Judged solely on its gameplay alone, XCOM 2 is a wonderful addition to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One lineups. Building off the success of the original, this game improves on its predecessor in almost every conceivable way. Unfortunately, some glaring technical issues make this game really hard to recommend if you have the ability to play it on PC.
strategy
Out Now: XCOM 2 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Despite my adoration for its predecessor, XCOM 2 has slipped my mind a few times now. When it was first announced as a PC-exclusive, I whined about that fact on this blog and then forgot about it. While out on honeymoon in Hawaii, I was surprised to see console versions of the games available for pre-order. After that, the game fell out of my consciousness until it showed up in the mail just now.
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright Review
The Fire Emblem Fates series of games puts you at the heart of a conflict between two rival armies. On one side is the medieval-style Nohr army. On the other is the samurai-style Hoshido. If you buy Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright first, you’ll play most of the game from the side of the Hoshido clan.
With Fates essentially being three different Fire Emblem games launching at about the same time, this is easily the most ambitious effort. Based on my time with the Birthright edition, it’s also one of the best.
Fire Emblem: Awakening Review
(Originally posted on splitkick.com. Thank you to the Splitkick crew for editing this!)
Ever since its 2003 international debut, I’ve been enamored with Fire Emblem’s personal approach to the strategy RPG genre. I love how every unit I manage is a fully-realized character with a unique look and story. I greatly enjoy helping these characters grow as warriors and as people by managing their combat movements and relationships. As things progress, I grow so attached that I feel compelled to protect everyone at all costs, which proves difficult in a series where perma-death can strike in a flash.
On one hand, the fear of death adds a critical layer of emotional weight. However, the stress that comes with losing comrades can be too much to bear for some. I’ve sacrificed dozens of hours of playtime across every entry in the series in order to complete a casualty-free run. Regardless of how you feel on the matter, Fire Emblem: Awakening is the first to implement features to appease both crowds.
Out Now – Fire Emblem: Fates
Lost amidst all of my Street Fighter V hoopla is the fact that Fire Emblem: Fates is out today. This time, we’re getting two different games at once; one covering each side of the conflict. As part of Amazon Canada’s E3 sale last year, I’m getting 30% off the Birthright edition. However, you better believe I’ll eventually have Conquest and the 3rd DLC campaign as well. Between this and Street Fighter V, it’s been a wonderful week as a gamer!
Dreams of XCOM 2 Appearing on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
XCOM: Enemy Unknown was one of my favourite games last generation. It was an excellent (and sometimes brutally difficult) turn-based strategy game that really put your skills to the test. I loved it so much that I beat it multiple times on console and then played through it a third time on iOS. While I am glad that XCOM 2 is set to be released in just a few days, I’m hugely disappointed in Firaxis and 2K’s decision to go PC-only.
Thoughts on the Upcoming Release of Project X Zone 2
I wanted to like the original Project X Zone much more than I actually did. Rife with all of the characters I would expect from Capcom, Bandai Namco and Sega, and a thick serving of fan service, the actual experience of playing the game was hugely disappointing. Save for a flashy combat system that had a smidgen more depth than meets the eye, it was a piss poor attempt at a turn-based strategy game. Featuring a stupid story filled with anime cliches and gameplay that was completely devoid of strategy, this was nothing more than 40 hours of mercilessly smashing hapless baddies ad nauseam.
To my surprise, a sequel is in the works. To my disappointment, it seems as though little has been learned from the first game.
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. Review
Aliens have invaded London! Who can we call to save the day?! The Agents of S.T.E.A.M. of course! Led by the Abraham Lincoln, it’s up to you to guide him and his ragtag group of steampunk soldiers through battle. Created by Intelligent Systems, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a turn-based strategy game with third-person shooting, a la Gears of War. Is this shake-up enough for it to move outside of the shadow cast by Intelligent Systems’ previous efforts, such as Advance Wars and Fire Emblem?
Fire Emblem is Out Now on the Wii U Virtual Console
Fire Emblem first appeared on the Gameboy Advance. It was the first in the series released outside of Japan. Back when this came out in 2003, I was already a fan Nintendo’s turn-based strategy games thanks to Advance Wars. However, I was not ready for how unique Fire Emblem was compared to its sister strategy game, nor was I ready for how freaking awesome it would be.
What separates the two besides the obvious thematic differences is that Fire Emblem is much more of a role-playing game. Instead of managing an army of disposable units, each of the characters in your party has a name and story arc. You equip them with weapons and other gear. Best (or worst) of all, if they die in the game, they die forever. The strategic joy from Advance Wars is certainly here, though it’s only amplified by how high the stakes are when you’re managing a team of characters you care about that could die if you screw up.
Intelligent Systems and Nintendo have improved on the formula over time, though this first international release is still a masterpiece that is as fun to play now as it was in 2003. For die-hard fans of the series like me, owning this new version on the Wii U Virtual Console gives me a way to play the game again on a modern platform. If you haven’t played any in the series yet, this is a relatively affordable entry-point, since the game is under $10 on the eShop. If you’re ever going to give the series an honest try, this is a great place to start!
Jett Plays Advance Wars
Rival armies go toe-to-toe in a battle for land and sea supremacy. This is one of my all-time favourite games and one you should check out too!
Buy Nintendo Wii U 32GB Mario & Luigi Deluxe Set Now From Amazon.com
In Third Person 