Review: 'Fire Emblem: Awakening' Enters New Dimension on 3DS

Wow, has it really been more than two decades since the first Fire Emblem game came out? I’m kinda-sorta starting to feel, well, old.

The latest entry in the beloved RPG franchise, Fire Emblem: Awakening for the Nintendo 3DS brings its familiar tactical chops into the third dimension while also adding some new wrinkles to help freshen things up. How well does this new flavor of Fire Emblem work out? Well, let’s give it the old taste test, shall we?

In Awakening, you start out as either a male or female tactician who ends up joining Prince Chrom and his merry band of Shepherds. No they don’t actually herd sheep but then again, you don’t see people complaining about Band of Horses not actually having any horses so I guess that’s OK. Instead these warriors are shepherds of the metaphorical kind who protect the citizens of Ylisse against all the typical threats that rear their threatening head in RPGs — you know, brigands, thieves, creepy undead-looking humanoids — that kind of stuff. And building up your stable of fighters is where a great part of the fun in Fire Emblem lies.

Unlike Tales of the Abyss, this JRPG is a game of the more tactical kind, having more in common with titles such as Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention or even XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The game serves up a wide range of classes to choose from, each with their own set of specialties. Clerics can’t attack but keep your characters in fighting shape while Knights boast a high defense and are excellent at soaking physical damage. Then you have special classes that include shape shifters and dancers. You can also switch your warriors from compatible Base classes to Advanced classes for improved abilities and an extra dose of cool.

The game also maintains a rock-paper-scissors mechanic that gives each weapon and unit both advantages and disadvantages against other weapons and units. Lances work well against swords but not as well against axes, which in turn have a disadvantage against swords. Pegasus Knights meanwhile do well against magic but struggle against arrows. Using a certain weapon a lot also allows you to increase a character’s expertise for it. Strategy-wise, fighting alongside your allies can boost your fighting prowess and improves their relationships with each other. Better relationships means better boosts when having those characters side by side in battle. They also impact your success in playing cupid with them later on so you’ll want to keep that in mind if you want to become the Barry White of nerd-vana later on.

More casual players will appreciate the addition of a less hardcore mode that gives you more generous save opportunities and prevents your characters from suffering permadeath. For traditionalists, the permadeath option is still available as well as harder difficulties if you want to humor your inner King Leonidas. Enemies also aren’t dumb as a brick and mercilessly go after your more vulnerable units — at least in Hard mode, which is what I started at.
Graphically, the game is one of the best-looking 3DS games I’ve seen to date. The battle scenes look good, especially in 3D and the production values are top notch. Although some hardcore fans of the series may decry the changes made to make Awakening more accessible to casual fans, I think the game pushes all the right buttons for tactical RPG lovers overall. The fighting system is addictingly deep while the emphasis on relationships — and even permadeath if you opt to keep it on — will make you care about the characters. If you like tactical RPGs, Fire Emblem: Awakening is a worthy addition to your collection.

Full Review: Classic Hack-and-Slash Action Returns in 'Code of Princess' for Nintendo 3DS

Like video did to radio, 3D killed the 2D star. As someone who inflicted blisters on top of blisters on my thumbs while playing games like “Gunstar Heroes” and “Double Dragon” in my youth, I lamented the passing of this beloved gaming medium. Once in a while, though, a game comes along that resurrects my love for old-school fare. The latest is “Code of Princess,” a 3DS game first released in American shores last October and now just recently became available for download on the Nintendo eShop.

In this game’s campaign, you start out as the brave and somewhat airheaded Solange, a powerful and brave warrior princess with heavily armored, uh, hands. Along the way, she’s joined by one of the biggest collections of anime-inspired misfits, including a lovestruck samurai, a musclebound animal lover and a warrior nun whose philosophy is more in line with “two eyes for an eye.” These misfits are only topped by the ensemble of enemy goofballs that populate the Distron army’s ranks -- made even more interesting by the excellent localization job for the English version. It's "deus ex magnifica," if I say so myself.

Now some folks have made the mistake of looking at this as an RPG with beat-em-up mechanics, which could potentially lead to disappointment. Instead, it’s actually the other way around -- Code of Princess is primarily a combo-heavy beat-em-up with RPG mechanics, just like Guardian Heroes. And as a beat-em-up, this game is actually quite good. In fact, I consider this a more worthy followup to Guardian Heroes than the latter’s sequel Advance Guardian Heroes, particularly in terms of the fun factor. Like Guardian Heroes, you can jump in between the foreground and background. Even Solange’s diving fire sword move looks like a straight-out tribute to Han from the original Guardian Heroes. Speaking of moves, this game heavily relies on combos as well, allowing players to chain regular moves and specials. Eventually, you’ll be able to deftly launch and juggle enemies, then launch them again. A lock on and burst mechanic also allows you to deal even more damage when stacked together, though it likely won’t compare to the damage you’ll do to your thumbs once you get your combos down pat.

Stat allocation via level up also adds another, uh, level of strategy and fun to the game. Throw in the fact that you can unlock more than 50 characters and its quite possible to get plenty of replay value from Code of Princess. Admittedly, the game can get repetitive even with all the different characters -- an issue pretty much for classic beat-em-up games in general. Like those titles of old, maintaining interest in this game is all about experimenting and pulling off tough combos as well as playing with other people either via online or co-op. This brings up another issue -- the fact that the online lobbies seem to be  dead at this point. You’ll basically have to rustle up some non-imaginary friends if you want to play co-op or versus modes.

Even with its issues, however, Code of Princess is a great representation of a classic genre that has fallen by the wayside with the advent of 3D action games and first-person shooters. I remember chuckling when I finally started feeling that long-lost yet familiar sensation of blisters forming on my thumbs as I made my way to the final boss fight after playing the game all the way through from the very first stage. All of a sudden, memories of Double Dragon, Streets of Rage and Gunstar Heroes started flooding in my head. That’s when I knew I that I was taking part in some old-school fun. This game certainly isn’t for everyone but if you like classic action games, then you’ll want to give this a look.

Level 5, Studio Ghibli Create JRPG Magic with 'Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch'

All-star collaborations aren’t always a sure thing. Case in point: Check out the unpalatable, sub-500 sausage being churned out by the “all-star” cast of my beloved Los Angeles Lakers. Yuck.

Once in a while, though, the meeting of talented forces produces something that does justice to the sum of its parts. This certainly holds true for “Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch” -- the wonderful, lovable offspring sired by Japanese RPG heavyweight Level 5 with Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli. Featuring a tale centered on young wizard Oliver, Ni No Kuni takes all the wonderful flavors from both its creators and melds them into a perfectly blended seasoning. There’s the same charming and inspired art and story style seen in memorable Studio Ghibli works such as “Spirited Away.” Then there’s Level 5’s well-designed RPG mechanics and solid game design. This game essentially melds real-time action with JRPG menus while also throwing in a Pokemon-style mechanic that allows players to capture and use monsters in the field. 

Add a presentation that feels like you’re playing a Studio Ghibli cartoon -- as well as the option to use  the original Japanese dialogue -- and the result is easily one of the best JRPGs released to date. The fact that lead hero Oliver isn’t an “emo” JRPG jerk is an added plus. If you loved Dragon Quest VIII, the Tales series or just JRPGs in general, you owe it to yourself to check this gem out.

Review: Stylish Action Returns in 'DmC: Devil May Cry'

It’s been said that it’s better to deal with the devil you know than the devil you don’t. Apparently, it’s a saying that carries a lot of weight for fans of the “Devil May Cry” series.

Following Capcom’s announcement that it was handing off the reins to U.K. developer Ninja Theory for the latest entry in its beloved franchise, many unhappy fans took to the Interwebs to prove that humans may cry, too. The fact that main character Dante in “DMC: Devil May Cry” looked more like a young Morrissey than his traditional, white-haired self made this particular half-devil even more like a stranger to the aforementioned upset fans.
Despite its different look, however, it doesn’t take long to realize that this game, spiritually, is cut from the same cloth as its predecessors. It’s a realization that becomes obvious the moment you first try racking up style points by chaining ground- and air-based combos with your sword and dual guns.

Yep, this sure feels like the same devil that I know. The game even pays homage to the series’ irreverent humor right off the bat, courtesy of an “interesting” slow-mo wardrobe equip and misplaced wig. Stylish, baby!
Ninja Theory does try its hand on a more fleshed-out story, which likely will be hit-or-miss based on one’s fan preferences. Given its nice graphic style, solid combat — including use of demonic or angelic triggers — and good challenge, however, this is one devilish game worth signing a pact with for action fans.

Original RGJ review: http://on.rgj.com/12auWA5

Review: 'Earth Defense Force 2017' is Kinda Sorta Like Vanilla Ice Yo

Experts agree that too much cheese is bad for you. If only cheese didn’t … taste … so … good. Mmmm.

Speaking of cheesy dairy goodness, that’s exactly what you’re going to get when playing “Earth Defense Force 2017” for the PlayStation Vita. A re-release of the original home console game in portable form, EDF 2017 displays all the camp and lack of polish of a typical B-movie in videogame form. Cheesy voice acting? Check. Production values that ooze classic Godzilla quality? Check. A story that’s just about as deep as a mountain peak? Checkity-check-check. And yet, while you might have to work up the urge to play this game, it’s hard to put the darn thing down once you start. Maybe it’s the fast-paced, run-and-gun gameplay and overabundance of loot. Perhaps it’s the oh-so-bad-it’s-good dialogue. Maybe it’s the hilarity of how buildings crumble like sandcastles while your character shoots rockets in a goofy, pretzel-like posture while running sideways. Regardless, explaining the appeal of this game is like explaining why you like listening to “Ice, Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice.

Granted, the game has plenty of issues. Monsters and items can get stuck in solid objects. Gameplay also can be mind-numbingly repetitive. Then, there’s the $40 price tag. Get a local or online co-op session going, though, and watch the time go by. The addition of the Pale Wing soldier also helps freshen things up. Like durian, this one’s definitely an acquired taste that pays off for its target demographic.

Spartan Reviews: 'Dishonored' Takes Off White Gloves, Slaps Your Creativity and Challenges It

Reviews in 300 words or less...

It’s been said that life is all about the choices we make. Take the time I decided to high-kick a tree branch at Great America and fell on my butt. In public. Boy, do I wish I could take that back.

Choices also happen to be at the core of Dishonored, a game about a former royal bodyguard turned assassin after being framed for murder. Although divided into chapters, each stage in Dishonored pretty much acts like open world. From the routes you take in the plague-infested city of Dunwall to your decisions on whether to kill or spare practically every character you run into, choosing your own path is baked into the game’s DNA. Want to sneak around and finish the game without killing a single soul? With a little creativity, you can actually do that even with your assassination targets. Want to unleash a Kill Bill murder spree? You can do that, too, albeit at the expense of making the rat plague worse. In fact, hand Dishonored to two people and you’re guaranteed to see different approaches to the game. In one stage, I entered my destination by climbing up to a second-floor window after sneaking around and rendering enemies unconscious. My cousin, meanwhile, mowed everyone down and entered through the front door. Don’t be surprised if you save and reload often to test all sorts of possibilities. 

The only caveat is that this game may not be action-packed enough for folks who prefer a more Michael Bay type of experience. Still, given its overwhelming sense of freedom combined with cool assassin skills and a distinct Victorian steampunk art style, Dishonored is easily one of 2012’s best games.

Recommended if you like: Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Cost: $60, PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Official Dishonored website

Spartan Reviews: NBA 2K13 Dishes Out Good Basketball

Reviews in 300 words or less...

Back when wearing John Stockton shorts didn’t get you locked up in fashion jail, I fancied myself as a promising basketball player. Then my little brother had a growth spurt so I decided to drop the ball and pick up embroidery. Actually, I was only kidding about that last part — though needlework certainly sounded more appealing than being endlessly boxed out by your suddenly ogre-sized sibling.

These days, I live my hoops dream vicariously through video games. As far as virtual basketball goes, the NBA 2K series is the alpha dog. With NBA 2K11 and 2K12 easily counting among the best sports games ever, NBA 2K13 had some huge size 22 shoes to fill. The good news is that gameplay-wise, NBA 2K13 continues the tradition. The game introduces some new wrinkles including JAY Z tunes, mapping new ball handling controls to the right stick and shots requiring additional button input. There’s also a plethora of offensive moves to master, which further add to the game’s realism and polish. In fact, there’s so much to do that newcomers will likely be overwhelmed, especially with the absence of a tutorial mode. There’s also a career mode that allows you to create a player and guide him from pre-draft greenhorn to stellar baller. I decided to create “JLicious Hidalgo” a player who is 100 percent just like me -- except taller, more athletic and just a smidgen better looking.  

Admittedly, the lack of past “Jordan/NBA Greatest” challenges is a bummer. Overall, though, NBA 2K13 is on the money.

Cost: $20-$60; PSP, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, PC
2K Sports NBA 2K13