What do you get when you take a couple of ex-NIS America employees who venture out onto Kickstarter? A fun looking JRPG with visual novel flare.
Month in Review - June
Looks like it’s that time of the month again! See everything that we’ve been up to and catch up on anything you may have missed.
The 40 Worst Video Game Covers Ever: Part 2 - Gaming Thoughts
Yesterday we took a look at ten of the worst video game covers ever. However, this segment is about identifying forty of them. Yesterday Hamza kicked off our list and today PY picks up where he left off. One interesting thing to me when I reviewed their choices is how many older games populated their lists. Certainly video games, marketing and even artwork associated with these titles has become more sophisticated over the years, but sometimes it felt like the guys drawing the art had no idea what the game itself was about.
NBA 2K16 offering a speciel edition featuring a familiar NBA face
I remember playing older basketball games when I was a kid - no Michael Jordan was allowed. The EA ones, Tecmo - it did not matter, because Jordan was his own entity outside of the Player's Union. So when a game does get to use him now, even after this many years post-retirement, they like to make a big deal about it.
Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation - PS Vita Review
The last of the remakes leading up to Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory 2 is finally here. Victory was not only one of my favorite Neptunia titles, but also one of my favorite games overall. The original Victory showed just how far the series had come from the first entry by fixing older implementations and adding in new mechanics. So how does a revamp like Hyperdimension Neptunia Re:Birth3: V Generation stand against the original? It continues to demonstrate how far along the series has come and while giving the promise of hope as to how much further it can keep progressing.
The 40 Worst Video Game Covers Ever: Part 1 - Gaming Thoughts
Back before all of us were on the internet watching trailers, flipping through screenshots and reading advance reviews, we did not always have a lot to go on when trying to decide whether or not we were going to buy a game. Sometimes magazines had previews, but most of the time we were left to study the front and the back of the box. The front, which should be a selling point that makes you interested to play the game within, has many times turned into something that was the complete opposite.
Whispering Willows to have releases on multiple platforms
Whispering Willows is one of those titles that most people sadly did not pay a lot of attention to when it released on PC, despite solid reviews. That was a shame, because as PY noted in his review, this horror/adventure title was very well done and deserved notice. This makes us happy to see that Whispering Willows will be coming to a broader audience soon.
Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness - Retro Reflections
I have long been a big fan of Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness. Despite having one of the more unusual titles of its day (more often than not, people I knew who played this simply referred to it as Deception), but more than that it was a unique game both in the role you played and the mechanics.
Memorable Music in Gaming #8
We have a very car-heavy theme with most of these games this week. As always, we love to hear feedback on titles Hamza talks about in these Memorable Music articles, so let us know if you agree or not!
The upcoming Deception title will have a PSN Demo
There is no doubt that Deception is a quirky title that may not appeal to everyone (though the original game still ranks as one of my favorite PlayStation titles on the original console). For those of you on the fence about this game, Koei Tecmo as you covered with a playable demo.
Big Pharma - PC Preview
Part business sim and part puzzle Big Pharma lets you take control of a pharmaceutical firm who sets out to answer one question: do you cure the world of illness or do you chase after the almighty dollar? Or maybe a bit of both?
XIIZEAL - PC Review
I need to preface this with one particular statement. I suck at these.
XIIZEAL is a Vertical Shoot ‘Em Up that has some pretty crazy controls and a lot of fast paced action. I honestly haven’t played one of these since 1942 on the NES unless Resogun on the PS4 counts but that was a horizontal version.
XIIZEAL is a Vertical Shoot ‘Em Up that has some pretty crazy controls and a lot of fast paced action. I honestly haven’t played one of these since 1942 on the NES unless Resogun on the PS4 counts but that was a horizontal version.
Star Ocean coming to the Americas
There has been speculation for a while now, but it is always nice to get an official confirmation about a title like this.
Heroes of Legionwood: Age of Darkness - PC Review
The maker of Mythos: The beginning is back once again! Thankfully for my own sanity, Heroes of Legionwood has nothing to do with anything relating to HP Lovecraft but will still find itself within elements that are just as sinister.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Xbox One Review
In an unpopular article, I recently demolished The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in a review for the PlayStation 4 due to technical issues and while I work closely with CD Projekt Red's fantastic support team in an attempt to work through the issues I felt it prudent to give the game another go on the Xbox One. While there had been one large hiccup (due not to technical issues in CD Projekt Red's release, but rather to a patch that Microsoft released for the Xbox One), it has largely been seen that there were fewer issues on the Xbox One than what I had seen on the PS4. Given that I truly enjoyed the story, I wanted to experience what it was like on a system that was running it in the fashion that I was expecting. Here is my review of Witcher 3 on the Xbox One.
A quick look at the official Guitar Hero Live trailer
I admit, I was a sucker for the Guitar Hero games back when they first released. Several of my buddies played (and not surprisingly the more we drank/the later it got, the worse we were). It made for a great game with friends, but it was also a hit in my house. There are very few games that from my wife to all three kids appealed - yet this series did.
Farming Simulator 15 - PC Review
Coming from a rural background I was pretty excited to try this game. While I like Farming Simulator 15 and will likely sink an unmentionable number of hours into it, I still feel like some aspects of the game left wanting.
Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation - PC Review
We at Chalgyr's Game Room are fans of the JRPG genre and when we see titles release for the oft-forgotten we all tend to squee with joy a bit. While consoles, especially portables like the 3DS and Vita tend to enjoy the largest library of JRPG games, the PC has been slowly getting release after release of JRPG franchise. We have had the pleasure of reviewing all three Agarest titles as well as the stupendous Trails in the Sky; we also had the pleasure of reviewing the first Hyperdimension Neptunia title on the PC back in February of 2015 and while there were a few hiccups and flaws throughout the game, it was still a solid entry that expanded the JRPG library on the PC. Today we take a look at the direct sequel, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation.
SteelSeries has several new goodies coming
We have been big fans of SteelSeries here for a while now, and with E3 came some new announcements by the vendor worth taking note of.
Kholat - PC Review
I have been following Kholat personally for some time, largely because I am a huge fan of horror games. I love a good scare, and no medium is better equipped to deliver that than video gaming. Movies and music and books are all well and good, but they are more passive experiences than video gaming, which has the ability to further immerse the player because of its interactive nature. Because of this, a lot of things can go very wrong or very right. I am pleased to say that Kholat leans more towards the latter of the two categories.
The Reject Demon: Toko Chapter 0 — Prelude - PC Review
Visual novels have found a new home in Steam. In previous years it was difficult to get your hands on any translated VN's and even those were a bit circumspect given that they were fan translations and often ran into issues with grammar. For the die-hards out there though, it was great. We were able to get a generally decent story (and often interesting) told in a new medium that we were able to enjoy in quick spats here and there. Along came publishers like Sekai Project that took advantage of the massive reach that Steam has and began bringing as many visual novels to the masses as they could. I for one am thankful.
Darksiders 2 Deathinitive Edition to hit current-gen consoles this winter
Darksiders was one of those games that came out of nowhere and scored fairly solid acclaim. While more people were prepared for the sequel when it came out, it too was quite popular. I suppose that it should not come as a surprise then, that an updated version of the game is headed to Xbox One and PS4 later.
The Princess and the Pilot - Anime Review
I have been bugging Nick for what seems an eternity to get into reviewing anime. Naturally there was some hesitation as Chalgyr's Game Room has been devoted to reviewing well, video games. It was not until recently that we expanded into reviewing PC and console hardware peripherals, and even more recently we began brining board and card game reviews to our readers. Nick finally relented to my nagging about anime and as such we will be periodically bringing reviews of various anime to you, so if there is something coming up that you are interested, feel free to let us know!
Memorable Music in Gaming #7
We are at it again, with some new lists about some older games that have some particularly memorable music. All of these titles are PlayStation 2 and older, so we have some solid variety for you this week.
Release date and launch editions for Rodea the Sky Soldier announced
We have taken a look or two at Rodea in the past, but this latest information serves as some of the most concrete released to date.
Crimzon Clover WORLD IGNITION - PC Review
Do you like lots of bullets flying around the screen at a rapid rate? Enjoy almost epilepsy-inducing explosions and splashes of bright colors? If not, Crimzon Clover WORLD IGNITION is not for you. It is however, perfect for someone like me that simply enjoys a good shoot-'em-up. Why? Because this is not just a good shooter, but a great one.
Golem Arcana - Zikia: Heralds of the Great Weald - Tabletop and Board Games Review
A few weeks ago we had a chance to review the base set for Golem Arcana. Christ and I logged several hours in, learning the system, getting the app installed and then beating the tar out of one another's armies. All in all, it was a lot of fun, but it was clear that Golem Arcana was designed with expansion in mind. Chris and I had a chance to break out two of the newest expansions, and will kick off this week's review with the Zikia: Heralds of the Great Weald set.
Sword Coast Legends is coming to Xbox One and PS4
We have been covering just about every announcement that comes out on Sword Coast Legends. Without a doubt, this is one of my most highly anticipated upcoming games. So this latest announcement is good news for those of us who tend to use console over computer.
Card Dungeon - PC Review
At a glance, Card Dungeon reminded me a bit of Card Hunter, a game that I really enjoyed when I first played it. I described it then as 'comfort food' - something that felt familiar yet unique and was easily accessible. Card Dungeon has a similar sort of visual aesthetic, but the style of game is completely different, far less 'relaxing', but also very rewarding.
3D MiniGolf - PC Review
MiniGolf is one of those sports that holds the potential to be quick, fun and ideally - accessible to a wide range of players. One does not go into a game like this expecting a simulation of the game akin to The Golf Club, which is fine if you set your expectations accordingly. However, I did hope for a bit more than 3D MiniGolf managed to deliver.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist to arrive this summer
I have had a love for playing collectable card games since stumbling onto Magic: The Gathering nearly two decades ago. One of the biggest names in the genre, Yu-Gi-Oh! has a new title launching for the current generation of consoles this summer.
Boss Monster - Tabletop and Board Game Review
The concept behind Boss Monster is actually a relatively simple one that plays out rather quickly once you get the hang of it. You assume the role of a Boss Monster and you are trying to lure heroes into a dungeon that you progressively build up over time. Those heroes will attempt to kill you, and you will try to return the favor in kind. It is a fun premise that works well and is surprisingly quick and easy to learn.
Inside My Radio - PC Review
Inside My Radio has taught me something very important for someone that says that they love rhythm games; I have horrible rhythm. Think you have rhythm just because you are good at guitar hero or DDR? Imagine playing those games without the shapes scrolling towards the 'hit the button now' bar. Still sounding too simple? Add in the fact that this is a platformer. Now we have added something a bit more unique to the mix.
Some more screens of Technomancer
We took a brief look at Technomancer when it was first announced, and now Spiders and Focus Home Interactive are teasing us with a bit more information and a few new screens.
Homesick - PC Review
Homesick is just one of those hauntingly beautiful titles that caught my eye almost right out of the gates. It is a title built around telling a story, and allowing you the player to immerse yourself in said tale. It is not always a perfect game, but it is still an engaging experience.
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III - PC Review
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III finds us at the end of the trilogy. With the aid of our sarcastic ghostly companion Katarina, we have taken out a mad scientist, stopped a General and his rebellious civil war, and must now face off against our once mysterious ally Prisoner Seven before all is lost.
Armello bound for PS4 this fall
Video games.
Board games.
We love them both, so a video game of a board game? Let's just say we're game.
Board games.
We love them both, so a video game of a board game? Let's just say we're game.
Unlight - PC Review
It has been quite some time since I played a Facebook game for any extended duration. In fact the last time I played one with any degree of regularity was Dragon Age Legends (mostly because I adore just about all things Dragon Age). Unlight is a very different kind of game that was incredibly popular overseas (to the tune of more than two million players) and is now headed to North America.
Nobunaga's Ambition - Retro Reflections
Most of us have fond memories of that one game that started us on a path to loving a particular genre of game or recalling a specific gaming console very fondly. For many people I grew up with, Super Mario Bros. came to define both the NES and platforming. Mike Tyson's Punch Out or Tecmo Bowl represented sports fans very well. I enjoyed all of these and plenty more formative classics at the time from The Legend of Zelda to Dragon Warrior, Metroid and Final Fantasy. However, one of the most telling games from my childhood was a strategy title very few people seemed to know anything about, called Nobunaga's Ambition.
DLC bonus content announced for upcoming Nobunaga's Ambition
I cannot overstate how excited I was to see Nobunaga's Ambition announced recently. With that in mind, I may be following release information a bit more closely than other titles.
Further impressions from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Gaming Thoughts
To allay some of the confusion surrounding and to elaborate upon my initial review of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for the PlayStation 4 I felt it prudent to create this here follow-up post. It will hopefully address some of the concerns that our readers have expressed with the previous review. However, prior to getting into it I will start off by saying this: my review still stands. In its shipped state, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an experience best skipped. We review titles as they come, based on our experiences and the 6.25 Wild Hunt review, while painful for even me to admit (I desperately wanted to score it better) is in our opinion, deserved. We may in the future, revisit the review after CD Projekt Red is able to provide updates that bring the PlayStation 4 version into a more stable state; until then we have no intention of reviewing a game based on what it could be, instead we will review it based on what it currently is.
Mage Wars Arena - Tabletop and Board Games Review
Mage Wars Arena may be one of the deepest games of its nature, with a combination of board game elements and card elements that remind me of Magic: The Gathering - a CCG I have a great deal of experience with. There is a great deal to take in with this game, but it provides an excellent dueling experience for those looking for some competitive tabletop gameplay.
Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy - PS Vita Review
Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy is a dungeon crawler that sounds brand new, but it is actually based on a couple of games released on the PC in years past. This particular genre tends to age pretty well for fans, because the emphasis is on party structure, exploration and lots of grinding - all things that are helped by modern visuals, voice acting and the like - but none of those bells and whistles feel mandatory. For better and for worse, Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy wears some of its old school inspiration on its sleeve for everyone to see, but at the end of the day I enjoyed it a good deal.
Dirty Bomb - PC Preview
The first person shooter genre has historically been a fairly easy genre to break into but an incredibly difficult genre to take by storm. With franchises like Half Life (and its modded derivatives like CounterStrike: GO or Team Fortress 2), Battlefield, Call of Duty, and Halo, single player and multiplayer game modes are well-represented by longstanding favorites so gamers are generally provided a plethora of gameplay styles. For all of the competition though, development studios are still able to get a piece of the ever-growing pie and occasionally a title will make a bit of a splash (see Titanfall or Evolve) and Splash Damage is hoping to make a splash with the unique shooter, Dirty Bomb. Does it make any waves in the veritable pond of first person shooters available today?
Lots of news for Samurai Warriors fans
And here? We are definitely fans of Samurai Warriors. Koei Tecmo had announcements for two separate titles recently.
Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven - 3DS Review
Who wants to do some fantasy bowling? No, I am not talking about that zany/morbid elf bowling Flash game that shows up every year around Christmas, but in fact am referring to the rather unusual but still entertaining combat system found in the recently released Lords of Magna: Maiden Heaven. The game feels rushed at times, but the end result is still a good deal of fun.
Mionix Nash 20 Gaming Headset - Hardware Review
Mionix, a small hardware company from Sweden, has been making waves here at Chalgyr's Game Room. With their Zibal 60 mechanical gaming keyboard and their absolutely stunning Naos 8200 gaming mouse, they have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with. Developing some of the best hardware that money can buy and offering it to gamers at extremely competitive prices, Mionix is taking the world by storm. Moving on from their keyboards and mice, we were able to get our hands on the Nash 20 gaming headset and here are our thoughts.
Mega Man Legacy Collection just made my day
The idea that a new development studio wants to offer up classic games with some fresh new packaging. The first one? The first six Mega Man games. I loved the first three - number two is still one of my favorite NES games of all time. I am getting this day one when it comes out. How about you?
Broadsword: Age of Chivalry - PC Review
I am a big fan of strategy games, and while I certainly lean towards fantasy fare over the years, I actually first cut my teeth in the genre on historical games such as Nobunaga's Ambition and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Broadsword: Age of Chivalry gets a few things right along the way, yet it never manages to distinguish itself as a compelling entry in the turn-based strategy genre.
