SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Most Overlooked Games

SPC is no stranger to looking at those games that fall through the cracks, get ignored or even forgotten by the mainstream, the gaming community or a combination of both, or simply don't get as much due credit as perhaps they deserve. Every year as part of the SuperPhillip Central Best of Awards we take a look at just some of the overlooked games from the past year, and that tradition continues with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards as well. By no means is this a complete list of the excellent games that were overlooked this year, but maybe with this category, you'll gain some interest in some of these titles. Let's get to the countdown.

5) Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Releasing in late February for all major platforms of the time, Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection is a compilation title of six rather challenging and punishing Mega Man games: Mega Man Zero 1-4 and the Metroid-structured Mega Man ZX and its sequel Mega Man ZX Advent. Perhaps the level of challenge and the relative obscurity of several of the games put some potential buyers off from the game, but even still, this collection came and went without much buzz. The Mega Man Zero games are no strangers to being compiled into one collection as seen with the Nintendo DS package, but the addition of the ZX games and the added modes and museum make this particular collection one that shouldn't be--but was by many--missed.

4) Darksiders Genesis (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Another February release that came and went was Darksiders Genesis. This entry in the series wasn't a Zelda-like similar to past entries, but more like a Diablo clone. It was a well done one, too, offering plenty of levels and dungeons to crawl through, utterly obliterating enemies, nabbing loot, discovering hidden treasures, solving puzzles, performing platforming, and battling big bosses in an isometric world. The interactions between War and newly playable Strife are endearing and quite hilarious at times as the unlikely duo hack, slash, and shoot through levels. Darksiders Genesis might not continue the story beat and tease of the very first Darksiders' ending (seriously, continue the story already), but it's a solid hack and slash action-RPG all the same worthy of a play.

3) Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 (PS5, XBS, PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Puyo Puyo is a relatively obscure puzzle game for the mainstream audience, but as we know, Tetris is hardly that. It's a household name pretty much. Combining the two worked well with the original Puyo Puyo Tetris, but the recently released sequel seems to have slipped through the cracks. The online player count for most platforms is decidedly on the low side, and there's very little discussion about the game in general, save for the occasional conversation out of the spotlight. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 introduces new modes, such as a fresh take on the Adventure mode from the original game, with an overworld to complete missions on. There are also new Skill Battles to take on in addition to the tried and true modes and gameplay of the original Puyo Puyo Tetris. If you have any love at all for either Puyo Puyo or the much more common Tetris, then you owe it to yourself to give Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 a try.

2) Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS5, PS4)

At the PlayStation 5 launch this past November, most of the attention went to a different 3D platformer--Astro's Playroom. By no means was this not well deserved, as by all accounts the game is genius design from the reviews and player feedback I've read, and the game was installed on every purchased PS5. Meanwhile, Sackboy's own adventure, a $50+ game, didn't receive anywhere near the same amount of spotlight or attention. As you've seen with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards already and as you'll see later in the show, my opinion of Sackboy: A Big Adventure is mighty strong and I hold it in very high esteem. Its cleverly designed levels, awesome co-op, and rather difficult challenge in the late and post-game makes for a totally terrific 3D platformer akin to Super Mario 3D World. If you're a fan of challenging 3D obstacle course-based platformers, then you're missing out if you've yet to play Sackboy: A Big Adventure.

1) Dreams (PS4)

Despite a lengthy development time, when Dreams finally launched earlier this year--this past February to be exact--it did not exactly receive a rousing, amazing welcome from PlayStation 4 owners. While seeing what creators of Dreams content are making is absolutely cool for many, this game creation suite of tools may have put plenty of potential players and would-be creators off due to the time commitment required to put into Dreams to make quality stuff. It doesn't help that Sony did not do much to market or advertise the game either. That's certainly a major shame, as Dreams is truly something special and much easier to get into than other similar software tools. Perhaps if instead of a $40 buy-in to be able to create and play content, a free-to-play formula would have worked better. Regardless, Dreams is very much worth giving a look and a chance on.

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We're not done today with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards. There's another award category to be had, so please look forward to that later tonight!

Most Overlooked Current Gen Games - Part Ten

Welcome to a very special edition of Most Overlooked! No, I don't mean "very special" like one of those "very special" episodes of Full House or Saved by the Bell. I mean, "very special" as in we've reached our tenth installment of the Most Overlooked Current Gen Games!

SPC has always been passionate about sharing those gaming gems that aren't your traditional million-selling, triple-A mega hits. Instead, the Most Overlooked series by its very nature looks at those games that don't get extravagant marketing campaigns, don't stay on the sales charts for prolonged periods of time, and don't get as much hype dedicated to them. Perhaps with this series of articles you'll discover a new game that piques your interest and preference.

This tenth edition features games from a wide range of different genres; We have a dungeon crawler, a fighting game, a JRPG, a platformer, and a point-and-click puzzler.

Before we continue our journey through the land of the Most Overlooked Current Gen Games, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the previous nine installments of this long-running series for your to peruse:

Current Gen - Part One
Current Gen - Part Two
Current Gen - Part Three
Current Gen - Part Four
Current Gen - Part Five
Current Gen - Part Six
Current Gen - Part Seven
Current Gen - Part Eight
Current Gen - Part Nine

Darksiders Genesis (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Our first game for this tenth edition of Most Overlooked Current Gen Games takes the familiar hack and slash, dungeon crawling gameplay of the Darksiders franchise and puts in a new, isometric perspective. Darksiders Genesis offers a Diablo-like dungeon crawler with Zelda-like puzzles and platforming challenges. The levels feature myriad secrets inside to encourage meticulous exploration and return trips, and the boss battles are absolutely intense and entertaining. Whether playing alone and switching between War and Strife on the fly, or playing co-operatively with another player with one as each Horseman, judgment will be brought down on your enemies. Darksiders Genesis was a pleasant surprise to start off the gaming year with when it launched on home consoles (the PC and Stadia versions launched late last year), and it's a shame it seems to have come and gone without much fanfare.

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

With a history of less than morphinominal licensed games, it's easy to see why not many took to a fighting game based off of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Those who did, however, experienced one of the most fun and fluid team-based fighting games available, albeit not very content-rich. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid launched rather bare bones with a limited roster and very little single player content to speak of. Since launch, the roster's reached higher numbers with every fighting game archetype represented, a story mode based off of the Shattered Grid arc of the Boom! Studios-published comic was added, the presentation greatly improved, and the fighting itself has only gotten better. This 3 vs. 3 fighting game is a blast not just for fans of Power Rangers but also just those who desire a fighting game with deep mechanics and plenty of pluck.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore (NSW)

Perhaps this next game is proof that it wasn't just the Wii U's failure that made the original Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE bomb at retail when it originally released on Nintendo's first HD system. Even with a second chance in the spotlight on a much more successful system (and that's understating the Switch's success in comparison to the Wii U), Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore didn't exactly follow in the footsteps sales-wise of other ports of Wii U games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, among others. That's okay, though, as the game has found its own following, and if you can stomach and tolerate the overdose of Otaku and idol influences, you'll get a challenging JRPG that has both style AND substance in grand abundance. This RPG is quite unlike anything else, not just on the Switch, but on any platform.

New Super Lucky's Tale (NSW)

3D platformers are in rather short supply on ALL systems this generation, and that stretches to the Switch as well. Nevertheless, owners of Nintendo's hybrid system received a rather remarkable addition to the genre from an unlikely place. Lucky's Tale was originally an Oculus Rift exclusive, and then, it was expanded to the Xbox One as Super Lucky's Tale. Late last year, the game arrived on the Nintendo Switch with added content, additional levels, and another word in its title with New Super Lucky's Tale.

Lucky himself is enjoyable to control, being able to burrow into soft surfaces to dodge hazards and enemy alike and reach otherwise inaccessible areas. Levels are full of secrets to find and special pages to collect, whether they are in non-linear 3D, side-scrolling 2D, or auto runner form. Lucky's adventure doesn't wear out its welcome, nor does it overly frustrate. New Super Lucky's Tale delivers a charming and entertaining platforming adventure that didn't necessarily find an overly perceptive audience on the Switch. Particularly disappointing when you consider the longtime audience of Nintendo consoles.

Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy - Deluxe Edition (NSW)

Being real here, Level 5 has bungled a lot of its franchises over the years. What was once a strong Japanese developer currently faces challenges in getting attention to its various series, many of which have either been mismanaged, or worse, run right into the ground. Like many other Level 5 franchises, the Professor Layton series isn't as strong as it once was during the Nintendo DS days, but that doesn't stop Layton's daughter, Katrielle, from having her first puzzle-filled adventure in Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy from being a success, at least quality-wise.

The original game launched on the Nintendo 3DS as well as mobile devices, offering over 100 unique brain teasers sprinkled and scattered throughout the game's dozen chapters. Instead of one overarching mystery, Katrielle and her group of companions took on a different case each chapter. Regardless, whether it's because of franchise fatigue or a lack of Layton fans nowadays, not even a new protagonist could renew interest in the series. Whether Layton as a franchise can bounce back is almost as great a mystery as any featured in the games themselves!

Review Round-Up - February 2020

While replaying the Dragon Ball Z saga was nothing new, the way that it was presented to players
certainly was with Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, SPC's Featured Game of the Month!

SuperPhillip Central moves into March with a look back at the reviews published on the site in February. It's something I like to call the Review Round-Up, and in February, four reviews were posted. Let's call it "quality over quantity", and it's my firm hope that you agree with the "quality" part of that statement!

We started off strong with Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition, a heartfelt Metroid-style 2D platformer that was as much of a surprise in quality as it was that it appeared on a non-Xbox-related platform. The game earned a B+. Then, the featured game of the month was Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, a somewhat long-winded but enjoyable romp through both familiar, already tread territory with the DBZ saga, and all-new territory with a bevy of side missions that dug deep into the Dragon Ball mythos. The game got a B grade overall.

Following that was the latest in the Darksiders franchise with Darksiders Genesis, taking on a new isometric, top-down perspective for its adventure while retaining many of the qualities that fans of the series have grown to love. Genesis also got a B grade. Finally, we wrapped up with the mystery files and compelling cases of Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy - Deluxe Edition, arriving on the Nintendo Switch with its abundance of perplexing puzzles and charming characters. It, too, received a B grade. Overall, a great month of games ranging from B to B+!

Now, let's take a look at some excerpts from each of SPC's reviews this month, and remember to check out every review ever posted on SuperPhillip Central with the SPC Review Archive!

Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition (NSW) - B+

Now, Nintendo Switch owners without an Xbox can see for themselves what the gaming world has known for over four years now: that Ori and the Blind Forest is a breathtaking game, most definitely worthy of playing. Seriously, you owe it to yourself if you have any semblance of a fandom for platformers or Metroid-style games to check Moon Studios' stellar outing out. What it lacks in super-satisfying combat, Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition more than makes up for in basically everything else--sensational, jaw-dropping visuals; a muted, ambient soundtrack that knows when to pack a punch when it's absolutely necessary; a heart-tugging, emotional journey; and immensely rewarding and great-feeling gameplay.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (PS4, XB1, PC) - B

...while I think Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a great Dragon Ball Z game, it's only just a good game in general. Some gameplay systems are too basic or work against one another, and battles can really test one's patience early on, especially with the sometimes wonky camera. Most outside players less familiar with the source material will probably not find as much to love about the game as a fan would. That notwithstanding, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a game built for the fans first and foremost, and here, it certainly serves them well.

Darksiders Genesis (PS4, XB1, NSW) - B

Even with its tremendous lack of polish (and this will only improve as more patches are added to the game), Darksiders Genesis managed to hook me in from beginning to end and long after seeing the credits roll for the first time after my initial 15 hour play-through. I found myself routinely returning to levels to retrieve collectibles I had missed or couldn't yet acquire because I didn't have a needed ability from a later level. The combat is simple enough to learn, but the ins and outs will take plenty of time to get proficient enough to tackle the game's toughest challenges, such as the arena and ultra-hard Apocalyptic difficulty. What Darksiders Genesis lacks in polish and an overly capable camera, it more than makes up for in enjoyable exploration, rewarding combat, clever puzzles, and smartly placed secrets.

Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy - Deluxe Edition (NSW) - B

Overall, if you've already experienced what Layton's Mystery Journey had to offer on a previous platform it released on, then there's no real reason to play through the game again on the Switch, despite the sharper visuals, slightly altered or completely different puzzles, and new additions. While Kat and her adventure may stay in the shadow of her father's trademark top hat due to its disjointed case structure and easier puzzles, Layton's Mystery Journey is still a top notch point-and-click puzzle game that fans of the Professor Layton series will feel right at home playing. It's also a fantastic starting point for new players to take their first leap into the Layton franchise. 

War and Strife made one unlikely but altogether efficient duo in the stellar Darksiders Genesis.

Darksiders Genesis (PS4, XB1, NSW) Review

We march through February with another new review. It's for the latest in the Darksiders franchise, Darksiders Genesis, taking on a whole new perspective while retaining much of what fans of the series love. Let's check it out with the SPC review.

The beginning of the end

Available on Google Stadia and PC late last year, Darksiders Genesis now hacks and slashes its way onto home consoles with a PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch release. Does this new take on the Darksiders franchise deliver a gift from the heavens, or is it best left to linger and languish in Hell?

Darksiders Genesis is at its heart a cross between the isometric combat and dungeon-crawling of Diablo and the puzzle-solving and dungeon-exploring of The Legend of Zelda. Of course, the game pushes forth its own identity through the foundation, as Darksiders Genesis still plays like a traditional game in the series; it just puts a different perspective on things--literally.

War and Strife, a pair that starts out together as smoothly as oil and water.

Genesis has up to two players either locally or through online co-operative play, running, gunning (in the case of Strife) or slashing (in the case of War), jumping, and exploring through multiple disconnected levels as they take out enemies and perform small platforming challenges and solve relatively simple puzzles. While co-op is a main focus of Darksiders Genesis, it's important to note that the game can be played entirely solo, offering the ability to switch on the fly between characters instead of having both on the same screen at once like one would have it in co-op (or split screen in the case of local co-op).

There are 17 unique chapters in Darksiders Genesis, and the majority of them feature full-fledged levels to explore. These feature an abundance of collectibles in the form of character upgrades, Trickster keys to unlock specially marked doors, and new abilities for Strife and War respectively. Levels have a ton of secret areas and optional paths to them. One can get lost quite easily, but this is remedied somewhat by an in-game map. I say "somewhat" because the map does not tell you where your character is in relation to it. There's no "you are here" icon to speak of. All that you are told when looking at the map is the general area you're in, which is signified by a flashing highlighted section. Essentially, you have to use your eyes to approximate where you are on the map by noticing the scenery and nearby collectibles that appear on the map. This will most likely frustrate the more directionally-challenged players, especially early on in the game.

Levels also feature a multitude of optional quests to take on, and these hand out rewards for completing them, such as coins and souls--used to purchase goods and new moves and abilities in Genesis's hub world--and creature cores, which are the main means to upgrade both playable Horsemen.

Darksiders Genesis has plenty of similarities to Diablo, save for an important one--it's not a loot-based game. You don't pick up weapons, armor, or equipment from felled foes. Instead, occasionally, enemies drop creature cores, which can then be equipped to a skill tree to sorts. The more cores you earn of a particular creature, the more the core levels up, up to three times, and the stronger both Strife and War become when those cores are equipped to them. Each creature core has a unique ability and bonus when equipped. Some boost War and Strife's maximum health, while others have enemies drop more health when defeated. There's a whole slew of bonuses, and putting the best suited creature cores to your play style will make all the difference in making the more challenging difficulties all the more bearable. (But, in the case of the unlockable Apocalyptic difficulty, it'll still a bear in general to beat!)

Bosses come at the end of most levels, but the major foes
of Darksiders Genesis have their own dedicated levels.

Genesis features a mix of combat, exploration, platforming, and puzzle-solving, and that's listed in the order of what you do most to what you do the least in the game. Still, there's a generous mix of all four in the game. Starting off with combat, both characters have a mix of modest combos they can unleash with a range of light and strong attacks. These can be chained together to inflict significant damage, or at least wear down the more tank-like enemies. While War is more accustomed to up close and personal melee strikes with his sword, Strife generally is better at long-range attacks through various ammunition used from his twin guns. He has standard ammunition that comes in unlimited form, and other ammo types that he can discover throughout the adventure that aren't as generous with the ammo supply.

Go in guns blazing as Strife. Just be sure to keep your distance.

When a foe is weakened enough, an indicator appears over their head, allowing players to unleash a finishing move on them. This grants valuable invincibility frames to the player, perfect for getting a quick breather in on harder difficulties. Unfortunately, many times I'd end the animation of a finisher and wind up being vulnerable just as a surrounding enemy went in for an attack, thus my character getting rocked.

In addition to standard attacks, War and Strife can incorporate special attacks that consume Wrath energy, best used for crowd control and taking down sizable portions of the health meters of bosses. There's also Synergy attacks that serve as devastating team attacks, and ultra powerful Anarchy abilities that temporarily turns either War or Strife into a gigantic, invincible killing machine.

Didn't you hear? Anarchy reigns.

Outside of combat, there is plenty of platforming and puzzle-solving to be found in Darksiders Genesis. The latter uses unique items, mapped to the D-Pad, two of which are unique to both War and Strife. One such item, the Vorpal Blade acts like the boomerang from The Legend of Zelda franchise, allowing War to chuck it to hit multiple targets at once. Then there's Strife's Void Portal, which behaves much like a portal found in Valve's titular puzzle game.

While the puzzles are top-notch, and work well either in solo or co-op form, platforming is more difficult than it needs to be. This is due to the camera angles used. Being at a fixed angle, it can be quite challenging to gauge jump distance and height. Sometimes I'd misjudge jumps and fall into the abyss below. Other times--not any fault of the camera, to be fair--I'd get caught on scenery and geometry way too easily to the point that I'd have to switch characters just to "glitch out" and escape.

And that's a big thing to note with Darksiders Genesis: it's a glitchy game. From moments where finishing moves wouldn't register probably, having a Horseman defeat a foe with a melee attack from across the room, to falling through the floor on multiple occasions, to specific puzzle-related portals not operating correctly, Genesis has more than its fair share of tech issues. The camera in general can make it difficult to see things, and it can also obscure enemies behind walls and foes just out of its field of vision. On the positive side, I do appreciate all of the accessibility options available in the game, such as being able to increase the text size, a godsend for portable Switch players.

Depending on the platform, Darksiders Genesis can look fabulous at times.

Even with its tremendous lack of polish (and this will only improve as more patches are added to the game), Darksiders Genesis managed to hook me in from beginning to end and long after seeing the credits roll for the first time after my initial 15 hour play-through. I found myself routinely returning to levels to retrieve collectibles I had missed or couldn't yet acquire because I didn't have a needed ability from a later level. The combat is simple enough to learn, but the ins and outs will take plenty of time to get proficient enough to tackle the game's toughest challenges, such as the arena and ultra-hard Apocalyptic difficulty. What Darksiders Genesis lacks in polish and an overly capable camera, it more than makes up for in enjoyable exploration, rewarding combat, clever puzzles, and smartly placed secrets.

[SPC Says: B]