Kirk Hiner
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Writing For
Pure NintendoLatest Reviews
I'd never played any of the games in Taito Milestones 2, or at least I don't recall playing them. How many would become new retro favorites? Not a lot, it ends up, but there certainly are some pleasant surprises.Read More
Pikmin 4
This isn't so much a review of Pikmin 4; it's an appreciation. A celebration. Reviews have been out for a month now, so this is more about us joining the victory party than helping you determine whether to give Pikmin 4 a try (you absolutely should, by the way).Read More
I played Might & Magic - Clash of Heroes on iOS a decade ago, but didn't finish it. That was my mistake, but it's now been corrected thanks to the Definitive Version for Nintendo Switch, of which I loved every minute. Well, nearly every minute. The majority of minutes, anyway.Read...
The new visuals in Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg are engaging, and the cute, 3D approach to the characters is an effective match for the game's tone and theme. As much as I love the more modern visuals of the Ryza games, I felt instantly at home here...
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie is perhaps the longest denouement in the history of gaming. This entry in the series attempts to tie up two somewhat separate story arcs, and whether it all works depends upon what you want from a JRPG.Read More
I don't know if there's been a game that has challenged my expectations more than Decarnation. This horror puzzler from Shiro Games never stopped going to places I didn't anticipate, in ways I didn't expect.Read More
Afterimage
Gorgeous, hand-drawn graphics are one thing, but whether a Metroidvania works mostly depends upon the quality of exploration and combat. This is where Afterimage shines, provided you're up for the challenges both present.Read More
As with the Future Connected and Torna ~ The Golden Country series expansions, Monolith Soft has provided an absolutely essential addition with Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed. But how much do you need to know before returning to Aionios?Read More
Tin Hearts
Tin Hearts sets up numerous environmental puzzles in which you must safely guide a squad of tin soldiers from their box to a predetermined destination. The puzzles are fun, but they come with some annoyances.Read More
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza & the Lost Demon is a great game. I'll even argue it's better than Bayonetta 3. If that offends, I urge you to read this review (or just download the demo and try it) before asking to speak to my editor-in-chief.Read More
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key adjusts the JRPG series' gameplay formula in numerous ways—some subtle and some dramatic. Do the changes work? Let's go on a summer adventure to find out!Read More
Like many Nintendo fans, I hadn't played a single Legend of Heroes game until Trails of Cold Steel III hit the Switch in 2020. I've since played each of the Switch releases, and The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is one of the best.Read More
