After a shaky start to the season-wrapping episode, the final minutes offer a satisfying conclusion
With a focus on the way characters' pasts shape their future, the third episode is the most impactful so far
The second episode is better paced and more engaging than the opener, but still struggles under its own technical limitations
A deeper twist on twin-stick shooters for the player who doesn't mind some complexity and challenge
A thrilling variation on the formula that harkens back to genre roots, even if the song catalog lacks the catchy replayability required
A heady mix of action and tactical puzzle solving that's worth playing for the intriguing combat loop
A beautifully realized world that sacrifices more involved gameplay in the name of cinematic presentation
Concerns about the conclusion aside, I still had a wonderful time in Baghdad’s ancient alleys and palaces. Not everything is perfect, but the “less is more” design philosophy goes a long way to making this one of the most consistently engaging titles within the series for some time.
More enjoyable and captivating than a first glance suggests, this arcade-style racer is fast and fun
A simple and no-frills action/RPG that ticks all the boxes, so you can keep clicking the monsters.
Cutesy and clever, this repeatable adventure captures many of the addictive qualities that made its inspirations into phenomena
Void Bastards provides a clever twist on the gameplay model popularized by System Shock 2 and BioShock, now with a procedural element to aid in long-term engagement
Borderlands 3 is a love letter to its fans and a celebration of the style of play it first popularized. Filled with characters from previous installments, and unapologetic in its silly humor and bombastic action, it’s an amusing ride that seems hesitant to innovate.
An engaging entry point into space combat and exploration, with just enough sophistication to be attractive to some veteran pilots
Clever rhythm-based gameplay makes you feel like you’re inside a sci-fi world of music given form
A fun and visually impressive trip down memory lane, even if some of the shooting mechanics feel dated
Best when played with friends, N++ is a retouching rather than a reinvention, and is squarely targeted at players interested in precision platforming challenge for its own sake
An enormously entertaining shooter that starts to wear out its welcome after multiple repeats of the same stage maps
Still a great series, but not much is changing with this new iteration
A thoughtful story with some great missions, but fundamental problems in control, balance, and tech hold the game back