I bought Star Ghost on the WiiU eShop last night, and it turned out to be another disappointment due to being kind of slow and started to get pretty boring not very far in. The fact that, like Shutshimi, it does not have any means to continue led me to delete it as it was not worth the slog to get back up to that original point.

Just because something was made by former Rare devs doesn't make it good.

Just started Fire Emblem Fates. It's pretty nice, but as a long-term fan of the series, it's really giving me problems having to adjust to all the new changes.

First, they changed up all the class names, which is fine, but that's a lot to comprehend. Then there's new complicated ally and defense systems for the enemies. Then a new weapon triangle. So much stuff has changed that it's hard to just jump in.

Senran Kagura: Estival Versus (PS4)

• Ah, the latest in this series: Known for big-boobed ninja girls but have also had excellent game play and stories in the previous main games. Bon Appetit was okay.
• There's a day-1 5 GB update... which XSEED mentioned in Friday's stream so I was ready for it.
• No intro movie at first. It looks like there's a cross-save option with the Vita version.
• Got some nice options available, including setting system voices right away. Those usually have to be unlocked in fighting games.
• Story Mode's opening movie summarizes the series well: Serious story with random fanservice thrown in that ends up becoming so over the top you can't take it seriously.
• Playing through the tutorial, it's easy to see a massive improvement in frame rate and enemy capacity compared to the previous game on Vita.
• Some nicely high production values in the anime sequences too. The underwater tunnel in the official opening movie is gorgeous.
• The tutorial stages serve as character re-introductions while explaining some new mechanics, then the story begins.

Verdict: This may not take long, so I'll probably play through it sooner rather than later.

Murasaki Mist: Akara's Journey (Vita Digital)

• Bought this on impulse yesterday but didn't have time to try it out until today. For $7 I haven't lost much if I don't like it.
• The description says it's about 8 hours long, and I don't mind that since I could use a short RPG to break from all the long ones I've been playing.
• Small download size too. Only 550 MB.
• I hope this screen is an install/first time download screen and not a loading screen when starting it up.
• It's a loading screen. Got another after the admittedly nice opening movie.
• Thrown into the action right away with getting into battle. Left stick for movement, right stick to dodge.
• Frame rate's a little choppy, but the game is still very playable.
• Nice simple menu interface too. This is very easy to pick up.
• Translation is a bit choppy. Given the game was made by a Mexican indie company I can imagine they didn't have a lot to spend on the script, but I've also seen worse.

Verdict: The load times between events are going to be the worst, but this will be a good, quick one to clear in the near future.

Dragon Fantasy (PS3/V/4)

• To explain this a bit, Dragon Fantasy Books I and II were originally mobile games, but got upgraded versions for PS3 and Vita. Book II got a second remaster that released for PS4 this past week as The Black Tome of Ice. So I got Book I on Vita and the PS4 version of Book II. I think they're also available on WiiU eShop too.
• Since they're directly connected, I'll just be posting my impressions of Book I and not starting Book II until I finish the first.
• Very nice oldschool graphics and chiptunes. The games play to nostalgia in the classic Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games, I've heard.
• The game has split paths: 3 chapters and an "Intermission." Looks like they can be done in any order.
• Main character is a hero who saved the kingdom 30 years ago.
• Dragon Quest I interface, first monsters are named Biggs and Wedge, and talking to NPCs reveals not a lot of the game taking itself seriously.
• Not much else to say. It takes several RPG tropes and twists them to add a touch of humor.

Verdict: This'll be good to focus on after I finish Project X Zone 2 since I'll want to focus on something fairly short. I think I'll enjoy it overall.

Alphadia 2 (iOS)

• When I bought my iPad a few weeks ago I was hoping to be able to download this onto it, but it's an iPhone only game. However, since my new position at work requires me to have mobile phone access, I got an iPhone the other day and bought the game today.
• Game opens right up into the title screen with the same theme as the first game. I've really come to love that too.
• Game begins with a recap of the overall story and the events of the first game and looks to take place 1-2 hundred years later.
• Main character's name this time is Leon and the game provides a (thankfully optional) tutorial at the start.
• Battle system is very similar to the first but with a few new mechanics.
• The first game being on 3DS has spoiled me. This touchscreen controller will take some getting used to.
• Simple first dungeon, thankfully. It's a tower and the towers in the first game were the worst.
• First quest ends with meeting the heroine. First instance of a childhood friend relationship between the two main characters I've seen in the series.
• Wow, one of the few direct sequels that uses very much the same world map, too.

Verdict: I enjoyed the first game so I have high hopes for this one. The hard part is deciding on where to fit it into my portable gaming order.

PixlCross (WiiU Digital)

• This week's impulse buy from the eShop. As a Picross fan, I couldn't resist.
• I did actually get 2 other games before this this week, but they're both RPGs and tonight isn't a good night to try them out.
• I do wish this was on 3DS though as Picross works much better as a portable title.
• It's a Picross game! Why does it need to have loading screens?!
• Looks like everything's done on the Gamepad. Another reason to ask why it's not just a 3DS game.
• All touchscreen controls, see above.
• Despite that, it's got a nice setup to be able to save progress on any puzzle at any time and return, along with a unique feature for handling clue boxes on larger puzzles.
• Achievements for each puzzle for No Hints, No Errors, and Quick Time. This will add something to go for for 100% completion. The problem with all touchscreen controls of course is it's much easier to error by mistake.
• One awesome feature: Being able to create and share your own puzzles!

Verdict: It's Picross, so it's enjoyable if you like those types of puzzles. I still can't believe this has noticeably long load times though.

Nights of Azure (PS4)

• The latest original title from Gust. I have high hopes for this one.
• Jumps right into the title screen. This is one of those themes I could listen to for a long while before actually starting the game.
• Not many options outside of the sound volumes and camera. I have to wonder why games today still use preset control sets rather than letting the play customize every button.
• Simple premise: Evil overlord killed hundreds of years ago left a dying curse that turned people into monsters, so it's time for two best friends to work together to undo that curse.
• Very nice opening movie too. Also shows that the world in the game is based on our own. The main characters mention numerous countries they were working in.
• Battle is nice and smooth, with similarities to Kingdom Hearts and Castlevania: Curse of Darkness. And this music is fantastic!
• Got the tutorials finished for the main game to open.

Verdict: Think I'll be enjoying this.

Trillion: God of Destruction (Vita)

• The premise of this is simple: Defeat the god of destruction who has 1,000,000,000,000 hit points. Shouldn't be a problem.
• I was actually not planning to get this one, but friends who have played the JP version recommended it for its surprisingly deep characterization.
• Feels a bit unusual lately to play a Compile Heart game that isn't Neptunia or Agarest War.
• Has a trippy opening movie, though it's possible to accidentally skip it via the touch screen.
• Voices are in English by default, but can be changed to JP once the Settings become available.
• The battle system is kind of a turn-based grid that feels like a roguelike. Haven't seen one like it before.
• Plenty of customization options once the main story gets going, too.
• The save menu is slightly hidden, but finally found it.

Verdict: Not too keen on the limited time, but I think it'll be good when I get to it. Since I want to play some shorter games first, this will be further down the list.

SailorMoon Drops (iOS)

• I was looking for a good puzzle game to play on my phone on an occasional basis, and a cosplayer friend of mine recommended this. Only problem at the time was the game was not out in the US yet and I was too lazy to get a JP account on my phone.
• That changed today when I saw another tweet from her saying the US version was released, so I checked the iOS App Store and... nothing. It was only on Google Play for a few hours.
• Now that that iOS version is ready and I got it, time to fire it up... Oh, needs more downloads first...
• Beware the character designs. They are dangerously cute!
• Looks like the story follows the events of the original anime.
• Ah, tutorials can be skipped if so wished.
• Game also supports both vertical and horizontal positioning. Will likely go with vertical.
• The puzzle board has a lot of similarities between most Match 3 titles, but reminds me most of Gem Legends on Vita. Here's hoping it doesn't have stupidly insane requirements like that game...
• Large map is large, and it's only the first one! Does this game cover the whole series?!

Verdict: HHHHNNNNNGGGGGHHHHH!!!

I tried out most of this week's games yesterday while the Mag was down, so here are summaries:

Transistor (PS4) - Awesome!

Axiom Verge (PS4) - Even more awesome!

Star Fox Zero (WiiU) - Most awesome yet!

Star Fox Guard (WiiU) - Not quite so awesome but it's a good use of the gamepad.

Langrisser Re:Incarnation -TENSEI- - Has to compete with Fire Emblem, but has a nice system and awesome music.

MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies (Vita)

• Latest spin-off of this series, with a bit of a mix of Action Unleashed and Monster Hunter from what I've been told.
• First batch of DLC was free. Definitely got it.
• No intro movie upon simply loading the game this time.
• The trophy list looks a bit more sane than previous games. Nothing for maxing out Lily Ranks for every combination, thank God.
• Intro movie plays after the first story event. Silly fun as usual for this series.
• Combat feels a bit more refined than Action Unleashed, and uses the same control scheme so it's easy to adapt to.

Verdict: This'll be a good one to pick up when I feel like beating up zombies.

Elite Beat Agents (NDS)

• Bought this after a friend recommended it in his Top 10 underrated DS games. This was the only one in the list I haven't played.
• Found a copy on Amazon, though it's used so I'll be deleting any existing data. Thankfully the manual explains that process.
• Looking at the title screen, wondering how anyone can take agents with that kind of hair seriously.
• Simple tutorial at the start, dealing with the four main functions in the game as explained by commander KKKKKKHHHHHAAAAAANNNNN!!!
• Interesting mechanic as each song has multiple segments and your performance for each section affects the story within the song.
• Super catchy first song, though the first segment was harder than the rest of it combined on the normal difficulty.
• Gonna be hard to put down until I manage to master it.

Verdict: This may be my choice for the NDS game to beat for my gaming goal.

Atelier Sophie: Alchemist of the Mysterious Book (PS4)

• Arrived a day early. While I didn't have time to try it out and write up reactions at the same time, I can post what I remember.
• Most of these games begin the same way: Main character is an aspiring alchemist and often blows up her own workshop during her introduction.
• The formula remains unchanged in starting with a synthesis tutorial and introducing the main character's close friend, then jumping into the opening movie.
• The change to the formula comes when the main's book begins speaking to her and offering to help her become a better alchemist. Very simple plot to start with but these games often end up getting a lot deeper than that.
• I could listen to the music within the workshop itself all day.
• The series has been moving away from having a time limit mechanic. While this one has a day/week/month system with people in different places at different times I'm not aware of any kind of limit despite the book telling Sophie, "Time is finite."

Verdict: The main problem is there are two incremental games in this arc of the series to play before this one.