I'll admit it, after playing Klonoa: Phantasy Reverie, my desire to roam with Namco Bandai's Dream Traveler is as strong as it was in 1998 (when the first chapter debuted). Despite the passage of time, the duo of titles marking the brand's debut has retained its stylistic and playful charm. However, being a mere re-release, the collection seems somewhat lazily produced—a well-executed but too essential task. Adding portable spin-offs might have been too much, but including some extras for both veteran players and newcomers would have added that little extra. Let's hope for good sales to remind Namco Bandai that a new Klonoa wouldn't be unwelcome in today's gaming landscape.
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is literally the game longtime ninja turtle fans have been waiting for—a true homage to the golden era (and incarnation) of the four amphibious fighters. Modeled after the original arcade, Tribute Games' title can be criticized only for its heavy inspiration from that period, resulting in limited story mode longevity. Its arcade nature may not appeal to those uninterested in online leaderboards or arcade challenges, or who aren't emotionally tied to Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's creations. Those who grew up with pizza and cowabunga can dive in with their eyes closed.
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Do you love old-school shoot 'em ups? Enjoy adrenaline-filled experiences? Appreciate well-programmed productions? Want to pay tribute to a local developer? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I recommend getting Remote Life. Mario Malagrino's solo project is a successful homage to classic bullet hell productions, with some (well-executed) variations on the theme. Ready to save Earth from bad aliens once again?
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The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is another attempt to merge cinema and video games. While it presents a few interesting ideas and overall decent execution, it fails to firmly dispel the decades of prejudice associated with this (apparently) unnatural union. The overall blend works more due to the narrative's strength than the gameplay. The deductive framework that the plot implies is overly permissive and linear, reducing player involvement to a minimum. Adding multiple-choice dialogues with negligible impact, the result is an enjoyable title that doesn't advance this hybrid genre.
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The phrase "has potential but doesn't apply itself" could be reversed to describe Dolmen's final result. Massive Work Studio's title showcases great effort and ideas that, while not groundbreaking, outline a game where undeniable commitment clashes with forgettable overall execution. Interesting ideas related to the combat system are limited by its execution, which feels too clunky and rudimentary. Combined with fairly anonymous design, Dolmen is hard to recommend for those who've already exhausted Elden Ring. It's a brave debut, perhaps too much so, but the talent is there. I'm personally curious to see the team at work again, maybe on a project more within their reach.
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Kao the Kangaroo is an honest and clear homage to a gaming period cherished by many fans. Tate Multimedia's title is simple and straightforward, not aiming to rewrite genre history but, aware of its limits, offering a colorful and carefree experience. Aimed more at younger audiences than demanding veterans, Kao's adventure is a pleasant distraction, perfect for taking a breather while waiting for more demanding and complex productions.
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Small in price and scope, but overall a decent appetizer for Hundred Heroes. This sums up Elyuden Chronicles: Rising, the prequel to the spiritual successor (at least in intentions) of Suikoden. Simple in writing and general offering, this action/RPG boasts an interesting and enjoyable combat system, with commendable and stylistically interesting technical execution. It's not all gold, as it is essentially a large, fragmented side quest with few surprises, but viewed as an introduction to Allraan's world, Elyuden Chronicles: Rising might be more appealing than expected.
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From Software once again proves to be the architect of the soulslike phenomenon, delivering their most complex and accomplished title yet. Elden Ring firmly establishes itself in the genre, expanding and refining Hidetaka Miyazaki's creative vision into a massive and unforgettable experience. Characterized by consistently challenging yet more accessible progression, the Japanese team's work is a captivating and intricate adventure that will enthrall those who embrace its higher-than-normal challenge. Once immersed in this sequence of deaths, Elden Ring rewards players with a meticulously crafted game where every step toward completion is a memorable achievement. You might consider it overrated, but for me, it's undoubtedly my GOTY 2022, barring improbable but welcome surprises.
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Among the painful delays of 2021, Horizon Forbidden West was hard to ignore. Now that Guerrilla Games' title is finally here, it's worth celebrating. While it's not the perfect title everyone expected, the improvements over its predecessor are palpable and significant. Everything appears expanded and refined: narrative, world-building, gameplay—all show the team's efforts. However, this abundance of innovations has resulted in a somewhat uneven blend. Technically, there are minor flaws (nothing a few updates can't fix), but especially on PS5, the cross-gen development limits the overall impact. A title aiming for excellence but only brushing it, yet still providing plenty of reasons to be satisfied.
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Grim, unsettling, and ruthless, Martha Is Dead's nature highlights its greatness and beauty. LKA's second work captivates players with its gripping and ruthless narrative. Despite some imperfections, the desire to untangle the plot is strong. Excited for their next work.
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Paper Dolls 2 has good intentions but stumbles repeatedly. Setting and structure are interesting, but gameplay needs refinement. Localization limits make puzzles challenging, and the combat system is cumbersome and punitive, which may discourage players.
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Windlands 2 expands the 2017 experience with new combat mechanics, though slightly penalized on PSVR. Delayed conversion to Sony hardware means its ideas now need more. Still, enjoyable enough for PSVR libraries.
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Halo Infinite blends past and future of Xbox's flagship brand. The mix of standard sections and open maps is intriguing but lacks full vision. Future updates may improve it. Currently, the single-player campaign is solid but not exceptional.
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Marsupilami: Hoobadventure is a simple yet fun 2.5D platformer with good realization and charming characters. Not too challenging but has short longevity. Suitable for all ages and introduces French comic characters.
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Blue Reflection: Second Light by Gust shows creativity despite a high production pace and limited budget. Interesting RPG with a good combat system but has banal secondary elements. Still a recommended experience for genre fans.
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The Smurfs – Mission Vileaf is a fun return for Peyo's characters. Not exceptional but entertaining and not too challenging. Lacks personality in situations and character gameplay, but still a solid 3D platformer.
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House of Ashes continues The Dark Pictures Anthology's successful formula, maintaining Supermassive Games' horror style. Improved narrative and character depth. Fear is more physical, less psychological, but inter-character interactions prevent excessive banality.
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Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey maintains the classic gameplay while adding freshness. Some aiming issues cause frustration but can be fixed with updates. Otherwise, it deserves more recognition.
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The Crysis Remastered Trilogy still has much to offer. Appreciable restyling by Saber Interactive. Despite some gameplay flaws, it's worth considering for shooter fans, especially at a reasonable price.
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Left 4 Dead returns as Back 4 Blood. Fun with friends, but the gameplay offer is limited with a short campaign and basic PvP. Solid foundation, but more was expected for a full-priced title in 2021.
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