Umair Khalid's Reviews
There is no doubt that the original Tomb Raider trilogy was a masterpiece in its own time, and everyone, including me, loved playing them on our older systems. However, compared to what sort of remasters we have been getting in the past, Tomb Raider I – III Remastered caters to hardcore fans of the franchise instead of trying to pull in new players. It is very difficult for modern players to get accustomed to these dated mechanics, and while the visuals and modern controls do provide some respite to the troubles of the original, they still fall short in a lot of ways, which makes this a tough choice to recommend. If you played and loved the original games, you will want to jump back into them to experience the trilogy with modern visuals. However, if you started gaming with modern Tomb Raider titles, you may want to steer clear of them because you may end up hating them.
Last Epoch may not have a AAA brand name attached to it, but the level of optimization and content found in the game takes it beyond what most AAA developers deliver today. While a lot of players are already comparing it with Diablo 4 and Path of Exile, it may not have the complexity level of Path of Exile, but it easily overtakes Diablo 4 in my eyes to sit below Path of Exile in the top three ARPG spots. The accessible skill trees, diverse classes to play around, and tons of loot keep things interesting long after you have completed the main story. I would appreciate it if Last Epoch received more Endgame content in the coming months, but even if it stays the same, there is enough to keep you busy for tons of hours. If you are tired of Diablo 4, jump into Last Epoch, and you will have a solid time exploring dungeons, collecting loot, and creating some epic builds. Highly recommended for ARPG fans, even if you are just curious to explore this genre.
I absolutely loved playing the Sport Mode in Offroad Truck Simulation: Heavy Duty Challenge, but anything beyond that is a hit-or-miss for me. The Cargo Mode feels limited and rushed, while the maps in Off-Road Trips are too buggy to enjoy. This, coupled with choppy visuals and poor framerates, raises serious concerns for the Xbox Series X version of the game. While it has a strong base underneath, it requires more optimization work and speed because otherwise the game will continue to lose its player base and will not be able to establish a strong foothold in its genre. If you are a fan of the Europa Truck Trial, you are going to love this game because the trucks in the game are amazing, and the courses are challenging as well. However, I would wait a little longer to give developers more time to optimize it before jumping into the game. If you want to jump right now, it is still a fun game, nonetheless, but be ready to face multiple glitches, bugs, and poor performance.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a breath of fresh air for this long-forgotten franchise, and if the 2D visuals and the Metroidvania game design are not looking appealing, you should first try it out at least. Good thing it comes with a free demo, and I am sure that if you love classic titles such as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown will deliver the same experience with a brand-new look and feel. The gameplay mechanics are solid, and the world design is gorgeous. Whether you are a fan of Metroidvania titles or just want to get back into the Prince of Persia franchise, The Lost Crown is a brilliant title that satisfies both niches and will be considered one of the best titles in the franchise.
While Arizona Sunshine 2 is still miles away from normal PC zombie shooters, it is a massive improvement over the first title in the franchise and is bloody good fun as well. The shooting feels good, and the headshots are especially satisfying. Every time you pop a zombie’s head with a single shot, you will feel it in your entire body. The art style, the gameplay, and the overall gameplay combine together to deliver one of the best VR zombie shooting titles. Just make sure not to mess up the controls because that happens a lot when a whole horde is about to land right in your face. If you love VR shooters and are currently looking for a decent zombie shooter, Arizona Sunshine 2 is the perfect title for you to spend your holidays.
Lake: Season’s Greetings is a great prequel to an already amazing game. While the original Lake was a delightful experience on its own, Season’s Greetings makes it even cozier with a holiday theme and delivers a brand-new perspective on Providence Oaks and its people. The only problem with it is that it ends too soon and does not come with any post-completion content. The little town of Providence Oaks is a delight to explore in winter, and if you enjoyed the base game, you would certainly love the new prequel. It is the perfect game to tuck into on a cold evening and enjoy as you can easily complete it in one sitting. If you are looking for some cozy and enjoyable games to play this Christmas, Lake: Season’s Greetings should be on your list.