After three acclaimed releases on 3DS, HAL’s Boxboy! series said goodbye. But not all goodbyes are forever! With Boxboy! + Boxgirl!, the series returns with a move to the Switch, finding a new audience for its block-pushing platforming puzzles. Does it keep up its innovation and charm, or is the fourth outing just more of the same?
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It can be fascinating to drop into a franchise years into a deep, devoted fandom and view it without the knowledge or context of the past. Fans of Japanese games often have no other choice, as newer entries are localized and released in the West without its predecessors in tow. Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission is definitely one of these, and its combination of cumulative elements and beginnings in a culture for which we have no equivalent makes it quite the peculiar case.
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Once upon a time, it seemed like a miracle that Team GrisGris’ Corpse Party was localized. It was a horrific adventure with lots of visual novel elements and an indie game. However, Xseed Games took a chance on it, then kept taking chances on bringing more ports and spin-offs to other countries. A fanbase grew, and it made a name for itself. But one title seemed exceptionally unlikely: Corpse Party: Sweet Sachiko’s Hysteric Birthday Bash. Miraculously, it too has received a localization! It’s interesting, to say the least, but its laser focus means it is very much a game for the fans.
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With the number of alchemists we see in every one of Gust’s Atelier series, it may be easy to forget that, well, there are more normal people in these hypothetical countries than magical ones! As critical as these creators are, what about the people in charge of determining those tasks that the cities give the area’s ateliers every few weeks and months? What are their lives like? Nelke and the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World gives us a glimpse into that kind of life is like. Surprisingly, bureaucracy isn’t all that boring!
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What happens when the fight leaves an old soldier? They’ve done all they can do for their troop and are searching for a new goal. Well, in The Princess Guide, the next step is to try and help make the world a better place by sharing their knowledge and skills, rather than stepping onto the field to fight. The result is a spiritual successor to Penny-Punching Princess that gives people more princesses to follow and additional control over their actions and growth.
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The Fate/ series can be overwhelming. There are different storylines to follow, even though certain characters may appear in multiple installments and timelines. Fate/Extella has attempted to be one of the more accessible spin-offs, at least in gameplay, if not story, and now Fate/Extella Link is here to continue the story that began in Fate/Extra. Fortunately for both newcomers and returning fans, this entry both fixes problems from Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star and tries to help people wade into the depths of its lore.
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Sometimes, games are more about telling a story than anything else. The mechanics and elements revolve around the things the developer needs to make the title come to life. Enter The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince. People from two very different worlds meet, an unfortunate incident binds them together and the player goes through levels that highlight their newfound bond and interactions.
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As the lifespan of the 3DS nears its end, it’s an ideal time for two things: to celebrate the achievements of its era and to deliver the sort of long-lasting experience that can sustain those who don’t yet want to let go of the venerable handheld. Atlus’ Etrian Odyssey Nexus seeks to deliver on both fronts, bundling its 3DS-era ideas into one game that offers dozens of hours of careful decision-making.
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Otome visual novels, games where players follow a young woman as she gets closer to bachelors while also experiencing some sort of thrilling adventure, have been growing in popularity worldwide over the last few years. So much so that Xseed Games has picked up its first title. London Detective Mysteria is the story of a young woman in the 19th century who has proven herself to Queen Victoria and been given a chance to both become a detective and find love with various upstanding or unsavory individuals. While some elements may not exactly hold up under scrutiny, it gives players new love stories to investigate.
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