Phil Villarreal's Blog, page 126

"Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga: Bowser's Minions" Review

Dusting off a 2003 GameBoy Advance classic, developer AlphaDream not only remakes "Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga," but reinvents it for the Nintendo 3DS, making the game look and play better than ever before while retaining the rollicking sense of humor and clever puzzle design that tantalized fans 14 years ago.

The result is a vital entry in a somewhat slow year for the system, building off the momentum of "Metroid: Samus Returns," another brilliant remake from Nintendo's handheld past. As expected, the main quest is still there in all its glory. You juggle Mario and Luigi in their efforts to track down Bowser, hunting down his lackeys in a series of interactive turn-based battles. You can shift the tide with combo attacks, special moves and items.

The main draw for those looking for something new is the "Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser" mode, which lets you play as Captain Goomba, who leads ShyGuy, Boo and other members of Mario's rogues gallery as they hunt down their leader in an adventure that runs parallel to the good guys' journey.

Amiibo collectors will find plenty of outlets for their army of miniature statues. All figures from the Mario universe are compatible with the game, popping out bonuses and item drops that help you on your voyage.

Every bit the giggle-inducing good time that the original was -- and topped off with a new quest that stands tall in the shadow of the original -- "Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga: Bowser's Minions" is a handheld blast that proves Nintendo still has plenty of love for its handheld-only systems as we move deeper into the Switch era.


Publisher provided review code.

"Forza Motorsport 7" Review

It used to be that the standard "Forza Motorsport" series did all the stiff-lipped heavy lifting, leaving it to the "Forza Horizon" offshoot to inject a sense of free-wheeling fun. "Forza Motorsport 7" marks the apex of a years-in-coming change to that paradigm, imbued with enough arcadey adaptations to match its spinoff in the fun factor while still flooring it in the realm of accurate simulation.

Easily the most accessible mainline "Forza" game to date, "7" is something newcomers can pick up and play without feeling the urge to slam their controllers in frustration. With enough assists and a handy rewind mode that makes the racing process less solemn, the floor has been lowered for newbies.

Veterans won't feel that their obsession has been nerfed. You can still opt for ultra-punishing simulation specs, made all the more challenging due to varied weather options. The sense of speed the game imbues its vehicles at every level is as engrossingly addictive as ever.

With more than 700 cars available to pick up through its web of win bonuses, promotions in-game credits and real-life currency -- each with countless customization options -- there is a limitless amount of permutations to your vehicle stables.

The variety of racing classifications and tracks is just as staggering. From the opening tutorial, you get a taste of the various speedsters, trucks and open wheel rides available. "Forza Motorsport 7" wears the burden of being Microsoft's only first-party late-2017 release with as much smooth confidence as a world-class racecar driver. 
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Publisher provided review code.

"Cuphead" Review

"Cuphead" turns out to be a deal with the devil that parallels its own plot.

A gorgeous game, with every frame hand-drawn in 1930s Fleischer Bros. style, it lures you into its maddening platforming, only to inflict you with ceaseless torture and torment.

That the game - about anthropomorphic cup brothers who lose their souls to the devil at the craps table and try to win them back by acting as his soul repo men -- is so difficult is a plus for old-school gaming fanatics, who will appreciate its "Mega Man" and "Contra"-style platforming and run-and-gun inspirations. But anyone looking for modern hand-holding amenities will run screaming. Don't expect niceties such as checkpoints, difficulty level adjustments or the ability to add lives. "Cuphead" makes you work for every inch, and demands you learn the intricacies of its levels via a brutal regime of trial and error until you can skate through unscathed.

A dazzling showpiece and undeniable artistic achievement, "Cuphead" will likely prove popular on the speed-run circuit and streaming. Its style overshadows its maddeningly difficult content. If you see its ending, it will be either by sheer force of will with finely honed skill or because you gave up and watched it on YouTube.

Publisher provided review code.

"American Made" Review

For my written review, click here.

"Gook" Review

Set amid the maelstrom of the 1992 L.A. riots, "Gook" takes a hard look at race relations in inner-city Los Angeles. It's a nostalgia-tinged look at the past, as well as a mirror reflecting the similiarties to current times.

Writer/director/star Justin Chon films in a gritty, black-and-white style meant to capture the poverty and despair to suit his tone. He plays a Korean man who owns a downtrodden shoe store along with his brother (David So). Then men befriend a spunky 11-year-old black girl (Simone Baker), who prefers hanging out at the store to going to school.

Once the riots break out amid broiling race relations, the men and girl are thrust into a struggle for survival. The rolling storm of fists, bullets and feet comes rolling toward them, and all three are forced to evaluate their opinions and standing in life.

"Gook" works best in its slow, steady moments, which allow its characters to breathe and help the film's sense of time and place flower to life.

A stirring coming-of-age film that demands to be seen, "Gook" hails the coming of a powerful new voice in indie film.

RATING: 3.5 stars out of 4.

Book Report: "The War of the Worlds"

H.G. Wells was a visionary with a frighteningly accurate view of the future and the potential applications of space and science to everyday life as he saw it in the 19th century. Thankfully, his prophecy here has yet to come true. A bleak glance of despair at an apocalyptic battle with opponents superior to humans in every capacity save for griminess, his story is that of a survivor who wins his life in the face of impossible odds, only to realize he has lost everything he cared for.

By avoiding the macro scale of species vs. species battles that his title portends and focusing on an intimate tale of endurance, Wells leaves his readers free to imagine what's going on in the rest of the world. His influence on apocalyptic, aliens vs. humans sci-fi is incalculable. Pretty much every story that followed Wells is little more than a recasting of the template he set here.

"Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online" Review

"The Hyperdimension Neptunia" RPG series has always been as meta as it gets, but the offshoot "Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online" takes the meta-ness way out of orbit into entirely new dimensions, hyper or otherwise.

The four bouncy, scantily-clad protagonists, who usually band together, clash and flirt their way along paths to save the universe while satirizing gaming and anime conventions, put the important stuff aside to take part in an MMO. You are playing as gaming characters -- who are well aware they are gaming archetypes -- playing a game that pays subtly mocking tribute to the game industry.

Don't spend too much time sorting through the levels of self-reference or who's controlling whom in what realm -- that stuff will just hurt your brain. Instead, focus on the challenging, "Final Fantasy XIII"-style real-time battles, the witty dialogue and sprightly narrative.

This is a game made for both shameless leerers, as well as those who like to laugh at people like that. There's only a creepiness factor if you take anything that goes on seriously, which is nearly impossible to do.

As absurdly fun as it is flat-out absurd, "Cyberdimension" proves that the series maintains its goofiness along with its gaming bona fides. While not for all tastes, it's an offbeat treat for those willing to give it a taste.
 
  Publisher provided review code.

"Ruiner" Review

Fresh off the success of the "Hotline Miami" games, publisher Devolver Digital is back with a similar isometric shooter in the form of "Ruiner." Paced with quick deaths and even faster restarts, "Ruiner" gets your blood pumping as you hurl everything you've got at the game's challenges, sifting through trial and error until you dig up the skill and strategy to make your way past environmental obstacles and assaults.

The thin plot has you seeking out your kidnapped brother as you infiltrate rough streets lorded over by organized crime and corrupt law enforcement. Occasional "gotcha" moments make some of your deaths feel cheap, but those just make it feel that much sweeter to overcome them, kill off your enemies in comical fashion and grasp sweet glory.

Those moments of triumph are short-lived, however, because "Ruiner" is a bastard of the game that continually jumps you with more agony around every dark corner. You can't trust any step you make as you romp into new territory, constantly shell-shocked and in hyper defensive mode. But taking it easy does you few favors. The game is best enjoyed by cutting loose, accepting inevitable death and shaking off your failures to attack your tormenters with renewed vigor. "Ruiner" is a jolt of adrenaline a year steeped in slow-paced, methodical shooters needed.

Publisher provided review code.

"The Witness" iOS Review

One of the most thought-provoking puzzle games in recent memory has finally made its long-promised debut on iOS, and at quite a discount. After launching on consoles last year for $40, it's only $10 to play on your iPhone or iPad.

At that much of a price cut, you'd expect fewer features. Instead, you get a refined experience tailored to touch screen use. Its connect-the-dots style brain teasers are more intuitive to solve while pointing and tapping with your finger rather than manipulating onscreen prompts with analog sticks and buttons.

Obtuse and demanding, "The Witness" forces you to think differently and taxes the outside fringes of your intellect and creativity to advance. Should either of those fail you, there are plenty of Reddit threads and YouTube walkthroughs to guide you along. But as with most puzzlers, you get more out of it the less you rely on outside guides to help you along. There's something to be said for being stuck in the much without a hope until you manage to stumble upon a breakthrough that renews your vigor and outlook.

Deep and thought-provoking, "The Witness" is an excellent commute or office wait time killer, as well as something to settle your thoughts before you go to bed. iOS feels like the system "The Witness" was always truly meant to be played on.


Publisher provided review code.

"Kingsman: The Golden Circle" Review

For my written review, click here.