Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 is a AAA masterpiece of psychological horror, that doesn't concede even an inch of the oppressiveness and bleakness of the original manifestation. A project that was met with much skepticism, critique and whining, triumphantly brings the series back from the slumber it has been in for the past 12 years and it is a fine example of how to make a modern take while keeping the genre's hallmarks intact.
Volgarr the Viking II is a challenging 2d platform-action that requires patience and memorization of every level, trap and (at times cheap) enemy placement. Even though it fixes most major flaws of its predecessor, it doesn't differentiate itself enough to offer something truly remarkable.
Crow Country goes beyond its nostalgic visual design, with some QoL elements, solid puzzles, a haunting ambience and a well-written plot. Heartily recommended to new and old fans of horror games.
Phantom Fury is an engaging FPS, taking cues from early 3D shooters, such as Half-Life and SiN. For the most part it is well executed, having solid gunplay, a staggering arsenal of weapons and great level variety. It could have been an amazing experience if it wasn't for some pesky issues, primarily of a technical nature.
2024's Alone in the Dark is not on par with the Resident Evil remakes which set the bar really high to be honest and not the triumphant return we've been waiting for the legendary series. Nevertheless, it's a notable addition to it, one that if anything makes its name sound more than just a distant echo again. With a satisfying 9-hour campaign and good replayability with 2 characters with different perspectives on the story (plus some other differences I won't spoil), it's a good offering in the genre.
Deathwish Enforcers Special Edition does not tread on new ground and just aspires to be an enjoyable Run 'n' Gun experience. Even though the campaign is short, which is typical for this genre, the local co-op mode and various difficulty levels add some replay value, to a package that is highly reminiscent of 90's classics.
Ion Fury: Aftershock has more of a 90's Expansion Pack flair, with its 7+ hour campaign, solid level design, heart-pumping action, and low-price tag. A such, it comes with a glowing recommendation for all fans of the base game.
Bigger, better, avoiding the mistakes of its predecessor, Blasphemous 2 is one of the most faithful to its tenets, sequels we've seen in recent years. Its solid gameplay and intriguing level design and exploration are some of the reasons why we fell in love with this genre, in the first place.
System Shock of 2023 pulls no punches and remains every bit old-school as it was back in the day, albeit with some quality of life improvements. With gameplay that has aged like fine wine and an imposing villain in the face of SHODAN, this iteration of System Shock is the optimal way to experience the father of immersive sims in the present day.
Capcom once again deliver lessons on how to reintroduce a game to today's audience. Resident Evil 4 is a remake rich in content, surprises, and well-crafted set pieces. Action, moments of anguish and pure terror comprise a package that is an essential addition to any player's game library.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is not original and could be a little more challenging, but the honesty by which adheres to its core tenets (simplicity, tight controls, and balls to the wall action) will not go unnoticed by anyone over thirty.
Burnhouse Lane is a gritty, uncompromising experience, that will resonate with fans of both adventure and horror games. It mingles heavy subject matter with horrifying imagery and a deftly crafted story, culminating to a fever dream you 'll want to see through to the end.
The Callisto Protocol is not going to revolutionize the genre, but it does bring some interesting ideas to the table -most notably the melee combat- that add some welcome variety to its gameplay. It could have shot higher though if it wasn't for some missteps.
FAITH: The Unholy Trinity is not a game for everyone. It looks and plays like something from the late 80's. But for those willing to look past its minimal presentation, there is a devilishly terrifying experience waiting inside.
Winters' Expansion offers a few more hours of entertainment to Resident Evil Village fans. Shadows of Rose is a good addition to the main story and The Mercenaries mini-game has its best iteration in years. Unfortunately, a mediocre implementation of the 3rd person mode and the steep price of admission, detract from its overall value.
A Plague Tale: Requiem is a pitch-black sequel that makes sure to remind you of that suffocating feeling at every chance, with scenes of hopelessness, the stench of putrefaction and a deluge of filthy rodents. It's not pleasant, but is should be lauded nonetheless.
Prodeus is an excellent title that can provide you with several hours of adrenaline injection and fun. Solid level design, gratifying gunplay, and beautiful aesthetics, comprise this well-made FPS, one of the best in recent memory for sure.
The folks at Supermassive Games offer us a delightful choose your own adventure experience, with an 80's horror VHS backdrop. I would recommend The Quarry to both fans of interactive storytelling and people who are not well versed in survival horror games or are easily stressed by them.
Rogue Legacy 2 is a case of a perfect sequel to a very good game that was among those that shaped the indie scene back at the beginning of the last decade. As such, it's a game that oozes quality content and well-crafted gameplay.
After the misstep of the third instalment, Syberia: The World Before offers us that warm sense of melancholy and magical realism that the series is known for. If it had a few more challenging puzzles, it could have been the best in the series so far. Thanks for everything Mr. Sokal.