Gaming Nexus
HomepageGaming Nexus's Reviews
As the game has updated visuals, new additions to modes, and more microtransactions than a Prime advertisement, WWE2K25 has some bright spots. But it just feels like a superstar that dominated NXT and then was snuffed out when they joined the Main Roster. Better than last year's, but not by much. WWE has a credo: Then, Now, Forever, Together. I want now, now.
A beautifully rendered but ultimately familiar adventure game, Karma: The Dark World is neither scary nor thrilling. Meticulously build and gorgeous to look at, the gameplay is nonetheless a slow roll through a pre-rendered Kafka-inspired story, with little in the way of interaction beyond some environmental puzzle solving. I can appreciate the artistry at work here, if not the final product.
Atomfall is a delightful surprise in a year packed with big game releases. I haven't felt this amount of joy from discovery, or this level of player agency in a game in quite some time. Wherever it is on your list of games to play in 2025, move it up.
Assault Suit Leynos 2: Saturn Tribute can be a bit rough at times, mainly due to its high difficulty, especially if you're unfamiliar with this type of game. There's plenty of customization you can do with your mech between missions and this version's extra options help tone the difficulty down a bit, but this isn't necessarily going to be a game you'll master out of the gate. However, once you put some time into understanding everything you can do and how you should take each mission, Assault Suit Leynos 2: Saturn Tribute becomes a lot more enjoyable, but it's difficulty may take you a while to get to that point.
This sweet little comfort game is an adorably cozy little farming simulation. Difficult to learn at first, but easy to play as you continue on. Grow crops, sell them to the townspeople, make money, restore harmony to the island. And best of all, adopt cows and chickens! But unfortunate technical issues that cause the game to randomly lock, resulting in a repeated loss of progress, eventually took their toll. I'm hoping the game's issues are resolved so players can actually enjoy the charming experience at the core of Sugardew Island.
Split Fiction is one of the best genre crossing, action packed, adrenaline rushing, heart wrenching games both Jason and myself have ever played. A few hours in, we were dodging ogres and shooting down ships. By the end of the game, our friendship became stronger, our hearts grew three times larger, and we realized that Split Fiction is one of the best games of this era. Anyone saying otherwise, is spitting fiction.
The latest iteration of Under Defeat shows just how solid the original game was and remains to this day. It's simple yet effective take on the shmmup genre still provides a great challenge with fun gameplay that drives you to keep coming back again and again to better your score. Unfortunately, if it hasn't hooked you in the past, this version isn't really going to do much else to suck you in. The new additions help sweeten the pot for long-time fans but just don't do enough to pull in any new ones. All in all: fans of the game will enjoy coming back and appreciate having access to a shmup-great on modern consoles.
Monster Hunter Wilds delivers a ton of incredible new content, buried underneath the usual UI nightmare plus a long, interminable campaign. The new features of the game are fun and exciting once the game opens up, and there are a ton of awesome new monsters to battle. The graphics, as always, are stunning. But wading through the mud of this story for 15-20 hours is downright painful, and the franchise's tradition of not explaining itself is getting extremely old. There is a fabulous Monster Hunter game here, but sooner or later this franchise is going to have to wake up to the need to wipe the slate clean and open the doors for new players. Instead, Monster Hunter Wilds feels like it is going in the other direction.
PGA Tour 2K25 is a golf game for everyone, offering an enjoyable golf simulation for players of any skill level. There are incremental upgrades across the board from 2K23, though I do have concerns about the accessibility of some online modes, as well as the increased prevalence of premium currencies.
Tape 1 of Lost Records introduces us to a charming group of characters and presents an intriguing story that sets up a lot of questions and mystery for Tape 2, but a ton of technical issues and awkward dialogue really hamper the overall experience for the first episode of this two part adventure.
MACROSS-Shooting Insight may feel run of the mill with the way it covers four types of shooters, but is still enjoyable and a bit challenging. If you're really good at shooters or bullet-hell games, you'll find a decent challenge here while those not as experienced can tone down the difficulty a bit to their liking. While the game looks nice graphically and is fun to play, for genre veterans the gameplay is a bit average.
Eternal Strands has potential to be a great action adventure game, but it is weighed down by eternal fetch quests. It's beautiful to look at, but hard to withstand the hand holding hinderance. I know who this is for, but there are better entries to scratch your magic weaving itch.
While balanced in a way that forces the player to experience almost everything the game has to offer, Avowed is still a lot of fun. A great story, fun companions, and a richly designed world all contribute to an overall good time. Just remember to take your time early on, because this game wants you to see everything, and it will punish you for trying to skip ahead.
Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator largely achieves what it sets out to do. I take issue with its means-and-methods, as it relies heavily on minigames for many of its paramedic tasks, but that doesn't make it a bad game – just a far less immersive one.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a fantastic revival of a classic franchise that seemed like it was once on death's door. Origins is a complete breathe of fresh air while feeling familiar but adding much needed gameplay changes and tactics to make everything feel fresh. This is the true next generation leap for the series. If you are a fan of this series you owe it to yourself to play Origins. I cannot wait to see how they build off of this for the future.
Moons of Darsalon is a lovely action puzzle platformer with a slight bug problem. With that said, it is so unique and so confidently designed that I don't think you should skip it.
Warhorse Studios has delivered an excellent RPG and sequel. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a near total package, with great writing, acting, and a level of immersion that will have you running down every single quest in fear of missing out on a special moment. Frankly, I will be shocked if it's not in the awards conversation at the end of the year.
Sniper Elite: Resistance isn't really doing anything new, and that's ok. It's sticking to a tried and true formula and delivering on promises for solid gameplay mechanics spread out over sprawling open levels. It does carry forward the best features ironed out in previous games like kill cams, a balance of stealth and action, freedom to meet objectives, and even Invasion mode to add some spice to the mix if you're so inclined. It's not groundbreaking but it doesn't have to be because it follows a well trodden path that is already established and frankly just a lot of fun to play.
Trombone Champ: Unflattened takes cues from it's predecessor, and is maybe too difficult at first. Once you get the hang of it, it picks up rather nicely. It's not the pick up and laugh uncontrollably game it used to be, but it's definitely one of those get friends in the room, and watch trombonic chaos ensue.
Incredible visuals and so many activities it's tough to keep up with them all, Flight Simulator 2024 delivers a heck of an experience for flight sim enthusiasts. Yes, you can question if it should have just been a patch to the 2020 series or not, but it's not enough to deter me from saying that this one is worth picking up for all the upgrades.