Aug 2022
King? Yeah, here’s your crown - DMC2
A little bit early this time around, never saw that coming. Yet, I needed to wait for food to cook and a much needed break from my extensive time with DBD. (The new Resident Evil chapter is fantastic by the way). A little more progress squeezed in this month, a little progress lost. However, with Spooktober coming up I’m sure to make a killing as I stream all 31 days with spooky games. Onto the progress.
Simple and semi-relaxing game where you can transform into a bird to travel among many sky islands to solve basic puzzles to get access to mini-dungeons in order to access the few major dungeons. Art style is neat and similar to that of Epistory. I was mostly surprised on how big the map was. At first, “Oh it’s bigger than I expected” to “Wait there’s more?” and then “How big does this get?” and so on and so forth. Puzzles are alright with only a few getting a little confusing or hidden. Story held no interest of mine.
Lewd? Nope
Recommend? Mild yes. The best part of the game is flying around without a care, but it can only go on so long.
And boy did it. An isekai where you don’t play as the person from another world and instead someone already in it. Decent RPGMaker-esque game. Classes are somewhat unique, in particular the main character (charm witch) who can charm enemies and do damage based on charm. An alchemist, and a sentinel that can switch to all offense. The story does alright and the art is relatively well (though I am mixed on MC model).
Lewd? Only if you get the patch, otherwise just incessant innuendos .
Recommend? Moderate yes.
Though I have played the series multiple times, I have never played the actual “HD Collection”. Good news, it’s more or less the same, bad news some games is too much the same.
DMC1
Truly a classic that not only helped put Hack and Slash on the map but holds up pretty well today. Enemies and bosses are enjoyable, combat is fairly varied, and very magical moments in the narrative. The only downsides are that weapon switching is far from convenient and some of the later game mechanics didn’t quite make it yet.
DMC2
I always get excited to play this before I realize “It’s worse than I remember it”. The dark broody atmosphere is nice along with a more serious Dante which feeds my head canon. This game also undoubtedly had inspired the Gunslinger style in later entries. However, the gameplay is dead simple and almost entirely revolves around gunplay even though guns don’t do much for your style rank or offer much variety. What makes matters worse is that most enemies and bosses fly making sword combat already worse. There narrative also feels non-existent as the cutscenes are few and far in between along with Dante having very few lines.
DMC3
After the failure of two it is a little surprising on how amazing 3 is. It not only sets up the more iconic Dante (aka crazy woohoo flying pizza man) but mechanics as well including the style stances and in-battle weapon swapping. Combat is fairly seamless, bosses are all nearly great to fantastic, and it has one of the strongest narratives of the series.
Lewd? Innuendos and maybe a little flashy (Shirtless Dante) but no outright lewds.
Recommend? Very much so. Even with 2 in the mix the other two games are more than enough reason to play. I’d also say don’t skip DMC2 as I think it’s important to experience and it does have it’s moments.
A reboot that is much better than people make it out to be. Sure, the changes to characters aren’t great and the writing is mostly comical (thought that is a bit of a trend in the series, and in itself is a good thing), but the combat is rock solid. Smooth as butter, allows for easy use of all weapons and the combos flow with ease. I would even say it has some have the best bosses and boss designs in the series. So, sure, you can be mad that this isn’t the Devil May Cry that you know… or you can just enjoy it for what it is.
Lewd? More nude dante, but no lewd dante.
Recommend? Yes, overall an enjoyable experience.
Played a little bit of the beta, but no one I knew was going to get it so neither did I (until it was free). It was at least interesting and unique in it’s own way and quite surprised it had a story at all. Combat is unique in that it is not just straight hack and slash, but requires you to use directions to attack and matching those directions allow the defender to block/parry if timed right. I’m sure it is easy for crazy imbalance, but I didn’t run into much of that. The story isn’t much more than a stretched-out tutorial and is maybe a little too long (despite it only being 18 chapters). I did try multiplayer a bit, mostly just breach (one team tries to break through two gates and the commander while the other defends) and I was a little surprised that it was somewhat enjoyable… but not enough for me to really stick around. It also seemed like unlocking characters was somewhat tedious and you only had access to so many.
Lewd? Lots buff and very non army wearing warriors, but no lewd.
Recommend? Meh, it’s alright and seems to still have a committed player base but didn’t capture my interest enough.
Finally, it’s here! The VN where you get to date (some) of the killers from DBD. Developed by the same studio that did “I Love You Colonel Sanders” if it gives a slight reference. However, I think this is an even better VN in this one in just about every category. First and foremost, the art absolutely pops. Colorful designs and why does everyone look so dang hot. Even the non-killer NPCs look unreasonably great. Mixed with their designs, I was able to create a perfect idea of what they might sound like, even the non-visual characters. Lastly(?), the writing is great. It’s humorous, you can feel some depth with each character and know with whom you pine for as well as some great cough scenes *cough later. It even throws in some of the DBD gameplay in there, though not to the full extent. My only wish is that there were more killers in the game (sequel?) and furthermore date all of the ones that ARE cameos in the game. I was able to get all routes for my main goal character, but definitely plan to get all routes eventually.
Lewd? Yes, though nothing visually explicit. (Some of the writing does all your imagination needs 0///0)
Best Girl: Spirit
Best Boy: Trickster (let me date him)
Recommend? Very much yes. I haven’t been into VNs for a while and this sucked (heh) me right in. Especially recommended with those familiar and interested in DBD
Fast paced Twinstick Arcade Shooter that very much reminded me of Ruiner. Not much else to say, you get a dash, you shoot, you find various upgrades and you try to save people. The game is fairly challenging, particularly in the later sections but never felt overly tedious. The upgrades and sub weapons you get can feel a little underwhelming though as some feel outright worthless.
Lewd? Nope
Recommend? Yes, fast paced shooter but be warned as your death will also be fast paced.
A very weird and stylized VN with no real overarching story. It takes maybe an hour to go all the routes, maybe longer if you don’t skip already watched scenes in which there are a plenty. This only seems a little weird as some scenes that I assumed were some random side story ended up showing just about everywhere regardless of the path you take. Despite having a somewhat interesting premise (modern world with advancing AI) it really just lacks any follow through and resolution.
Lewd? Nope
Recommend? No. It feels like an unfinished game that was expecting a sequel.
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Jeanne D'Arc- PSP
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Jeanne D’Arc
PSP
I remember seeing this game back on shelves with my first PSP in hand. Unfortunately back then I did not have the means to pay for games on my own and thus my PSP library suffered. Cut to a decade + some years later and I finally got my hands on it and boy did I miss out. This underappreciated gem is absolutely overlooked. A quality SRPG with quality combat and narrative. It is likely one of the first, if not few, games to adapt the Joanne D’ Arc story into a game, somewhat similar to that of Fate in that it mixes history with magic. Similar to that of FFTactics and Fire Emblem, you must move your characters around a grid and use spatial awareness to attack enemies in range without putting you in a disadvantageous situation. On top of a (possible) weapon triangle, there is an additional triangle of skills where you can assign a sign to deal more damage. It’s a somewhat unnecessary addition as if enemies don’t have a sign than it does jack squat. It doesn’t even enhance magic of the same sign or vice versa. My biggest complaint are the escort mission and some of the near to final bosses where the former the AI absolutely is suicidal and the latter have some very long and/or tedious and needlessly difficult situations. Still enjoyed it through and through.
Lewd? Nope.
Recommend? Yes, but unfortunately it only ever saw a PSP release.
Congratulations on all of your assassinations! I really liked AER but man, that weird ending. I tried playing DMC but a jumpscare had me screaming and turning off my PC. (I don’t remember which one it was, you were walking in a building or church and a hand broke through the wall and I panicked. )
Thank you kindly.
Yeah the AER ending was weird. I feel as though they could have at least put in a quick puzzle for that encounter to at least make it not so abrupt.
I’ll admit, it is interesting you got spooked in DMC. There are a few moments that come to mind where ghosts with scissors pop out of walls. Glad you gave it a try though. There is a lot to love in the series.