Attack of the Fanboy
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Not only is this a great Disgaea game, but it is also the best introduction to the franchise or even the genre.
Most of what fans of Soulslikes want are at the maximum: masterclass-level design, unforgettable bosses, and extensive freedom toward build creation. The combat can feel rough at times, and there are way too many enemies in certain levels, but these downfalls don't negate the fact that Lords of the Fallen reaches for a spot in the highest tier among the genre's greats and finds itself right at home.
Forza Motorsport is an addictive, shockingly fun, extremely impressive visual showcase for the franchise. I was amazed by how often I wanted to play more, get more slick cars, and keep striving to perform better.
Outside of its stunning setting, Assassin's Creed Mirage doesn't have anything exciting or new to offer. It's a mixture of the worst parts of classic and modern Assassin's Creed, sacrificing both storytelling and exploration in an attempt to appease fans from both eras.
EA Sports FC 24 can be considered the perfect start for the next chapter in EA's franchise, as the game improves upon the foundations left by FIFA 23 while also adding a few game-changing and truly welcome features. Being on the pitch never felt better!
Phantom Liberty has some great moments, but it's ultimately a by-the-numbers spy thriller with an uninteresting cast that can't be saved by celebrity star power.
Party Animals is a simplistic, chaotic mess that can be fun for anyone. Its wide variety of maps and modes allows for each round to feel unique, and its list of options is quite vast despite the game itself being forced into online play. It's far from a defining title in the industry, but Party Animals is still one that few players will want to miss out on.
While the lack of ambition in the game’s narrative and the inability to play as certain characters keep the game from achieving true greatness, Mortal Kombat 1 is still a top-tier fighting game. The depth of the game’s combat provides less-experienced players with enough skills to succeed while rewarding those willing to take the time and effort to learn the system’s intricacies, and the sheer number of unlockable accessories ensures that you have a reason to keep playing. Mortal Kombat 1 may not land every punch it throws, but it does manage to chart a bold new course for the franchise.
Out of all the games that have attempted to master a Soulslike, Lies of P stands in a league of its own and should be experienced by anyone who is a fan of the subgenre.
NBA 2K24 offers an extremely polished experience, given its unrivaled on-court feel and a few welcome additions, but questionable decisions and an uncanny push toward microtransactions hurt what could otherwise be considered a natural step forward for the franchise.
Baldur's Gate 3 is a once-in-a-generation achievement that is not only a testament to why people love RPGs, but also why people love video games.
When playing Fae Farm solo, it's a fun story in a cute world filled with magic and connections. There are a lot of moving parts, but I think they do a good job of easing into them. It does leave a little desire for more clothing and hair customizations and playing multiplayer means starting a whole new world. But overall, it was definitely worth playing and something I'll pick up again.
Starfield is the most potent value proposition for Game Pass, being the killer app for the subscription service. It is also the best, most ambitious game in the Xbox Game Studios library to date. It would not be a stretch to say this could be one of the most ambitious games ever made, and that it followed through with many of those goals with relatively low compromise.
Sea of Stars manage to stand amongst its inspirations as a fantastic role-playing experience. Beautiful graphics and a fairly charming story are joined by creative turn-based combat and mind-bending dungeons, making for an incredibly fun adventure. With so much to love, one can only hope that Sea of Stars will go on to inspire other games as well.
Years and several Soulslike games later, FromSoftware revisits another of its iconic franchises and mostly soars with awesome visuals and combat. While difficulty is always going to be a factor in these games, the sudden challenge spikes will alienate those who lack the patience for finding the right build.
Despite all the positives and added-on fancy features, I can't recommend paying full price for Madden 24, as it feels like a slightly better version of last year's edition. But if you're a series veteran craving a Madden that promotes more player agency, EA has fine-tuned the football emulation to make it a better experience.
The battles are tough but fair, the magic and parrying system is satisfying, the weapon system caters to different playstyles, and the Liturgical Horror visuals are hauntingly beautiful.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is an addictive and spine-chilling experience that comes neatly wrapped in a patchwork parcel of skin and bone.
I absolutely love Baldur's Gate 3. It's a defining RPG that masterfully blends all that's brilliant about D&D into an equally convenient and engaging video game best suited for four wide-eyed adventurers.
Despite all of its flaws in story, visuals, and even design, Atlas Fallen excels simply as a video game.