My games of the year 2021 (GOTY 2021)

Best Shooter

Battlefield 2042 (PS5)

Battlefield might have thrown away nearly everything including the entire solo mode, the multiplayer experience stays unrivaled. Even more so in this PS5 version where 128 players can fight at the same time. With perfect sniping, non-stop action and armored warfare, Battlefield 2042 finally brings to console the promise of the perfect, PC-level Battlefield.

Runner-up : none

Best Action/Adventure game

Resident evil Village (PS5)

While Resident Evil Village was first in the series, I think I picked the right one. I tried Resident Evil VII soon after I liked it much less, so I do think Village is especially well directed. More focused on atmosphere, less linear and more spectacular, it’s undoubtedly a major installment of the series.

Runner-up : none

Best RPG

Tales of Arise (PS5)

It was a risky return but BandaiNamco made a flawless comeback with Tales of Arise. Advanced graphics, fantastic characters, epic fights, divine music… Every ingredient of the golden age of JRPG is there in a modern title that never forgets its roots.

Runner-up : The Legend of Heroes Kuro no Kiseki (PS4) & Scarlet Nexus (PS5)

Best design

The Legend of Heroes Kuro no Kiseki (PS4)

Falcom pulled its best for this new chapter of The Legend of Heroes. The world of the Calvard republic is incredibly rich and detailed, thanks to picturesque towns and remarkable secondary characters. The main characters are especially great, making a even finer casting than Sen no Kiseki in its time.

Runner-up : Scarlet Nexus (PS5)

Best graphics

Battlefield 2042 (PS5)

No real surprise here, DICE offers to PS5 players the best of technology in the FPS genre. Maps are splendid, and varied. The fight est more intense than evez thanks to more troops, more vehicles on the field. Weather effects bring an nice apocalyptic touch to the genre.

Runner-up : Resident Evil Village (PS5)

Best soundtrack

The Legend of Heroes Kuro no Kiseki (PS4)

New prize for Falcom Sound Team. From the splendid opening to great boss battle themes, not forgetting the town music, Kuro no Kiseki is a marvel for your ears. Dynamic, grandiose, Falcom’s new hit is the msucial journey of the year.

Runner-up : Tales of Arise (PS5)

Best atmosphere

Resident Evil Village (PS5)

Even though it’s more strictly the case in the first two chapters, Resident Evil Village serves delicious Japanese horror. The castle and especially the doll house are paragons of sinister. The fear is acute and the exploration thrilling.

Runner-up : Doki Doki Literature Club + (PS4)

Special Prize

Scarlet Nexus (PS5)

There aren’t studios capable of creating full new IPs as ambitious as Scarlet Nexus. I created this special prize in order to reward a high level of originality and quality. The gameplay in Scarlet Nexus is totally revolutionary, the challenge is intense and the character design vastly outstanding. This is the greatest new title in years. I hope the sequel comes quick…

Biggest letdown

Caligula 2 (PS4)

There’s always a risk when you release a stellar new IP : it’s hard to keep up in a sequel. Furyu fell right into this issue with Caligula 2, not even remotely as great as Caligula or Caligula Overdose. The publisher get into the market a underwhelming RPG plagued with short and lackluster writing, terrible gameplay balance and outdated graphics. Let’s point it out once more : using a big name is not enough.

Runner-up : Neptunia X Senran Kagura Ninja Wars (PS4)

Game of the Year

Tales of Arise (PS5)

As I said last year, we have to celebrate true JRPG when we see it. Like SquareEnix last year, BandaiNamco invested massively to deliver an purely traditional JRPG, but in modern standards. When many aren’t making their best because they target casuals, wokes or Nintendo subsidies, BandaiNamco’s effort in going forward with both Tales of Arise and Scarlet Nexus deserves our warmest praise. Long live the best publisher of 2021!

Scarlet Nexus (PS5)

The Legend of Heroes Kuro no Kiseki (PS4)

Resident Evil Village (PS5)

Press Round-up – Winter 2019

Reviews posted on VGchartz from January to March 2019. Click on the titles to access the reviews.

The Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel IV (PS4)

Alas, the Falcom heroes disappoint in the last part of the Cold Steel saga! Built on a seriously boring narrative structure and awfully paced, The Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel IV often feels quite underwhelming. Great parts are still there to be experienced, like the beautiful endings, and battles as well as the numerous characters are still reason enough for fans to give it a go.

Dead or Alive 6 (PS4)

Not so much innovation in the end from Team Ninja, but the Dead or Alive formula still dominates the fighting genre to me. Nico is a a great new character, balancing, graphics and online are just remarkable so nothing but support here.

Enough of E3! Let’s talk about other games #2018

Nelke and the Legendary Alchemists (PS4/PSVita/Switch)

This is fresh of this week. As promised by Gust, the Atelier series takes a different path this year. Nelke, the protagonist, is not an alchemist but an aristocrat ! She’ll have to ask the services of famous heroines of the series (Meruru, Ayesha, Marie…) to help her develop her land. It would therefore be an Atelier game played from the client’s perspective instead of being the alchemist ! Rather refreshing, and another Vita version is more than welcome.

World End Syndrome (PS4/PSVita/Switch)

Still no news of Arc System Works’ visual novel, which is supposed to mix dating and mystery. Delayed to summer quite a while ago, it’s high time we knew when we’ll be able to solve the cases of the coastal town of Mihate.

Tokyo Chronos (PSVR)

Another visual novel full of eerie murders, but in virtual reality this time. The details are kept for Anime Expo, the biggest western event for Japanese AA games. For now, we just have this sentence « I was killed, who’s the culprit ? ».

NG (PSVita)

Here it is ! The spiritual successor to the glorious Death Mark is being finalized for PSVita at Experience. No less spooky than the latter, NG puts away fantastical places and aims to juxtapose daily life and horror. A rather interesting mix that will put maximum pressure on characters themsleves eerie enough, but risking an horrible fate.

Bullet Girls Phantasia (PS4/PSVita)

Gone missing for 8 months, Bullet Girls Phantasia finally comes back to us with a release date in August. The girls of the airsoft club are going to be warped (with their equipment) in a heroic-fantasy world where they’ll meet no less attractive females. Elves, magic user, knight, catgirl will fight along in battles mixing blades, magic and 7×62 ammo.

Utawarerumono Zan (PS4)

Aquaplus finally cuts ties with the strategy/RPG genre with this new episode called Zan. The old engine is replaced by beautiful technical assets created by Tamsoft. The developer is preparing another superb beat’em all, which will undoubtly gather new series fans.

Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel IV (PS4)

Lots of games are planned for release on September 27^th in Japan, but only one has the attention of JRPG fans. Trails of Cold Steel IV comes swiftly to give some answers to the insane events sorrounding the end of the third one, and offer us the greatest perspective Legend of Heroes has ever known.

Press round-up – Winter 2018

As I said last time, most of my English reviews will now be published on VGChartz. Once again, it is a significant opportunity for me so I definitely want to play that card to the maximum. In order to organize things on this end, I’ll write a report like this every new season to recap every article. That said, I will have a few blog-exclusive PSVita reviews coming, so stay tuned for that also.

Review – The Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel III (PS4)

Massive JRPG, Trails of Cold Steel III kept me busy for something like 130h, making it one of the longest games that I’ve ever played (excluding the 400h on Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer, but that’s another story). Characters, storytelling, combat, strategy… Falcom’s talent fully gathered in one memorable adventure, its only problem being the subpar graphics considering it’s a PS4 exclusive now.

Review – Great Ace Attorney 2 (3DS)

The second part of the non-localized historical spin-off of the Ace Attorney series. This entry send us back to Sherlock Holmes’s London, where defense lawyer Ryônosuke will have again to find his way to the truth in tricky cases. A lot more exciting than the first one, Great Ace Attorney 2 sheds light on many unanswered questions and features crime cases full of humor and also incomparable atmosphere.

Review – Death Mark (PSVita/PS4)

Well, you probably know this one. This is the updated review of one of my top games of last year, a horror story that I think is not going to be matched any soon. This article draws a brief recap of the sixth chapter, appeared in the PS4 version and given as free DLC on PSVita.

Review – Atelier Lydie & Suelle The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings (PS4)

Hugely anticipated as far as I’m concerned (since Atelier took back the GOTY spot last year), this newest Atelier game kinda fell short of the great expectations I had for it, because of its appalling level-design, the irritating DLC policy and the flat story. A serviceable Atelier game, but far from the best entries.

Review – Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet (PS4)

Another new installment I was eager to experience, I even bought the digital premium edition with the season pass. No regrets, but the feeling that BandaiNamco is unable to make a SAO game without silly mistakes in it. The renewed gameplay is cool, gun-friendly world of Gun Gale Online is fun to roam into, but little presence of SAO characters makes it feel like a different IP.

My games of the year 2017 (GoTY 2017)

Best Action game

Fire Emblem Warriors (Switch)

For a first Switch game, Fire Emblem Warriors has been an awesome pick. Omega Force delivers here one of the best Warriors game ever : the ferocity of the fights blows everything that has been done before, and general direction was quite good. Loaded with the best characters and clever maps, it was an amazing experience all the way.

Runner-up : Nier Automata (PS4) & Senran Kagura Peach Beach Splash (PS4)

Best Shooter

Call of Duty Modern Warfare Remastered (PS4)

Generally I don’t agree with the « it was better before » whole narrative. But when it comes to FPS, well, that works. The multiplayer in Infinite Warfare is garbage, so you ought to come back to what’s good. And here we must admit that « before », Call of Duty mutliplayer was remarkably well-designed and provided a lot of fun. What else then than embracing this excellent remaster?

Runner-up : none

Best Fighting game

Tekken 7 (PS4)

While having an underwhelming solo, Tekken 7 does things right on the important part : online. Matchmaking is effective, music options very nice, costumization as good as ever, moves are over the top and gameplay still is an absolute reference for the genre. Clearly a must-have to enjoy figting once a while.

Runner-up : none

Best Racing game

Gran Turismo Sport (PS4)

Gran Turismo Sport scared me at release : without any solo championship, I wondered if the IP wanted to commit suicide or something… Fortunately, solo leagues came via update about a week ago, a necessary addition to the driving challenges, which are a cool part but insufficient alone. With trickier driving than before, GT Sport has of course a dream-like concentration of models and an awesome photo mode for car lovers.

Runner-up : Wipeout Omega Collection (PS4)

Best RPG

Atelier Firis, the Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey (PS4)

I spent January 2017 on Atelier Firis and that was absolute delight. The series had recovered everything that had made it great (limited time, alchemy challenges, hidden bosses…) while adding a massive innovation : an astonishing open world that transformed management. 70 hours of exploration, wonders and surprises. Atelier Firis is probably going to be unique.

Runner-up : Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel III (PS4)

Best Puzzle game

Shin Yomawari (PSVita)

Unable to trigger another revolution (because basically copy/pasted from the original), Shin Yomawari still gets its deal of searching and puzzles. Gameplay is a bit more irritating than the in first one, but the game is loaded with intense secquences than will put you on edge.

Runner-up : none

Best music

Great Ace Attorney 2 (3DS)

No hesitation in this category this year : I’ve been listening to Great Ace Attorney 2’s OST for 4 months now! Capcom’s game is never ending greatness for your ears, the entire soundtrack going from good to magnificient. Joyful melodies, dark themes, epic orchestrations, there is nothing that Great Ace Attorney 2 doesn’t do well.

Runner-up : Ys VIII Lacrimosa of Dana (PSVita)

Best narrative

Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel III (PS4)

I’m still shaking. My heart almost couldn’t take it at the end of Trails of Cold Steel III. Falcom obviously wanted to make it spectacular, so that the slightest information on Trails of Cold Steel IV is pure gold. Of course, even before that, writers placed several key reveals and intense secquences. A clear intensification of Trails of Cold Steel story-telling.

Runner-up : Death Mark (PSVita)

Best atmosphere

Death Mark (PSVita)

I cleared Death Mark over a long week-end. That was fortunate, because I couldn’t imagine myself dropping the game to go to work. I was completely hooked by Death Mark’s hypnotic atmosphere. Experience’s game is the darkest I’ve ever played, it was even difficult to breathe given the fear of what could come out. Music and sounds reached perfection.

Runner-up : Shin Yomawari (PSVita) & Iwai Hime Matsuri (PSVita)

Best design

Death Mark (PSVita)

Death Mark is memorable for a reason : its design perfectly fit the horror genre. The look of the environements alone scares you to the bone. Terrifying details are rife, atrociously mutilated bodies too. And I don’t even mention the Ghosts : after chapter 3, I couldn’t even turn off the lights at night…

Runner-up : Nier Automata (PS4)

Best game you might never play

Great Ace Attorney 2 (3DS)

Notice that I won’t mention Death Mark here. I’m confident that NIS America or some other company will bring it to the West. Regarding Great Attorney 2 though, that seems toasted… A shame, because that second part of the Victorian spin-off had super great story and humor.

Runner-up : Iwai Hime Matsuri (PSVita)

Most disappointing

Cyberdimension Neptune 4 Goddess Online (PS4)

Compile Heart needed to fix years of IP mismanagement with Cyberdimension Neptune 4 Goddess Online, and they failed miserably. This Action-RPG is poor in every departement and doesn’t inherit the Neptunia spirit. The Neptunia IP is weak now, the lack of ideas eventually ended up being lethal. Tsunako is being out-fashioned by Nanameda Kei, and producer Mizuno is ridiculous compared to other teams at Compile.

Runner-up : Nights of Azure 2 (PS4/PSVita)

 Game of the year

Atelier Firis, the Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey (PS4)

The king of RPG-Management was back this year. I could feel once more the delight of adeventure, the heat of battle and greatness of never ending frontiers. The alchemy challenges in an open world is something that had never been done before, like a wave which you need all all your might and wits to resist to. The Golden Age of Atelier was back.

 Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel III (PS4)

 Death Mark (PSVita)

 Ys VIII Lacrimosa of Dana (PSVita)

Enough of E3! Let’s talk about other games #2017

Zanki Zero (PS4/PSVita)

Survival-RPG produced by the DanganRonpa team, Zanki Zero has the most interesting concept this year. Zanki is an idiom known in shoot’em up which represents the number of starships remaining before game over. In the same logic, the 8 boys and girls of Spike Chunsoft’s devastated world will have to progress and survive until no one remains. Rather advanced in its management, Zanki Zero will ask the player to quell the stress of the characters and even take care of their natural needs.

Shin Yomawari (PS4/PSVita)

Remarkable game of 2016 in the fear department, Yomawari obviously sold well enough to warrant a sequel because Nippon Ichi Software plans to release Shin Yomawari in very territory this year. You will this time control two girls on after another, the world will be larger, including indoor environments among new frightening spots.

Tokyo Clanpool (PSVita)

Compile Heart is on the move on Vita with a brand-new DRPG, the heroine which is… a loli prime minister ! Along with her cabinet, Natsume tackles the exploration of a mysterious black tower that crashed on the Japanese Diet building. Openly political, Tokyo Clanpool features a support rating as central criteria.

Dragon Quest XI (PS4)

After the moral collapse of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest XI is one of the references JRPG fans must consider. Casino, horse racing, dragon mounting, smith… SquareEnix’s next hit underlines its rich content and classicism to better attract summer players.

The Great Ace Attorney 2 (3DS)

Cool but significantly incomplete, Great Ace Attorney had “sequel” written all over it. That’s now on rails and we’ll again have the pleasure to experience the Victorian and Meiji era with Ryunôsuke, but also from the eyes of his distant cousin Ryutarô.

Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel III (PS4)

Falcom likes to play with fans’ feelings with its first PS4 exclusive. Trails of Cold Steel III reshuffles the roles and calls back popular characters from older episodes. Unexpectedly, Aurelia becomes headmistress of Thors Academy, Tio makes a noticeable entrance and eccentric Dubally will once more stand on your way along with the threatening secret society she belongs to. Meanwhile, no word on your former comrades from Trails of Cold Steel II… Falcom or the master of suspense.

Nights of Azure 2 (PS4/PSVita/Switch)

Obsequious to Nintendo’s orders in exchange for a juicy part of profits in the Fire Emblem Warriors project, KoeiTecmo had left Nights of Azure in the dark the time the were preparing the Switch version. Having recently reappeared in the press, Gust’s action-RPG showed its final casting of Ashule’s partners and detailed the swimsuits offered as an apology for the long delay.

Moero Castle Panzers (PS4)

Compile Heart had a clear purpose when choosing PS4 as the only platform for Moero Castle Panzers. The company intends to offer the usual Moero experience (touching the girls’ body) in the best 3D they can deliver. In terms of battle, we’re now looking to tactical-RPG featuring various jobs depending on the equipped underwear (!).