Danreb Victorio

San Jose

Executive Editor, Head of Content at SmashPad

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Articles

“to a T” Review

1 week ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

Before we start this review, you have to watch this video:If this trailer sold you on playing the game, we’re done here, but if you really want to know how it is…to a T has a couple of really jarring issues, but I loved it anyway. Developed by uvula, to a T is the latest from Keita Takahashi, the creator of the wild and weird Katamari Damacy series. His last major game on a console was Wattam, which was also a whimsical and wacky title.
“Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping” Review

2 weeks ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

With fantastic and deep titles like Hades, Hollow Knight, and now Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, We’re starting to get used to living in a world where indie games are more than just palette cleansers that essentially fill the void left by the lack of “B-grade” games. That being said, I don’t mind a good palette cleansing B-grade game, and the latest Duck Detective adventure definitely fills that void with the sharp-witted hilarity the series is becoming known for.
“Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny” Review

2 weeks ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

It’s absolutely wild that the Onimusha series was revived over five years ago, and it’s even more wild that its sequel is getting the same remaster treatment. But when you consider the fact that Capcom is hard at work on Onimusha: Way of the Sword, it all makes sense. A lot of fans consider Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny to be the best game in the series, and while that may be the case, like Onimusha Warlords before it, it hasn’t aged well.
“South of Midnight” Review

2 weeks ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

South of Midnight was one of the highlights of Xbox’s summer showcase last year, and it definitely caught my attention with its beautiful world, its stop motion animation, and a fun-looking combat system. Now that the game is here, I didn’t expect it to be representative of so many symbols of oppression and culture, and that’s what easily set the experience as something special despite a tired gameplay loop.
“despelote” Review

1 month ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

When I first went hands-on with despelote at GDC, I thought I was playing the game like an idiot. In my preview, I mentioned a point in the demo where it was dinner time, and when I headed over to the kitchen, I played with the stove and burner to the dismay of my father, which resulted in him spewing a bunch of dialog but not actually punishing me. I did it because I thought it would be funny, and it turns out that this style of gameplay is absolutely acceptable.
“Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Tape 2” Review

1 month ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

After two months, the conclusion to Don’t Nod’s spiritual successor to Life is Strange is finally here, and it’s a rough misstep for players who think they have a full understanding of the “choose your own adventure” style. When the first Lost Records tape came out, it didn’t really start to show its teeth until the very end of the experience. It was a downright mean cliffhanger, but it did enough to have me interested in what happens next, and now that I know, I feel like I wasted time.
[GDC 2025] “Fresh Tracks” Hands-On

2 months ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

While it was probably the most informal as it took place in a loud hotel lobby near the Moscone Center, our last GDC preview appointment was a great one. We sat down with Karen Mitchell, Senior Producer and Marketing Lead of Buffalo Buffalo, to talk and play Fresh Tracks, and this game is indeed fresh. Fresh Tracks is a music/rhythm-based skiing roguelike skiing adventure. These are all sorts of words that shouldn’t go together, but in the world of video games, they do, and it’s highly engaging.
Monthly Games Guide: April 2025

2 months ago | templeofgeek.com | Myles Obenza |Danreb Victorio | |Jaesa Evermore

This April has something for everyone. Whether you’re into gorgeous indie adventures, deep and immersive RPGs, or wanting to check out previously exclusive titles, we go you covered with our monthly games guide for the month of April in 2025. What will you be playing? The next title from Life is Strange developer Don’t Nod is a stylish adventure game with a unique art style that will surely tug on your heartstrings.
[GDC 2025] “The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy” Hands-On

2 months ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

Title: The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy Platform: PC, Switch Publisher: XSEED (Switch), Aniplex (Steam) Developer: Too Kyo Games Genre: Strategy RPG, Visual Novel Release Date: April 25, 2025 Developer's Twitter: [GDC 2025] “The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy” Hands-On Let it be known now, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is anything but “Generic JRPG XVI.” During our brief, albeit extended, time with the game, this could very well be a hit for anybody that gives it a chance…....
[GDC 2025] “Baseless” Hands-On

2 months ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

Title: Baseless Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch Publisher: First Break Labs Developer: Fermenter Games Genre: Action Release Date: Fall 2025 [GDC 2025] “Baseless” Hands-On Of three games First Break Labs invited us to try out at GDC, Baseless was easily the most addictive one. We met with First Break Labs for an hour during GDC, and Baseless was the last game played. Because of… Of three games First Break Labs invited us to try out at GDC, Baseless was easily the most...