Seems there’s quite a number of games being released in February that I have got my eye on. Even so, the main game I’ll be highlighting here is one that I may have mentioned before on this blog.
Before I get to that, I do have a few honourable mentions that includes already released and upcoming games.First up, honourable mentions:
Cyber Shadow – A “quintessential Ninja Action game”, this is effectively Mechanical Head Studios’ take on the NES era Ninja Gaiden games. As far as side-scrolling action platformers go, this is a very good one.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – Originally a Wii U title, Super Mario 3D World comes to the Switch, along with the brand new Bowser’s Fury mode. Mario teams up with Bowser Jr. to collect Cat Shines, and do battle with the ominous Fury Bowser.
Gal*Gun Returns – A remaster of the original Gal*Gun game. Part arcade shooting action, part dating sim.
There’s actually a couple more games being released in February that I have my eye on. For now, though, I’ll hold those back for March – whether as honourable mentions or not, you’ll have to wait and see.
That brings me to my Game of the Month, which involves legends and at least one fairy.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is the 22nd main entry of the Atelier series. It is the first game in said series to have a returning protagonist.
Set 3 years after Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness and the Secret Hideout, the story focuses on Reisalin Stout (or just Ryza, as she is known) as she travels to the capital of Ashra-am Baird. There, she ends up investigating ruins that may have some connection to alchemy.
Atelier Ryza 2 takes the first game and adds new features as well as improving on existing ones. Ryza has more options available to her for exploration: she can now climb vines, dive underwater and even swing from one area to another on a magic rope.
Both the alchemy and combat systems have been tweaked, too. They will familiar if you’ve played the first game, just with extra improvements.
Oh, and since I was asked this about the first Atelier Ryza, I’ll say this about the second: Ryza x Klaudia is stronger in this one. I guess you could say the same about certain other characters, too, but I know which ship I like best.
Whatever the case may be, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy is a fantastic game. A great follow-up to the first, and another wonderful entry for the Atelier series.
Rory Muses 