The first week of September is drawing to a close and it saw the release of some huge new games, as well as some highly-anticipated cult titles. The schedule is going to become even mo🍌re packed over the coming weeks, especially as we draw closer to the release of the next-generation of consoles and the key 🅘holiday season.
Th🍒eGamer has been playing and dissecting each of the major new releases as they have been released. These are our reviews of some of the biggest releases of September 2020, including one of the biggest triple-A games of the year, and a highly influential Japanese game that took over twenty years to reach western shores.
Marvel's Avengers - 3.5 Stars
Marvel's Avengers has finally been released to mostly positive reviews, but the game has a few 🎐well-publicized flaws. The story mode is notably short and doesn't fit well with the loot acquisition gameplay loop. Kamala Khan helps to keep things interesting, but the game falls short of expectations in terms of story. The combat system is a lot of fun, especially when playing with friends, but the loot system is under-cooked and doesn't offer much of an incentive to keep coming back for more. Marvel's Avenge𓃲rs has a lot of potential, but it might need a few more content updates before it can be considered a must-have purchase.
The full review of Marvel's Avengers can be read here.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles - Remastered Edition - 3.5 Stars
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Remastered Edition is an updated port of the GameCube action RPG from the early '00❀s. Crystal Chronicles cleans up the visuals and the sound, as well as adding online multiplayer and new post-game dungeons.
The Remastered Edition retains the fun gameplay of the original Crystal Chronicles, but the who🃏le experience is hamstrung by the complete absence of local co-op, as well as a number of design choices that make it annoying to play with friends online. There is some fun to be had in this game, but Square Enix didn't make it easy to find.
The full review of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Remastered Edition can be read here.
Crusader Kings 3 - 5 Stars
Crusader Kings 3 is the latest entry in the grand strategy series, and we do mean grand in its most literal sense. Crusader Kings 3 puts the player in the role of a ruler during ancient times, as they guide their dynasty through plots and wars in order to ensure that the family remains in control of its sub💞jects and continues to expand its empire through the ages.
Crusader Kings 3 is a huge step forward for the franchise, in terms of accessibility and scope. The game offers unparalleled levels of depth when 😼it comes to managing the player's kingdom, while the new abilities allow you to tailor your characters and rule in the way you desire, be it through adoration or bloodshed. Crusader Kings🌃 3 is a must-have game for fans of the strategy genre.
The full review of Crusader Kings 3 can be read here.
Moon - 4 Stars
Moon might be one of the strangest video games ❀ever made. It was originally released on the PS1 back in '97, where it billed itself as the "Anti-RPG". Moon is set in the worl🔥d that lives in fear of the JRPG hero that has killed all of the animals and ransacked people's homes in search of loot. It's the job of the main character to restore Love to the world, which involves fixing everyone's problems. Moon is like a mixture between The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and a '90s point and click adventure title, in a game that has no combat whatsoever.
Moon is a game with great writing and some genuinely funny/heartwarming scenes, but it badly needs some QoL improvements. The developers coul🧔d have had a five star game on their hands if they added some modern conveniences. As such, Moon is a terrific game that is buried beneath some annoyances. If you enjoyed Undertale (the game it directly inspired), then you should love Moon.
The full review of Moon can be read here.