13 Most Wanted Games for the Rest of 2014

We're approaching the busiest time of the gaming year, so I figured I'd share the top titles that have my attention for the rest of the year. From Super Smash Bros. to Destiny, Sunset Overdrive to Fantasy Life, this list has all sorts of goodies on it! Once you've read my entries, feel free to share your most wanted games for what's left of 2014. You could even heavily criticize my list to the point of driving me to tears! Anyhow, let's get to my list!

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS (Wii U, 3DS)

While leaks for some folks may spoil a bit of the intrigue and hype behind a game, the character leaks from early this week have done nothing but extremely hype me for both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U versions of Super Smash Bros. Like most of Masahiro Sakurai-led projects, both new Smash Bros. games are already packed with content, and we're not even through reading and hearing about most of the new content officially. I, like many other Smash fans, will no doubt vegetate and do nothing but play Smash once the 3DS version hits in early October. Then, I'll veg again when the Wii U's holiday release date comes.

Destiny (Multi)

The game with the closest upcoming release date, Destiny is joint venture by Bungie, known for starting the Halo series on the Xbox, and big publisher Activision. Those who have already played the now-closed beta are now foaming at the mouth to play more of this massively multiplayer online shooter, whether it's for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, or Xbox 360. Thankfully, those beta entrants as well as those who didn't get a chance to play in-depth with the game before Destiny's release won't have to wait much longer to invest as much time into it as they want. Destiny launches in just a couple of short weeks.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection (XONE)

As someone who has really only played one full Halo game in the series and that was Halo 3, an essential compendium of Halo's greatest hits in one neat little package seems like a no-brainer of a pickup. You get the anniversary edition of the original Halo, a version of Halo 2 that is getting the same updated treatment as the original, and updated versions of Halo 3 and Halo 4. In addition to that, if your hunger for Halo is still not satiated (you greedy goose), the entire package comes with an invitation to the Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta. If you're like me and have little experience with Halo or even LESS experience with the series, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is an essential purchase if you're into first-person shooters or science fiction.

Sunset Overdrive (XONE)

I always knew those energy drinks were evil, and Sunset Overdrive is going to prove it to the world. The game, made by Insomniac Games of Ratchet & Clank and early Spyro games fame, has you playing as a customized character, wall-running, jumping, and grinding through a colorful city world. This is all the while taking out OD'd human beings, those who have overdone it on FizzCo's newest energy drink. The nimble and agile action of Sunset Overdrive mixed with the comic book-like world are breaths of fresh air on the Xbox One, and it's a title that makes me and a whole lot of other non-Xbox One owners wishing to purchase the system.

LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4, PS3)

One of the most exciting games for me that is coming out this year, as someone who A) loves platformers, and B) has a great amount of interest and fascination with level design, is none other than LittleBigPlanet 3. This sequel is being created by Sumo Digital, a studio with a high range of top-tier titles including Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. All previous downloadable packs from past LittleBigPlanet games can be used in LittleBigPlanet 3, all levels from the past two console games can also be played in. In addition to that, instead of being able to switch between three layers of depth, LittleBigPlanet 3 offers a game-changing 16. Oh, and did I forget to mention that creators are no longer slaves to a thermometer? Instead, creators can make levels as big as they wish, as long as their PS3 or PS4 hard drive has room available on it.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Wii U)

While the European release has been delayed to early next year, North American and Japanese Wii U owners will get to enjoy Captain Toad's first solo adventure this holiday season. The game revolves around small but packed areas where Captain Toad must maneuver through obstacle-laden courses to reach a gold Power Star, serving the purpose of each stage's goal. E3 2014's cavalcade of footage proved that this idea originally inspired by Super Mario 3D World's Captain Toad levels can be an excellent concept for a full game. I can't wait to explore levels and take control of Captain Toad later this year.

Hyrule Warriors (Wii U)

My favorite video game series is almost without question The Legend of Zelda. It's awesome to see the series continue to evolve and spread out into uncharted territory. Hyrule Warriors takes the Zelda franchise and mixes it with Dynasty Warriors to create a unique hack 'n slash action game. The amount of fan service is incredible, and while the lack of online is definitely lame (that's the word us professionals use *rolls eyes*), I'm happy that I'll at least be able to play cooperative modes with friends and family with both players having different screens to use. One player uses the GamePad screen while the other utilizes what's on the TV. Repetition may set in, but I love the source material so much that it might not even faze me.

Bayonetta 2 (Wii U)

A sizable amount of great games released last console generation (PS3, 360, Wii). It was definitely hard to play them all, much more find any time to do so! One of the games that I missed out on regrettably was Platinum Games's Bayonetta. However, now I can make up for that. The October release of Bayonetta 2 on Wii U will not only have that exclusive game for owners of Nintendo's latest home console, but it will also include the original Bayonetta with some new content thrown in for good measure like Nintendo-themed costumes for Platinum's leading lady. If that wasn't enough, Bayonetta 2 looks to continue Platinum's tradition of ever-escalating action that will get your pulse pounding and heart beating wildly. I'm excited to finally get a formal introduction to Miss Bayonetta.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (Multi)

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is one of my favorite LEGO games in the entire line of LEGO software, and if take a look at all the LEGO games that have released, that's A LOT o' LEGO! The upcoming LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham takes Batman and over 150 other DC characters and puts them in a new setting, space. You can be sure that the LEGO series's trademark humor will be a big part of the game, and that LEGO Batman 3 will be as accessible to play for all ages when it launches this November.

Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire (3DS)

It's funny that I'm hyped for this new duo of Pokemon games, remakes of the Game Boy Advance's Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, despite not even playing a second of Pokemon X or Y. It's a testament that I'm a not a Pokemaniac like some folks are (nothing wrong if you are one, though), but it just goes to show that there's something special that Nintendo and Game Freak have going. A series that was once labeled a passing fad a decade ago is still going strong during its fifteenth year in existence. I think I'll finally break out Pokemon X and give it a shot now! ...Wait. Wasn't I supposed to talk about Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Now I'm out of room. Oops!

Fantasy Life (3DS)

It's very gratifying when we do a segment on SuperPhillip Central such as "Localizations, Please!" and then we receive the games we wished to get localized! Fantasy Life is one of those titles, and I'm absolutely giddy about it. Sure, it might have taken a little under two years for the game to come out of the land of the rising sun, but Fantasy Life seems like it will be worth the wait with its role-playing game action, customization, and abundance of charm.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call (3DS)

The original Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is one of my favorite music games ever created. It helps that I have a fondness for the soundtracks the Final Fantasy series possesses, one of the few always incredible constants of the franchise. This edition of Theatrhythm features all of the songs from the original-- that's over 200 songs on the game card. The game also has a myriad of content, modes, characters, RPG-style quirks, and so much more. How can we possibly hold all of this content?!

Tales of Hearts R (Vita)

I've been yearning for more handheld games of the role-playing variety, and Tales of Hearts R is looking to feed that yearning splendidly. The original version of Tales of Hearts released only in Japan on the Nintendo DS. Now, us Westerners get a chance to play the game in most of our native languages with this PlayStation Vita remake. While our only option at least here in the United States will be to purchase the game from GameStop if we go the retail route, it's better than no release at all.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Back to School 2014 Edition

It's late August and a lot of the little kiddies are going back to school, if they haven't already. No worries if you're back to school, as SuperPhillip Central has a happy helping of VGMs to share with you to make the transition from summer to school all the easier. This week we have music from The Wonderful 101, Sonic: Lost World, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Wario Land: Shake It!, and Kirby Canvas Curse.

v691. The Wonderful 101 (Wii U) - ST01 Roll Out, Wonderful Ones! Battle in the Blossom City Suburbs

And the award for longest VGM title goes to... In all seriousness, any Wii U owners out there without The Wonderful 101 in their library should really rectify that by picking up a copy. The game takes a little while to learn the ins and outs, but once that has been done, oh, how The Wonderful 101 feels so good and rewarding! This first level theme puts our band of superheroes into the midst of turmoil within Blossom City. It's suitably heroic and full of bombastic brass!

v692. Sonic: Lost World (Wii U) - Honeycomb Highway

Although the game wasn't the great one that many Wii U owners and Sonic the Hedgehog fans wanted it to be, Sonic: Lost World wasn't that bad of a game. There were truly some amazing levels and ideas in the game. One such great level is Desert Ruins Zone Two, the setting where this kick-butt theme plays. Longtime Sonic series composer Tomoya Ohtani delivers a sensational soundtrack yet again.

v693. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (GCN) - Rogueport

We're nearly at 700 VGMs total, and this is the first time we've had Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on our list. Rogueport is the main hub of the GameCube Paper Mario, and it's packed with content, things to do, and characters to chat with. From Goombella to Admiral Bobbery, the characters that join Mario's party make for a hilarious game and enjoyable one, too.

v694. Wario Land: Shake It! (Wii) - Just Plains

The Wario Land series hit a home console for the first time with its fifth installment, Wario Land: Shake It! / The Shake Dimension. The game not only looked absolutely gorgeous, but it came packed with a terrific soundtrack that had loads of lovely themes to it. One of them is Just Plains, a piano heavy piece perfect for running across the colorful plateaus of the level.

v695. Kirby Canvas Curse (DS) - Frozen Fantasy

We conclude this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs with a song from Kirby Canvas Curse for the Nintendo DS. The game single-handily gave the touch screen for the Nintendo DS a purpose to many gamers and skeptics alike. Drawing lines to guide Kirby through the many challenging levels of the game would have been impossible on any other platform at the time. Ooh. Now we want to play this game again in anticipation for the Wii U sequel!

Mega Man IV (GB, 3DS VC) Retro Review

Like brand-new news regarding Mega Man nowadays, two reviews in one day on SuperPhillip Central seldom ever happens. Today is a special day, however. Mega Man IV recently released on the North American Virtual Console for the Nintendo 3DS. Here's SuperPhillip Central's thoughts on the game in the form of a review!

Welcome to Rockman's World.

Remember in the early 2000's how so many of us complained about Mega Man being in way too many games and seeing way too many releases? Oh, if only we knew then what we know now. Today, Mega Man is pretty much intentionally forgotten by Capcom, the series's publisher. Hell, Nintendo is doing more with the franchise than its own publisher is, and that doesn't just include Mega Man's entry in the Super Smash Bros. series with this year's Wii U and 3DS entries. It also includes many of Mega Man's games being released on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console marketplaces. The latter is where the fourth Mega Man game for the Game Boy finally gets another chance to shine, Mega Man IV. For its low entry price, Mega Man IV is like a fully charged Mega Buster shot-- it's a blast.

The core of Mega Man IV remains unchanged from past Mega Man titles, both on the NES and on the Game Boy titles that preceded it. Mega Man runs, guns, and jumps through linear platforming stages, taking on the Robot Master that serves as the last challenge of each level. Defeating the Robot Master endows Mega Man with its special weapon. This special weapon can be used as a helpful tool in completing levels, and it also serves as a weakness to another Robot Master. Finding the right weakness to the right Robot Master is essential for making the game easier on the player. The ability to choose whichever Robot Master level you want to play in whatever order you wanted makes for the ability to make Mega Man IV as easy or as challenging as you'd like.

Like each GB Mega Man before it,
Mega Man IV reuses NES Mega Man bosses.

Of course, back in the day, one would have to play through an entire level and use a given special weapon on a Robot Master to see if it would be weak against it. If not, the player would either have to do their best with just Mega Man's Mega Buster (which can now be charged), or intentionally die and try a whole different level and Robot Master to go up against. This trial and error could really be a pain, playing through entire levels only to find out that that stage's boss isn't weak against any special weapon you have. Thankfully, you can use a guide to see the recommended order of Robot Masters for Mega Man IV (and be a scrub in the process).

A new feature for this Game Boy installment of Mega Man (and for the series in general) is the inclusion of a shop feature. Once a level has been cleared, Mega Man ventures to Dr. Light's lab and can use the P-Chips (Power Chips) collected in stages to purchase a whole slew of item types. There's health and weapon energy restorative items, energy tanks, 1-ups, and more. This makes the oft-challenging Mega Man IV less of a frustration. Though, no item will save you from poor jumps, particularly into spikes, bottomless pits, or into a wall that crushes poor Mega Man.

P-Chips dropped by foes and found
in levels can be used to purchase items.

At the start of Mega Man IV, there are four Robot Masters to choose from. The first four Robot Masters in the game are all from the NES version of Mega Man 4. These levels each house one of four letters, B, E, A, and T. Collecting all four unlocks Beat the bird, who made its debut in this game and would make multiple appearances in Mega Man's many sequels.

Meanwhile, the latter four Robot Masters are all taken from Mega Man 5 on the NES. Unlike the letters in the first four levels, these levels require you to collect all four letters-- W, I, L, and Y, in order to unlock the last series of levels in the game.

Since the Game Boy screen had much less space to it than a television screen, rooms in the Game Boy Mega Man games were much smaller, meaning larger sprites and less real estate per screen. That said, even with this perceived handicap, levels in Mega Man IV are well designed and seldom feel unfair. Well, Crystal Man's notwithstanding, which is a stage that ups the difficulty to astronomical levels in comparison to all of the other Robot Master levels in the game.

Know when to hold 'em. Know when
to fold 'em. Know when to run away.

Alongside this baffling jump in difficulty, most levels do not feature enough checkpoints in them. This makes repeated deaths frustrating, especially when you die at the same spot that you spent another five minutes getting to. These spots are usually just before a checkpoint, as if the level designers wanted their cruelty to be their legacy long after their deaths.

Much like discovering the weaknesses to each Robot Master, Mega Man IV is trial and error. An important part of its challenge is redoing stages, learning from your mistakes, and going for that perfect run. This makes the game a lengthy one in that regard. However, with the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console's restore points, you can cheese your way through the game, reloading the restore point when you die. It's like it never happened! Doing so, though, will rob you of the sense of accomplishment Mega Man IV gives you from succeeding due to skill rather than perseverance with the restore point option.

This robot won't even LOOK your way
if you use restore points.

Mega Man IV is a worthy entry in not just the Game Boy line of Mega Man titles, but it also keeps up with the home console releases as well. Some intentional design choices to make the game challenging will frustrate many younger players (heck, and even some older ones, too), but overall Mega Man IV is a blast to play and oh-so rewarding to overcome each challenge it shoots at you.

[SPC Says: 7.5/10]

Table Top Racing (Vita) Review

Exactly one month ago we took a look at Super Toy Cars, a game in the same genre as the subject of this early morning's review, Table Top Racing for the PlayStation Vita. It's my pleasure to say that Table Top Racing fares a bit better than what we covered last month. Here's the review.

You're too old to be playing with toy cars;

play with these awesome virtual toy cars instead!

Table Top Racing originally debuted on iOS devices last year, and it brought with it an abundance of free Micro Machines-style racing. An Android version was released earlier this year, and now Table Top Racing has revved its miniature engines and rolled onto a dedicated gaming device for the first time in the form of the PlayStation Vita. 

Hearing that the game is from the co-creators of the insanely addicting and polished Wipeout series makes for big expectations for an otherwise decidedly unassuming racer. Is Table Top Racing worth a look on Sony's handheld, or would Vita owners better be served playing with their old set of Hot Wheels cars?

It seems that plenty of developers grew up playing with toy cars and raced with them much like I did as a kid. How do I come to that conclusion? Simply because miniature cars racing in a video game seems to be an idea that's a dime a dozen. However, Table Top Racing doesn't just make this fun, it also executes the idea splendidly-- and without the tears that come from having your mom accidentally step on one of your favorite toys. I LOVED THAT RETRO FORD MUSTANG, MOM!!! ...Ahem.

Ooh. Save some of that miso for me!

Anyway, when I say Table Top Racing executes the idea well, I'm talking about how tightly and responsive each small scale vehicle handles and feels. The starting ice cream van controls well enough, even with its modest stats, and when you move on to more awesome rides, racing become even better. Seeing how easy it is to pick up and play the game and how little there is to learn to start racing with the best of them, it makes racing on top of picnic tables, kitchen counters, and even barbecue grills exhilarating. Yes, exhilarating. 

Of course, simply racing through courses lined with everyday household and outdoor objects would grow tiring rather quickly, so like any capable and competent racer of this style, items are involved. From EMP shocks and homing missiles to mines and nitro boosts, Table Top Racing has a handful of helpful items that keeps races interesting. Not only can they help you fend off opposing racers wishing to take first place away from you, but they also assist in keeping up with the pack. Though, it's important to note that the latter isn't really hard to do, as the overall difficulty of Table Top Racing is on the low end of the spectrum, save for some later races.

No worries if your tires start squeaking;
there's a whole bottle of oil right to the side!

Something that also has a low difficulty is coming across a questionable design choice regarding the controls. The rear view of Table Top Racing is activated by grazing the back touch pad of the Vita system. Since the touch pad takes up so much real estate on the Vita, it makes accidentally switching to a rear camera view all too easy mid-race on multiple occasions. This results in a lot of accidental crashes into objects and missed turns due to being unable to see them, a problem that is particularly vexing if you have large hands. This means you must hold the Vita in an awkward position just to avoid routinely touching the rear pad. 

The main mode of Table Top Racing consists of several championships featuring a plethora of race types. There's traditional races with no items, combat races with items, time trials, elimination-style races, and a chase race where you try to catch up and ram into the CPU driver as fast as possible. Perfecting each event will take a good while to do, as will getting all of the trophies. Thus, Table Top Racing certainly has plenty of longevity to it.

Reminds me of speeding down Miami's beaches
at night. Wait. I've never been to Miami!

Completing races not only furthers your progress, but it also bestows you with coins. Unlocking cars and upgrades for your hot set of wheels are done through spending coins. Due to the mobile gaming roots of Table Top Racing, you can go about purchasing coins with real world money in order to unlock new cars and upgrades on a swifter basis, if you so choose to go down that road. Just realize that this route is by no means necessary to unlock everything within the game. 

This trucka is a bad mutha-- watch your mouth!

Regardless, a myriad amount of vehicle types are available to buy, each with their own stats that can be upgraded, paint jobs to purchase, and special abilities to unlock like being able to bunny hop over obstacles to create makeshift shortcuts, for instance. 

Table Top Racing was a bit of a looker on iOS and Android, but on the PlayStation Vita, where there's plenty of downloadable games that are downright jaw-dropping, the visuals do less than impress. Textures in the game do little to excite, many objects that line the track look like they are made out of plastic (which would be fine if those hot dogs were meant to actually be doggy chew toys), and the overall look of the game comes off as cheap. However, the vehicle models and backgrounds are of a high quality. It's also worth mentioning how vehicles leave behind tread-marks, which is neat to see, so it's not all bad visually.

On the audio side, if you're a fan of ho-hum rock music that is bundled together with even more ho-hum rock music, then Table Top Racing will make your ears love you for giving them a chance to experience the music of the game. Nonetheless, the majority of players will probably mute the game, especially since the sound effects don't do much to interest the listener either. 

Table Top Racing is one of the better miniature car racers out there. It controls well, has wonderful racing action, a lovely helping of content, and it's easier to play on the bus or train to work than hauling your collection of Micro Machines and playing with them there. Plus you won't get as many dehumanizing, judgmental stares. The game has its fair share of issues, but those wanting some fun toy car action will find plenty of enjoyment with Table Top Racing.

[SPC Says: 7.0/10]

Ragnarok Odyssey ACE (PS3, Vita) Review

This Friday brings a new review to SuperPhillip Central. With Monster Hunter on a competing platform, the PlayStation Vita has Ragnarok Odyssey ACE. Does it serve as a suitable substitute?

Brush up on your Norse mythology later,

there's lummoxes to destroy!

Since Monster Hunter pretty much roamed away from Sony platforms and onto Nintendo devices, disappointed PlayStation owners who are also fans of the series have had to look elsewhere for their big beast bashing fix. We've seen lots of new games take inspiration from Capcom's colossal franchise, but none have really met the same amount of critical and commercial success. Originally released in 2012, Ragnarok Odyssey was a title that fell in line with other Monster Hunter wannabes. This year it has seen an expansion of sorts with Ragnarok Odyssey ACE, adding a healthy helping of new content. Is ACE the place for your monster-hunting needs?

The start of Ragnarok Odyssey ACE has you creating your custom character, making his or her appearance with a rather scarce amount of options. It's important to note, though, that the game opens up customization as your progress once headgear, clothing, and armor are introduced and more options are added. You can select between one of six classes that best suits your play style: Sword Warrior, Hammersmith, Mage, Assassin, Hunter, and Cleric. The Sword Warrior makes for the easiest time in single-player while the others are great for a well-balanced team online. Regardless, you're not stuck in the class you choose; all are interchangeable from your personal room at Fort Farthest.

Missing the cap and cape, but other
than that, a dead ringer, I guess.

As not-so-subtly mentioned, Ragnarok Odyssey ACE allows for offline and online play, featuring the same quests in both. Most players will find the early quests elementary in difficulty, thus not really needing online assistance. However, the later quests in the game, particularly battles against the bosses known as lummoxes, are made much easier and let you get by with a little help from your friends (or total strangers). The community is generally helpful regarding new players or those just asking for help on a quest. If you're particular about who joins your room, you can always set up a password, kick those out that aren't welcomed, or make a room private.

I'm the guy who is going to do all
the quests you're all too damn sorry to do.

As for the offline play, you can hire up to two computer-controlled mercenaries to assist you in the various quests (i.e. be damage sponges for you), if need be. The only small downside to this is that your monetary award at the end of a successful quest is lessened. Otherwise, it's nice to have enemies split up their attacks instead of just mauling you and you alone like a mob.

Critical hit!

Quests themselves are classified into two basic types: killing a set number of monsters or collecting a specific amount of a certain item or material. The quests that have you gathering materials and defeating a number of monsters have you roaming around and essentially killing everything that moves. These quests are rather mindless most of the time, especially later ones where you're forced to take down fifty enemies of one kind. It becomes mind-numbing to do and little strategy is required.

This assassin lives by no creed
other than kill or be killed.

The real draws to Ragnarok Odyssey ACE are the boss encounters where you take on a larger-than-normal monster or set of monsters in an expansive arena. Each boss has numerous weak points that can not only be strategically preyed upon, but they can be broken off, giving you a rare material in the process.

What do they feed these birds up here?

It's important to note that Ragnarok Odyssey ACE may seem familiar to Monster Hunter, its obvious inspiration, but it doesn't have anywhere near the same amount of skill or finesse required to succeed. If you use the same tactics that Ragnarok Odyssey ACE requires, simply mashing the attack button and occasionally dodging, running away, and evading attacks, you'll definitely be in for a rude awakening with Monster Hunter. Ragnarok Odyssey ACE by no means requires anywhere near as much timing and patience as Monster Hunter, where the latter forces you to attack smartly when there's an opening. In Ragnarok, openings are all too common, and many times you can stand still and hack away.

Missed me, missed me, now you
gotta EAT MY SWORD AND DIE.

Ragnarok Odyssey ACE forgoes a traditional leveling system. Instead, what is used is a card system, where each equipped card gives your character a specific skill. These can be dropped by defeated enemies or purchased at the in-game shop. Cards take up a finite number of clothing slots. You can safely swear on Odin's name that the better the skill, the more slots of clothing the card and accompanying skill needs. Different skills involve raising HP, AP, attack, defense, lessen knockback, add elemental powers to your attacks and armor, and so forth.

Dress up as Lloyd Irving from
Tales of Symphonia? Sure. Why not?

As you progress in the campaign of Ragnarok Odyssey ACE, new outfits are unlocked for purchase at the tailor's shop. Not only do you need enough money to buy these, you also need the required materials, too. Upgrading clothing takes the same requirements, each time having different materials necessary to upgrade your desired piece of clothing. Thus, your clothing piece gains more slots for you to work with and equip helpful cards to.

It's a juggling act of picking the right cards for the right situation. If one set of cards isn't resulting in a successful quest, then perhaps trying a different combination is... *ahem* in the cards. Thankfully, you're able to save an abundant amount of costume and card combinations, so you need not recreate your favorites or go through a hassle each time you wish to experiment.

Talk about your juggling act...

For those that have played the vanilla release of Ragnarok Odyssey, you might be wondering what are the benefits of upgrading to ACE. Well, not only can you transfer your save date from the original over to the updated ACE, but there's an improved HUD, the inclusion of all of Ragnarok Odyssey's DLC on the game card itself, new skills to use, new enemies to defeat, a special new dungeon in the form of Yggdrasil Tower, and some refinements made to the overall balance of the game. Whether those additions make ACE worth it to you is purely your call.

Sometimes it's best to put your proverbial
tail between your legs and run.

Ragnarok Odyssey ACE isn't the most impressive game visually on the Vita hardware, so it makes sense to say that it doesn't look that great compared to its contemporaries on the PS3. That said, loading times are thankfully short, gameplay typically runs a smooth frame-rate, and the action is overall easy to follow. Nonetheless, where Ragnarok Odyssey ACE truly shines is in its soundtrack. Featuring a majority of music from Kuni Tanioka of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles fame, the music is extremely well done and gets you in the spirit for a grand adventure.

Since Western PlayStation owners can't get their official Monster Hunter fix, Ragnarok Odyssey ACE is a suitable, if not much more accessible, alternative. With tight and responsive controls, an online community that still offers the ability to find rooms rather easily, a fair amount of customization, and plenty of quests and content to partake in, Ragnarok Odyssey ACE is a Monster Hunter clone done pretty well. The lack of really needing to time attacks makes Ragnarok Odyssey ACE an easier game to get into, but it also makes it occasionally tedious to play. Still, you'll feel great acting like Thor's hammer, slamming your way through wave after wave of enemy fodder alone or with players around the world.

[SPC Says: 7.5/10]