Gears of War: Reloaded is a lot of fun, plain and simple. Its story sustains a robust pace while the action barely lets up. The remastered visuals bring new layers of immersion to a gameplay loop that quickly gets addictive despite a lack of variety in weapons and enemy types. If you're looking for a title that takes a no nonsense approach to its presentation, Marcus Fenix and the COG definitely have you covered.
Sengoku Dynasty is a game that could have, and dare I say should have, been so much more than it is. There's an inherent simplicity to its gameplay loop that lends it a sort of relaxing charm, but ultimately leads it to being an uninspiring take on an era in Japanese history that brings a lot of potential to the table.
Shadow Labyrinth is a very polished and well-balanced experience that is well worth the effort you will put into learning its mechanics. While its controls could use a bit of tweaking to perfect, it's a game that showcases the best of Bandai Namco both literally and figuratively, and is one that I was delighted to play thanks to its story and excellent level design.
Robocop: Unfinished Business is an absolute blast to play for both newcomers and veterans alike, with Teyon creating a focused experience that sets a very frantic pace for its main story while ensuring that its visuals and audio sustain the quality of its top-notch gameplay. Robocop feels like a real tank and a force to be reckoned with in the field, while his human side gets a couple of nice touches in quiet moments, making his time in OmniTower well worth experiencing for yourself.
Rematch does a good job of providing a bite-sized arcade football experience that's backed by smooth performance and simple controls, making it easy to pick up and play. While its early access period brought matchmaking issues and a bit of lag to the table, SloClap has committed to resolving these issues in future updates. As it stands, Rematch is certainly worth a go, for both casual and veteran football fans.
The Precinct is a great game when its systems work in your favor despite a lackluster main story and a few glaring issues holding it back from true excellence. Pick it up on sale or when you find yourself looking for a title to play over a slow weekend.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterpiece that continues to grow from strength to strength as its incredible story progresses, making it an unmissable title for 2025 and beyond. It is a work of art that must be experienced at least once. Its story, cast, gameplay, and music blend together to create an experience that raises the bar for video games across genres, while its combat and levels are a dream come true for RPG fans.
Overall, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a must for fans of the franchise and is a great choice for players looking for a massive open world to explore with a gameplay loop that is both memorable and addictive.