Plus, font licensing prices threaten the video game industry, Nintendo acquires a studio in Singapore, and more.
― Welcome back, folks! Last week saw the publication of a column I've been nursing for a long time about how my accident changed my experience with the Kamen Rider series. I'm quite proud of the recep...
Octopath Traveler 0 Game Review
Octopath Traveler 0 has proven to be one of the best gaming surprises of the year.
― I will admit that I was incredibly wary when I learned that this newest entry of the Octopath Traveler franchise was born from a free-to-play mobile game fueled by micro-transactions and gacha mechanics. I am perfectly aware that plenty of great and ludicrously popular titles have been forged in the merciless fires ...
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Game Review
It’s a very different Pokémon experience, for better or for worse.
― Kalos is, by far, the Pokémon region most deserving of a Legends game. When X/Y came out in 2013, it was the first new generation of Pokémon not to get a third (or in the case of generation 5, third and fourth) game. This would later become the new normal for Pokémon of course, but that didn't even happen immediately following X/Y, ...
This Week in Games - Chuuni Corpses
The Corpse Party Tetralogy is dead in the water, and Yoko Taro's projects keep getting cancelled! Jean-Karlo looks into both plus live-action Zelda, a new Dark Souls book, and more.
― Welcome back, folks! By the time you read this, I'll have watched Mamoru Oshii's Angel's Egg at a local theater. I first heard of the movie 15 years ago (thank you, Grumpy Jii-san, I miss you), and was thoroughly convin...
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Special Game Preview
Overall I am fairly optimistic about this remake. It does seem a bit redundant to remake this game for a second time, but this seems like a great opportunity to update a beloved game in an established franchise for more modern audiences.
― Dragon Quest is one of the most established and recognizable RPG franchises in the world. Not only are there over a dozen games, but a few of those games have eve...
Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack Game Review
Longtime fans can look forward to all of the improvements expanding the little island of Kurken like never before, while newcomers get to experience one of the sweetest coming-of-age stories you'll ever find.
― The Atelier series has long been beloved for its charming characters, down-to-earth tone, and engaging systems. While the other games and casts are beloved in their own right, it was the adve...
Samus' New Psychic Abilities in Metroid Prime 4 Adds Fresh Gameplay
The Morph Ball Bomb is forever changed.
― I already got to try out the first 15 minutes of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond at the Nintendo Holiday Showcase in September and liked what I saw. Now I've had the chance to play an additional hour of the long-awaited first-person adventure game, and the more I get to play of this, the longer the wait feels for its December 4 release on the Switch and Switch 2. Ni...
This Week in Games - Bowser Is Mr...
Jean-Karlo reacts to the new The Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer reveal, Sony's new game line-up, and an unexpected collaboration coming to Monster Hunter.
― Welcome back, folks! So, I actually tried Peak with some online buddies of mine over the weekend. And I didn't really enjoy myself tons. Now, maybe it's because of the massive multiplayer mod my friends used (there are a lot of us, like 20+ at ...
Once Upon a Katamari Game Review
The beloved series’ grand return is a raucous roll-er coaster!
― Roughly twenty-one years ago, I was simultaneously bamboozled and bemused by a strange little game I'd plopped into my PlayStation 2. A fifth grader at the time, I'd been tasked with putting all the stars back in the sky alongside a tiny fellow simply known as the Prince...and we were going to do it with something called a “Katamari.” ...
This Week in Games - Interview with Nobuyuki Okajima, Producer on Full Metal Schoolgirl Action Game
We spoke with the producer about the sci-fi schoolgirl action game, as well as a condensed history of Dragon Quest, and Love and Deepspace its dark-skinned character rendering.
― Welcome back, folks! This past weekend was Kumoricon—and my first time covering it professionally! I have a few interviews from the convention that'll go up shortly; it was a fun experience and a delight to speak to the figu...
This Week in Games - It Was A Very Spoopy PlayStation 2 Anniversary
Freshly back from vacation, Jean-Karlo discusses TwitchCon and reminisces about the PS2 on its 25th anniversary.
― Welcome back, folks! I've returned from my vacation in San Diego; apparently, my coworkers said I even came back with a tan! It was a fun trip, and I figured out how to have fun while I was abroad. I definitely needed the time off, even if I actually missed working on This Week in Games ...
DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake Game Review
DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake strikes the difficult balance of providing a truly astounding amount of new quests and story details without ever betraying the simple and earnest heart that is core to the franchise's identity.
― If you have ever taken the time to play the original Dragon Quest and Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line, you know that these are the bone-simple ancestors of...
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Game Review
If you have been hankering to spend some time cruising the intergalactic highways and byways with Mario and Pals, these two games are essential experiences.
― I missed out on the Super Mario Galaxy duology back when they originally dropped because the Wii was the console that my younger siblings claimed as their own, and if I'm being honest, high-school James considered Nintendo platforms to be littl...
Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian Game Review
I wouldn’t recommend it as your first Atelier game, but franchise fans should have a good time.
― How many Atelier games have you played? I don't ask to establish credibility or as a form of gatekeeping, but rather because the designers of Atelier Resleriana: the Red Alchemist and the White Guardian are counting on you having more than a passing familiarity with previous entries in the franchise. Alt...
Full Metal Schoolgirl Game Review
I can summarize Full Metal Schoolgirls thusly: it feels like a PlayStation 2 game, in the best of ways.
― I can summarize Full Metal Schoolgirls thusly: it feels like a PlayStation 2 game, in the best of ways. It's a simple concept, but one that manages to be plenty of fun, despite its workman-like execution. The concept is also charmingly high-concept: a schoolgirl rebels against an all-powerful cor...
DISGAEA 7 COMPLETE Game Review
What I want is a ridiculously big and endlessly customizable time-sink of a strategy/RPG that lets you fight for hours on end and build an absurdly powerful army. And on that front, Disgaea 7 Complete delivers in spades.
― Oh, hello, Disgaea. It's been a while. So sometime after Disgaea D2, I just… kind of decided I'd had enough of Disgaea for a while. The games didn't get notably bad or anything—I h...
TWIG Goes On Vacation, But The Gaming Industry Doesn't
Jean-Karlo takes next week off, but not before he imparts some Digimon deep cuts from the "Prelude" anime short.
― Welcome back, folks! So, I know what this looks like, and by the time you read this, I will be in San Diego on vacation. But this past Sunday rolled around, and I was preparing myself to write this week's column, only to remember I was supposed to be on vacation. But then I realized, my ...
Silent Hill f Game Review
This game will cling to the darkest corners of my nightmares for a very long time to come.
― I have been a Silent Hill fan all of my life, and I have just recently completed my project of replaying and recording every single game in the franchise (well, except for Silent Hill: Book of Memories, since my PlayStation Vita broke years ago). That said, for as much as I absolutely adore Bloober Team's re...
From Lovecraft to the Fear of the Unknown: Silent Hill f and Fatal Frame: Crimson Butterfly
Why is this niche so beloved, and what else can we expect to see as we return to games that focus on Japanese folklore, culture, and horror?
― Japan-set games are experiencing a much-needed Renaissance, with Silent Hill f's releaase on PC and consoles this month, as well as the announcement of a Fatal Frame: Crimson Butterfly Remake coming in 2026, along with a release for Nioh 3 in February and Ghos...
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Game Review
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is hands-down the best racing game in the entire franchise.
― Sonic's racing game history has been very mixed over the years, and that's being generous. You would think that for a franchise that focuses on a character that's faster than the average mascot platform, we would have better and more beloved racing games throughout the past couple of decades. I have not played ever...
This Week in Games - Stray Kids, Hives, 'Mins, and DLsite Making Money
The creators of moon have a brand-new game in the works, and Nintendo Pictures debuts its first creation. Read more in This Week in Games!
― Welcome back, folks! In my continued efforts to keep this column on the straight and narrow, I avoid talking too much about Carnelian's efforts with the recent Kao no Nai Tsuki Remake visual novel. It's been out for a few weeks now, and as far as I can tell, it'...
Interview: My Hero Academia: All's Justice Producer Aoba Miyazaki on Creating More than a Sequel
"We're not just making [One's Justice 3]; as a team we said, 'We're going to make a new, even more fun game,' so we've drastically redesigned the inside of the game."
― With My Hero Academia heading into its final season and the battle between series protagonist Izuku “Deku” Midoriya and villain Tomura Shigaraki heating up, it's only natural for fans of the series to want to do more than just watch t...
This Week in Games - EA Games Gets Played
This week, Jean-Karlo examines the EA Games purchase, the latest Silent Hill news, and what consumers and companies can do to ensure the games we play are developed fairly.
― Welcome back, folks! I finally got to share my Digimon Story: Time Stranger review this week. It was definitely one of the most fun things I've worked on all year. I hope people enjoy the game for what it is. I sadly missed the ...
Digimon Story: Time Stranger Game Review
What even is a Digimon, anyway? You're sure to learn as you play Time Stranger - and you'll have fun doing it!
― Digimon fans have waited a long time for a video game adaptation that truly succeeds at doing justice to Digimon's expansive world. The Digimon games have always struggled on that front, with even games within the same sub-series having wildly different mechanics and settings. The good new...
Interview: The First Descendant Director on the Issues with the Game And How They're Fixing Them
We sat down with Director Min Seok Joo at Tokyo Game Show 2025 to talk frankly about the issues currently facing the game and their plans to overcome them.
― The First Descendant is a free-to-play, sci-fi looter shooter filled with fast-paced action, attractive characters, and tons of explosions. Now, more than a year since the game's release, I had a chance to sit down with Director Min Seok Joo, ac...
This Week in Games - Sony State of Play 2025
Kojima cannot be stopped! Jean-Karlo looks at the big news out of Tokyo Game Show and Sony's State of Play!
― Welcome back, folks! Man, they certainly kept us busy this week with the Tokyo Game Show. However, I am happy that I didn't have to sit through another two-stream day, where, I dunno, someone had a presentation right after Sony's State of Play. It's been a long week and there's a lot of news,...
Yakuza Kiwami 3 is More Than Just a Remake, And Dark Ties Proves it
One of the common criticisms of the original Yakuza 3 is that Mine didn't get enough screen time. Well, Dark Ties certainly remedies that.
― Sega and Ryu ga Gotoku have made sure that older games in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series are accessible to newer audiences. By remaking the first two games as Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2, as well as remastering the older PS3 titles, almost all of the game...
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Game Review
This game is a true labor of love from Final Fantasy Tactics' original creators, and it delivers a superlative refinement of one of the franchise's best entries.
― Final Fantasy Tactics holds that rare honor of being a relatively niche spinoff to a blockbuster gaming franchise that many fans would argue outdoes some of the series' most beloved main entries. Even 30 years ago, RPG fans knew that there...
Will Nintendo's Holiday Showcase Sell Me on a Switch 2?
Is Kirby Air Riders, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A the push console fence-sitters need to upgrade?
― This is the third year in a row I've been invited to Nintendo's Holiday Showcase event for Anime News Network — but my first year where the games on display are for the Nintendo Switch 2. I have yet to upgrade to Nintendo's latest console, and with the majority of games showcased h...
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster Game Review
The greatest JRPG ever made, now in HD.
― I first realized that Bravely Default was a game that would forever change the JRPG genre during a battle with the Jabberwock, which is a dragon whose name is a direct reference to Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky poem. Though this boss fight was optional, it was part of a side quest to gain entry into the foreboding Vampire Castle, and getting into a place called...
This Week in Games - Nintendo September Direct 2025
You've watched the trailers; now get the full run-down of the latest news from last week's Nintendo Direct. From more Yoshi to the return of the Virtual Boy!
― Welcome back, folks! I hope everyone enjoyed my cameo appearance in This Week in Anime yesterday. I'd have made a cute segue for it in last week's column, but things were arranged a bit too late for that. It's always nice to collaborate with S...
Varlet Game Review
It's above-average dialogue in a below-average, uh, everything else.
― Varlet is a game that is more than the sum of its parts, but it still feels undercooked and overpriced. The core pitch is going to seem familiar if you've played any RPGs of the last few years. It's a school-based RPG with a split between the battle/events and structured downtime. The battles are turn-based, largely traditional co...
This Week in Games - Little Nightmares 3 Preview, and Digimon Stories: Time Stranger Interview
Jean-Karlo sets the record straight on Nintendo's latest patent, plus a preview of two upcoming games from PAX!
― Welcome back, folks! I've been ruminating on my recent review of Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. I mean what I said, but I worry if I might've been too harsh on the game. I feel like having to play a game like Grand Bazaar for review does it a disservice, because the nature of playing a g...
The Villainess is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom Game Review
The Villainess is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom is the sort of game you buy on sale.
― It used to be that anime series would be licensed without a whiff of possibility of our ever getting the source manga or light novels to read, to say nothing of the visual novels. But now we've come to the point where we're likely to get at least one version in English. The Villainess is Adored by th...
Dragon Ball Genkishin Squadra Game Review
I wish the character selection didn't feel so random or that the rewards were actually worth the grind. It makes me wonder exactly how long this game's shelf life is going to be.
― There have been a lot more of these real-time strategy action games popping up in the past couple of years. Honestly, it's a little shocking that it took Dragon Ball this long to jump on the trend. Having a simple team-bas...
PREVIEW: Digimon Story: Time Stranger Bares its Brave Heart
Never mind monster-taming, Digimon Story: Time Stranger is shaping up to be a great RPG, period.
― Bandai Namco has made Digimon Story: Time Stranger impossible to ignore, promoting the game as much as they can. If you haven't seen any of the many videos highlighting specific Digimon and their unique special moves, you've at least seen the news about Digi-riding. We were granted permission by Bandai ...
Shuten Order Game Review
Two-thirds of it range from good to excellent… but in a 60-hour game, that still means around 20 hours of mediocre-to-bad gameplay.
― Update: Following a Nintendo Switch patch released on September 19 to rectify translation issues, reviewer Caitlin Moore would like to update her review of Shuten Order. The rest of the review in its original format begins after the line break. Spike Chunsoft announced...
This Week in Games - Shattered Hands, Ultima in Japan and My Hero Academia: All's Justice
Jean-Karlo tests out the latest MHA game at PAX, shares the tokusatsu history of a retro title, and explains why the American game franchise Ultima is a big deal in Japan.
― Welcome back, folks! I have returned from Seattle, having (distantly) experienced PAX West for the first time! No, I didn't fly out to Seattle for PAX specifically (in fact, I only spent a few hours touring the place); I was in t...
SHUTEN ORDER Creators Open Up About Its Secrets
Writer Kazutaka Kodaka, director Takumi Nakazawa, and artist simadoriru have a new mystery game full of intrigue and psychadelia.
― Spike Chunsoft's SHUTEN ORDER's promises to combine five different gameplay styles with intrigue, mystery, and psychadelia. With the game about to release, Anime News Network was given the opportunity to sit down with three members of its development—director Takumi Naka...
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion Game Review
The sheer variety on display is catnip for people who love tinkering with robots, and you'll have plenty to chew throw once you have your perfect mechanical soldier.
― The original Daemon X Machina was a fun mech battle game, but it unfortunately passed by most audiences without much notice. Developer First Studio took stock of the situation and did everything in their power to ensure that their sequ...
Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact Game Review
If you're getting into Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact, then you have to know you're doing it purely for the love of the game.
― Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact is a frenetic and often fun fighting game experience, but the mix of modern and classical fighting game sensibilities makes it such an acquired taste that it is likely too unique a brew for most people to enjoy. While this review experienced a slight...
This Week in Games - Laboring LaDS
Love and Deepspace is too hot to ignore, former CAPCOM alums are starting a new studio, Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius shutters, and more Romancing SaGa is on the way!
― Welcome back, folks! Our Power Rangers charity stream last weekend was a success! It was such a blast to roleplay with the folks, fun times all around. I also took the opportunity to join some folks for an anime trivia night at a local ...
Producers Talk Shop about Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian Game
Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian banked on the franchise's history, and now it's making the transition from a mobile game to a full-fledged console RPG.
― With its magic shops and the many Alchemists who run them, Gust's Atelier series has quietly continued over the decades as a fan-favorite thanks to its charming characters and comfortable atmosphere. Atelier Resleriana: Th...
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Game Review
If you've never played a farm sim before, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar might be a great place to start.
― There's a major difficulty when it comes to reviewing Story of Seasons games: they're slow. Moment-to-moment gameplay is repetitive (you're doing the same tasks daily over and over), the game can take a long time to throw new wrinkles in the formula at you, and even fervent playing means that i...
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Game Review
This a must-play game for both existing Shinobi fans and newcomers alike.
― Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is the perfect balance between modern sensibilities and nostalgia, making it one of the best action-platformer games of 2025. This will inevitably gain comparisons to Koei Tecmo and The Game Kitchen's Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound which was released last year due to both utilizing similar ninja archetypes,...
This Week in Games - Kirby + Air = Rider(s)
Kirby is back, riding to glory in a sequel decades in the making. Also news about the Tales of... remasters and Shenmue III for all your nostalgia needs.
― Welcome back, folks! Hey, so, I wanna be honest about something for a minute: I put effort into giving credit to a lot of offbeat titles—obscure RPGs or simulation games or visual novels. A lot of that was my bread-and-butter growing up, and it st...
How Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' Lucy Joined Guilty Gear -STRIVE-
We thought Edgerunners was done. Then came the stunning announcement that Lucy would be coming to Guilty Gear -STRIVE- as a fully playable DLC character. How does the anime character translate to a fighting game?
― Bet you thought Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was done! The highly-regarded surprise collaboration between CD PROJEKT RED (CDPR) and Studio Trigger was a bright spot in the tumultuous early years...
This Week in Games - Robos Saved, Ninja Babes, and Sega's AI Plans
Mario gets a new line for young fans, Chibi Robo comes to Nintendo Switch Online+, and Sega commits to generative AI. It's This Week in Games!
― Welcome back, folks! Over the week, I saw someone I follow bring up Backloggd, a website for keeping track of your game collection. I used to have a similar deal on the now-defunct 1Up.com. I've gone ahead and made a Backloggd page for myself. It's quite inc...
This Week in Games - Brawling Capes, Big N's Red Tape, and Grown-Ups in Spandex
This week we have all the updates from EVO, what happened to Pekora's Pokémon stream, and an actually good Power Rangers collab!
― Welcome back, folks! It seems my busy schedule got the better of me: earlier this week, I checked to see if I still had time to submit a panel for this year's Kumoricon... and I was but a few days too late. What a shame; I was looking forward to hosting my History of Jap...
Iwakura Aria Game Review
If you're a fan of The House in Fata Morgana or The Dark Maidens, this is a game you'll want to play.
― We tend to view the past in either a rosy light or a gently-tinted sepia one. Yes, bad things happened long ago, but it was still a simpler time – no internet, no constant assault by phones, just a world that seems not quite real, if not better. Iwakura Aria, an original visual novel from MAGES, ab...
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion Brings Mecha Action To A New World
Titanic Scion offers a ton to people looking for a great open-world action-RPG, especially if you need more mecha in your life.
― I had an ongoing regret regarding the original Daemon X Machina from Marvelous: I never played it. I knew it was a game about mech suits, I knew there was action, and I knew there was some degree of customization—and that was it. Marvelous is putting in extra effort in no...
Donkey Kong Bananza Game Review
There is no such thing as a perfect work of art, but Donkey Kong Bananza gets about as close to perfection as possible.
― One of the first video games I can remember playing as a young tyke was my dad's copy of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest on the Super Nintendo. When I was old enough to get a Game Boy Pocket of my own, one of the first purchases ever made with my allowance was a copy of ...
This Week in Games - One More Path Ahead
Jean-Karlo looks at the exciting new game announcements from this week's Nintendo Partner Showcase, breaks down Sony's lawsuit against Tencent, and payment processors are in the spotlight again as adult games get delisted.
― Welcome back, folks! I've spoken before about my regrets over not having played any of the Daemon X Machina games. The good news is, I was given a chance to do so—and I'm current...
Shadow Labyrinth Game Review
Has PAC-MAN come a long way since Symphony of the Night? I’m not sure.
― As 2024 came to a close, Prime Video's Secret Level threw viewers for a loop with Circle—a strangely dark reimagining of video game forefather, PAC-MAN. Not long after, Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed that the animated short was a stealth teaser for an upcoming Search Action title, Shadow Labyrinth. Since the announcement, ...
The Silent Hill f Staff on Moving the Horror to Japan
Amidst the screams of onlookers, I had the opportunity to discuss Silent Hill f's new setting in Ebisugaoka, and try our best to avoid major story spoilers.
― In Anime Expo's Entertainment Hall, there was a plethora of booths dedicated to gaming and merchandise, but one of the largest was Konami's Silent Hill presentation. Enveloped by black walls covered in red spider lilies, a huge line of fear-s...
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 Game Review
This game drags its feet so hard you would think it had 2 ton weights strapped to them.
― Man, I was so excited when this game started up because it really just throws you right into the swing of things. There's no extended prologue or even much of a summary. One of the first screens you see once you boot up this game for the first time is you're thrown into a fight with a simple command list in the ...
How No Sleep for Kaname Date Developers Gave the Game Its Name
Director Kazuya Yamada and localization producer Alex Flagg answered our questions about certain game mechanics and how they came up with the game's name.
― During Anime Expo 2025, we got to sit down with Spike Chunsoft and talk about No Sleep For Kaname Date from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. It's the latest entry in the visual novel series. Director Kazuya Yamada and localization producer Alex Flagg answe...
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Revitalizes a DS Classic
A remake of the 2008 Nintendo DS title of the same name, Grand Bazaar completely revitalizes the game for a brand new generation of fans and newcomers alike.
― Thanks to Marvelous, Anime News Network was given a chance to preview Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar on the Nintendo Switch 2. A remake of the 2008 Nintendo DS title of the same name, Grand Bazaar completely revitalizes the game for a brand ne...
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Game Review
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound brings the gory franchise back to its 2D roots in a fun way.
― Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound feels like a game straight out from the 1980s and 90s, especially with its story and higher difficulty threshold. The game's plot is rather one-note, with Kenji vowing to take revenge on the demons and Kumori attempting to double-cross the Demon Lord. Eventually, both Kenji and Kumori develo...
Tamagotchi Plaza Game Review
It's a little ridiculous that a game meant for such a young audience wouldn't be a lot more clear and direct with its instructions.
― When I first got ahold of Tamagotchi Plaza for my Nintendo Switch 2, I was shocked to see the little doodads I used to carry around in those plastic egg toys as full-blown video game characters. My surprise made more sense when I realized that I wasn't just utterly out...
This Week in Games - Pokémon Presents 2025
It's a nearly-all Pokemon edition of This Week in Games, bursting with announcements. But don't worry - there's some news for Atelier fans, too!
― Welcome back, folks! I was feeling punchy last week, and I noticed I had omitted my closer after last week's column was published. Imagine I spent all weekend in a corner of your room, occasionally repeating vocal stims under my breath. Being a vtuber fan:...
Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy Game Review
Surely, there are better dungeons to delve somewhere out there.
― Did you know that those cute little slime-things from the Puyo Puyo puzzle games originate from a series of dungeon crawlers from the early 90s? If you didn't, I don't think anyone could blame you, since the franchise has only ever had a single western release in its decades-long history. It was called Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great ...
This Week in Games - Horse Play
Jean-Karlo celebrates a second wave of Umamusume, shares more details about Ghosts of Yotei, and speculates on Universal's possible Donkey Kong film.
― Welcome back, folks! I saw Kpop Demon Hunters for a second time this past weekend. It's still an addictive movie. I'm short on news otherwise, let's get into it! This is... Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Gets Big Like many of you, I was made aware of Uma Mu...
No Sleep for Kaname Date – from AI: The Somnium Files Game Review
It would be best for fans of AI: The Somnium Files to manage their expectations.
― If you have not played AI: The Somnium Files, I do not recommend you pick up the new side story, No Sleep for Kaname Date – from AI: The Somnium Files. I don't recommend you do anything other than go into the eshop of your platform of choice and purchase the absolute masterpiece that is the first game of the series. If...
This Week in Anime - Back in the Saddle
As the Uma Musume game races to the top of the popularity charts, Steve and Chris explore the reasons why horse girls are perennial favorites.
― Steve and Chris explore the reasons why horse girls are perennial favorites. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network.Spoiler Warning for discussion of the series ahead. Uma Mus...
Yakuza 0: Director's Cut Game Review
Unfortunately, for all of its improvements and refinements, this Director's Cut cannot truly be called the definitive version of Yakuza 0.
― Going back to Yakuza 0 after all of these years was a fascinating experience. On the one hand, this is a decade-old entry in a franchise that has since exploded in its popularity and ambitions, all of which is thanks in large part to this particular prequel's su...
This Week in Games - Square Enix Ringing In Final Fantasy IX's 25th Anniversary
If you think you know what's coming for the Final Fantasy IX anniversary: no you don't.
― Welcome back, folks! To anyone who went to Anime Expo, I hope you guys had a fun time! To the rest of us, how about that new My Dress-Up Darling season? I'm excited over the Kamen Rider news; Kamen Rider Zeztz looks great! I appreciate the minimalist design, and while the Driver being positioned along the chest,...
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