Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

The Good:

Intriguing premise and unique gameplay mechanic
Compelling mystery that comes to a rewarding conclusion
A ton of memorable characters and great dialogue
Engaging, often suspenseful puzzles
Terrific visual style and impressive animation.

The Bad:

Gameplay doesn’t evolve at all until late in the game.

Dead men, the saying goes, tell no tales. Luckily, this old adage doesn’t apply to the recently deceased central character of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. In Ghost Trick, you take control of a soul who has no memory of his prior life and is desperate to uncover the truth behind his mysterious death. This investigation takes the form of a unique adventure game filled with terrific characters, compelling puzzles, and a labyrinthine mystery that keeps you guessing and that pays off in a big way. Don’t let the fact that the main character is dead mislead you: this lively adventure is a breath of fresh air. You’ve never played a game quite like Ghost Trick. Read the rest of this entry »

Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors

The Good:

Story is smartly written and suspenseful
Rewarding puzzles
Multiple pathways and endings provide replay value.

The Bad:

Gameplay sometimes takes a back seat to reading
Starting over forces some repetition

You wake up on an ocean liner. You have been chosen to take part in a deadly game. Along with eight others, you must find a way through a series of rooms that offer no easy exit, or die trying. Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors pulls you into this grim circumstance through its absorbing storytelling and through puzzles that engage your wits but rarely frustrate them. The terrifying dilemma the characters are forced to confront is not one most people would ever want to face, but this excellent adventure game makes vicariously experiencing that horrific situation tough to resist. Read the rest of this entry »

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem

The Good:

Slick new construction-themed gameplay twists
Adorable presentation
Robust online level-sharing options.

The Bad:

Very similar to previous games.

Mario may have bigger adversaries to tussle with these days, but sometimes, age-old conflicts can’t be put to rest quite so easily. Aside from giving the mustachioed Italian plumber a shot at getting some payback and settling an old score with his original flaming-barrel-chucking ape nemesis, the Mario vs. Donkey Kong franchise provided an interesting break from the status quo for Mario and pals. Since it transitioned from the Game Boy Advance to the DS in 2006, the strategic puzzle-oriented gameplay revolving around safely guiding mini versions of Mario and his buds through obstacle-course levels hasn’t changed much from one entry to the next. Read the rest of this entry »

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future

The Good:

Lots of inventive and challenging puzzles
Time-travel mystery provides a great hook
Lots of hint coins if you want to give your noggin a rest
Lovely, whimsical design.

The Bad:

Some puzzles too convoluted for memo feature.

The Professor Layton games occupy a brilliant little niche in the puzzle game genre, delivering mind-churning challenge with whimsy, humor, and heart. The titular gentleman and his eager apprentice have returned once more to answer a call for assistance, following a path that leads onward through the mysteries of time. Built around a slew of great puzzles and moved along by intrigue and intellect, Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is gratifying on many levels. Anyone who enjoys pitting their wits against brainteasers could enjoy this game, but something better occurs here than unraveling mazes and counting blocks. This is a delightful adventure that enchants the mind and blends its challenges, narrative, and world in a near-seamless weave. Read the rest of this entry »

Final Fantasy The 4 Heroes of Light

The Good:

Charming, compact world is easily explored via hints from helpful townsfolk
Crowns allow party composition changes on a dime
Lots of element and class-based gear swaps for any occasion.

The Bad:

Initial hours are disjointed and full of backtracking and grinding
Menus are clunky. Read the rest of this entry »