Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush is damn fun, and fulfils those childhood moments of driving those metal cars through classic playmats and the abundance of play sets. The Switch 2 version is still enjoyable, but it's a noticeable drop in quality from the other console and PC versions. Still, with a ton of cars, races, and collectibles to track down, the vastness of each map makes this a Hot Wheels fan's dream come true.
Streets of Survival has a foundation for a great series, but the lack of some quality of life features in its combat, and a lack of co-op make this hard to recommend, given the genre has so many other options that are simply better games. The Walking Dead is perfect for videogames, but few games have really hit that high mark, and despite enemies having near perfect aim here, Streets of Survival can't quite say the same.
Second Chapter did everything it needed to do, and more. While the game doesn't refine or add new combat mechanics, the story and character moments that take place in this follow-up are some of the best of the series.
While some may be disappointed at some of the changes to core systems, or further leaning into its rogue-lite elements, Moonlighter 2 feels just so good, and that isn't just toward its combat, but its shopkeeper aspect too. Systems may feel streamlined, and many are, but these changes are intentional and do a lot to make each run slick and easy to jump into. Sequels rarely see this level of change, especially on the indie side, so I certainly applaud how much bigger in scale and scope Moonlighter 2 is.
While they certainly have produced a solid entry here, certain systems and menus leave a bit to be desired. While it certainly is a deeper game than Bus Bound, and that may serve its audience, I simply found Bus Simulator 27 to not always deliver where I wanted from it the most; the driving. And with a few bugs to iron out, the current experience is a tad buggy, to say the least. However, despite my few issues here, Bus Simulator 27 does punch its ticket with deep and rewarding simulation systems that will keep you just as busy in the bus as outside of one.
Nioh 3: Hell Rising is more Nioh 3, and if that is good enough for you, then you'll likely be set for enjoying this 8-10 hour expansion that provides a whole new location to explore, and a very versatile new weapon. While the new Guardian Spirit is not going to likely be part of your arsenal, it is the reuse of so many encounters that disappoints the most. Nioh 3 is a truly fantastic game, and while Hell Rising furthers my time with it, I remain cautious if my next trip with be looking to the future, or another trip down memory lane.
EA NHL 27 may not have delivered some ground-breaking systems that improve the game beyond its previous iterations, but it does present the game through more subtle ways like the playbook system and better goaltending on higher difficulties. Presentation is solid, but glitchy crowds and awkward animations still break through and can ruin your immersion, regardless of the vast improvements made to arenas. However, EA’s NHL has rarely looked or played better despite those annoyances, and if you meet the game on its terms, it’s bound to bounce the puck in your direction one way or another, just be ready to take that shot.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is some damn good fun, providing an action packed adventure I thoroughly enjoyed. Musashi's journey may obviously detour from his real life exploits, but the bond of strength he has with Ganryu makes for a compelling rivalry that sets this game apart from its peers. From compelling combat to a fantastic cast of characters and bosses, Way of the Sword was well worth the wait, and I can’t help but want more.
Shatterverse is surprisingly shallow for what it offers, but its fast paced combat does retain its signature feel. The multiverse appeal may be exhausting for some players, given its overuse in multiple forms of media at the moment, but a lack of creating your own Sam is an omission that is bizarre to me. Still, the cast here is fine enough, and at the end of the day, if it looks like Serious Sam and plays like Serious Sam, then I'm glad that the series is still kicking around, some 25 years later.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is astounding, but does suffer a bit when it comes to the game’s lacking boss encounters, and some moments where the game wears out its welcome in the last few hours. Still, Asobo is a remarkable flexible studio that clearly knows how to produce real emotion out of its characters and stories in ways that defy the genre.
War in the North: Legacy Edition is what it is, a modern port of the classic game. Its bells and whistles are few and far between, but the core game as it was is here and is a blast to play in co-op. Combat, progression, and the ability to swap between each character makes this one of the better LOTR games ever crafted. It’s certainly not without its issues, especially as those issuers are fifteen years old.
The Sinking City 2 isn’t quite a true sequel or that it feels as part of its heritage, the steps made to evolve the series into something more financially viable is a smart play and Frogwares has done their homework, or at least peaked over the shoulder in front of them to create a very impressive attempt at the genre.
Panzer Knights feels incredibly lacking, and not just in its basic visuals, as the colorful nature of its environments and the bantering of its anime girls does have some appeal, but it feels shallow and lacking any depth. From a barely coherent narrative that loosely ties together real moments in history, to limited combat options, and bizarre technical issues, Panzer Knights is an imitation of far better experiences.
Starbites marks the console debut of IkinaGames, as they have finally pushed into the console space with their sci-fi turn-based action title, Starbites. While a strong story and endearing characters truly shine through, the excessively repetitive combat and drab environments sadly drag down this could-be classic.
Endless Ragnarok certainly entertains, even without a strong emphasis on its narrative, which I feel is a very noticeable blemish here. Combat, new encounters, or remixed ones, and the added features to kit out your characters are the strongest elements that make this DLC really worth it. Summons and the Conflux feel fairly thin on function, but can certainly entertain from time to time, it's just a shame the roguelike addition is solo only, otherwise I would have put more time into it. Regardless, Endless Ragnarok is a damn good addition to Granblue, even if it doesn’t soar quite as high as the game it is added to.
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu has incredible promise, but its execution seems like the team was punching well above their weight. This feels like something that should have been in early access or development for a few more months, not to mention a proper pass for console optimization. Still, what is here is interesting, and the sanity effects will certainly keep this game in the conversation, but more has to be added to keep those expeditions fresh and engaging. It may have moments of intense fun, especially with friends, but without a solid sense of progression, it’s hard to say if this expedition is worth its reward.
Monster Rush Survivors has entered a very busy genre, one that has some strong contenders for being at the top. Sadly, there really isn't anything it does to be unique to really convince you that it is worth your time, not when so many other options have significantly better depth and progression. Despite its cutesy visuals, the swarms can be far too intense for younger players and it makes it hard to recommend. Still, at its cheap $5 price, it's good for a few hours, but nothing more.
Despite my wide array of criticisms, Echoes of Aincrad was still a pretty solid experience, but its gameplay and exploration are the weakest parts of the whole package. With a solid story and interesting characters, the recreation of the Death Game is as good as we've had it so far. Combat is fine enough, but exploration suffers due to invisible walls, and a stumbling in the dark approach to traversing it. Regardless, Echoes of Aincrad does make large strides in the right direction of being “that” Sword Art Online game we've always wanted, I just wish it felt more like the grand MMO it was needing to be.
If you haven't already dipped into Black Flag’s waters, then you're in for a treat. It's not only an impressive Assassin's Creed title, but easily one of, if not, the best pirate game to sail the seven seas. The improvements here are solid additions across the board, with upgrades and quality of life improvements that took a game that was already impressive and have made it just so much better.
Last Round could have been the version of DOA 6 that fans wanted seven years ago. However, while there are some notable inclusions here, DOA 5 Last Round had an upgrade path and offered considerably more. I can see new fans getting their money's worth here, but fans who have already invested time and money into DOA 6 may not see the benefits of buying it all over again, especially with no improvements to its online features. Sure, the game does look better, and the new lighting to the Lost Paradise map is stunning, but Last Round needed to be better, to make up for the series’ absence and over-priced DLC.