piofiore
Review Switch 

Review: Piofiore shows how dangerous love can be

By Jenni Lada //

There are two companies that have become synonymous with otome games outside Japan. One is Idea Factory, the company behind the Otomate line of visual novels. The other is Aksys Games, the company best known for localizing said titles. Piofiore: Fated Memories is the latest and attempts to help increase the genre’s reach by offering more mature situations. While it does succeed, it also doesn’t feel all that different from typical otomes and might even be a bit off-putting.

Read more
monster hunter stories 2
3DS Guide Mobile Switch 

What to expect from Monster Hunter Stories 2

By Jenni Lada //

We are getting a second Monster Hunter Stories game! The sequel was a part of the September 2020 Nintendo partner showcase, and then went on to be discussed in the follow-up Monster Hunter Direct. But while knowing Monster Hunter Stories 2 is on the way is exciting, it’s also a shock and might leave people wondering why they should be excited. There’s a lot of missing information, which isn’t helped by the preliminary footage seeming to pull from cinematic segments. Fortunately, we’re here to help!

Read more
rpg maker mz
3DS Guide PC PS4 Switch 

Picking the Right RPG Maker to Use

By Jenni Lada //

It is a great time for people who don’t have game development experience to begin making their own RPGs. Thanks to various localization efforts, lots of Gotcha Gotcha Games and Kadokawa Games programs designed to make RPG creation easy are available to a wide audience in multiple languages. There are so many that, well, it might be overwhelming. You have console programs, PC software and even the 3DS has a tool you can use. Which one is best for your needs? Can you actually make a full game? It is a lot to take in at once.

Read more
Guide Switch 

Nintendo Switch imports guide: the best Japan-only games to play

By Graham Russell //

The Nintendo Switch has made it easier than ever for Western Nintendo fans to enjoy import-only games, and it’s a good thing, too, because there’s some fun stuff to check out! (Even if, due to so many localizations about which we will not complain, the options are still a bit slim.) Here’s your guide to what you should be playing that hasn’t made it to Western eShops.

Read more
dragon quest builders 2
Mobile PC PS4 Switch 

Dragon Quest Builders 2 can help make playing Dragon Quest II feel more worthwhile

By Jenni Lada //

Dragon Quest II has a reputation, but it has nothing to do with its positive attributes. The game helped the series take a step forward, what with it having a more detailed storyline, including more playable characters, offering more enemies to fight and having additional travel options. Unfortunately, it is also known for being incredibly difficult. That difficulty has proved rather daunting. Fortunately, Dragon Quest Builders 2 feels like it redeems Dragon Quest II.

Read more