FAR: Lone Sails is an emotive trip through a dying, yet beautiful world. It's a journey that doesn't last for long, and whose low replay value makes it hard to come back to it... and yet it's also one that's hard to let go once you start it. Fans of such games are definitely advised to give it a go - oh, and don't wait for a discount because its worthy of its price tag as it is.
SNK 40th Anniversary Collection is not full of flawless gems that everyone will love, and it suffers a bit in terms of variety. Strictly viewed for what it is, however, which is part retro videogame anthology, part history lesson, it is one of the finest one in the market, making this the definite product for those who want to try the titles on offer.
Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is a fantastic RPG that has every right to stand right next to the classics that inspired it, and especially the SNES gem known as Earthbound. It's funny, weirdly heart-warming and melancholic at the same time, and, believe it or not, very spooky. Apart from those who resent turn-based battles, or don't have the patience to do some heavy grinding, most are definitely advised to try this out.
In many ways, it's not Checkmate's fault that it's not that enjoyable. The blame certainly goes to the previous chapters of The Council, which failed in being engrossing enough for anyone to care for what happens next. That being said, this doesn't get a free pass, as it doesn't fix any of its problems.
Just Dance 2019 is exactly like Just Dance 2018, 2017, and so on. In other words, it's extremely fun… but it also feels like a cash-grab, since it doesn't try anything new. Also, the 400+ long song list, arguably the bulk of the experience, remains hidden behind a subscription… albeit, a reasonably priced one.
Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Dry is part tribute, part return to form, and, finally, probably the best attempt to bring the series to the new millennium so far. While this is certainly a breath of fresh air after the retched Box Office Bust, however, it could also be much better, first from a gameplay standpoint, but especially when it comes to its naughty humour.
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle might have a simple concept and an even simpler look, but it manages to be a bloody (pun intended) good game, with many stages to complete, and with the puzzles getting progressively harder and more complex at the best possible pace. Apart from a very low replay value, fans of the genre are definitely advised to give it a shot.
Unfortunately, Swap This!, like most matching puzzle games, is exactly that: just a matching puzzle game. It looks good, it will satisfy your need for something fun and casual-friendly, and it carries a killer price... but don't expect something more out of it.
Pillar of Eternity II: Deadfire - Seeker, Slayer, Survivor is a DLC that feels as if it doesn't understand the strengths of the main game. Focusing mainly in okay-ish battles, and throwing role-playing out of the window, it's a hard title to recommend.
Once again, the DLC on offer is just another, very short side-quest that could easily be part of the core game, or at least part of a pack with more of those. The interaction with one of the most interesting characters of Kingdom Come: Deliverance is certainly a plus, but, in the end, that doesn't provide much incentive to try The Amorous Adventures of Bold Sir Hans Capon out.
Woodle Tree Adventures Deluxe is not one of those extremely broken, still-in-alpha kind of indie games, but it's definitely a surprisingly low effort one. Those looking for a very cheap 3D platformer should probably look elsewhere... and not wait on its sequel.
The first few hours into this amateurish, loot-gathering dungeon crawler make it pretty clear that, while this is far from great game, it sure can be fun. After those, though, it soon becomes even more clear that Battlepaths simply doesn't have what it takes to last for more than an evening or two.
Not only is Exorder's campaign and storytelling uninspired, and even annoying at times, but, in its attempt to be an extremely simple TBS that can be enjoyed by everyone, it just ends up being bland and forgettable.
While there's one more chapter left to play, Episode 4: Burning Bridges puts the final nail in The Council's coffin by bringing along the same mistakes, plus some new ones, and with the quality of the storytelling taking a big, sad plunge.
SoulCalibur VI certainly has plenty of issues, like a lack of extra modes, a few visuals blemishes, the somewhat unimpressive Reverse Edge move, and the usual greedy attitude towards DLC. Nevertheless, it's also a highly entertaining, high-octane fighter that can be enjoyed by greenhorns and veterans alike, as well as being a more than decent revival of the franchise.
Without the problems that stem from the, evidently, rushed production, The Bard's Tale IV: Barrows Deep is a mediocre-to-good dungeon crawling RPG that's reminiscent of the genre's humble beginnings. With those problems added, however, this is downright annoying, and even unplayable.
If looking for a simple port, as well as a bundle of the Shenmue duology, you are in for a treat, despite the fact that the enhancements of this version are underwhelming. Those expecting an action-adventure that is as good as it is popular, though, get ready for a rude awakening, because, nostalgia, and pioneering innovations aside, this just isn't fun anymore.
Red's Kingdom strives to combine simple rolling puzzles with the exploration part of a Zelda game... and it just doesn't manage to make the mix actually any fun, mainly because players will have to go through the chore of solving the same puzzles all over again... and more than once.
It feels really, really good playing Velocity 2X, whether you fly the teleporting spaceship, or run with the teleporting heroine - and all the while a pretty catchy set of tunes bop along. On the… not so bright side, though, the action can get a tad repetitive, and, somehow, this heavy focus on speed-running sort of damages what seems like the groundwork for a much more meatier experience.
Although a somewhat generic survival sandbox, Planet Explorers certainly had the potential to be a fun game... if only it was a complete one. Those who were here since the days of Early Access will definitely see the improvements, but this still has a long way to go.