Teen (13+)

The Third Time is (Kind of) the Charm

HIGH Getting saved a split-second before death by my AI sidekick.

LOW Getting helplessly pinned by bosses while the camera goes crazy.

WTF Why does this feel like it hasn't advanced in years?

Game Description: Monster Hunter 3 (Tri) is an action role-playing game (RPG) from Capcom. The first iteration of the popular Monster Hunter franchise to make an appearance on the Wii platform, action in it revolves around quest based gameplay built around the hunting and capture of monsters as a means of character development. The game features multiple modes of co-op gameplay—both online and offline—new monsters and weapons classes, multiple controller options and Wii Speak and text chat player communication support.

You Talk too Much

HIGH The desolate, yet familiar environments, although they're repeated.

LOW The constant tedium of the Inventory Tetris.

WTF "Friends give each other kisses, right? I read that somewhere."

Pretty Girls and Mechs? Not as Awesome as it Sounds

HIGH: The dating simulation "Adventure Mode."

LOW: Long battles, followed by even longer boss fights, without a break. (Or a save point).

WTF: The dating simulation is the high point. In a game about giant mech fighting.

Game Description: Sakura Wars: So Long My Love is a single player strategy role-playing game (SRPG) and the first game in the popular Japanese Sakura Wars franchise to be released in North America. The game features both an exciting and fast-paced mech/air battle system and a unique, sim-based storyline. This in-depth storyline allows for character interaction that plays a major role in the progression of game action as interactions with various characters in the game can ultimately change the story content and even the final outcome.

More Fun to Say than to Play

HIGH Finally getting a fourth party member...

LOW After 13 hours.

WTF Even with the game explicitly telling me that I could upgrade Ragnafacts, it took me two whole chapters to remember to do it.

Game Description: Hexyz Force is a single player turn-based role-playing game for PlayStation Portable that allows players to take up the fight on both sides of a grand conflict that will physically and philosophically decide the fate of an engaging fantasy world. The game features two playable characters, each with their own backstories, attributes and abilities, 3-character party combat with AI companions, 50 hours of play time and 20 minutes of anime cutscenes.

Grinding Gears

HIGH The first fight where I really figured out the battle system.

LOW The difficulty spike in the final chapter.

WTF "Guys don't make passes at girls who kick asses!" Seriously?

Game Description: Civilization on earth has long been forgotten with the previously lush world now a burned out remnant of its former self. Originally built as an experimental life support system, Basel is now the only place on Earth where mankind can sustain their lives. As their role their PMF (Private Military Firm) the group (Vashyron, Zephyr and Leanne) must seek out and complete quests for their clients leading them on a journey that will reveal the truth of Basel. Experienced RPG development team, Tri-Ace, behind this entirely new vision of fate within a steam punk world. The Tri-Ace development team has had a hand in developing some of gaming’s most celebrated RPG franchises from Star Ocean to Valkyrie Profile. Sega and Tri-Ace now introduce Resonance of Fate, which adds a new spin to the genre with a new cinematic action gameplay system centered around gun play and a steam punk styled world.

Multi is the New Single

HIGH Jumping into a transforming Vital Suit and unleashing hell on enemy troops.

LOW The poor setup for mission 3-3 turns a great battle into a frustrating slog.

WTF Earning customization items is soul-crushingly slow and hatefully random.