Bandai Namco Game Reviews
Review Dragon Ball XenoVerse (PlayStation 4)
Sparking!
If you're a fan of Dragon Ball, be it the brilliantly detailed original manga series or the animated adaptation, the chances are that the story is now embedded deep within your psyche – especially if you've played even just a few of the licensed games over the years. It's hard to surprise a fan, then, because they already know the plot...
Review Digimon All-Star Rumble (PlayStation 3)
Digivolve into average
Back in the 90s when Pokémon and Digimon fought for the money of the young, the digital creatures managed to win over many would-be monster trainers thanks to a decent television series, but flash forward two decades, and Digimon has long since past its prime, while Nintendo's catch-'em-up continues to dominate the handheld...
Review Tales of Hearts R (PlayStation Vita)
Pacemaker
Tales of Hearts R is an enhanced version of the popular Tales of Hearts on the Nintendo DS. Originally only released in Japan, this title represents the 11th entry in Bandai Namco’s long-running role-playing series – but does it live up to the property’s esteemed standards, and is it the type of title that famished PlayStation Vita...
Review Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 (PlayStation 3)
Pill popper
Pac-Man is a classic video game character, recognised alongside other greats such as Mario, Sonic, and Donkey Kong. The origins of these heroes have all helped to shape the gaming world as we know it today – but how is Bandai Namco’s famous bubble biter remaining relevant in this day and age? Well, after sprouting arms and legs, the...
Review Lords of the Fallen (PlayStation 4)
Harkyn and soul
With the spawn of the Souls series, gamers around the world have developed a soft spot for controller breaking games with horrendously difficult barriers of entry. Lords of the Fallen is Polish studio CI Games' first attempt at imitating the franchise's success – but does it stand up to its competitors? While the Souls series...
Review Shadow Warrior (PlayStation 4)
Crouching tiger, hidden Wang
Take those old kung-fu movies that get repeated endlessly on daytime cable channels, add a dash of retro shooter and whatever random bits of supernatural plot you have lying around, and that’s Shadow Warrior. An overpriced product of a bygone era, its attempts to highlight the way that things used to be do little but...
Review Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution (PlayStation 3)
Ninja stars shine so bright
The Naruto: Ultimate Ninja series has been a rock for Japanese developer CyberConnect2. A franchise which began back in 2003 on the PlayStation 2, there have been numerous entries since, and it's impressive to think that not a single one has been overly disappointing. In fact, the series has only gotten better as the...
Review Tales of Xillia 2 (PlayStation 3)
Cat scratch Ludger
Tales of Xillia 2 is the sequel to last year's successful Tales of Xillia on the PlayStation 3. Much like the previous game, it’s charming, wonderful, and rewarding all at the same time. The worlds of Rieze Maxia and Elympios return as well as most of the gameplay from the original, and being the 14th title in the Tales series,...
Review Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment (PlayStation Vita)
Sleepy hollow
In an age where we have Project Morpheus lurking right around the corner, Sword Art Online, the popular Japanese anime about gamers entering a virtual gaming world, has resonated with many viewers – especially the gaming crowd. Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment makes its way onto the PlayStation Vita in the form of a third-person...
Review One Piece: Unlimited World Red (PlayStation 3)
Bits and pieces
As legions of fans will tell you, it's not hard to become captivated with One Piece, one of Japan's most popular manga creations, and its latest video game venture, One Piece: Unlimited World Red, is a good example of how easily this colourful world can ensnare anyone with an eye for crazy pirate adventures. The title itself is a...
Review Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn (PlayStation 3)
"Amuro, I'm doing something extremely wicked"
With the indie gaming boom and so many big publishers trying their hands at projects that are somewhat different from the norm, it can be surprisingly refreshing to play something as single-minded as Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn. There are no immediate details to ponder – you just climb into a...
Review Enemy Front (PlayStation 3)
War crime
Set during the turbulent times of World War II, Enemy Front is the latest in a long line of first-person shooters to depict the horrors of one of history’s most fierce conflicts. Depicting the tale of a journalist named Robert Hawkins, you’ll team up with the American resistance as part of an effort to put an end to the Nazis once and...
Review Ace Combat: Infinity (PlayStation 3)
Free-to-plane
Fans of Ace Combat are always hungry for new releases, with the last major instalment Ace Combat: Assault Horizon performing its first barrel roll over three years ago. It was no surprise, then, that when Ace Combat: Infinity was announced, there was much rejoicing – well, until everyone realised that the latest entry in this beloved...
Review SoulCalibur: Lost Swords (PlayStation 3)
En garbage
Forget about missing blades, we suspect that the folks at Bandai Namco may have misplaced their minds while developing SoulCalibur: Lost Swords. This wretched free-to-play fighter serves up the gaming equivalent of seppuku, except the ancient Japanese suicidal rite isn’t riddled with obnoxious loading times, and thus is preferable to...
Review JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle (PlayStation 3)
Fist of the flamboyant
A long running manga series that spans generations of different bloodlines, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is just as, er, bizarre as its name suggests. The crazy creation has enjoyed something of a Western popularity surge in recent years, which has resulted in the localisation of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle – a...
Review Short Peace: Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day (PlayStation 3)
We'd prefer a 'Slightly Longer Peace' next time
What do a polar bear, a Japanese firefighter, a karaoke booth, and a dancing frog made of umbrellas have in common? They all take centre stage in Bandai Namco's latest Eastern offering, Short Peace: Ranko Tsukigime's Longest Day. Rather than one specific game, this is a compilation of four excellent...
Review Dark Souls II (PlayStation 3)
Death imminent
As a cursed individual banished to Drangleic, it’s your goal to collect the requisite souls required to prevent yourself from becoming a hollow while learning about the mysteries that surround you. This may be a sequel to Dark Souls, but it exists very much in a realm of its own, and doesn’t rely too heavily on the series’...
Review Tales of Symphonia Chronicles (PlayStation 3)
Co-lette things lie
Tales of Symphonia is a classic JRPG from the GameCube era with a wide following, multiple (mostly Japanese) spin-offs, and now a well-deserved HD remaster. In addition to the underrated and underplayed gem, this new collection also contains the second game in the series, Dawn of the New World – although the primary reason for...
Review Pac-Man Museum (PlayStation 3)
Pac's the way I like it
Whether you're a ghost-munching veteran or a total newcomer, there's no better way to experience the multiple old-school adventures of Bandai Namco's infamous yellow orb than Pac-Man Museum. Bringing together nine titles that span three different genres, it's difficult not to feel that you're getting plenty of nostalgic...
Review Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z (PlayStation Vita)
It's under 9000
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z is a strange beast. It sports some gorgeous looking locations, catchy tunes, and Akira Toriyama's fantastic art style, but those who were expecting a somewhat traditional fighting game in the same vein as the Budokai series or even the Tenkaichi series will be left rather surprised with this team-based...
Review Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers (PS3)
Seiya ain't so
Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers is almost the very definition of 'anime fighter'. It's chock full of colourful playable characters, crazy storylines, and over-the-top voice acting. If you've ever tried a Dragon Ball Z or Naruto brawler, then you'll generally know what's in store here – even if the original anime never quite caught on...
Review SoulCalibur II HD Online (PlayStation 3)
A tale of souls and swords, eternally re-bought
When the original SoulCalibur II appeared on the PlayStation 2, it was universally praised for its fantastic 3D fighting engine, its diverse cast of characters, and its plethora of modes. Even today, Namco's brawler is remembered fondly by many as the series' greatest achievement. SoulCalibur II HD...
Review One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 (PlayStation 3)
Pieces of eight
Last month saw the release of Dynasty Warriors 8, the latest instalment in the seemingly never-ending hack and slash series. This month, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 arrives on Western shores, bringing with it more vast, hectic battles to sink your bloodied weapon of choice into. You’d be forgiven for being worn out on Warriors...
Review Tales of Xillia (PlayStation 3)
A tale worth telling
You may be inclined to disregard Namco Bandai’s latest offering in the Tales series, but although it's the thirteenth main entry in the franchise (not including spin-offs), and bursting with strangely dressed teens with voluptuous hair-dos – as well a few girls who need to be told that strategically placed ribbons don't...
Review Tekken Revolution (PlayStation 3)
King of free-to-play fighters
The video game industry is changing faster than a Tekken character’s costume. The digital era has ushered a flurry of new distribution models for publishers to exploit, and that’s left major firms like Namco Bandai juggling dozens of ideas in the hope of happening upon a critical hit. Tekken Revolution, one of the...
Review Star Trek: The Video Game (PlayStation 3)
Below par trek
If you're looking for an epic and exciting sci-fi setting filled with awful, often game breaking bugs – and you didn't already get your fill with Defiance – then Star Trek: The Video Game should be right up your alley. Not even the palpable hype from the impending movie, as well as the stellar cast, can save this generic action...
Review Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PlayStation 3)
Crikey! This game is flippin' tidy, mun!
Nowadays, large-scale RPGs seem to be everywhere, and with such a rich choice of games available, it’s hard to discern the classics from the rabble. It can also be easy to exaggerate the quality of the very best in the genre, due to long development processes and the length of the adventures on offer. But...
Review Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection (PlayStation 3)
High tension definition
The Budokai series first launched on the last generation of consoles. It spawned three games, each sporting their own take on the epic Dragon Ball Z story. Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection repurposes the first and third titles from the franchise – but are they enough to capture your attention in the HD era? Let’s get...
Review Touch My Katamari (PlayStation Vita)
Roll with it
Katamari Damacy began as a happy ball of creativity, an innovative concept revolving solely around the simple act of rolling. Eight years after it first arrived, the novelty has dissipated, the industry nary raising an eyebrow at the series any longer. Time, and a lack of forward movement, has normalised the Prince and King of All...
Review Enslaved: Odyssey To The West (PlayStation 3)
Monkey magic
Loosely based on the traditional Chinese novel Journey To The West, Enslaved dictates the tale of Trip and Monkey as they traverse a dangerous post-apocalyptic world. Set some 150 years after the Earth's collapse, human life has all but been eradicated. The overgrown, dilapidated skyline of New York city greets the couple's arrival in...
