I was inspired by CookieCrumbles' blog (she reviewed her own 3/DS collection) to review my own collection! Luckily, my 3DS selection is the smallest of my gaming collections with 9 total. If I were to review any of my other collections it would take forever. Then again, I'm not actually reviewing them. I like all my games. Hence, it'll be a scoreless reviews because reviews are just numbers. It's about the experience. I really don't care about mechanics that much (unless they are really really broken.) Hence it's more of just a rating scale from Good to Great to Awesome to Amazing to Best Game in the Collection!!
So with no further ado, I will start my rambling. Maybe those of you who are contemplating about what games to get for your 3DS will these experiences helpful is deciding what games to buy :p
I'll go in order from my least favorite to the best game everrrrrrrrr! :p
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Game: Code of Princess
Developer: Bones Inc. & Agatsuma Entertainment
Publisher: Atlus (North America)
Year: 2012
Rating: Good
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Experience: I haven't got that far into the game. However, this game is pure fun button mashing, all you do is hack and slash. The character designs are quite interesting to me. The main protagonist of the game, Princess Solange Blanchefleur de Lux, is way over sexualized. While the few pieces of clothing she wears have great design, her body features are way over the top in the game. My favorite character design is Lady Zozo, a necromancer, and even though she wears scandalous clothes too, she is quite funny. The story itself is quite intense, and the anime like cutscenes are fun to watch. I don't knock it too hard about the revealing female bodies because many anime like Japanese games do. I know their culture is highly different than most countries.
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Game: Style Savvy Trendsetters
Developer: Syn Sophia, Inc.
Publisher: Nintendo
Year: 2012
Rating: Good
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Experience: I like clothes, hence I bought a game all about clothes. The gameplay is relatively the same, but the cliental will request different clothing depending on the season. My little boutique "Méli Mélo" doesn't have one specific focus, although you could choose to do so. Hence, I sell and design outfits I like and to the clients wishes. The game handles money very well, with client budgets, personal spending, business income etc. It also the feature the ability to compete in Fashion Shows (which if you stick to the theme, will will almost 100% of the time.) For the first completion you get cute rewards, but then after that they get repetitive. The game has local features (which I've never used because none of my friends have this game), but the game also uses the StreetPass function which allows for the swap of Profile Cards. These cards basically tell other people your style philosophy, but also grants them access to visit your boutique. All in all this game is fun for people who like clothes.
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Game: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity
Developer: Chunsoft
Publisher: Nintendo & The Pokémon Company
Year: 2013 (North America)
Rating: Great
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Experience: Playing the previous installments on the DS (Blue Rescue Team being my favorite), I was extremely hyped for this game, but then super let down. While graphically the developers took a step forward, they took 100 steps back with mechanics. The two biggest changes for the worst were that they gave less options of beginner Pokémon and they took away the ability to do multiple tasks at once. Besides those bumps, the gameplay works similar to its previous titles. I enjoy being able to be a Pokémon. I find this spin-off series to be a great idea, I mean, don't we all want to live life as a Pokémon?! (Maybe not all, but I sure wouldn't mind!) The game has it's challenges, but I enjoy turn based games, and Mystery Dungeon does that well. The levels are well designed and the Pokémon in their 3D form look great. Overall, this game is very enjoyable and a nice part of my collection.
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Game: Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning
Developer: Marvelous AQL
Publisher: Natsume (North America)
Year: 2012
Rating: Great
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Experience: I have been a fan of Harvest moon ever since I rented Harvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life from Blockbuster for my Nintendo Gamecube. I'm not sure why, but this is by far my favorite farm game. I enjoy raising farm animals and going crops. A New Beginning doesn't stray to far from the basic Harvest Moon formula, but the 3D on handheld makes it an experience not to miss for any Harvest Moon fan. I personally have not got that far in the game, but I really like the calendar system in the game. The best new edition though is the ability to customize your own farmer! This game is very innovative and allows for a lot of customization, from your character to your farm to the town!
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Game: Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Year: 2013 (North America)
Rating: Awesome
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Experience: I haven't got that far in this game, however from the little monster's I have fought this game is amazing. The closest game I've played to this would be Dragon's Dogma (on 360, another title published/developed by Capcom). In Monster's Hunter 3 Ultimate the controls can be a bit tricky, especially the camera. However, everything besides that works great. The game itself is challenging and has so much to offer. Every monster fought can help create new armor. What is really appealing is the design of every single monster, each fully detailed and programmed with a differentiated behavior. I've heard the story itself is subpar, but it is still a game that must be played for any RPG or monster lover.
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Game: Bravely Default
Developer: Silicon Studio & Square Enix
Publisher: Nintendo (North America)
Year: 2014 (North America)
Rating: Awesome
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Experience: I'm not really a huge Final Fantasy fan, in fact I've only played one game which was Final Fantasy XII and I didn't even finish it. I don't think there is anything wrong with the franchise, maybe that just wasn't the right game to be my first of the series. Any who, Bravely Default is the spiritual successor of Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light (I game I've never played, so I have no idea how they connect.) I highly enjoy this game, I really like the turn based mechanics and job system. I haven't completed the game and the part I'm at proves quite challenging (but then again I put it on Hard). The characters are all individually strong, although the American voice over are laughable. Sometimes there is too much talking that I just have to skip through because there is just so much! The story at it's core is quite compelling. What I enjoy the most is the artist styling of the game. The cities within the game have such intricate and unique designs it is hard not to be in awe. I rarely use 3D mode on my 3DS, but on this game it works extremely well (I still keep it on the lowest 3D mode, but the slight difference is represented great!) This game heavily focuses on strategy and combination, however the incorporation of StreetPass and WiFi connection, make the game truly great. A person can send and receive an ability from another. When friends send a power and then you update you're game, you will be able to use it. Also, one can connect to WiFi daily to receive 4 random powers from any one in the world. This game is a must play for RPG fanatics.
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Game: Pokémon X
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo & The Pokémon Company
Year: 2013
Rating: Amazing
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Experience: I bet you all thought this would be my number 1 game :p It is no hidden secret that I love Pokémon! After 14 years, finally seeing the core Pokémon series go 3D literally blew my mind. While gameplay had the same old formula, you know travel the region, battle the gyms, save the world, defeat the Elite Four; the game added so much more. Graphical, the designs of the towns and landscapes were breathtaking. Even though less than 100 new Pokémon were introduced, I think that was completely okay. The new Fairy type introduced now helped level the competitive field against the all mighty Dragons. I actually don't play Pokémon competitively, I literally just like to raise the Pokémon I want to. It is fun to do casual battles, and the new system Game Freak integrated works extremely well. The way the the bottom screen splits friends, acquaintances and random people works well; I enjoy sending O-Powers to people...although not many send them to me! Also, the new feature Pokémon Amie is by far the cutest and one of my favorite new treats. I finally get to pet and play with my Pokémon, it's like a dream come true. Adding onto this dream, I finally can customize my character! Not only that, but you can have your own personal little player clip. While many argued that there wasn't a high replay value and it was not as engaging as previous installments, I don't find that true. Then again, I always find replay value in Pokémon games and it is my go to game. I can not play it for weeks, but when I return to it there goes a bunch more hours of my life!
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Game: Fire Emblem: Awakening
Developer: Intelligent Systems & Nintendo SPD
Publisher: Nintendo
Year: 2013
Rating: Mind Blowing
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Experience: I've never played a Fire Emblem game before, but I hit the jackpot with this game. My mind was blow. Every character was so carefully developed and well designed. The characters I used often I built bonds with (I kept my game on casual because the hard was too hard and I'd get so upset when a character would die). I felt so connected to the characters, especially the ones I trained and leveled up. Each one had their own story, but each one could also becomes friends with other characters. The dynamic of the character system was extremely well built. The combat system was also extremely well designed. Being a tactical turn-based RPG, that combat system was pure strategy. There are a plethora of character classes to build upon, each with their strengths and weaknesses. Playing on the hardest level, there really is no room for error (however I wasn't so I was able to have my fair share of character deaths!) The graphics were also excellent, while the turn-base part wasn't in full 3D, when the battle began then the image glory showcased. Not only were graphics and mechanics A+ worthy, the story was very intricate and well written as well. All and all, this is a must play 3DS game (unless you don't like strategy games!)
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Game: Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Year: 2013
Rating: Best 3DS game everrrrrr!
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Experience: Goodbye life, hello simulation. I have been a fan of the series since I played Animal Crossing on my Gamecube. This game let's me channel my inner Eliza Thornberry and talk to my friendly animal villagers. What I love about New Leaf (besides the enhanced graphics) is the new direction and risk it took. Instead of just being a villager like all the other animals, you are the solo human mayor. You have all the power!!! (but not really because Isabelle has to approve of everything...) The game really pushes a person's creative mind, I've visited so many wonderfully themed towns through the Dream Suite feature. I've also read so many QR Codes for clothing and pattern for my own town (because I am not artistically talented). I've StreetPassed with many other users that my Happy Home Showcase is pretty much full! I've had this game for months and I still don't get bored, even if I do the same thing everyday. I tend to my villagers, I go shopping on Main Street, I clean my already tidy town (thank you Beautiful Ordinance) and make $$$. There are things I still haven't unlocked, I've only completed my Seafood and Fossil collection, and I still don't have every badge. There are new types of NPCs as well as new personalities (which impact public work projects available). The game uses the same WiFi feature to connect friends to games, 4 people can play together by inviting them through the gate. None of my friends have this game, but have no fear, I head over to Tortimer Island to make some new friends! It's a fun place to talk and play mini games with other players (however they're usually so young so then I feel weird, haha!) This game implemented so many new features and new designs that it is a top simulator. I will admit that this game is not for everyone, but for those who like time consuming simulators, this is the game for you for it's replay value is very high! Words cannot explain it's awesomeness!
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I bet all you reading this are like "seriously, not a single Mario game?!" I seem to have lost my connection with core Mario games. I had Mario Kart 7, but it is just not the same as being on a console, it is a lot of fun though. I will hands down be getting Super Smash Bros. (because that is one of my favorite games and I lack a WiiU!) There is nothing wrong with Mario, is just that his core platformer games don't interest me anymore (but then again, never really did on handheld).
I also don't own any eShop titles, so those are completely obsolete from my list as well.
I'm sure my collection will grow bigger, I know I'm for sure going to buy Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and of course Pokémon Alpha Sapphire; there will probably be other great titles that will be added before the end of 2014. I've also been eyeing the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (since I never played the original.)
Oh well, for now it is just these 9 games :p Thanks for reading my rambles about these games.
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For us Americans, let's celebrate Memorial Day;
and to every countryman who serves as well.