Articles by Cullen Black

Against all odds, Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga is a high-effort remaster of crossover fighter from a bygone era
Against all odds, Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga is a high-effort remaster of crossover fighter from a bygone era

Fifteen years after it originally launched on PSP, this niche Ys vs. Trails crossover PSP fighting RPG is now available worldwide.

feature by Cullen Black on 10 October, 2025

Shuten Order Review
Shuten Order Review

Despite some missed potential and a frustratingly poor localization, Shuten Order lands with such a tremendous note that it's worth experiencing. What it lacks in cohesion, it makes up for in spirit.

review by Cullen Black on 16 September, 2025

OFF Review
OFF Review

OFF represents pure, unfiltered artistic expression, and while I can’t fully piece the puzzle together, the process of trying is rewarding.

review by Cullen Black on 14 August, 2025

No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium Files Review
No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium Files Review

To get the most out of No Sleep For Kaname Date, as a spin-off and an interquel, you need to align your expectations in advance. What it sacrifices in the typical mind-bending mystery, it makes up for with excellent comedy writing.

review by Cullen Black on 19 July, 2025

You need to see Front Mission 3 Remake's redone Network graphics and photographs
You need to see Front Mission 3 Remake's redone Network graphics and photographs

Just like with the real world, the internet in the Front Mission 3 Remake may now be filled with AI slop.

feature by Cullen Black on 25 June, 2025

Everything you need to know about Raidou Remastered on Switch & Switch 2 covering performance, saves, and DLC
Everything you need to know about Raidou Remastered on Switch & Switch 2 covering performance, saves, and DLC

We lay out everything you need to know about Raidou Remastered on Switch and Switch 2 to help you decide which Nintendo console to buy Atlus' newest remaster on.

feature by Cullen Black on 19 June, 2025

Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review

Raidou Remastered is a charming remake of one of ATLUS' most experimental PS2 titles. It succeeds in preserving that legacy, even if it holds it back from true greatness.

review by Cullen Black on 18 June, 2025

Everything you need to know about Suikoden I & II HD Remaster on Nintendo Switch 2
Everything you need to know about Suikoden I & II HD Remaster on Nintendo Switch 2

We compare Suikoden I & II HD Remaster on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 to cover save transfer, visual upgrade, performance, and more.

feature by Cullen Black on 17 June, 2025

Hands-on with Raidou Remastered: A Cold Case Re-opened
Hands-on with Raidou Remastered: A Cold Case Re-opened

Raidou Remastered is ATLUS' latest revisit to their catalogue of classics, recapturing the spirit of the original while entirely overhauling a plethora of systems.

preview by Cullen Black on 20 May, 2025

The Hundred Line is a conceptual nightmare, and I love it
The Hundred Line is a conceptual nightmare, and I love it

The Hundred Line is the latest game from creatives Kazutaka Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi. In our time playing it for a review in progress, we find the scope is terrifying.

feature by Cullen Black on 21 April, 2025

The Persona 3 Reload Soundtrack Vinyl made me a Record Guy
The Persona 3 Reload Soundtrack Vinyl made me a Record Guy

The merchandise team at iam8bit sent us the re-issue of the Persona 3 Reload 4xLP Vinyl Soundtrack Box Set recently, getting me to throw in the towel and say, “Fine, I’ll buy a record player already!”

feature by Cullen Black on 14 April, 2025

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Review
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Review

This well deserved remaster of Xenoblade Chronicles X makes it easier than ever to appreciate one of the best open-world RPGs out there.

review by Cullen Black on 18 March, 2025

Here's what's new in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (So Far)
Here's what's new in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (So Far)

The non-numbered Xenoblade spin-off entry gets a refreshed version a decade after its original launch. Here are some of the additions and adjustments made.

preview by Adam Vitale and Cullen Black on 19 February, 2025

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Review
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Review

Dragon Quest III returns with it's first new remake in years, recapturing the spirit of what made the original so special.

review by Cullen Black on 13 November, 2024

Dragon Age: The Veilguard debuts Blighted Dragon gameplay trailer at State of Play
Dragon Age: The Veilguard debuts Blighted Dragon gameplay trailer at State of Play

Ahead of the game's release next month, Bioware has revealed new gameplay at Sony's State of Play where players must vanquish a Blighted Dragon.

news by Cullen Black on 24 September, 2024

Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven is going to ruin my life - Demo Impressions
Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven is going to ruin my life - Demo Impressions

We already previewed Revenge of the Seven once, but here's another preview based on the new demo.

preview by Cullen Black on 19 September, 2024

The mobile and PC ports of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince are perfectly serviceable
The mobile and PC ports of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince are perfectly serviceable

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is now available for PC and mobile devices after its launch on Switch last year. Here's how the two versions shake out.

feature by Adam Vitale and Cullen Black on 16 September, 2024

Persona 3 Reload - Episode Aigis makes me finally appreciate The Answer
Persona 3 Reload - Episode Aigis makes me finally appreciate The Answer

Persona 3's divisive epilogue "The Answer" has been remade in the Reload Expansion "Episode Aigis", offering a sizeable dungeon crawl sure to excite fans who missed the challenge of the original.

feature by Cullen Black on 10 September, 2024

Visions of Mana Review
Visions of Mana Review

Visions of Mana is the first mainline Mana game in nearly two decades and, despite some issues, is a great step forward for the series.

review by Cullen Black on 27 August, 2024

Tokyo Xanadu eX+ on Switch is now the best version... in English at least
Tokyo Xanadu eX+ on Switch is now the best version... in English at least

Nihon Falcom's hybrid between Trails and Ys returns, this time on Nintendo Switch and touting a great new English script.

feature by Cullen Black on 24 July, 2024

Shin Megami Tensei V is back with a Vengeance - Preview
Shin Megami Tensei V is back with a Vengeance - Preview

Shin Megami Tensei V is back, and after two hours with it we're left quite enthused.

preview by Cullen Black on 30 April, 2024

Unicorn Overlord Review
Unicorn Overlord Review

Unicorn Overlord seems allergic to risk-taking, and it makes for a safe and enjoyable product that fails to introduce anything new. So when I was given just a passable game, I couldn’t help but be let down.

review by Cullen Black on 02 April, 2024

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Review
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Review

The Dragon Quest Monsters series makes a great return on Nintendo Switch, but in regards to its story it does very little to properly honor the legacy of the game it takes inspiration from.

review by Cullen Black on 01 February, 2024

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has me feeling like a tourist - Preview
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has me feeling like a tourist - Preview

Late last year, we got the chance to play an extended demo of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth during a Sega-coordinated preview event.

preview by Cullen Black on 04 January, 2024

Final Fantasy XVI: Echoes of the Fallen offers a compelling reason to return to Valisthea
Final Fantasy XVI: Echoes of the Fallen offers a compelling reason to return to Valisthea

The first of two DLC packs for the game lets players face off against Omega in a combat-focused side chapter of the story.

feature by Cullen Black on 12 December, 2023

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