Popularity & The Pursuit Of Happiness

Fate/EXTELLA LINK (PS4)

This entry in the continuing Fate/Stay Night gaming series, which was adapted from an ongoing manga visual novel of the same namesake, extends upon the lore in a more combat heavy experience in which master and servant micromanagement is the key to victory. The key to keeping SE.RA.PH from being Oracilized by Karna, and his growing army of shadow servant clones. SE.RA.PH being Earth's enigmatic Moon server which brings to life the virtual world you inhabit along with all of it's servant residents. Servants which are historical recreations of warriors from ages gone by. It is through the master that these servants are guided as well as summoned, and through said servants that said masters are protected. Thus creating, in layman's terms, a world of kings, queens and kingdoms.

In true mosou form, and within SE.RA.PH, you will ultimately play as a main servant (I chose Charlemagne) in the company of supporting servant troops under the guide of the master as you navigate gated labyrinths traveling from portal to portal while clearing out key enemies and protecting the master as well as the key supporting servants. It's manic multitasking in a somewhat streamlined fashion that makes Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors look like a more tedious dragged on affair. From the base camp to the battlefield, and through a handful of increasingly difficult difficulty settings you will build bonds between master, and servant while you prepare them meticulously to face the threat to your virtual world, and it's housed NPCs. Including a complex set of main missions, and side missions with a progressive plot to forward.

The Caligula Effect: Overdose (PS4)

Imagine, if you will, a JRPG centered around a created classroom reality manifested by a virtuadoll name "Mu"who is hellbent on saving humanity from their own emotional suffering. Imagine even further still that this manufactured fantasy world is more of a prison, and less of an escape. One that holds it's classroom captives captive indefinitely even if they intend on returning to their long forgotten harsh reality. Thus is "The Caligula Effect". At the heart of the story is a male or female protagonist named by you, and controlled by you. He or she finds themselves in a sort of living nightmare as they see through the veil of supposed reality that is set before them. They see classmates corrupted by a digihead infection that has them doing the main antagonist's will according to the idol songs she both plays, and has playing out through associated Ostinato Musicians within Mobius, a paradise reserved for the emotionally distraught. Through your own manifested emotions, and as a counter to said threat, you are able to weaponize you and your fellow classmates who can also see beyond the veiled truth. A group of interesting individuals in a sort of high school club known as the "Go-Home Club". A club with the means with which to combat the mindless minions of the Mu. After your entrance, and joining of said club with your own virtuadoll companion you will find that fighting the good fight is done with the "Catharsis Effect", or rather a manifesting of your heart's hidden emotions brought forth into weapon form. It is this catharsis effect, and the imaginary Chain ability that ultimately allows for predictive assault, defense, and support options with which you'll take on the afflicted, face off against the antagonists, and eventually wake up in the real world ... if you are successful.

RemiLore: Lost Girl in the Lands of Lore (PS4)

I like Nicalis games. I like that they are their own unique thing. I like that the art style varies from most indie developers' creations, and I like more than anything that Nicalis is brave enough to mix things up with different genres. In the case of RemiLore this holds ever more true. Complete with a cutesy Japanese anime flair, likeable characters, a simple yet engaging story, and fun combat this hack-n-slash combo centered misadventure is one that will no doubt earn the attention of those willing to take a chance, and try it out.