Games I've Reviewed in 2016
Description
This is going to truly test the limits of Stacks. The goal of this list is to a compilation of all the gaming reviews I've written... in 2016. I've been going at this since about 2011, but the amount of games basically necessitates a separate list per year.
As with everything, reviews are opinion-based and there is nothing wrong with people disagreeing about how good, bad, or average a game is. This list does not include previews. Titles will be added as their reviews go live.
Albino Lullaby
As a horror game, it's not very good. Where it does stand out is the awesome visual and audio design. Don't play in VR if you're at all prone to motion sickness.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/06/29/review-albino-lullaby-episode-1/214657/
Ashes of the Singularity
Neat RTS with gorgeous graphics but some missions are way too tough. Overall leaves something to be desired.
http://www.syfygames.com/news/article/ashes-of-the-singularity-review-marcusestrada
Atom Grrrl!!
Could have been okay but honestly one of the worst visual novels I played this year.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/03/14/review-atom-grrrl/197579/
Aviary Attorney
Lovely graphics and cute Phoenix Wright-styled gameplay. Only issue is that when I played it the game was not complete (despite being a full release on Steam).
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/01/03/review-aviary-attorney/185145/
Cat President: A More Purrfect Union
Silly take on the 2016 election season. Not great, but the writing is humorous enough.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/08/26/review-cat-president-a-more-purrfect-union/222611/
The Climb
You would think people making a hugely hyped VR game would make something... actually good... It's not - and it actively hurt me.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/06/23/review-the-climb/211257/
Gahkthun of the Golden Lightning
Fabulous action-packed visual novel. Gorgeous graphics. Super long (like 30+ hours).
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/05/09/review-gahkthun-of-the-golden-lightning/205926/
Go! Go! Nippon! ~My First Trip to Japan~
Cute visual novel about travelling to Japan. Gives some good tips if you do actually want to visit there.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/01/08/review-go-go-nippon-2015/186043/
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X
It's more Project Diva. Fans know what to expect at this point.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/08/26/review-hatsune-miku-project-diva-x/222881/
Highway Blossoms
A road trip visual novel. Quite a sweet one, at that.
Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.3 Tatarigoroshi
Yet another high point for the Higurashi series. Chapters 1-2 must be played first.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/07/18/review-higurashi-when-they-cry-hou-ch-3-tatarigoroshi/216436/
Hitman
Really cool revitalization of the Hitman series. The episodic format is actually working out quite well.
http://www.syfygames.com/news/article/hitman-episode-one-review-marcusestrada
Hooters Road Trip
An awful racing game with terrible controls.
http://pixelpacas.com/hooters-road-trip-review/
The House in Fata Morgana
Absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking visual novel. May be one of my favorites of all time now that I've played it.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/06/11/review-the-house-in-fata-morgana/211053/
Karakara
Brief visual novel which takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting which isn't all that depressing.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/07/22/review-karakara/217607/
Kindred Spirits on the Roof
Yuri visual novel with good writing, fun characters, and respect for lesbian relationships.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/02/22/review-kindred-spirits-on-the-roof/194180/
Knee Deep
Interesting, if flawed, episodic adventure series.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/03/07/review-knee-deep-act-3-boomtown/196419/
Magical Eyes: Red is for Anguish
This is the first episode of a new mystery visual novel. Nice start, but I'm worried if future episodes will ever come out.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/03/31/review-magical-eyes-red-is-for-anguish/200213/
Megadimension Neptunia VII
Yep, I'm tired of Neptunia games at this point.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/02/03/review-megadimension-neptunia-vii/190975/
My Little Kitties
Short and surprisingly icky visual novel. Not particularly recommended.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/07/18/review-my-little-kitties/216424/
Nekopara Vol. 2
Nekopara is a very lighthearted series. Vol. 1 and 2 are just fine but do not ever waste time with Vol. 0.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/03/02/review-nekopara-vol-2/195771/
New Retro Arcade: Neon
Virtual reality arcade! The concept is great, but there's not much to do after a while.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/08/10/review-new-retro-arcade-neon/220366/
No One But You
Visual novel that comes across as rather average.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/02/03/review-no-one-but-you/190379/
OZMAFIA!!
It's The Wizard of Oz turned into an otome game... with the fantasy characters organized into different mafia families. It's a little weird, but also a pretty enjoyable visual novel.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/06/29/review-ozmafia/214629/
Postal
Silly, awkward game. I'm surprised they brought this back with a HD relaese.
http://www.syfygames.com/news/article/retro-review-postal-is-a-weird-bit-of-gaming-history-marcusestrada
Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness
Good new storyline for Psycho-Pass fans to dig into.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/09/10/review-psycho-pass-mandatory-happiness/225383/
Rise of the Tomb Raider
I may have enjoyed this even more than Tomb Raider (the new one, that is).
http://www.syfygames.com/news/article/rise-of-the-tomb-raider-review-marcusestrada
Root Double: Before Crime * After Days
Visual novel about people trapped in a nuclear facility as the reactor melts down. Dramatic, weird, but worth a playthrough.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/05/28/review-root-double-before-crime-after-days-xtend-edition/209138/
Sacrament of the Zodiac: The Confused Sheep and the Tamed Wolf
Okay here is the worst visual novel I've played this year. Completely boring, droll writing, and creepy sex scenes.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/02/18/review-sacrament-of-the-zodiac-the-confused-sheep-and-the-tamed-wolf/193173/
Selenon Rising
The first episode of a visual novel series. Has some fun investigation-based concepts but they've not been used much yet.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/05/06/review-selenon-rising-episode-1-darkness-falls/205708/
Sickness
Visual novel about someone with a presumed mental illness. Not the best depiction, but an interesting attempt.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/02/09/review-sickness/191739/
Starlight Vega
Cute yuri visual novel with some demonic elements. A little short, though.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/04/21/review-starlight-vega/203361/
Strawberry Vinegar
Very short yuri tale. Lovely artwork but not much going on underneath the surface.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/01/20/review-strawberry-vinegar/188316/
Superhot
Great play on the FPS formula. Cannot wait to try this one in VR.
http://www.syfygames.com/news/article/superhot-review-marcusestrada
Supipara: Chapter 1 - Spring Has Come!
Outrageously high quality visual novel. The writing/characters/plot don't quite live up to the production values.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/08/31/review-supipara-chapter-1-spring-has-come/223280/
The Time Warp of Dr. Brain
A minigame collection with middling to okay games in the bunch.
http://pixelpacas.com/the-time-warp-of-dr-brain-review/
Tokyo Babel: Pilgrims of the Apocalypse
Visual novel about a human and angels/demons fighting against others on an attempt to overthrow God.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/04/15/review-tokyo-babel/202480/
Umineko When They Cry - Question Arcs
The first half of the Umineko series (Question Arc) is ridiculous, terrifying, and all around worth a read.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/08/18/review-umineko-when-they-cry/221505/
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
An interesting game concept which mixes visual novels with bartending. Unfortunately, the bartending minigame is dull. http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/07/19/review-va-11-hall-a-cyberpunk-bartender-action/217006/
Who Killed Sam Rupert: Virtual Murder 1
A rather simple, but entertaining sleuth game which tasks players with discovering who murdered a popular restaurant owner.
http://pixelpacas.com/who-killed-sam-rupert-virtual-murder-1/