A heady mix of action and tactical puzzle solving that's worth playing for the intriguing combat loop
A thrilling variation on the formula that harkens back to genre roots, even if the song catalog lacks the catchy replayability required
A deeper twist on twin-stick shooters for the player who doesn't mind some complexity and challenge
The second episode is better paced and more engaging than the opener, but still struggles under its own technical limitations
With a focus on the way characters' pasts shape their future, the third episode is the most impactful so far
After a shaky start to the season-wrapping episode, the final minutes offer a satisfying conclusion
An abbreviated campaign is entertaining but limited in scope, while the subsequent pursuits are tailored to a satisfying if glacial curve of powering up
A worthy homage to the early Mega Man games, but some aspects of retro design would be better left in the old days
An engaging story feels like a turning point in the canon, but the game feels diminished after stripping away roughly half of the locations, activities, and other core content
Clever level design and consummate world-building are great fun, even if the pacing and exploration sometimes lead to frustration
I may have found the campaign uninspired and its legendary difficulty a slog characterized by bullet-spongey foes. But an expansion to a game this big is more than just its opening story. Lightfall sets up some strong possibilities – narratively and in the gameplay sphere – for a rewarding year of adventure ahead. Despite some frustrations, Destiny 2 continues to make strides in catering to a diverse player base characterized by disparate desires. Lightfall is hit and miss, but any stumbles shouldn’t be enough to derail players’ enthusiasm for continued adventure or the excitement of seeing the epic conclude over the next year.
Even so, I found a lot to love in Frontiers of Pandora, including the welcome addition of two-player online cooperative play, which lets players enjoy the game with a friend. With time, the many interlocking features started to make sense, and I pushed past any frustrations to find a remarkably large and rewarding game. Enter Pandora’s vast wilderness with patience and a willingness for a measured march to understanding, and I suspect you’ll uncover what I did – a flawed but still praiseworthy addition to this growing science fiction universe.
An exciting new take on the genre hamstrung by a frustrating interaction model for getting and playing the songs you want
A deep and thoughtfully designed progression system provides many hours of discovery
An inviting universe to explore and exploit, but not much story or gameplay backs up the unparalleled scope of the world
Higher emotional stakes lend weight that pulls back from the levity these characters are known for
After Us poses some well-tread but timely questions about our impact on the world and its living things. However, optional discoveries throughout the game suggest that Piccolo is trying to present a slightly more ambivalent take on the subject. Some of that is best left for the player to discover for themselves. I recommend After Us strongly as a piece of visual artistry. It’s less successful as an interactive experience, but none of its problems are so glaring that it should dissuade someone from discovering its striking and haunting world.
Despite its long and circuitous course to arrive at port, Skull and Bones is the type of game that may change significantly in the coming months. But to evaluate it as it stands, fellow pirate enthusiasts may discover what I did – a flawed but beautifully presented historical fantasy in which one can take to the water and make a fortune, even if absolutely everything about the pirate life isn’t always pretty.
A good arcade game that is outdated by some of its own successors
Rogue-like puzzling is a brave experiment, but the results can be frustrating