smeargle05

This is a free app with in-app purchases and uses a similar model to mobile puzzle games like Candy Crush Saga and Pokemon Shuffle. However, lives replenish twice as fast and there are plenty of incentives to keep coming back to this game. The world of Yo-Kai Watch is charming and bubbly, and if you haven't already, check out the 3DS game this spin-off was branched off from. Though, it's not necessary to have extensive knowledge of Yo-Kai to play this game. Gameplay puzzle based and similar to Pokemon Shuffle in that you have Yo-Kai, or monsters so to speak, that you use to fight against another Yo-Kai. In this way, there are RPG elements, where there is collecting these Yo-Kai, and leveling them up to raise your overall HP and their attack. You can also level up their soultimate moves which are their specialized moves which you can activate within the puzzle once you pop enough wib wobs (which are the Yo-Kai's faces). The puzzle element is different enough from other mobile puzzle games, where you link together adjacent wib wobs to form a larger wib wob to generate a larger attack once you pop the wib wob. This linking mechanic is reminiscent of the Disney Tsum Tsum mobile game or Dreamwork's Home mobile game. The enemy Yo-kai(s) attack you on a regular basis regardless of how many times you make a move, which forces you to be alert with your health bar. There's a lot of incentive to keep coming back. As you play and unlock different aspects of the game, you will be able to access the achievement system, whereby you receive certain rewards such as in game currency, food for Yo-Kai, items, titles and profile images. Like Puzzle and Dragons, there is a gashapon machine where you insert special coins and be rewarded with items or Yo-Kai which you can use in battle. All in all, this is one of the better, well produced free to play puzzle games on the smartphone, and is loads of fun.

Paper Mario Sticker Star is quite the mixed bag. It holds itself as a Paper Mario game, but in fact, it diverges from its roots a far bit. When you hear about what the game could have been, you can't help but be disappointed. It might be unfair to compare it to its predecessors, but there are many flaws in this game ignoring the fact that it deviates from the Paper Mario formula. I can't deny that the game doesn't look gorgeous. One thing the game got right was its visuals; the game finally has its paper aesthetic realized to a great potential. However, there isn't much variety in the visuals and characters themselves. The environments mostly adhere to the world formula of the sidescrolling platformers: grasslands, dessert, etc, etc. It even uses a world map in the same vain as Super Mario World or Super Mario Bros 3. There are no unique characters or enemies. In fact, all the Toads are the same. The story is barebones and really just acts as bookends for the unfocused adventure. What's frustrating is that this art direction is to be blamed by Miyamoto who was so adamant for the developers to stick with the existing Mario characters without altering them. On that note, Miyamoto is also to blame for the change in gameplay. There are no companions, and the battle system uses stickers for attacks rather than a menu. Now, it's great that the game is trying something different, but in this case, it was not executed well at all. Battles in almost every case aside from boss battles are unnecessary. Unnecessary in the fact that stickers - which substitute for actions in previous games such as hammer attacks, jump attacks and healing items - are completely expendable. A sticker album is used to 'organise' these stickers on the touch screen, and I put these in air quotes as there really isn't any order in it. Additionally, regular battles provide no real reward besides coins (which you can use to buy stickers, but why would you when you can just find aplenty them in the overworld). The experience points model is completely scrapped in this. There is no incentive to battle. As an action platformer, the game design mostly focuses on puzzle solving with this new gimmick of finding real world things aptly called "things". You use these "things" to clear a path or stop the flow of water, for example by deducing with logic (or common sense) which thing to use. For example, there are cardboard bowling pins blocking the way, a bowling ball is needed. However, it's not quite intuitive in how we find or retrieve these said "things" which can drag the pacing of progression by quite a bit from back tracking and searching to no end for these "things". It's also worth mentioning that all this platforming will have the ocassional ecounter with an enemy. It is a shame that this is what became of Paper Mario for the 3DS. It could have been great fun, even with its new ideas. But these new gameplay mechanics were poorly implemented and many gameplay elements from previous entries were sacrificed.

This sequel is a massive step up in every regard from the already great classic on the N64. Though simplistic, the story is immersive with many zany and unique characters and companions. As a JRPG, combat is based around real time responses much akin to the original game. The customizable badge system is also quite fun and diverse in changing stats, gaining access to certain moves and having status effects in battle. The world is so expansive and unique and really has its own identity separate from the usual Mario fare. The setting of Rogueport is really refreshing and fun to explore. Expect to spend dedicated hours on this, and don't pass up on it because it's the best Paper Mario experience and one of the best JRPGs made.

This is such a charming game with a surprisingly deep emotional story. You explore the underground world populated with quirky and unique monsters from the perspective of a silent fallen child. This is a role-playing game where your outcome is based on your moral decisions made throughout the game. The gameplay takes inspiration from many classics such as the tone and quirkiness of Earthbound, the conversations instigated in battle a la Shin Megami Tensei, the engaging battle system of the Mario & Luigi series and bullet hell shooters like Touhou. The music is phenomenal with each track being memorable and catchy (esp. Megalovania). You'll fall in love with the characters, or you could choose not to. There are many surprises in this game and I recommend that you enjoy it fully by exploring all three main scenarios.

This is a great game, with an interesting story and fun turn-based tactical gameplay. It's hard not to compare it with Final Fantasy Tactics Advance as the two share strikingly similar visuals. The recruiting system is also quite interesting and class systems require certain accomplishments of the unit to qualify.

Like any match-three games, this relies heavily on RNG mechanics, but its different take where you can move tiles anywhere adds an element of strategy and planning. Compared to the 3DS version, the mobile version is much more tolerable because, well, the mobile is home to a slew of casual "on-the-go" games like this. If I had my 3DS on me, I'd much rather play a full-fledged game, but this suits well on the phone. Even though it has in-app purchases, you do not need to pay anything to play the game. It employs a mechanic where it gives you 1000 points (which is restored each month) that limits how much you spend so that you do not spend irresponsibly. Different purchases cost points and if you run out, you can't spend any more money until the next month. Personally, I find this more engaging that other games of the genre like Candy Crush because of the more polished visuals, tolerable music and gameplay mechanics despite the optional pay-to-win aspects that are plugged in. However, it is disappointing how the hearts system works: You replenish a heart every thirty minutes, but you use up hearts every time you play a stage irregardless of winning or losing the stage. But since you would most likely be playing this during your pass time or on the train, it may or may not matter.

The best Mario handheld Tennis game. The main campaign can be likened to the GameBoy Color version in the RPG aspects: level up and assigning points for different stats. The controls are simple to learn and there are many characters to unlock. There are even special moves which is quite fun to see, but it isn't a necessary inclusion. Otherwise, it is just endless arcade tennis fun.

Exciting and fun, simple turn-based RPG battle system that is inviting to younger players, in the same vain as Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the SNES. Though combat is easy to grasp and keeps you attentive even during the enemy's turn, more experienced players shouldn't be put off by its simplicity. Equipment customization is quite lacking, though as Mario's shoes and hammer and upgraded as you progress through the story. However, a large range of badges with different effects compensates for this. As Mario levels up, you can boost one of three attributes at a time HP (health points), FP (flower points for using special moves) and BP (badge points which indicate the number of slots available for a badge). Presentation-wise, it looks quite amazing for a Nintendo 64 title. The paper aesthetic is not so much as realized here as in future entries, but is still appealing in its simplicity. Music is catchy and at times atmospheric and the dialogue, like all Mario RPGs, is quite humorous. The Nintendo 64 did not boast as many RPGs as it did 3D platformers, and this particular RPG does have elements from platformers integrated in the overworld and dungeons. Some of the puzzles are straightforward, and some fetch quests can be frustrating (particularly in the flower fields) but overall, it is a charming game. This is a great game and is certainly worth the time, but the definitive Paper Mario experience is in the next entry on the GameCube.

This is a wonderful looking game with beautiful and fluid sprite animation. The platforming is reminiscent of early Disney platformers such as Castle of Illusion and Duck Tales. The levels are colorful and the with a variety of worlds from various Disney franchises, however, the fetch quests can become tedious after repeating the same level over and over. The game introduces the drawing mechanic but it feels unnecessary despite being on the 3DS as it can detract from the gameplay after needing to erase an obstacle and redraw/recolor it again. It would have been better if it were replaced with a different puzzle mechanic or utilized in a far better and more fluid way that does not feel invasive in the platforming.

Mindless fun, though shallow gameplay. It's a button mashing fest that comes with the free-to-play tag. The micro-transactions are far better dealt here than in Pokemon Shuffle, however, being a handheld game rather than a mobile game, the waiting times can be frustrating. It seems to have quite a bit of content but for me, it doesn't have a lasting appeal.

A pretty fun adventure game with simple aesthetics. The game relies on the touch screen for navigation and its minigames. The minigames, being the main "attraction" are sometimes hit or miss, and it can become a drag after playing some of them over and over to acquire all the cards and unlocking everything.

Unforgettable characters, entrancing music, unique story and gameplay all wrapped in this colorful and slick package. Originally on the DS, the iOS version provides a clearer display (especially on the iPad) and it is easier to acquire, being a digital download. If you can't get your hands on the DS version, definitely get this. Beautiful game.

It is quite rare for an mobile game, especially one based on a TV show to be as good as this. Steven Universe: Attack the Light draws inspiration from RPGs such as the Mario and Luigi series, of which the turn based combat is highly involved with blocking enemies' attacks and timing your own attacks. Along the way, you can level up your characters and upgrade their attacks and equip them with badges. The enemies are nicely varied and the worlds are simple and vibrant, which quite suits the style of the show. This game changes the combat with a star meter which accounts for the amount of points you can use per turn (maximum of nine) with each turn starting with five. Though not ground-breaking, it allows players to be more involved and economical in strategizing which moves to use. This is a great starting game for younger gamers or those who want to delve in games of the RPG genre. The story isn't anything spectacular, but the game has a slew of references of the show that made me chuckle. It's not too long, but it's great fun and pretty cheap for what it is.

This game doesn't really live up to its predecessor, however it is a great game nonetheless. I didn't find the hefty tutorials at the beginning too bothersome. It may have dragged on a bit long but the clever writing, the wonderful soundtrack (just listen to it!) and the poppy visuals make up for it.

Super Mario 3D Land boasts colorful graphics and utilizes the 3D very well. For the most part, the first eight worlds were fairly easy, and though the game looks great, some levels looked kind of bare in some respects. The levels are quite linear, despite being a 3D game. Later levels (Beyond world 8) are more challenging with different things added to a level design that has been copy-pasted from previous levels. There's no doubt that the game is great fun, but I feel that there is more to be desired.

This is a great remake of Ruby. Though nothing much is changed with the main story, the newer concepts from X and Y sits well in this long awaited remake. Pokemon contests are finally back. Though it may not be for everyone, it is a pretty fun minigame. It's a shame that the casino is gone, though. Honestly, they could have changed it to an arcade or something to avoid promoting gambling. The greatest thing about this, however, is the Delta episode, and I love Zinnia's theme. However, I would have liked for this story arc to be slower paced because there really isn't anything spreading it out like how there was the Team Magma antics during your journey to the Pokemon League. The end game content here is much better than in X and Y, but instead of the battle frontier from Emerald, there's only a Battle Maison, which is slightly disappointing.

The game makes a very nice transition from 2D to 3D and the visual style is simple and consistent. The gameplay is very much the same as the previous entries, but the introduction to Mega Evolutions further diversifies gameplay tactics. This game also makes EV training so much easier. However, I felt this entry to be lacking in the story department (compared to Black and White) and end game content. In spite of this, this is a great version to pick for newcomers.