Recent reviews by Tomoko Kuroki

Far too difficult and overwhelming for someone like me who's never really delved into games like this, especially since this is a rogue-like.

This is all speaking from a solo perspective.

Only recommending this because of the base gameplay. It is super familiar and easy to get into, especially the Commando and Huntress. Movement feels "how it should" and I never feel like any movement mistake is not my fault. I can't say the same for the other characters (MUL-T, Rex, and Acrid come to mind) but, otherwise, the controls are the best I've played with in a long while.

Unfortunately, that's where my pros end. It's not that this game isn't fun, per se. But after about five hours and completing a run, I've basically played all the game has to offer. I know there's a ton's worth of items I could unlock. Thing is, I don't see myself unlocking them anyway due to how a lot of them have requirements that are "out of the way" of the core gameplay. Lazy, I know... but with the items I've unlocked currently, I'm already able to achieve some level of a power fantasy.

Speaking of a power fantasy, the difficulty scaling is a little steep. If only it was more forgiving. I found myself struggling on even the medium difficulty. Drizzle felt like that should have been the normal difficulty. This con's subjective: I'm just bad at game sense and games in general.

Like I said earlier, after playing for a few hours, I've already played all the game has got for me. I don't see any real reason to continue for more than one session unless its unlocking a certain item. I would like some sense of permanence after completing a run (other than item unlocks). Borderlands 2's Badass Rank system comes to mind.

7/10, Risk of Rain 2 is a fun game to play once in a while, but not one for grinding.

I wish I could love this game.

After finding myself liking Risk of Rain 2, I thought I might give another Rogue-like a shot. Turns out its a lot more fun watching others restart with nothing when they fail a run. I know that's a standard in the Rogue-like genre. For me, though, I like having a sense of permanence and improvement even after failure. Knowing the stakes and losing entire levels of progress is just pure demoralization.

Maybe its RoR2's gameplay style that I love and not because of its genre. I've always avoided Rogue-likes and Spelunky pretty much reinforces that habit.

To the naysayers crying about microtransactions and "the grind:" have you ever even tried playing the game? I have spent $0 in-game and have earned early 30000 in monkey money just from first time map completions. Microtransactions have almost zero effect in-game... because you don't even need microtransactions in the first place.

And this "grind" you naysayers are talking about? You just suck and have no patience - I'm not sorry. I am currently holding 70000 monkey money and is level 151, and is currently excited for the inevitable return of the Dartling Gunner.

Don't let the negative reviews hold you back. I can say, without a doubt, that this is the best Bloons TD in the series.

Amazing guns, awful controls. Doesn't even work with Oculus Quest. Don't buy.

Mod this game out to full capacity, and it'll keep you busy far more than the already bustling amount of hours it offers!

Just don't go into the DZ, especially in the late game. Otherwise, you'll have a good time.

Just don't play like an idiot. Those "game journalists" who wanted an easy mode shouldn't be journalists at all.

My only complaint is that all the building and collecting building components must happen in real time. I can tolerate gathering components by manually grabbing them. However, I hate the fact that to customize and rebuild your little vehicle, there's no separate menu for it. You repair and rebuild while enemies can just come in and dab on your disrepaired vehicle. These encounters are rare but its frustrating.

Other than that, nothing else. I really like how everything just... works, wheels and all.

I need more guns.