ZTGD's Reviews
I really feel like Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire had the potential to be a charming and engaging RPG, but it falls short in many areas which keeps it from getting airborne. The clunky controls, repetitive gameplay and numerous tech issues make it a really frustrating experience rather than an enjoyable one. Don’t be tricked by the fantastic ‘Studio Ghibli’ visuals because sadly its all smoke and mirrors with this one; the visual design just isn’t enough to save this game.
Fear the Spotlight is a good first effort from the Blumhouse games initiative. It hits all the notes of a classic horror game with the hint of nostalgia for those of us who grew up with the 32-bit consoles. I am excited to see more and more of these drop over time and definitely recommend picking it up for a spooky weekend of fun during the holiday season.
Undisputed is a fantastic attempt to bring boxing back into the forefront of video games. The engaging career mode, realistic graphics, and well-executed in-ring action make it a strong contender in the otherwise quiet genre. For boxing enthusiasts who have been missing these games, Undisputed does a great job of bringing the thrill of the ‘sweet science’ to life. While I wish the roster had more current big names and the commentary was better; Undisputed still manages to stand tall as king of the ring for now.
I already loved this game on PS4 and now that IllFonic has been freed from the Sony exclusivity; Predator: Hunting Grounds for the Series X and PS5 feels like such an improvement over the original. With its upgraded visuals, enhanced performance and engaging gameplay, it offers an exciting experience to the asymmetrical genre. If you are a fan of the Predator franchise then this should already be on your list, but even if you just want a thrilling multiplayer shooter, Predator: Hunting Grounds is worth checking out.
As I said before, in the year of our Lord 2024 the fact that THIS is the G.I. Joe game that we get just feels bad. While G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra isnt a terrible game, its not a very fun one to interact with. From floaty combat to its subpar boss battles, I couldn’t help but think that this game was capable of so much more. Even with unlockable content to chase adding some replayability to the game, the real question is if gamers or even fans should bother playing this one at all.
Nightdive always delivers with their remakes, but Killing Time is special. This is a game that was largely ignored and eventually forgotten. Now it gets a second lease on life with a personal touch and care that it deserves. I highly recommend giving this game a chance. It feels familiar to classic shooters, while also delivering some of the most unique ideas of the time. I am so happy to see this game return and cannot wait for what other obscure FPS titles this team continues to deliver. Corridor 7 anyone?
It is a weird package that feels like it made decisions to feel different as opposed to making it a better experience. I loved the original game; I still feel it is the best Supermassive game of this type. This remake feels unnecessary and at times worse than what is already available on the PS5 patch. I am all for remakes and remasters when they give players a chance to check out games not available on that platform. Until Dawn Remake is neither of those things and in fact is a worse experience than the game already available.
Squirrel with a Gun is a wonderfully charming and hilarious game that offers a unique and engaging experience. The game’s humor and creativity make it a joy to play, and the variety of missions and customization options ensure a high level of replayability. While it has its share of flaws, such as its short length and floaty controls, the overall experience is well worth it for anyone looking for a fun and nutty adventure. (Pun intended)
Funko Fusion is a fun and nostalgic game that will appeal to fans of Funko Pop figurines and the franchises it represents. While it has its share of technical issues and repetitive gameplay, the colorful worlds, charming character designs, and humor make it an enjoyable experience. With the upcoming online play feature and regular updates, Funko Fusion has the potential to become even more engaging and entertaining in the future. The game’s ability to bring together different franchises into a single, cohesive universe is a testament to its creativity and charm. Whether you’re a fan of Scott Pilgram, Masters of the Universe, or any of the other franchises featured in the game, Funko Fusion offers a delightful and nostalgic journey that is sure to entertain and captivate players.
Mechwarrior 5: Clans is a fantastic addition to the Mechwarrior lineage, offering a good mix of an engaging storytelling, deep customization options and some seriously satisfying mech combat. While the PC version has some technical issues and the overall game has a bit of a learning curve, the overall experience is well worth it for fans and newcomers alike. And the fact that Clans is hitting gamepass is sure to garner some new Battletech fans to the fold, which is great so we can get some new games form this legendary mech series.
D3 Publisher used to be a budget publisher and EDF was a standout amongst their releases, but at this point there’s too much EDF for the sake of EDF without any good reason for its existence and at too high of a price point. Like I just can’t put in the effort to care anymore if glorified DLC and patches are going to be released as a brand-new numbered entry at full price.
The Dominus Collection is a welcome addition to the Konami classics. Revisiting these games gave me a new appreciation for them. They all three hold up well and the music continues to be timeless. Yet another stellar package of classics, now Konami needs to sort out the Symphony of the Night issues and perhaps add them to the 64 and PS2-era games for one final collection. That would be epic.
Longtime players of the NBA 2K series already know what to expect from 2K25. The game has played well for a long time, and this years game is no exception. While there were more glitches and issues than I would have liked, you’re still getting a solid on-court experience from this years edition. With that said, I simply can’t score the game higher than a 7 based on the continued overemphasis on microtransactions to the detriment of what should be the most enjoyable mode in the game. I can’t recommend buying the game at full price, knowing that you’ll need to pay the VC tax if you want to have a shot at being competitive online. I hope for next years game 2K will consider decoupling MyCareer and MyPlayer online and do something more akin to MLB the Show, while making microtransactions much more optional and less intrusive. That feels like wishful thinking however, as the game continues to sell hand over fist. If you plan on taking the dive again this year, just make sure you know what you’re getting into.
Iron Meat is an amazing Contra-like that does some things better than the game it is impersonating. I cannot recommend this title enough for fans of that style. It has a rocking soundtrack, outstanding visuals, and perfect controls. Now if you will excuse me, I have some more meat to grind.
Like I said at the outset I was excited for the possibilities for The Casting of Frank Stone, but sadly that excitement didn’t last. The brightest things about this game were when it was pitting the cast against the supernatural but these things are few and far between and take a LONG time to get to. This is an extremely slow burn, and since the characters feel paper thin; there just isn’t a lot to grab onto here. The Casting of Frank Stone has tons of references for Dead by Daylight fans but the lack of scares and likeable characters makes this one best left on the hook.
Epic Mickey: Rebrushed feels like a triumphant return that beautifully blends nostalgia with modern some enhancements. The visuals are captivating, the gameplay is enjoyable, and the heartwarming story still shines. However, the absence of voiced characters feels like a significant missed opportunity, one that could have taken the emotional experience to new heights. Despite this, Rebrushed remains a must-play in a sea of great platformers, inviting players to rediscover the magic of creativity and adventure in Wasteland. Whether you’re revisiting or experiencing it for the first time like I did, Mickey’s artistic journey is one worth taking.
With an interesting premise and a solid combat engine, Reynatis has the foundations of a good game. However, the myriad of questionable game design choices, ugly visuals and an uninteresting story makes for a hard sell for anyone but the most enthusiastic action RPG fan.
Evotinction is a solid first-effort from this developer. The bones are there for a fantastic follow-up. For this adventure though it is worth knowing what you are getting into before diving in. If you enjoy tense stealth adventures, this could be for you. If you are looking for even a remote amount of action, best to look elsewhere. As it stands this curiously titled game is a solid, if lacking adventure that definitely has my eye on Spikewave Games.
There is some fun to be had in Quidditch Champions but that mileage is going to vary by player for sure. Hardcore Potter heads will probably love being able to experience this sport, and chasing all of the unlockables
I am quite glad that Free Range Games kept their head down and turned around Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria. It is a fun experience for fans of the survival genre and I can say that you don’t have to be a fan of the LOTR franchise but will love it even more if you are. The team has polished quite a few systems that some of the other survival games employ and it makes for a much better crafting and building experience. While the game still has some goblins messing with the combat and causing issues, this is one game that deserves a delve.