Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review

Things go sideways right from the offset, with the ghosts of Professor E. Gadd’s world changing from pacifist to terrorist after the Dark Moon was shattered. Making a swift retreat to his bunker, Professor E. Gadd enlists the help of his good pal Luigi to get the pieces of the Dark Moon back together – and collect some goodies like gems along the way.

Thankfully, Luigi has the right tools for the job. For those who have yet to bust ghosts in the Luigi’s Mansion series, this tall hero differs from his brother’s outings by having players utilize the Poltergust 5000 to suck up ghosts – and anything else of interest.

As a result, Luigi’s Mansion 2 prides itself on exploration. As Luigi utilizes the Dual Scream (heh) device, Dark-Light Device, and Strobulb, they’ll scour each area in the hunt for items, ghosts, and more. Each item keeps things fresh without overwhelming players with too many options.

On that note, think of Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD as puzzle-based gameplay rather than the more traditional pixel-perfect platforming of Mario’s outings. No need to be scared, though; wrangling ghosts in Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is easily a highlight. 

Originally made for the Nintendo 3DS, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD’s world of Evershade Valley gradually unlocks new areas over time. Haunted Towers, Old Clockworks, Manors, and more all await, each culminating in a bout with a possessor that contains a bit of the Dark Moon you so rightly seek. 

While it is nice that the title breaks each area down into bite-sized chunks (complete with a ranking system!), don’t expect each area to be too overly in-depth.

The same goes with the overall presentation of Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD. While it certainly lives up to its HD moniker with a higher resolution, the graphics noticeably show their age compared to his brother Mario’s adventures. 

One thing worth noting though is that the multiplayer ScareScraper mode manages to make the formula work well with others. Broken down into Hunter, Polterpup, and Rush, these different modes serve as a nice break from the game proper. They’re not overly in-depth, but they are still welcome nonetheless – and with online support to boot.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is well worth a play for those looking for sheer charm and puzzling adventures in equal measure; just don’t expect too many new twists and turns as you bust ghosts in the moonlight.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble sticks to its roots a little too closely, with its multiplayer mode coming off as more of a bonus than the main attraction.

Continue Reading Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review

SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review

Anya Forger’s adventures in SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories are well worth the time of any secret agent.

Continue Reading SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review

Still Wakes the Deep Review

Still Wakes the Deep is a truly immersive tale, but its linearity ultimately prevents it from reaching new heights.

Continue Reading Still Wakes the Deep Review

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Review

Shadow of the Erdtree is the perfect swan song to Elden Ring. It gives you all the challenge, the loot, and the lore of the base game in a smaller chunk. Prepare to lose yourself to its siren call yet again.

Continue Reading Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Review

Nightmare Kart Review

Nightmare Kart is positively dreamy, channeling the best kart racers to create something truly divine. While the emphasis on combat might lead to some unnecessary chaos, its addictive blend of speed and offense makes it worthy of all Hunters.

Continue Reading Nightmare Kart Review

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Review

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a classic example of the old mantra: get past the start, and you’ll love it. If you have Xbox Game Pass, you have no reason not to try this game.

Continue Reading Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Review

The post Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review

The world of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble (not to be confused with Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania) will transport players to Juicy Island. Scuttlebutt says there’s a hidden Legendary Banana treasure just waiting to be discovered after collecting seven OOPArts.

Enter newcomer Palette, who also is hunting for said Legendary Banana to find her long-lost pops. Not one for lounging around, she teaches the old guard how to Spin Dash, hitting a wealth of different stages with the bunch in the hunt for points, golden bananas, and absolute glory.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble is more or less the same as previous entries, albeit with a hefty amount more polish. Players will still be navigating stages across Golden Temples, Rose Gardens, Neon Arenas, and other fantastical worlds set above periless bottomless pits. 

However, the camera can be adjusted, the presentation has been kicked up a few notches, and the aforementioned Spin Dash adds a bit of pep to the monkey’s step by acting as a glorified slingshot (think Sonic the Hedgehog). There’s even some couch co-op action for players to dive into!

This is all welcome, but Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble’s single player mode sticks to its roots a little too closely. Gimmicks featuring switches and launch pads, along with shops, certainly add a bit of flair, but this title doesn’t reinvent the (monkey) ball.

The single player mode of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble is a bit on the short side, clocking in at approximately two hours. Rather, the biggest change to Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble is the banana rumble itself, with 16 player multiplayer across five different modes.

These follow the same tried-and-true gameplay of the series. Goal Rush has players earning points by rolling through goals, while the aptly named Ba-Boom! channels the best Mario Kart battles with explosive bombs.

While these Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble modes are nice, they play second fiddle to its single player top banana. We felt like they’re the equivalent of the minigames from previous entries; a pleasant surprise, but nothing worth going bananas over.

If anything, that’s Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble’s greatest weakness; its lack of content. This is a partial release priced at something far more. Those who don’t mind going through the same trials multiple times will enjoy its arcade-based challenges, but it is a bit light overall.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble sticks to its roots a little too closely, with its multiplayer mode coming off as more of a bonus than the main attraction. Those that don’t mind the same old song and monkey dance will have fun, but don’t expect anything revolutionary.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is well worth a play for those looking for sheer charm and puzzling adventures in equal measure; just don’t expect too many new twists and turns as you bust ghosts in the moonlight.

Continue Reading Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review

SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review

Anya Forger’s adventures in SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories are well worth the time of any secret agent.

Continue Reading SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review

Still Wakes the Deep Review

Still Wakes the Deep is a truly immersive tale, but its linearity ultimately prevents it from reaching new heights.

Continue Reading Still Wakes the Deep Review

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Review

Shadow of the Erdtree is the perfect swan song to Elden Ring. It gives you all the challenge, the loot, and the lore of the base game in a smaller chunk. Prepare to lose yourself to its siren call yet again.

Continue Reading Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Review

Nightmare Kart Review

Nightmare Kart is positively dreamy, channeling the best kart racers to create something truly divine. While the emphasis on combat might lead to some unnecessary chaos, its addictive blend of speed and offense makes it worthy of all Hunters.

Continue Reading Nightmare Kart Review

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Review

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a classic example of the old mantra: get past the start, and you’ll love it. If you have Xbox Game Pass, you have no reason not to try this game.

Continue Reading Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Review

The post Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 6 Review

The past five waves have nearly doubled the amount of courses in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Wave 6 closes the gap with eight different tracks across both the Acorn Cup and the Spiny Cup.

As part of this selection, tracks from Mario Kart Tour will allow racers to do some globe-trotting as they fly over the Trevi Fountain in Rome Avanti and hit the pitch in Madrid Drive. Meanwhile, Super Mario Kart classics like Bowser Castle 3 have received a retro revival with new elements and paths to explore. Paired with tracks from other entries (including another Rainbow Road!), and you’ve got a varied collection to choose from.

However, your mileage may vary with Wave 6. Some courses feature multiple shortcuts and changing routes each lap, but there were others with questionable design choices that were more annoying than innovative. It can be tough to enjoy the sights when a certain area cannot be driven on or there’s a clear lack of indicators as to where to go.

If anything, Rosalina’s Ice World from Mario Kart 7 was the most offensive of the lot. This track has the unfortunate curse of featuring slippery paths that violently clash with sharp corners and icy depths. Some may call this barrage of threats a difficulty curve, but we truly believe this track should have stayed on the Nintendo 3DS version of the game.

Unfortunately, there are no new tracks in Wave 6 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass. While certain tracks now feature anti-gravity segments and other flourishes, we would have loved to see another attempt at a Squeaky Clean Sprint that let the team’s creativity truly shine.

Players will also be able to take control of Funky Kong, Diddy Kong, Pauline, and Peachette as part of this DLC. Each character is full of life, pulling out everything from microphones to surfboards when landing the perfect trick. Variety is the spice of life, and pairing these racers up with the suite of parts means that there is an extremely high amount of customization.

When it comes to design elements, it can be a bit of a mixed bag. Seeing custom character advertisements and storefronts certainly adds a dash of personality, but the title still struggles with perspective. It can be jarring to see a traffic cone or potted plant bigger than the player; these could have easily been fixed to be less jarring.

Wave 6 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass continues to bring more great tracks and characters to the game, but some odd choices prevent it from taking first place. Mario Kart fans will have an absolute blast, but more casual players will rue the day they ever came across Rosalina’s Ice World.

Posted Jul 10, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is well worth a play for those looking for sheer charm and puzzling adventures in equal measure; just don’t expect too many new twists and turns as you bust ghosts in the moonlight.

Posted Jul 7, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble sticks to its roots a little too closely, with its multiplayer mode coming off as more of a bonus than the main attraction.

Posted Jul 2, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review

Anya Forger’s adventures in SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories are well worth the time of any secret agent.

Posted Jun 24, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Still Wakes the Deep Review

Still Wakes the Deep is a truly immersive tale, but its linearity ultimately prevents it from reaching new heights.

The post Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 6 Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder Review

The Mushroom Kingdom is in the rear view mirror in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, with Mario’s party paying a trip to the Flower Kingdom this time around. However, Bowser has also come along for the ride, using the power of the Wonder Flower to become one with Prince Florian’s castle. Not one to take things sitting down (naturally), Mario’s wrecking crew sets out to right this wrong and save the poplins by collecting Royal Seeds strewn across the land.

Naturally, a bunch of danger awaits between here and there. Goombas and koopas still dot the landscape, sure, but now players must also contend with hopping hoppycats, voracious maw-maws, and other new threats that’ll summon the “Too Bad!” screen. This title is certified fresh, and learning how to overcome enemy patterns ensures players are never stationary or going through the motions.

And using the word “fresh” to describe Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the understatement of the year. Everything in this title features an incredible amount of polish, from the way the music changes with the Elephant Flower to the drum roll that comes from a ground pound. A serious amount of attention and love has helped create a truly whimsical experience, really hammering home that one is on an adventure. Even the little quips from the flowers, which would be obnoxious in other titles, had us actively seeking them out to see what they’d say next.

Naturally, a game with the word “wonder” would have to back that up, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder does that with its Wonder Flowers. Hidden in each level, these flowers turn things on their head and change the way the game is played. One level might have players navigating an avalanche or lightning storm, while another will transform one of Mario’s friends into an enemy creature. The energy in these segments is infectious, and no two segments are ever the same. We tracked down as many Wonder Flowers as we could in our playthrough, and the impact they had on each level was astounding.

To aid in one’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder experience, players can collect power-ups along the way. The Elephant Fruit adds a bit of heft to each character by transforming them into an elephant, while the signature fireball-spewing Fire Flower is joined by the Drill Mushroom and Bubble Flower. These each subtly adjust the game, adjusting how one approaches each level.

There’s also the inclusion of Badges in this title to adjust each playstyle. Equipped on Prince Florian’s noggin, these badges can allow characters to do dolphin kicks, floating jumps, or even wall jumps straight up into the air. Need an easier experience? Other badges allow for players to equip a Super Mushroom at the start, activate exclamation blocks for easier traversal, and other perks.

If anything, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is as easy or as hard as one wants it to be. Select areas – and even worlds – can be played in the order one chooses based on the Wonder Seeds collected in each level. Finding the game a bit too challenging? Levels are ranked by difficulty, and the harder ones can be skipped entirely. Still too much? There’s even characters like the Yoshi crew and Nabbit that can’t take damage at the expense of not using power-ups. If all else fails, players can grind Flower Coins and stock up on 1-up mushrooms at one of the game’s many stores.

Of course, those looking for a challenge most certainly will find it tracking down every last secret exit and taking on the Special World challenges. These can be downright brutal; we won’t spoil some of the twists, but the way they utilize the game’s set of base mechanics shows how tailor-made – yet still fair – these trials truly are.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder once again proves that Mario is the king of the platforming genre. Much like his previous adventures did before, the amount of creativity and polish on display sets a new industry standard.

Posted Jul 10, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is well worth a play for those looking for sheer charm and puzzling adventures in equal measure; just don’t expect too many new twists and turns as you bust ghosts in the moonlight.

Posted Jul 7, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble sticks to its roots a little too closely, with its multiplayer mode coming off as more of a bonus than the main attraction.

Posted Jul 2, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review

Anya Forger’s adventures in SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories are well worth the time of any secret agent.

Posted Jun 24, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Still Wakes the Deep Review

Still Wakes the Deep is a truly immersive tale, but its linearity ultimately prevents it from reaching new heights.

The post Super Mario Bros. Wonder Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 5 Review

As part of the new Feather Cup and Cherry Cup, eight new courses make their appearance as part of this DLC. However, these are more than just mere 1:1 ports; tracks from the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, and Nintendo Wii era have gotten a nice glow-up that really make them stand out from the days of post-punk and Razor scooters.

The shiny high-res coat of paint is just the start; the inclusion of different music in different sections, use of underwater, antigravity, and aerial sections, and additional tweaks to track layout have made sure classics like Moonview Highway and Daisy Cruiser are back and better than ever. Even the most “flat” Mode 7 style worlds have been given a new lease on life.

Wave 5 of the Booster Course Pass also includes a number of tracks from Mario Kart Tour that will whisk players away to Athens, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. Tributes to famous landmarks are present and accounted for, each a delight to traverse. Each lap features a different part of the track as well, making sure that things are fresh and dynamic as players check out hockey games and the Santa Monica Pier.

There’s also a newcomer track in this Booster Course Pass in the form of Squeaky Clean Sprint. Shrinking racers down into pint-sized versions, players will traverse a bathroom, going down the drain, flying over a toilet, and making sure they are so fresh and so clean (clean). There’s plenty of hazards to avoid, paraglider and anti-gravity segments, and other factors that make it a nice addition to the roster – even if there’s more water segments than one is used to.

This level of detail in Wave 5 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass also extends to its new characters. Made up of Kamek, Petey Piranha, and Wiggler and their own designated weight classes, each of these three has gotten the attention-to-detail that they so rightly deserve. From Kamek’s unique horn to Wiggler’s (rightly just) temper tantrums after being hit with a blue shell, it’s great to see the amount of polish on display.

However, not all is rosy in this release. Balance is still as skewed as ever, with an ungodly amount of items thrown by AI at players leading the pack. Much like previous waves, the perspective could use some work – some of the characters in the background and other areas aren’t quite up to scale.

Wave 5 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass provides a compelling case to come back nearly a decade after its vanilla release. Whether one wants to hit the town or the tub, there’s a little something for everybody here.

Posted Jul 10, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is well worth a play for those looking for sheer charm and puzzling adventures in equal measure; just don’t expect too many new twists and turns as you bust ghosts in the moonlight.

Posted Jul 7, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble sticks to its roots a little too closely, with its multiplayer mode coming off as more of a bonus than the main attraction.

Posted Jul 2, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review

Anya Forger’s adventures in SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories are well worth the time of any secret agent.

Posted Jun 24, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Still Wakes the Deep Review

Still Wakes the Deep is a truly immersive tale, but its linearity ultimately prevents it from reaching new heights.

The post Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 5 Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 4

With dozens of tracks already released, Wave 4 has some mighty big shoes to fill. While most tracks are repeats of those in other entries, this release has some of the strongest tracks to date – suited for those from all walks of Mario Kart.

Want to tour the world? The stalls of Bangkok, the tulips of Amsterdam, and the sights of Singapore await. Got a thing for the rollicking antics of Waluigi? Mario Kart: Double Dash’s Waluigi Stadium makes its return from the GameCube days. Even tracks like Mario Kart: Super Circuit’s Riverside Park have received a noticeable glow-up to the point that they are barely even recognizable.

Much like previous packs, these tracks now feature flourishes like underwater segments, gliding portions, and even zero-g segments. It really changes things up, and helps tracks that are decades old feel fresh and new. Even graphical flourishes like forest canopies and snowstorms add a bit of HD flair to their SD origins.

Perhaps the biggest new addition to Wave 4 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass is the inclusion of a new track – Yoshi’s Island. Based off of the Super Nintendo game of the same name, this track transports players into a pastel world full of Shy Guys, Chain Chomps, and charm.

It’s not just for show either; this track has a number of twists and turns that will no doubt make it a fan favorite. Question cloud bubbles open up new paths, coins make sound effects similar to the platformer, and there are even different opening and closing jingles. It’s easy to tell that a fair amount of work went into this track to make it true to the original, and while it does not have the scribble design of the 16-bit platformer, it does more than enough to make a lasting impression.

Outside of these eight new tracks, Super Mario Bros. 2’s Birdo also makes an appearance. While this character is somewhat of an odd choice, this also promises a number of new characters in the form of question marks on the character select screen. What is present is most certainly welcome, but the promise of something more is the real showstopper.

Wave 4 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass is arguably the best to date, featuring serious glow-ups to fan favorites. The inclusion of the new Yoshi’s Island track would have been more than enough to steal the show, but the rest of its roster this go-around most certainly strives for greatness.

Posted Jul 10, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is well worth a play for those looking for sheer charm and puzzling adventures in equal measure; just don’t expect too many new twists and turns as you bust ghosts in the moonlight.

Posted Jul 7, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble sticks to its roots a little too closely, with its multiplayer mode coming off as more of a bonus than the main attraction.

Posted Jul 2, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review

Anya Forger’s adventures in SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories are well worth the time of any secret agent.

Posted Jun 24, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Still Wakes the Deep Review

Still Wakes the Deep is a truly immersive tale, but its linearity ultimately prevents it from reaching new heights.

The post Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 4 Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 3

Much like Wave 1 and Wave 2 of the Booster Course Pass, tracks from Mario Kart Tour and previous entries make up the bulk of Wave 3’s selection. Most notably, London Loop and Berlin Byways make their console debut as part of the Rock Cup and Moon Cup.

In the case of the former, players will hit the UK as they race across the Tower Bridge and across the bustling British streets. The layout of each track changes every turn, with a ravenous Chain Chomp breaking free from his shackles as things progress. While we would have loved to climb the London Eye, we appreciate the variety on tap here.

The same can be said for Berlin Byways. Track layouts change every lap, and there are some unique twists on famous landmarks – expect to see some Thwomps and Whomps in the mix. The constant changes and sharp turns of this track take some getting used to, but those with the need for speed (especially at 200cc!) will enjoy this trip to Germany.

Perhaps the biggest addition to Wave 3 is the new track Merry Mountain. As we enter the holiday season, this timely track features snow, branching railways, zero-g segments, and plenty of places to get a much-needed boost. The craft and charm Nintendo are known for are on full display, bound to make a number of new fans in the process.

That’s not to say the other tracks in Wave 3 are slacking; just the opposite. Despite tracks from more than a decade ago making an appearance in these two cups, the team has spruced them up with a number of new elements. The glider and zero-g segments are alive and well here, not to mention the shiny coat of polish that brings tracks from as far back as the Game Boy Advance entry to the modern age. The choices here are somewhat odd, but still welcome nonetheless.

Despite all of their strengths, not everything is perfect as part of Wave 3. The perspective issue from previous tracks rears its ugly head once more, with toad and Yoshi characters magnitudes larger than the kart riders themselves. Graphical flourishes also fall a bit flat compared to the core pack of titles, with a softer palette compared to the detail of the core title.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to be the definitive karting experience with Wave 3 of the Booster Course Pass. While there are some cut corners at spots, the twists, turns, and tweaks made to tracks old and new will be a hit at one’s next shindig.

Posted Jul 10, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is well worth a play for those looking for sheer charm and puzzling adventures in equal measure; just don’t expect too many new twists and turns as you bust ghosts in the moonlight.

Posted Jul 7, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble sticks to its roots a little too closely, with its multiplayer mode coming off as more of a bonus than the main attraction.

Posted Jul 2, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review

Anya Forger’s adventures in SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories are well worth the time of any secret agent.

Posted Jun 24, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Still Wakes the Deep Review

Still Wakes the Deep is a truly immersive tale, but its linearity ultimately prevents it from reaching new heights.

The post Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 3 Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Review

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope begins during a peaceful time in the Mushroom Kingdom. Unfortunately, Rabbid Mario has lost his overalls and it’s up to you to help find them. After you find them, the kingdom is invaded by a mysterious creature called Cursa. Cursa spreads Darkmess (yes, it is actually spelled that way) and covers the planet in it. Mario and a couple of Rabbids jump up to stop Cursa before being forced to retreat to the spaceship WM ARC.

Cursa has been spreading Darkmess all over the galaxy, and it is up to you to help the other planets. You start with Mario, Luigi, Peach, and their Rabbid counterparts. As you progress, you unlock more characters, such as Rabbid Rosalina and Bowser. The story is basic, but it is enough to keep everything moving.

Sparks of Hope is mostly broken up into two parts: combat and exploration. Combat is tactical, with each fight taking place on a separate map from the world map. You pick your character, enter the fight, and then have an objective to complete. The goals vary, but often boil down to killing all enemies, reaching a certain point, or destroying a particular boss or enemy type. The first 10 hours or so of this is fun, but it really starts to add up as you progress.

As far as I know, there is no auto-battle. You can make yourself invincible in the options, but you must manually fight all battles. Most of these fights take around 10 minutes, if not longer, on normal difficulty. Due to this, the battles really started wearing me out towards the last third of the game. You can avoid some by not doing side quests, but I had bosses that needed to be killed three times before the battle ended. That is way too much for a primary boss.

Combat itself is tactical and turn-based. You pick your character before the fight and then dive right in. Each character has different weapons and skills, like Mario’s dual pistols that can hit two different targets. Meanwhile, Luigi is a sniper that does more damage the further away he is from his target and Rabbid Peach’s heals are helpful in any fight you plan on taking damage in. While each character plays different, it isn’t enough to prevent combat from eventually dragging.

On top of the skills each unit has in battle, you also get Sparks. Sparks Rabbid Luma (the star-like creatures from Super Mario Galaxy) grant abilities and power-ups. You can only equip a certain amount to each character, but they can change the tide of most fights. For example, the fire Spark on Mario means that you shoot two fire shots instead of regular shots outside of your pistols. There are plenty of Sparks that improve combat abilities, allowing players to reflect damage and turn themselves invisible, among other perks.

Exploration is excellent, with plenty of puzzles, challenges, and secrets to be found. Each world has it’s own tokens to be collected, and you can exchange them for goodies at the item vendors. Most of the items you buy are just lore, but the vendors also have keys. These keys unlock each worlds’ secret areas, giving you a new challenge to overcome. If you don’t care about the secret areas, you can skip the side content and move to the next world.

Each world has its share of puzzles as well. Most of these are easy, but occasionally you’ll run into something that stumps you. It is a nice break from the combat, but ultimately most of them end in trial and error. One other bummer is the frame rate of worlds past the first one. The second world is nasty, but I had frame drops in the third and fourth world as well. The Nintendo Switch seems to be finding its limit.

There is also a skill tree that allows you to somewhat customize your party. Most of the skills are more hp, more damage, or more movement. Each character can upgrade their skills as well. These skills are the prime reason to keep fighting and get the experience to level up. Eventually, I had Mario jumping into the air and shooting down on enemies to blow them away. It is fun a few times, but again the combat starts to drag on toward the end.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope improves on Kingdom Battle, but drags things out far too long near the end. Fans of the original – or tactical combat games in general – should still check it out.

Posted Jul 10, 2024 by johnny-hurricane
in Game Reviews

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is well worth a play for those looking for sheer charm and puzzling adventures in equal measure; just don’t expect too many new twists and turns as you bust ghosts in the moonlight.

Posted Jul 7, 2024 by johnny-hurricane
in Game Reviews

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble sticks to its roots a little too closely, with its multiplayer mode coming off as more of a bonus than the main attraction.

Posted Jul 2, 2024 by johnny-hurricane
in Game Reviews

SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review

Anya Forger’s adventures in SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories are well worth the time of any secret agent.

Posted Jun 24, 2024 by johnny-hurricane
in Game Reviews

Still Wakes the Deep Review

Still Wakes the Deep is a truly immersive tale, but its linearity ultimately prevents it from reaching new heights.

The post Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 2 Review

The eight tracks that appeared in Wave 1 of the Booster Course Pass were a bit of a mixed bag, with us giving the initial run a 75/100. Cut corners and by-the-books layouts somewhat took away from the highs of tracks like the Mario Kart Tour hit Ninja Hideaway. However, the folks at the big N have taken this feedback to heart (likely after some harsh words from upper management) and have upped the ante with the new tracks in Wave 2.

For one, the tracks themselves have more dynamic layouts. New York Minute and Tour Sydney Sprint change things up every lap, forcing players to adapt their strategies based on the current segment. Meanwhile, tracks like Mario Kart Wii’s Mushroom Gorge allow players to utilize the bouncing mushrooms to net themselves a nice boost. There’s even variations to tracks like Kalamari Desert, which says nuts to logic and forces players to ride on the train tracks while avoiding an old-fashioned steam locomotive (don’t try this at home, kids). There’s even an added ball that has been thrown into the final lap of Mario Kart DS’ Waluigi Pinball.

Perhaps the biggest highlight of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass Wave 2 is the inclusion of its new original track: Sky-High Sundae. Set in a world that’ll ruin your teeth, this track features an anti-gravity element with steep slopes, lots of jumps, and an ice cream motif. This track is original, well-designed, and even has a 50s diner with Shy Guys, yoshis, and a jukebox – what’s not to like?

However, be warned that some tracks of this collection don’t take things far enough. Mario Circuit 3 (which originally made its debut in Super Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo) is far too flat for its own good. While it is true to its source material, it also comes across as plain. The same can be said for Snow Land, which shows its Mode-7 Game Boy Advance roots a bit too closely. Note that these tracks aren’t bad; they’re just inoffensive.

Thankfully, the presentation here is a marked improvement compared to Wave 1 of the Booster Course Pass collection. The polish and attention to detail are all present and accounted for; you can even see the fabric used in the flags for New York Minute.

Booster Course Pass Wave 2 runs with the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe formula and takes it to higher highs than Wave 1 from earlier this year. Some tracks are noticeably better than others, but these eight tracks are well worth a race-through.

Posted Jul 10, 2024 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

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The post Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 2 Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake Review

With roots dating back to the arcade and SEGA Saturn, the plot in THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake is only deep enough to get the job done. As Thomas Rogan or Agent G, players must take down zombies, frogs, and things that go bump in the night as they set out to stop Dr. Curien and his evil plot.

However, there is one thing that’ll give these two an edge: some good ol’ fashioned firepower. This lightgun shooter gives players unlimited ammo as they shoot down threats, reloading when bullets start to run low. Shoot for the weak point, shoot fast, and try to make it out alive. Oh, and try to save the scientist hostages if you can.

It’s not a terribly deep title; one can polish it off in around 40 minutes. However, there are a few things to keep players blasting away. Alternate paths, multiple endings, and the chance to pick up some fine weaponry (including our favorite, the grenade launcher) exist. Still, this title appeals to a very specific type of player, so make sure to temper your expectations if you’re looking for something meatier. There is a horde mode, an in-game achievement system, and a gallery with unlockable monsters, but don’t expect a major epic.

The original was a classic for a reason, but the team couldn’t quite nail the same feeling on the Nintendo Switch. It’s not for a lack of trying; control schemes include a single Joy-Con mode, the ability to aim with the left or right analog stick, or even use the system’s gyroscope capabilities. However, nothing quite compares to the feeling of a lightgun, making the whole experience feel a bit lost in translation.

Unfortunately, this proves to not be the biggest sin of THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake; its overall presentation proves to be a pale imitation of the original. For one, the overhauled graphics are a significant downgrade; the low poly look of the 1996 original had its charm, but the remake strips any and all personality from the proceedings.

There was a serious lack of effort put into its presentation. The brown, washed out look, early Xbox 360 Unity asset characters, and pop in make the title feel more like an undergrad project than a remake of a classic. There’s even long loading times, something that a fast-paced action title should never, ever do. Even the music has been changed to something more akin to a funky mix you’d hear at a Spirit Halloween store – an odd choice.

THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake is an absolute disservice to the light gun classic. From the pop in to the loading times to the broken control scheme, this re-release would make even Dr. Curien cower in fear.

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The post THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.