It’s not a game I see myself booting up on my own, but as a means to get a party going with players of all skill levels, I am glad I have it on the metaphorical shelf.
Though I relished in each moment of discovery and lived for the run where I put together my learnings to complete all the goals in one run, Time Flies' lifespan is nearly as short as the titular character's.
Across its 12-hour runtime, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound seamlessly blends gorgeous pixel art, inventive level design, and sublime gameplay to create one of the best retro throwbacks I've ever played.
Chasm features all of the Metroid hallmarks: creative upgrades, fearsome enemies, and gorgeous backdrops. Unfortunately, its twisting labyrinths feel randomly slapped together – which they are.
Shantae’s reliance on revisiting levels holds Half-Genie hero back, but the excellent platforming, myriad transformation abilities, and characters elevate it to an experience worth pursuing.
The barrage of references might be lost on casual followers, but that’s okay. World of Final Fantasy is aimed directly at fans with fond memories of the series’ first 15 years.
