Deathless. Tales of Old Rus is a finely crafted game with incredible promise. A must-have for fans of roguelike card games, this game can also appeal to turn-based strategy fans. Many nuanced systems and a unique style come together harmoniously to elevate the game to a new level. Everything is subtle, and the game definitely will not disappoint.
Songs of Silence really tried to reach for the stars and do a lot. It strove to be a good 4x game that took elements from all across the Strategy mega-genre. It tried to ditch all of the Civ-based gameplay mechanics, but with that came too much simplicity. A large part of the game feels very barebones. The game may look great, but it has hardly anything worth of substance.
Hearts of Iron IV: Götterdämmerung is one of Paradox's better ones, giving you access to a wide variety of content and expanding the grand strategy brand. It wouldn't be a paradox DLC if it didn't have its hiccups, but regardless, it's a fine addition to Hearts of Iron IV.
ZEPHON is a great 4X game that stands as a testament to how much a developer can improve if given the right resources. It does so much to make its game all that more fun with its deep lore, mechanics, and rich combat design. The price is also perfect, and despite its hiccups, one cannot help but applaud the game and recommend it to any 4X or Strategy fan.
Monarchy is a finely crafted game that does everything right in its ability to combine strategic gameplay with incredible design, both in terms of art and gameplay. It offers delightful visuals, captivating mechanics, a well-balanced difficulty, and an array of mysteries and non-linear progression.
Empire of the Ants is charming and detail-oriented, if a little empty on the inside. Aside from the immense atmosphere and graphical feats, however, the gameplay starts to become glaring the longer you play. The UI is cluttered and covers up most of the beautiful visuals.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of The Seven is a remarkable game, building on a title that was ahead of its time. It brings a lot of flavor and uniqueness to the scene. For a JRPG, it has a somewhat generic story while still being pretty compelling. For a Generational game, it lacks many of the general facets of the genre, yet it manages quite well to bring it together.
ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS 8 REMAKE feels more like a newer, better Romance of the Three Kingdoms 13 rather than a remake of Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII. It is still playable and pretty fun, but with all its shortcomings, it's hardly recommended unless you're a fan or someone who's looking for an RPG with a bit more to it.
Sins of a Solar Empire II is a simplified Stellaris, and it is damn good at what it does right. With its many, many flaws, it still remains a fun experience. If you liked the original Sins of a Solar Empire, you'll love this game. And if you're looking for an entry point for space RTS games and are too daunted by Stellaris, this is for you as well.
Timberborn has a few minor hiccups and more than a few structural ones. Despite this, the game manages to gnaw itself into your hearts with its furry cast of beavers. Whether you are drawn by the practical, logical management or the aesthetic and pleasing city-building, you will be left enamored and hooked by the game.
Metaphor: ReFantazio leaves little room for criticism, and you'll find very little to complain about except for the $70 price tag and grinding for the abstraction of social stats and the ambush mechanism during combats. Other than these, the game is a well-rounded great that is an all-out barrage on the senses. You don't just play it; you experience it.
Everything else, from the music and sound design to the various weather effects, the day-night cycle, and so on, adds to the immersion of the game. That is not to say there aren’t any issues. The game has a lot of bugs and performance issues that persist to this day. If you can ignore that, which is easily feasible as everything else is outstanding, then you have one of the best realistic RPGs ever made.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred helps the base game touch up on almost every element and make the game all the better. It also establishes the new direction for Diablo IV and has set up a lot to come. A great addition to an already good MMORPG. With a great continuation campaign, quality of life changes and many, many new items and activities.
Diplomacy is Not an Option is a great game with very few misses. It is comparatively fast-paced, engaging, and always keeps you on your feet. It is difficult yet simple, fast but not stressful, and now it has ample replayability and gameplay options. Whether you are an RTS fan or a city-builder fan, it doesn’t matter what your draw is, be it the new campaign, the challenges, or a quiet city-building escapade in the sandbox mode; you will enjoy every minute of it.
Ara: History Untold is a surprisingly tempting turn-based strategy; it brings in a lot of ideas, really good ones at that. But it also leaves you feeling a strange sensation of emptiness. The game has a lot of content, but much of it is not fleshed out. It's a great game, but it also has many issues. It does a lot of things right but has equal amounts of drawbacks to counteract that.
Throne and Liberty are like many MMOs in terms of their grind, and newer players will usually be daunted by everything they have to keep in mind. Progression is grueling and long-term, requiring a long-term investment to get into the good parts. That or, you can look towards actual investments as the rampant microtransactions make the game a blatant pay-to-win scheme.
Frostpunk 2 is the deserving successor to the original game that builds on pretty much everything and blows all expectations out of proportion. It is an immediate recommendation for city-builders, RTS, and 4X genre fans. And for fans of the original game, what are you waiting for? The frozen land awaits.
Age of Mythology: Retold is a great modernized experience of a classic old game. It keeps the best things from the old game, including the charm. It adds a lot, providing a new experience with added nostalgia. The original game was already a great RTS game, and Retold maintains this status. It compares pretty well to its cousins in the other Age games and more than well with other RTS games.
Edge of Sanity is a wonderfully made game that is a must-get for psychological horror and survival fans. It also offers a lot for the casual player and tells a great story. The challenge of resource management and survival might detract from some, but it only adds more to the game. It puts you in the main character's shoes and offers striking visuals, great gameplay, and brilliant voice acting. Edge of Sanity is a wonderful survival horror game, and you'll miss out on a lot if you don't grab a copy.