Ben Reeves
Mastering Crash's aerial acrobatics is highly rewarding, but the journey to get there is occasionally frustrating
If you're looking for a good scare, Amnesia: Rebirth delivers, but prepare to feel lost and confused along the way
The action is tedious, but cutting through swaths of Bokoblins and single-handedly clearing a battlefield is still rewarding
Like the original, Super Meat Boy Forever tests your resolve, but it's easy to jump back into the action and the thrill of success is worth the endurance
This is a horror game with more tedium than tension
When Maquette is firing on all cylinders, it is a beautiful journey through a series of ever-larger environments, and Maquette’s love story is poignant and a little heartbreaking. Sadly, my interactions with the puzzles were also full of heartbreak. While Maquette has some missteps, I look back fondly on my time with it. Much like a real-life romance, my affection for this game is complicated.
Village doesn't pull any punches when it comes to horror, but a consistent rollout of new weapons and tools makes it hard to walk away from these terrors
Chicory is an intriguing world full of hilarious characters and inventive game mechanics, which makes it a delight from start to finish
Skyward Sword has some of the best dungeon design in the series, but the sections between each dungeon are a slog
As always, WarioWare's randomness is charming, and the minigames are fun, but this is far from a high watermark for the series
Intense combat and a series of challenging boss fights require a high level of play, but the thrill of victory is incredibly sweet
The card combat is engaging, and the larger narrative elements make Inscryption incredibly hard to put down
Mastering Sifu's combat system takes a high degree of dedication and practice, but like a true martial artist, you must push through the practice pains before you reap any rewards.
Far: Changing Tides isn’t an action-packed roller coaster ride – it’s a contemplative journey that isn’t afraid to slow down and ask you to reflect on your expedition. Of course, this adventure is full of challenges to overcome. But whether I was watching the clouds glide over a flooded city with the wind at my back or white-knuckling through a storm as ten-foot waves bombarded my ship, I was always completely enrapt by the moment. It’s a journey I hope to take again someday.