Jeremy Schepper's Reviews
Transformers: Battlegrounds is ultimately a fine game. It's far from the best tactical game that I've ever played, and by the end of the game, I was happy to see the end. To the game's credit though, this is the only Transformers tactics game we've ever received, and as a fan of the genre and the IP, I'm happy that Battlegrounds exists. The game had some intriguing genre innovations too, and unique character builds that kept me experimenting with different mechanics. Since the game is delisted, it isn't easy to obtain now, but if you can score yourself an inexpensive copy, I feel like it's worth experiencing. If you can only find pricey copies of the game, I don't know that I can recommend it, unless you're a diehard fan of Transformers or the tactics genre.
Tinykin is a short game, I beat it in around seven hours. There isn't a ton of content, but if you're seeking a fun, tight experience that you can beat in a weekend, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better game of this caliber. It feels polished and thoughtful, and an altogether refreshing video game. And as if the gameplay wasn't solid enough, the adorable art style and presentation kept me smiling throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment with this game, and I earnestly hope that the developers aim to make a sequel.
I really enjoyed my time with Pac-Man World Re-PAC. Like I mentioned, it feels like a PS1 game, which can be both a good and a bad thing. The new, gorgeous graphics almost made me feel like I was playing a brand new game, but once I actually got into some stages, those nearly thirty year old, early 3D platformer mechanics and antiquated level designs were made more apparent. I think the game has a ton of charm to it though, and I found it to be quite enjoyable, despite its rougher edges. It's a relatively brief experience too, as I finished it in under eight hours. If you can grab it on sale, I really think you'll find a nice value in Pac-Man World Re-PAC.
Escape from Ever After is truly a delightful game, and a worthy successor to the Paper Mario franchise, at least until Nintendo hopefully brings the series back to its original RPG roots. While I had complaints with aspects of the game, mostly in the writing, the general soul of Paper Mario remained intact, and it was great playing what felt like a new entry in that iconic series. I hope the game is successful and that this is the start of its own franchise, as I think Escape from Ever After has laid a solid foundation to forge its own unique identity and legacy. With a greater focus on different storybooks and fairy tales, a potential sequel is set up for a home run. Even if this ends up being a one off game, I definitely recommend it.
I found A Short Hike to be charming little game. It can be fully beaten within an evening, so be aware of that before going in possibly thinking the game will have a lot of mileage for you. I got it on a deep sale, and really enjoyed my brief time with the game. While I have complaints about the uneven writing, it's a small factor in the overall product, and there's more than enough to enjoy with the fun gameplay and enchanting visuals and soundtrack.
Darksiders is really a wonderful game through and through. The game doesn't have a weak point, or an aspect that left me dissatisfied. If you enjoy the classic 3D Legend of Zelda titles, I definitely think you'd enjoy Darksiders. Between the distinctive art and universe design, the delightfully violent, kinetic combat and the great story, there's just a whole lot here to love.
Ultimately, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a superb package, and I'd say probably the ideal starting place for someone interested in the tactics genre. There's a great balance here between fun, creativity and challenge.
Red Faction: Guerilla is a rock solid game through and through, and one of my very favorites from the Xbox 360/PS3 generation. This "Re-Mars-tered edition is a great remaster to get some higher quality graphics, and a nice way to enjoy the game on modern consoles.
Streets of Rage 4 is a special game. From the beat 'em ups that I've played, I feel comfortable putting this right at the very pinnacle of the genre. Between the stunning artwork and the intensely satisfying combat, with its refined and deep approach to brawler mechanics, you're in for a real treat. For the ultimate experience, I recommend getting with your friend(s) for some couch co-op, get some pizza and sodas and live like you're in the 90s again.
I can easily recommend Phasmophobia, even if you're a certified scaredy-cat like me. Playing this with my friends was some of the most fun I've ever had with a video game. It's easy to learn and has intuitive controls, and you can scare yourself silly with little effort.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Iron Harvest. While the gameplay and unique aesthetic of the in-game universe were the main draws for me, I found myself enthralled by the tense story and curious how it would develop. I feel like the game tested my strategical skills and made me try new methods and army combinations to overcome some of its tougher challenges.
Elden Ring is a fantastic experience from beginning to end. I feel that it is the ideal jumping on point for anyone intrigued by the Souls genre. This game feels like what FromSoftware has been working toward and striving to achieve. While the game doesn't hold your hand, there are vast amounts of resources online for people that are confused or needing assistance. The game itself also tries to provide some features like summons or co-op to give struggling players a leg up. While I don't think Souls games are for everyone, Elden Ring comes the closest to being a Souls game that I think anyone could find some real enjoyment with.
If you're a Harry Potter fan, this is probably the game you've waited your whole life for. It fulfills the dreams that so many of us have had since first seeing the movies all those years ago. Between the exploration of the iconic setting, the phenomenal combat and the obvious care and attention to detail put into this game, you can tell it came from a team who wanted to nail it, and they did so in a spectacular manner. Even if you're not a Harry Potter fan, and you just like open-world action-RPGs, I really think that you'll find this game to be engaging and highly entertaining. Supposedly a sequel is in the works, and I can't wait to see what this team is cooking up.
If you're curious about Souls games but have always been intimidated by them, like I was, I can definitely recommend Dark Souls III as a good starting point. It is a genuinely difficult game, but with a lot of patience and learning, and some likely necessary experience farming, you shouldn't have too much trouble.
I really enjoyed my time with Ruffy and the Riverside. I don't think I quit smiling from the time I booted the game up until I finished it. Between the adorable characters, the intriguing story, the incredibly delightful world to explore, and the inventive and fun game mechanics, I think Ruffy is a very special game that absolutely deserves your time and money. I don't think you'll play anything like this again for some time, maybe until Zockrates Labs develops a sequel, which they definitely should. I believe they've maybe created the next indie gaming icon here. I think they should look into doing sequels and spin-offs, getting into RPGs, kart racers (or hay bale racers), maybe even a full-blown skateboarding game: Ruffy Hawk's Pro Hay Bale Riding. In all seriousness, I genuinely hope to see Ruffy become a full-fledged franchise. The game was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it.
Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is a solid experience. It's a little long for me, and there's some very annoying progress hindrance where they want you to revisit stages in order to move the story forward and collect more Golden Spatulas (this game's equivalent of Gold Stars/Shine Sprites/Power Moons from Mario games.) If you enjoy exploring this world though, it might not be frustrating to you to have go and complete more missions and see more of the game. It's a fun, lighthearted jaunt of a gaming experience, and I think if you can find it on a sale, you'll be in for a good time, especially if you're an established fan of the franchise.
Space Marine 2 has been an absolute blast to spend time with. The game is graphically gorgeous, with a staggering amount of detail put into the world. The wild gameplay is like nothing else, truly providing the most fun I've had with a game in years. Everything about Space Marine 2 is the product of a studio who cares about authenticity and crafting a wonderful, action-packed thrill-ride of a game from beginning to end. I'm still pinching myself that this game even exists, and the fact that we're now getting a third one feels like I'm living in a dream.
RuneScape Dragonwilds has a very promising base game even this early on. Despite all of my issues I brought up I have honestly had a blast with it and I am impatiently waiting for updates so I can adventure even further with friends. I would say though that if the game is worth in its current form and asking price heavily will depend on if you like this genre. However, if you're unsure I would say wait a few updates before you deep dive into it yourself, but I can definitely recommend the game as is already.
There really isn't much more to say about the game. I don't want to spoil the twists and turns of the story, as it's already pretty limited. But. if you're a Sonic fan and you enjoy a decent visual novel, you should consider checking this game out. With it being free, you're not really out anything but your time if you don't like it. It's a cute game though and a fun idea for a Sonic spin-off.
I highly recommend checking out Kingdom Rush, if you like tower defense games. The careful balancing act of rationing your gold, choosing your Towers, their locations, their upgrades and where to locate your troops to maximize your effectiveness, and then flawlessly navigating your way through a nail-bitingly tough level is insanely satisfying. I couldn't put it down until I got through the whole game and I'm literally thinking about booting the game up again right now.