Split Fiction pretty much nails it on the gameplay front, but falters regarding its predictable and flawed story. The one-dimensional villain and cliche character dynamic between Mio and Zoe can't be ignored due to their presence through the adventure. Don't miss the Side Stories, as these supply some of the game's most memorable and charming moments.
The addictive gameplay loop of going on expeditions for exhibits and maintaining existing ones provides newcomers enough tools to tackle objectives, and veterans the kind of in-depth skill ceiling they clamor for. I just wish the controls for the PS5 version were a bit more responsive and efficient. While Two Point Museum doesn't reinvent the wheel of management sims, that characteristic Two Point charm and smooth gameplay loop make it a solid entry in the series.
A pretty straightforward remaster of an excellent 90s shoot-em-up set in the depths of the ocean. The enhanced visuals of the deep sea stages look vibrant and faithful, though a classic graphic toggle would've been nice. A new mirror mode, some added cheats, and a preconfigured submarine loadout screen are nice additions and all, but the lack of save options or online co-op is a missed opportunity. Still, what's here is solid stuff, especially if you like a well-earned challenge. This is a strong recommendation for fans of the game or shoot-em-up enthusiasts, but the $20 price tag might be too much to swallow for others.
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is just about everything fans could have wanted. All the great quality of life features from I-III return here in addition to new restored content for Tomb Raider VI. While this remaster doesn't completely fix the problems with the black sheep of the series, Tomb Raider VI, it does make the experience much better. Like the first collection, IV-VI Remastered is a huge value for what you get and is a must-buy for fans of the series or classic games.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a polished open-world RPG that outdoes its AAA competition at every turn. Some of the realism can bog down the gameplay, but the intricate dialogue choices and perk tree compel me to forgive some of the returning irritants. And the story, just wow. I can't say enough great things about the characterizations, dialogue, story twists, activities, and cinematography packed into KCD2's main quest; it's simply the best in the genre.
Mixing elements from Breath of the Wild with Shadow of the Colossus sounds amazing on paper, but Eternal Strands somehow renders it a merely average experience. The gameplay loop is fine, but slightly held back by backtracking and some noticeably absent features common to the genre (like a minimap and compass). I wanted to love the story considering this has some old-school Bioware talent behind it, but the lack of a hook in the plot and some very dull characters made me want to skip dialogue often. I like Eternal Strands well enough, but there's plenty of other similar games that offer a more compelling experience.
It's good this game is cheap because there's not a lot here worth really digging into unless you're a hardcore Star Wars game fan or have a friend to burn some hours with. Despite the many irritants embedded in the game's core design, this remaster has polished some of the rough parts and even added a slew of new playable characters. Even though I don't strongly recommend this particular Star Wars title, I laud the effort to preserve classic games for newer hardware.
JRPGs like this don't come very often. The plot charges ahead at a brisk pace while the well-written characters develop through the web of deceit. The sheer quantity and quality of the combat and the variety it offers will have RPG fans feasting for a long while.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins is not only the best entry point for newcomers, but one of the best offerings the series has had in recent memory. The intimate zoomed-in story portrays the Three Kingdoms figures as likeable and complex characters with compelling motives. Combat can be hit or miss, but there's no denying the unmatched scale and spectacle of the 1-v-1000 battles.
The Thing Remastered is everything one could ask for in a remaster. With graphical improvements that don't sacrifice the original's gritty tone and convenience features smoothing out rough gameplay, this is a must-play for survival horror fans.
Mario & Luigi Brothership has made it to the top of my favorite Mario RPGs, a feat that I never thought would be achieved. Everything is constantly entertaining throughout the experience, from the creative animations to the energetic sound effects and wonderful roulette of activities; the game provides a revolving door of engaging fun at every step.
G.I. Joe Wrath of Cobra delivers a neat nostalgia trip for beat em' up lovers, but fails to provide anything worthwhile for the mainstream audience. It falls behind other old-school competitors in the genre due to its poor enemy and stage variety, but is solid fun for a popcorn game with some friends.
Clock Tower Rewind brings the cult classic horror game to western shores for the first time with some added convenience features and bonuses to boot. However, the game's intrinsic point and click adventure game DNA feels outdated and flawed. If you don't mind using a guide to help in your pixel hunt and solve archaic solutions, this remaster of one of the most influential horror games of the 90s comes recommended.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 is lovingly remade with much-needed convenience features, making this perhaps the best in the entire series. The worst thing about it is the omission of multiplayer. If you don't mind that, you have a meaty strategy game with over 1,000 playable officers and more scenarios than you can possibly ever want.
Unknown 9: Awakening is a generally solid action-adventure mystery let down by irritatingly repetitive combat encounters in the game's later half. The character dialogue and environmental exploration are a highlight, keeping me playing even when other aspects annoyed me.
Undisputed delivers impressive graphical detail and an extensive fighter roster that will satisfy boxing fans. The moment to moment boxing mechanics feel fun while leaning into the sim territory with the game's sixty different punches. While the modes within Undisputed don't warrant the asking price of $59.99, the character options, fighting mechanics, and deep roster are enough to satisfy fans of the genre.
NHL 25 supplies a more sim-like experience than past entries thanks to heightened puck control and enhanced AI. As a result, this year's iteration feels more authentic and 'next-gen', but does little else to differentiate itself from prior entries. Game modes in particular remain practically untouched, featuring the same suite of features from NHL 24. This is a solid hockey game bolstered by improved AI and small incremental improvements, but its changes don't feel as substantial as other titles in EA's lineup.
Enotria is a masterclass in intricate level design. Exploring the dense Italian world is a joy thanks to the unique locales and brilliant dense layouts. The Soulslike inspiration is obvious here, from the bonfire system to the combat, but Enotria differentiates itself enough with its Mask class system. This is a decent Soulslike if you can withstand the bugs and slow combat.
Yars Rising creatively blends retro Atari gameplay with platforming. I love the way the game controls and plays, and the artful presentation is brimming with color and life, but its persistent load screens and a lack of fast travel are annoying.
Despite my issues connecting to servers and the poor graphical performance on PS5, I’ve quite enjoyed my time on Solar Crown’s Hong Kong Island. The driving mechanics are easily the best the series has ever had, and the cars sound and feel viscerally dynamic. It’s a shame that a game that places such a strong emphasis on realistic immersion and map detail is dragged down by poor graphical performance and always-online server issues. Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown has the potential to overtake its rivals but it has too many faults slowing it down in its current state.