Joonatan Itkonen's Reviews
Superbly written and acted with some of the finest worldbuilding in any RPG this decade, Aether & Iron is an instant classic and one of the best games of the year.
Crimson Desert is a gorgeous audiovisual experience with obtuse mechanics, poor mission design, and a nonexistent story. It plays like an MMO trapped in the frame of a single-player adventure game with too many cooks in the kitchen.
I love Pokopia more than any other Pokémon game in recent years. It's the kind of adoration that makes me revisit old favorites and wonder how long I've taken the series for granted. By mixing up genre staples and smartly updating familiar tropes, Pokopia makes Pokémon feel new again.
If you're really into extraction shooters and you've gone through all the other major competitors, chances are you might love Marathon, too. But if you're a solo gamer or with friends available only occasionally, it's best to skip it for now. There are other worlds than this.
What begins as a Disco Elysium imitation quickly grows into an exciting and compelling RPG experience that stands firmly on its own.
There’s a reason why Pokémon are so beloved. LeafGreen and FireRed Versions are both still undeniably enjoyable, evergreen releases and have aged well, because their mechanics were so carefully designed from the very beginning. At their best, they take me back in time to a more carefree life – for example to those moments when I was a kid and sat on the yard swing for hours, playing with my Game Boy. As a re-release however, it is too lazy and cynical, topped off with a price tag that’s a bit too high.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Toxic Commando has immaculate vibes and incredible set pieces for fans of post-apocalypse mayhem, but it struggles with mission design and performance issues. For fans with friends, it might still prove indispensable.
Intricate, immense, and incredible. Twisted Reflection is the biggest and most immersive expansion of the iconic franchise so far.
Compiled with love and care for its iconic mascot, Rayman's 30th Anniversary Edition has some odd and major pitfalls, but it's still a worthwhile package for those interested in gaming history.
Mario Tennis Fever is wacky and wild fun that understands the fundamental beauty and simplicity of tennis. It's a perfect addition to Nintendo's party game lineup.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance still isn't a particularly great game, but its remaster is nothing short of superb. This is how remasters are meant to be done!
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Heavy on nostalgia and fan service with the occasional violent delight thrown in, Requiem is a mostly fun Resident Evil title that still feels like a step down from its predecessor.
Overshadowed by a very troubled production and awful casting choices, Kiwami 3 is still a worthwhile expansion of the Yakuza saga.
Beautifully realized and smartly updated, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is the best way to experience the iconic series for the first time.
Relooted isn't just a polemic. It is also a smartly designed and mostly hugely enjoyable game that has a clear love and understanding for this genre. For fans of side-scrolling action puzzlers it's an easy recommendation. Reminiscent of those great XBLA titles we used to get on the regular in the mid-2000s.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is bettered by its sequel in every way imaginable, and while the enhanced offering does improve the technical side, it also highlights everything else where Henry's second adventure soars. It's not a bad game, but this release is for the fans only.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
While the early-2000s humor is often grating and dated, there's no denying that everything else about Mewgenics is nothing short of magnificent. This is a wildly inventive and deeply compelling hybrid of genres that will keep you occupied for years.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Nioh 3 still struggles with cheap boss fights and clumsy controls, but the thrilling action and spectacular world design more than make up for its faults. This is the best entry in the franchise and it isn't even close.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is as addictive as ever and the new quality of life improvements make the return to its quaint charms that much more alluring.
Atmospheric and beautiful, Cairn is a gorgeous and emotional experience worth playing with some major reservations.