Way of the Samurai 3

I was very surprised by the first Way of the Samurai, I never heard of it before and I don't remember how It got into my hands, I found an awesome game:

· Choices, western games should learn from this saga. Choices matter, even little ones can change the story outcome with so many possibilities that every time I played was different.
· Combat is (or was) very technical and challenging: with many different styles like parry and counteratack, try breaking the enemies defense or breaking his sword, waiting for mistakes, etc.
· Customization, there are lots of swords and other weapons with many different wielding styles that matter a lot on the combat. Swords also have endurance, get worn and may even break in combat.

This sounds super cool but after having played the original and its sequel I may have gotten a bit tired of it. Maybe it is because this time the setup isn't very attractive or that the choices are so many that it's easy to get lost or they have a lot less dedication.
Still I hope to play the 4th entry and future ones.

Did I like it? I got a bit bored.
I think you will like it if you:
- Aren't tired of Way of the Samurai
- Never tried this series before
- Are looking for a different game

I rate my experience with a 6 out of 10.

Yakuza 3

I have some problems enjoying sandbox like games, there's so much to do and I find it so uninteresting, like it is a lot of filler just to increase the game's length at any price. This makes me fill like these games are not for me because I don't take the most of it.

Dialogs are good and the japanese dub combined with its style makes a very good immersion into its world.

Combats are very beat'em up, based on combo finishers (ie. punch->punch->finisher), blocks, evades, throws and many fun usable objects like bikes. There's also many rpg stuff like items, equipment and weapons.

I love the japanese style, development and the main adventure playing a yakuza badass.

Did I like it? Yes
I think you will like it if you:
- Are a Yakuza fan
- Like open world games
- Are looking for a different adventure

I rate my experience with a 6.5 out of 10.

The Wonderful 101

I love Platinum games! Yes the controls could be better, but they also play a part on the challenge this game offers. I'm playing on normal difficulty and I got killed a few times, I may even get angry but I never get frustrated, it's like the old arcade times.

Getting nice grades is also challenging, if it was like the current games I would be constantly getting True-Platinum on normal difficulty. There's also lots of heroes to recruit, secrets to find and many other things I haven't experienced yet.

Gameplay is pure action based on beating tough mini-bosses with lots of weapons and skills to use for many different situations. Gamepad use is forgettable.

Story is passable, soundtrack is... different to what I'm used to but It fits the game's style and graphicaly the enviroments look neat, the heroes have a nice design but I don't like that plastic shader they got.

Overall I'm very happy with it.

Did I like it? Yes

I think you will like it if you:
- Like challenging action games
- Love Platinum style

I rate my experience with a 7.5 out of 10.

Dragon Age 2

*Starts the wheel of hate towards western rpgs*

So this is another action game with rpg details and a ton of dialogs, though when I play an action rpg I's because I'm looking for something: action, not to watch some characters speaking like in a hollywood movie.

Combat is very light, it has some nice customization and choices but its chaotic nature takes a lot of its value out. The world keeps being a bunch of corridor with few exploration to do, at least has many missions and interaction between characters discover.

I stop here, I get too angry when talking about these games :P

Did I like it? Nope

I think you will like if if you:

- Don't hate western rpgs

- Like bioware games

I rate my experience with a 1 out of 10.

Little King's Story

This is reminds me to a medieval pikmin rpg. I played as a king who could train my kingdom inhabitants into diferent professions like soldier, archer, woodcutter, etc. and become part of my squad. The kingdom increases its size while advancing through the story which allows to construct different buildings, more inhabitants and more profesions.

Combat is about throwing the squad members to the monster while avoiding his attacks, like pikmin but with rpg elements like leveling up and equiping every unit. There's also a lot of exploration to do and things to find using the non-combat professions.

Overall Little Kings is probably too easy, I did like 50% of the game before I noticed that the units equipment could be improved.

Graphically looks good on the PSVita, the story is pretty simplistic about saving princesses and dealing with bad guys, nothing special.

Did I like it? I got a bit bored
I think you will like it if you:
- Want a simplistic adventure

I rate my experience with a 5.5 out of 10.

Cross Edge

I'm not sure why I started this game after seeing the "experts" giving very poor rates to this rpg.

The story is the typical paralel universe trouble that happens on all the crossover games. Nothing special. There's many characters but I didn't know many, the ones I knew were mainly from Disgaea and Darkstalkers.

But actually this is a very nice game with the Compile Heart touch, true ending included (I hate that!). Lots of small "world maps" that I had plenty of fun exploring and finding hidden items and events. Small and easy dungeons with many paths and treasures to find, gameplay on dungeon reminds to a simple 2d Platformer.

Combats are fun and original too, I never got tired of it and enjoyed all the customization that reminds to other games from the company like Agarest.

I think this is an underrated game, but also a proof that gaming tastes have changed a lot because on another generation this would have been a praised game.

Did I like it? Yep
I think you will like it if you:
- Like jrpgs
- Like Compile Heart games
- Are a prinny, dood!

I rate my experience with a 7.5 out of 10.

Sengoku Rance

Addictive! That I was told by a fellow backlogger and it is true.

It is a mix of strategy and tactical rpgs, it reminds me a bit to a modern Dragon Force: it has region conquering, troop management, recruiting new generals, finding items.

Combats are turn-based, with a max of 6vs6 generals each general having different skills, roles and  a number of troops that matter on the fight results.

It is really fun to play though sometimes it has difficulty spikes. I also got a sense of unaccomplishment because I was spending too much time on this game and I questioned myself if it was worth it.

The Story is pretty comedic and passable. Ah yeah parental warning, Rance saga has a hentai touch.

Did I like it? Yes.
I think you will like it if you:
- Like tactical/strategic rpgs
- Aren't looking for a serious story
- Don't mind the hentai parts

I rate my experience with a 7 out of 10.

SMT: Devil Survivor Overclocked

I almost never check for information about games, plus this is a Shin Megami Tensei game so can't go wrong.

And It surprised me very much to find this is a tactical rpg (I always confuse tactical and strategy terms, spare me =) ), no dungeons nor random encounters this time.

Battles are tactical and squad based similar to Bahamut Lagoon, so every unit is composed by a human and its demons and it can perform 2 types of actions: One are the field skills like healing of buffing useful when there's no enemy around. The other are the direct combat that is done by the usual shin megami tensei turn-based system, but of course this only lasts 1 turn with the possibility of getting an extra attack, because it uses a weakness system similar to Digital Devil Saga, where exploiting the weak point is very important and grants an extra turn for the ally/foe.

It looks and sounds okay like any other game from the saga. It's challening, there's demons, fusing, learning abilities from other demons and the story is interesting as usual, Atlus always delivers.

Finally there's also a lot of endings but I've never liked multiple endings, requires too much effort causing me to get bored pretty soon, I just watch them on youtube >).

Did I like it? Very.
I think you will like it if you:
- Don't hate tactical rpgs
- Like shin megami tensei environment

I rate my experience with a 8 out of 10

Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction

Ratchet and Clank is a lovely 3rd person action/platformer game.

The first thing I noticed is the graphic quality, for being an old game it looks stunning, I even think this looks better than all the newer Ratchet games, plus the sci-fi atmosphere is very well done, I love it!

The game combines some cool platforming using lots of gadgets, exploration and 3rd person shooter combat using weapons like guns with different effects, grenades, special powers, etc. All of these is upgradeable giving a bit of variety to each playthrough.

The game story development is treated like the usual USA action-comedy movie, which fits good because the acting is nice and the script fun.

Stages are varied and there's lots of things to do, I had plenty of fun completing this game.

Did I like it? Yep.
I think you will like it if you:
- Like platforming games

I rate my experiencie with a 7.5 out of 10.

Ultra quick-review: Ratchet & Clank Quest for Booty

This is a short downloable quest very focused on combat, it entertains but is nothing special.

Did I like it? It's okay.
I think you will like it if you:
- Love Ratchet series

I rate my experience with a 6 out of 10.

Ultra quick-review: Ratchet & Clank Crack in Time

A true sequel to Tools of Destruction: a long story, lots of things to do, new weapons... it's fun but I prefer the original.

Did I like it? Yes.
I think you will like it if you:
- Like platforming games

I rate my experience with a 7 out of 10.

Ultra quick-review: Ratchet & Clank All 4 One

A different game as it is focused on multiplayer. Playing alone it is entertaining but with 4 players is a blast.

Did I like it? It's okay
I think you will like it if you:
- Going to play with friends
- Love Ratchet series

I rate my experience with a 6 out of 10.

Ultra quick-review: Ratchet & Clank QForce

A tower defense game involving a lot of shooting and grinding, weird.

Did I like it? Not much
I think you will like it if you:
- Like tower defense games

I rate my experience with a 3.5 out of 10.

Ultra quick-preview: Ratchet & Clank Into the Nexus

This sequel is looking pretty good but it also looks short and too focused on combat.

I rate my expectations with a 6.5 out of 10.

Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core

This is an awesome fan service, superb graphics, revisiting places and knowing more about Soldier.

The story is about Zack point of view of the events that happened on Soldier before the original game. I've erased all this game explained from my memory, I prefer the original story as it was and let my imagination fly.

Combat system is real-time action with a touch of randomness using some kind of slot machine system that I never understand quite well and it also keeps the similar looking commands from the original FFVII.
 Customization is materia based again but not very complex, I never cared much about it.

The game is fun but it felt too easy, I finished it without any effort nor dedicating much time to customization or battle strategy.

Did I like it? Yes
I think you will like it if you:
- Are a FVII fan and want more

I rate my experience with a 5.5 out of 10.

Ni No Kuni

As everyone says, this game reminds a lot to the old school snes rpgs but It doesn't feel dated at all.

Excellent graphics making it look like a real Ghibli movie (with fewer detail of course). Music is awesome too, it can get a bit repetitive because there's few tracks.

I liked the big world map, with many things to explore on different travel methods and a cute and fun story, like the old times.

Combat is real time action based and sometimes gets a bit chaotic which can make people hate it. Yes there's commands too but the main combat action is performed by familiars and they do it in real time.

 Familiars are some kind of Pokémon that need to be captured, can be used in combat, have different skills, evolutions, etc. I really had fun with them and making different setups like Tank-Dps-Mage or Tank-Healer-Dps. Also no random encounters, which is cool to me.

The story started very emotive but It went down as I progressed, but still it never looses its old school shine so to me it's over most of what I've seen this generation.

(Ending Spoiler begin)

       There's something I didn't like, after playing so many hours the ending is too abrupt, it left like "so thats it?, okay next game please" which on my head left a worse impression of all the fun I had.

(Ending Spoiler end)

Did I like it? Yes, very.

I think you will like it if you:

- Love jprgs

- Don't need turn based combat

- Don't mind little familiar ia issues

I rate my experience with a 8.5 out of 10

Ragnarok Odyssey

This game is okay, I even played online once. It reminds me to some kind of medieval Phantasy Star Online.

The combat system is real time based on button-timing combos to make different kinds of attack

Levels are divided in little areas with nearly zero exploration to do.
 Missions are the main focus of this game, I think it is similar to Monster Hunter (I haven't played MH so I'm not sure). Missions aren't very original but boss fights are entertaining.

There are collectable cards dropped by monsters that can be equiped to gain different bonuses.
 Equipment is made through crafting items dropped by monsters, some items can be a pain in the ass to grind.

The single player isn't very great but overall it is a fun game, specially when playing online.

Did I like it? Yes but some missions can get boring.
I think you will like it if you:
- Like online action rpgs

I rate my experience with a 5.5 out of 10.

Tales of Graces F

Welcome to Rage Against Tales Of: here we are again with amnesic characters, unrealistic behaviors and passable story.

Thankfully the combat system here is superb, it is my favorite inside the "Tales of" saga where physical attacks are treated similar to artes, with many to choose from meaning a lot more possible combinations.

Customization is one of my favorites too, there's equipable titles that make characters learn new active and passive skills, and there are lots of titles to unlock. Also the Eleth Mixer that allows to equip items that give field bonuses. Finally the usual equipement crafting, fun as always and many other secondary things to do, this game is very complete.

All of this makes me forget about the characters and focus to have fun. It looks pretty good for being a Wii game, music is fine too.

Did I like it? Yep, but I still hate the characters.
I think you will like it if you:
- Love "Tales of" saga
- Like real-time combat rpgs

I rate my experience with  a 8 out of 10.

Disgaea 4

I guess I loved the original game because it was something new and refreshing, there weren't many srpg available in that moment so I really enjoyed everything about it.

But now after playing different versions and sequels I'm a bit tired, not srpg games, I'm tired of the Disgaea gameplay. Every game have some nice additions but the core gameplay stays the same, and this core gameplay gets easily unbalanced every few battles, keeping this balance and some other things require too much dedication that I'm not willing to spend. Another example is updating the unit classes that requires starting from lv1 and find some nice place to grind.

This unbalance is what keeps me from fully enjoying the game, because the rest of the game is excellent, nice story, very funny cast, 2d sprites look beautiful and there's a ton of things to do and secrets to find.

Did I like it? Yes but with issues
I think you will like it if you:
- Are a Disgaea fan
- Like srpg
- Don't mind the silly story

I rate my experience with a 7 out of 10.

Skyrim

I guess I don't like to roleplay or I'm a bad roleplayer, because in this game the immersion is awesome and I can understand people enjoying this game a lot.

But I don't find fun on smashing dragons the same way I kill generals in Dynasty Warriors, nor being Skyrim's delivery service or visiting tons of similar dungeons, with the hope to find the biggest treasure ever just to find people who attacks me for no reason and usually the only way to succeed is killing or sneaking through.

One more thing I hate about open worlds, not just Skyrim, is the missed oportunity to create a good main story with choices and consequences on its world. Instead it's usually a linear story, yes the development is not linear, I can choose to do it now or get a wife first, but the story is only one and linear path with fake choices.
 That's why I prefer the jrpgs, at least the main story has a way better implementation and presentation into the game's world.

Okay I feel relieved now :).

Did I like it? Nope, and I tried for 60+ hours.
I think you will like it if you:
- Like western action rpgs
- Roleplay!

I rate my experience with a 2.5 out of 10

Deadly Premonition

I was told that to enjoy this game I needed to play it knowing that it's very badly done.

And it's true I quite enjoyed it though technically is awful; I played the Director's Cut version that thankfully has less flaws and sound is corrected, still awful, graphically models are correct but the scenarios, enviroment, textures and effects look really bad.

Also the controls are pretty bad on the shooting parts, plus it is too easy making it seem that these action parts are forcedly put there to be like other games. There's also a lot of driving around, driving would be boring and slow if it wasn't for the conversations with the other characters, specially between Zach and York.

The story is about a murder investigation, it is pretty good and as I like this theme I had fun going around a world with relative freedom finding clues, collectables, talking with the inhabitants and doing all the investigator stuff.

What I enjoyed the most is meeting the different characters and their development, they are so fun, unique, crazy and while they may seem irrealistic but I think they're not so much, I live in a small town too and there's plenty of these people: like one guy who always talks to me with riddles, the one that speaks too loud, or who always laughs at every phrase he says (I went a bit of offtopic here).

Plus the protagonist is awesome, agent Francis York Morgan is now one of my favorite characters ever.

Did I like it? Zach says so.
I think you will like it if you:
- Are open minded enough to ignore its flaws
- Are weird enough to enjoy this game

I rate my experience with a 8 out of 10.

Fire Emblem Awakening

This is a serious Fire Emblem evolution, it keeps the soul while improves on some areas to attract other users.

There are many cool features: now there's a explorable world map, not fully explorable as it's based on nodes but it's a welcome addition.

Now there are dialogs where the 3d models are shown, it is a bit different as I'm used to the 2d art but It is still nice.

Another novelty is that 2 generals can form a combined unit with increased stats, extra attacks and dodges atc. This could need a bit of balance because some combinations are clearly overpowered.
 This can be one of its problems, the game can be easily unbalanced and it happened to me. I played on hard but I kept doing most of the little events and dlc quests that I found during the game, so my party level grew too much and since chapter 5 I was easily rushing everything until the lasts few chapters where I stopped doing those sub events, so it kinda became a bit boring. I won't make the same mistake on my 2nd playthrough.

The rest is the good old Fire Emblem: spears, axes and swords, lots of recruitable characters with interesting personalities and dialogs between them, frienship levels, good epic story, long and strategic battles, etc. And it looks pretty nice on the 3DS.

Did I like it? Yes.
I think you will like it if you:
- Love Fire Emblem series
- Like strategy

I rate my experience with a 8.5 out of 10.

Dark Souls

It wasn't as painful as my first time with Demon's Souls, I knew what to expect but it still was painful.

I love the way it hurts.

Challenge is the important word here, I don't care about the game's world and its fate nor any inhabitant life, I just want to keep going foward and no big boss is going to stop me, not even in pairs. I will cry, scream and punch things, I will die and try again as many times as needed, but I am going to succeed, I'm a gamer.

Did I like it? Much, too much.
I think you will ilke it if you:
- Like gaming
- Have hands

I rate my experience with a 9.5 out of 10

Disgaea D2

Disgaea D2 is what I needed, it trully feels like a true sequel unlike the other Disgaea games that seem just a rehash with different story and more content.

I say this because it has improved on some areas that were getting dated, first the user interface is completely new and now the information is way more accessible (well a shortcut to equipment would have been useful), it may seem a little detail but it really helps giving a more comfortable experience.

The gameplay core remains the same with the usual classes, weapons and skills but also a lot of things have been simplified making the game more accessible.
 Some of these things are little details too, like rarity on items, evilities, shops, class evolution, less council dependence, more direct action, increased gameplay pace and a whole lot of easily accessible options to modify some of the game mechanincs to make it a more customized and personal experience.

I've read many reviews complaining about the story, I don't get it, what did they expect, some epic final fantasy story? It's supposed to be a fun, silly story and it entertained me as much as the first Disgaea, Laharl&Etna ftw.

In the end I have experienced the same thing I did when I played the first Disgaea: a very refreshing game.

Did I like it? Best Disgaea ever.
I think you will like it if you:
- Don't mind silly stories.
- Like srpg

I rate my experience with a 9 out of 10.