Umair Khalid's Reviews
While there is not a lot of new content in DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round, it is certainly the ‘definitive’ edition of the fighting game. It brings a few new fighters and costumes to the table, but the real eye candy is the visuals, and the buttery-smooth gameplay. It excels at mastering the art of fighting with both simple and complex fighting moves, offering something for both casual and hardcore fighting enthusiasts. DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round not only looks good but also plays well. The photo mode also brings a unique element to the game. For long-term fans of the franchise, or new players who missed the original 2019 release of DEAD OR ALIVE 6, the Last Round certainly is a fighting game that will deliver hours of fighting.
Necrophosis: Full Consciousness shines when it comes to its visual art, and the level design, however, it lacks when it comes to gameplay. There is not much to do on every level apart from finding objects in random locations, solving puzzles and moving on. While the levels provide an awe-inspiring experience, the slow-paced gameplay gets in its way and somewhat ruins the pacing the game. With its short runtime, minimalistic gameplay, plenty of puzzles and a beautiful world to explore, Necrophosis: Full Consciousness will still appeal to players who want to experience something unique at a cosmic level. Just don’t expect too much in terms of gameplay.
NBA THE RUN is a fun, arcade basketball game, and for players who are unable to grasp the complex mechanics of the mainstream NBA titles, it serves as an entry point for them to learn the basics and prepare for the main event. It tones down the mechanics but keeps things interesting with solid gameplay mechanics and a roguelike approach to its main gameplay mode. While it is fun in a lot of ways, it also lacks in a lot of ways. Missing out on single-player or even a couch co-op mode is a big disappointment. If you are looking for a fun, simple, but online basketball game, NBA THE RUN can offer hours of fun with its dynamic rules and cool visuals, but if you want something offline, you are best to hold out for a bit.
Truck Driver: The American Dream has potential, but it needs more development time, especially in visual and performance optimization. Despite having the right tools, the game fails to deliver in nearly every aspect, and that should not be the case. Under all of this, there is still an enjoyable element with some solid mechanics in place, but until the developers put in a little more time in it and make it perform better, I cannot recommend the game at this point. It has a lot of good going on for it, but the bad simply overshadows it.
007 First Light is the perfect return of the world’s most famous secret agent, delivering an adventure worthy of the Bond legacy. Backed by excellent performances across its cast, the game excels at balancing thrilling action, explosive set pieces, and a compelling narrative that explores the origins of a young James Bond while immersing players in the shadowy world of espionage. IO Interactive has successfully leveraged its experience with the HITMAN franchise to create a Bond universe that feels both authentic and refreshingly original. More than just another adaptation, 007 First Light marks the beginning of a new era for the franchise and stands as the most significant Bond game since GoldenEye 007. Whether you’re a lifelong James Bond fan or simply enjoy sandbox-style stealth and espionage games with richly designed open-ended levels, 007 First Light deserves a place on your must-play list.
Swan Song captures your attention from its opening moments and never lets go. Every element works in harmony to create an emotional, rewarding, and remarkable experience. As each puzzle springs to life and the swan gracefully navigates the music box, the payoff feels incredibly satisfying. The game never relies on repetition, with each chapter introducing fresh ideas and mechanics that keep the experience engaging from beginning to end. From its heartfelt narrative and stunning visuals to its exceptional puzzle design and beautiful soundtrack, Swan Song excels in every area. Whether you are a puzzle enthusiast or simply appreciate thoughtfully crafted games, Swan Song is an experience that should not be missed.
Yerba Buena features a gorgeous art style and some genuinely clever puzzle mechanics, but frustrating design choices and uneven pacing hold the experience back. The game’s inconsistent puzzle quality, combined with a poor checkpoint system, results in excessive backtracking that repeatedly disrupts immersion and momentum. I genuinely wanted to enjoy Yerba Buena more because some of its ideas are excellent, but too many mechanics work against the overall experience. While there is still a decent puzzle game underneath its issues, frustrating pacing and inconsistent design prevent Yerba Buena from reaching its full potential.
LumenTale: Memories of Trey features a beautiful world filled with memorable creatures and stands among the best Pokémon-inspired games released in recent years. Rather than simply copying the formula, it brings its own identity to the genre through strong world-building, diverse environments, and a setting that genuinely feels alive. The combat mechanics are satisfying and strategically engaging, although some additional balancing across certain Animon would benefit the experience in the long run. For players eagerly waiting for the next Pokémon adventure, LumenTale: Memories of Trey is an easy recommendation thanks to its excellent creature design, stylish visuals, rewarding combat, and enjoyable narrative.
Bluey's Quest for The Gold Pen is easily the strongest game the franchise has received so far and a genuinely enjoyable experience for younger players. While hardcore gamers may find its gameplay too simplistic, the game perfectly captures the charm, humor, and accessibility that make Bluey so beloved. Reviewing it alongside my four-year-old son made its appeal immediately clear, as he quickly became hooked and even started his own playthrough on iPad. Although older children may outgrow its straightforward design fairly quickly, younger audiences and parents looking for a family-friendly experience will find plenty to enjoy here.
Whirlight – No Time To Trip is a true old-school point-and-click adventure and a genuine treat for fans of the genre. However, it may be difficult to recommend to players accustomed to modern gameplay systems, cinematic storytelling, and streamlined design philosophies. The game is a reminder of a different era of gaming, one built around exploring strange worlds, experimenting with bizarre item combinations, and solving unconventional puzzles through patience and creativity. For genre veterans, this is an easy recommendation, but newcomers or players looking for a more casual experience may find its classic design approach difficult to embrace.
Directive 8020 stands as the strongest entry yet in The Dark Pictures Anthology, delivering a clear evolution in both gameplay and presentation. The introduction of the Turning Points system adds meaningful flexibility, allowing players to revisit key moments and experience the narrative from different perspectives without friction. Combined with striking visuals, a well-executed narrative, and a consistently unsettling atmosphere, Directive 8020 is an easy recommendation for horror fans and one of the best horror releases of the year so far.
Bus Bound is a great simulator with easy-to-understand mechanics and satisfying driving controls, but it needs some serious optimization work at this point. Not only do the framerates stutter, but the visuals also glitch out, especially at night. Apart from the technical glitches, Bus Bound is an approachable simulation game that will not only cater to hardcore fans but also to casual gamers who want a more simplistic gameplay style. If you have been looking for a simulation game that gets rid of micromanaging mechanics and focuses more on the driving bit, Bus Bound is definitely the title for you.
With a beautiful art style, simple puzzle-solving, and an emotional story, The Day I Became a Bird is a bite-sized story with a big heart, and everyone who loves playing cozy games or games with emotional narratives should definitely give it a chance.
Sudden Strike 5 feels intense, not because of all the explosions and chaos that ensues on its battlefields but because of how you need to manage your armies. The real challenge here is not building armies but maintaining them during the battles. This frantic dance between destroying your enemies and constantly looking for ammo and fuel supplies manages to deliver one of the most realistic and complex WW2 RTS experiences in a long time.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is an interesting mash-up of different ideas. Slaughtering the roamer hordes in the game is extremely satisfying, and the greater difficulties are brutal. It is excellent for players looking for a hardcore co-op zombie shooter with open-world exploration. The vehicles add a nice touch and make it feel like you are in a true zombie survival movie. It is an overall enjoyable experience, but it could do even better with more content and more rewarding weapon upgrades.
Homura Hime is an interesting blend of bullet-hell, hack and slash, and soulslike genres. It does not try to excel in any of these genres, but instead it manages to deliver a satisfying experience by offering a toned-down version of each. It is an excellent title for players who love playing bullet-hell and action games that feature impressive combat and point-blank accuracy for survival. The visuals are cool, and the level design is fairly decent as well. You do not have to be a master of any of these specific genres to enjoy your time in Homura Hime.
Hozy’s slow-paced and relaxing gameplay, complemented with buttery smooth animations and an amazing soundtrack, makes it a solid choice for gamers looking for something peaceful. It allows you to take your time with levels as you explore your architectural skills by renovating and decorating a wide variety of rooms and spaces. At this point, there are some gameplay bugs in the game. The camera controls are awkward, and I would have loved it if it had more content. Still, Hozy is a great cozy game that will surely pull you in with its unique charm and gorgeous visuals. Highly recommended for players who like playing renovation simulators or puzzle games.
While Docked is a great single-player game, the lack of a sandbox mode or online gameplay makes it lose an important aspect of any simulator game in today’s age. It will keep you entertained for your current playthrough, but the game lacks in replayability, especially when you get tired of playing the same jobs again and again. I really wanted to give Docked a higher score, but it loses points based on the fact that all of your invested hours are just locked out at the end. If you love playing simulators, Docked is one of the most unique ones, with a brilliant campaign and amazing, huge machines to control. Just don’t expect much of an endgame once you finish the campaign.
Planet of Lana 2 builds on the foundation of the original with expanded ideas, but not all of them land as effectively. While new mechanics like controlling critters and additional movement options add some welcome variety, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. The narrative also lacks the same emotional weight that made the first game so memorable. That said, the visual design continues to impress, with beautifully crafted biomes that elevate the overall experience. In the end, Planet of Lana 2 is a solid and enjoyable sequel for returning fans, even if it doesn’t push the series forward as much as it could have.
Because all of these games were released on Nintendo consoles back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, seeing them re-released on Nintendo Switch is nothing short of pure nostalgia. While some of the titles in this collection, like TaleSpin, have not aged well, the overall quality of this assortment of classics is excellent, and players can invest a decent amount of their time in it. For Nintendo’s modern consoles, The Disney Afternoon Collection is an excellent addition for players looking to relive the early glory days of sidescrolling platformers set in the iconic worlds of Disney.