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Showing posts from August, 2023

EMIT Vol. 3

The third and final installment of the EMIT visual novel adventure series wraps up the multilayered sci-fi narrative in dramatic fashion. Like the previous two volumes, Vol. 3 excels at immersing players in its dual-reality setting while teaching conversational English. With an emotional, thought-provoking storyline and endearing characters, EMIT ends on a high note. Lost Souls Seek Redemption Vol. 3 picks up after protagonist Yuri has swapped bodies with Julia, leaving Julia stranded in Yuri's world. The two desperately try to return to their own realities as friends and family realize something is amiss. This body-swapping premise made for an intriguing hook in earlier volumes, and the stakes feel higher than ever as the characters' dilemmas come to a head. Seeing the once-antagonistic Julia and Yuri work together highlights how far they’ve come. The supporting cast also shines here. Yuri's friend Ken brings levity with his loyalty and optimism. Ichiro emerges as a stando...

Esparks: Ijikuu Kara no Raihousha

Esparks: Ijikuu Kara no Raihousha is a charming throwback to the 16-bit action RPGs of the 1990s. With its top-down perspective, real-time combat, and lighthearted story, it evokes fond memories of classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. While it doesn't necessarily break new ground, Esparks delivers a polished and enjoyable experience for fans of the genre. The game puts players in the shoes of a young hero whose family has been kidnapped by an evil villain. After acquiring the mystical powers of Esparks, the hero sets out on a quest through time to track them down. The story is fairly simple and straight forward, but provides enough motivation to keep pushing forward through the game's many dungeons and battles. The time travel elements are particularly enjoyable, allowing players to revisit areas in both the past and future. Pixel Powerhouse Esparks features delightful 16-bit pixel art that looks like it could have come straight from the SNES era. The sprites ...

Energy Breaker

Energy Breaker is a Japan-exclusive tactical RPG that blends traditional RPG exploration with grid-based combat. Published by Taito for the Super Famicom in 1996, it has since received an English fan translation. At first glance, Energy Breaker resembles classics like Lufia with its dungeon crawling and turn-based battles. However, the tactical combat system provides a unique twist, requiring more strategic thinking than random encounters. The core of Energy Breaker will feel familiar to fans of 16-bit RPGs. Players explore towns and dungeons from an isometric perspective, conversing with NPCs and searching for items. Random battles have been completely replaced with visible enemies that must be engaged on the field. When combat begins, the battlefield transitions to a grid layout. Here the tactical gameplay shines, as players and enemies take turns moving and attacking based on speed. There are multiple character classes, each with unique skills to master. The combat emphasizes strate...

ESPN Baseball Tonight Review

ESPN Baseball Tonight is a classic baseball video game that brings the excitement of the ballpark right to your living room. Released in 1994 for multiple gaming platforms, this retro title captures the strategic gameplay and competitive spirit that baseball fans crave. With official MLB licensing and teams, ESPN Baseball Tonight offers an authentic and entertaining digital take on America's favorite pastime. The core of ESPN Baseball Tonight's gameplay allows players to match wits against the CPU or a friend in exhibition, season, and playoff modes. You can step up to the plate as any MLB franchise and set your lineup, make substitutions, and call the shots from the dugout. The simulation engine powering the action on the field provides solid realism with accurate physics and strategies. As manager, you make critical choices like when to steal, hit and run, or bring in relief pitching. Executing these moves at the right moments can mean the difference between winning and losin...

Emmitt Smith Football

Emmitt Smith Football is a unique Super Nintendo sports title focused on America's favorite pastime - football. At its core, Emmitt Smith Football is a standard sport video game featuring fictional teams and players, minus any official licensing beyond the name and involvement of legendary Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith himself. However, what helps set this SNES sports game apart is the robust play editor feature, allowing players to create and save up to 64 custom plays. When you first boot up Emmitt Smith American rugby , it becomes immediately evident that this is a very barebones footie title. The lack of real NFL team or player licenses beyond Emmitt Smith himself is noticeable, making all the teams and players complete fiction. However, the core gameplay itself remains solid and authentic to real the real sport . All the standard rules of the NFL are represented, with scoring plays and penalties accurately mirroring their real life counterparts. The camera angles us...

Solstice II

Solstice II is the sequel to the classic 1990 NES title Solstice: The Quest for the Staff of Demnos. Developed by Software Creations and published by Sony Imagesoft, Solstice II brings players back to the icy world of the evil sorceress Sonia. Like its predecessor, Solstice II is an isometric arcade adventure that incorporates elements of platforming, puzzles, and light RPG mechanics. Overall, it's an enjoyable return to the Solstice universe with some solid gameplay and level design. In Solstice II, the heroic wizard Shadax has been captured by his former apprentice Sonia and imprisoned in her icy fortress on Death Island. It's up to Shadax's son Glendaal to journey across the land, defeat Sonia's monsters, and ultimately rescue his father from the witch's clutches. The basic premise follows the hero's quest structure typical of many fantasy stories. While the narrative isn't particularly complex, it provides enough motivation to drive the gameplay forward ...

EMIT Vol.2: A Thrilling Adventure Through Time and Space

EMIT Vol.2 is the second installment in the unique adventure game series focused on teaching English through an immersive narrative. In this volume, the protagonist Yuri discovers that her doppelganger from another world has taken her place back home. What follows is a race against time as Yuri tries to set things right before it's too late. Fans of the first game will be pleased to find the same charming characters and imaginative storytelling in this sequel. Right from the start, EMIT Vol.2 pulls you back into its fascinating world. After a chance encounter with an old friend, Yuri learns her lookalike convinced him she was the real Yuri by uttering the mysterious phrase "Emit." Recalling the events of the previous game, Yuri heads back through the interdimensional doorway, only to be met by her doppelganger who forcibly switches places with her. Before you know it, you're on an urgent mission to undo the identity swap and restore order between the two worlds. A Riv...

EMIT Vol.1: A Charming and Heartfelt Adventure

EMIT Vol.1, also known as Lost Child of Time, is the first entry in the English Dream series by Koei. It’s an adventure game focused on a high school girl named Yuri, who encounters a mysterious elderly man asking for directions. This seemingly innocuous meeting soon sweeps Yuri up into a fantastical tale involving time travel, aging in reverse, and helping the old man find his way home. I found the story premise immediately intriguing, and the characters endearing. Though light on gameplay, EMIT Vol.1 succeeds in crafting a magical atmosphere and touching narrative. After her odd encounter with the elderly gentleman who mysteriously murmurs “Emit”, Yuri is approached by a handsome man who claims to be that same elderly person, just one month further along in his rapid reverse aging. He explains he is from another world where people age in reverse, and the tunnel back to his world is broken. Needing help to locate a new portal before he ages too far and dies, he asks Yuri for assistanc...

Emerald Dragon: A Heartfelt 90s Anime Fantasy Gem

Emerald Dragon tells the tale of Tamryn, a human girl raised by kindhearted dragons after a deadly shipwreck. Years later, her closest dragon friend Atrushan sacrifices his true form to join her quest to save their world from an evil empire. The heartwarming premise launches a classic good versus evil fantasy adventure. While the overall narrative sticks to well-worn genre conventions, the endearing party of heroes gives the journey life through their distinct personalities. Tamryn and Atrushan's close bond of friendship grounds the team, complementing each other's strengths and differences as outcasts exceedingly well. Tamryn's courage and morality steady the group, while Atrushan provides crucial knowledge of ancient magics. Their fellow adventurers like the stalwart knight Brendan or the gentle healer Iris also receive chances to shine. Each member feels essential with their own backstories meshing together into a cohesive fellowship. Small touches throughout the story f...

Diving Deep Into The World of Elfaria II: The Real-Time RPG Gem

The Legacy of Elfaria Remember the classic RPG, Elfaria? It took the gaming world by storm back in 1993. But have we ever stopped and pondered about its sequel, Elfaria II? A Glimpse into Elfaria II Elfaria II isn't just a continuation; it's a reinvention. Set a century after its predecessor, this sequel pays homage to the original while carving its unique identity. But what's even more captivating? The art direction. Ever noticed the stunning "Western" cartoon style that resonates so well with avid gamers? That's the magical touch of manga artist Susumu Matsushita. He's not only the name behind Elfaria's mesmerizing illustrations but has also graced many a video game box with his art and contributed to countless gaming magazines. The Backstory - A World in Desolation Time is a river, and in Elfaria, it's been flowing for 100 years since we last saw our hero, Pine. Remember him? The brave heart who vanished after saving the world and cleansing a c...

Elfaria Review

Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) have been a staple in the gaming community for decades. Renowned for their intricate narratives and detailed world-building, they often offer a unique experience that draws heavily from the Japanese culture. However, the barrier to entry for many Western gamers has often been a combination of language challenges and misconceptions about the genre. Growing up, many Western gamers might have disregarded JRPGs as tedious and text-heavy, preferring action-packed titles that demand less patience. Yet, as Jason Brookes insightfully pointed out in 'Super Play Magazine', there exists a vast cultural difference between Japanese and Western players. The former places significant emphasis on storytelling, with reading being a fundamental part of their societal makeup. Today, games like 'Final Fantasy' and 'Dragon Quest' might not be as appealing to the younger demographic in the West as titles like 'Call of Duty' or 'Grand Th...