I finally picked up a 3DS (original model, which I love -- but that's another topic) about six months ago. So far, I've played nothing but eShop games -- this wasn't intentional, it's how the time and the budget worked out. Turns out, I'm completely alright with that. Here are my mini-reviews of my 3DS library so far:
--Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale: One of the very best games I played in 2013. You won't be challenged or enthralled by its gameplay, so avoid it if that's a dealbreaker. However, the atmosphere of this game is impeccable -- I've never felt such a strong evocation of nostalgia for a place and time I've never visited. Not only is this game a digital distillation of whimsy, it has one of the most layered, mature (and not in the overdone buzzword sense) narratives I've seen in a game. All without a lick of pretension.
--Crimson Shroud: If your typical RPG is a novel, this is an incredibly well-crafted short story. While the narrative is simple (but not bad by any means), the gameplay keeps you coming back. The battle system here is so unique (for a video game, anyway -- it seems to be very Dungeons & Dragons-inspired) that I found myself seeking enemy encounters just for the fun of it.
--Liberation Maiden: A very solid shooter. It's not exceptional, but I have zero complaints about its game mechanics. An addicting, Space-Harrier-in-full-3D kind of shooter wrapped in a stylish shell that makes good use of that 3D slider. As a Suda 51 game, I was expecting a bit more insanity, but I dig its '80s anime aesthetic, complete with inane story and gratuitous ass shots. Months later, I find myself returning to it now and again just to shoot shit.
--Steel Diver: Sub Wars: I have the free version. Iwata said it best when he called this a "contemplative FPS." Never played anything like and found myself surprisingly enthralled by it. What you have here is an online FPS without the twitch -- it's real-time, but given the distinct controls and slow speed of the subs, each move requires thought and foresight. This makes for a refreshingly methodical pace. Perfect for a few quick online rounds, and it offers nice bit of customization and unlockables. Good enough to make me want to throw down for the paid version, which I will eventually.
--The Starship Damrey: I've seen this one get a lot of flak for its length and relative simplicity. The disclaimer here is that I got it on sale for $2.99. If you don't think its regular asking price is worth about 4-5 hours of play time, it might not be for you. Conversely, if you like point-and-click games and isolation-based science fiction (such as 2001, Moon, Silent Running, etc.) there's a good chance you'll enjoy this one, as I did. I might not look back on the entire package so fondly if not for the game's killer ending -- thankfully, it does have a killer ending.
Also picked up the DSiWare games PiCTOBiTS and The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition for free. The former is the best damned puzzle game I've played since Meteos, with a fantastic retro aesthetic. Worthy of the falling-block binge it set me on. In my estimation, the latter isn't worth paying for unless you have a friend that also has it and will play it with you (Nintendo doesn't seem keen on selling the thing, so none of this may apply).
My first retail games will be Kid Icarus Uprising and Fire Emblem Awakening, which I have high expectations for. In summation, the 3DS is fucking radical.
EDIT: I should also mention how worthwhile I've found the StreetPass Mii Plaza Game Bundle. As someone who lives in a major U.S. city and has a few Nintendo Zones in walking distance, StreetPassing has been a major draw of the whole 3DS experience -- I get the same kind of relevatory feeling here as I did the first time I played Phantasy Star Online or Wii Sports. There's just nothing out there like it. It's like a next-level scavenger hunt, and the sense of progression these games offer feels extra-rewarding as you truck along pass by pass.
I hope I'm not sick of Picross once I'm done with this game, because I want to buy the upcoming Picross e4. That means I'll skip e2 and e3, but it doesn't really look like I'd miss a lot.
