Alex Santa Maria's Reviews
If you dig in and look, you can find a wealth of games, both old and new, trying to be the next Portal. Games like The Spectrum Retreat try for a little more, which makes it all the more devastating when they miss the mark so completely. With a by the numbers story and simplistic puzzles that frustrate rather than fascinate, there’s nothing here worth recommending. This game is competent but unremarkable, and that’s really the nicest thing you can say.
Trippy, harsh, explosive and bizarre. This is everything you would want in a Tempest sequel, provided you want one at all.
Yoku's Island Express is the perfect mixture of pinball and video games. Taking the best of both worlds and dropping it into a charming setting filled with likable characters makes for a relaxing romp that shouldn't be missed.
After a decade of waiting, Burnout's heir apparent is here. With a mix of reckless driving, team-based objectives, and just a dash of neon superpowers, Onrush is an explosive cocktail that's not to be missed.
While it's disappointing that there aren't more extras, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is still an excellent museum piece for fighting game historians and would-be quarter jockeys alike.
Moonlighter is an absolutely gorgeous adventure that tells an effective and heartwarming tale. The gameplay is top notch, even if it's a bit simplistic. Take away the launch day technical issues and you've got one top shelf production.
Spartan Fist is all sizzle and no steak. It looks the part, and your initial fisticuffs are invigorating. However, that fun is fleeting thanks to the gameplay's repetitive nature and sloppy execution.
Alchemic Jousts presents a pretty fun logic puzzle in its element combinations. However, it fails at using that as a stepping stone to a full strategy experience, leaving the two systems to fizzle out separately.
City of Brass starts off strong, with innovative mechanics and an impeccable presentation that continues to impress. As long as you're not expecting an endless adventure, this first-person roguelike is well worth playing.
Extinction's core gameplay loop is alright for what it is, but it doesn't support the rickety structure built on top of it. Boring story beats, repetitive voice clips and randomized missions make me classify this campaign as obsolete.
Fans will love Kirby Star Allies' cameos from every corner of the franchise, and new players will find the platforming imminently approachable. While this adventure may not be as deep as some of Kirby's 3DS outings, it sure does bring the joy.
Burnout Paradise Remastered is well worth the return trip, if only as a reminder of what a real arcade racing game feels like. Still, its open world design and the slew of experimental DLC additions overload the experience and prove that cruising the city is no substitute for a good Takedown.
Q.U.B.E. 2 starts off far too slow and holds few surprises, but its late-game content solidifies it as an excellent first-person puzzler with a well-told narrative.
Past Cure is a hodgepodge of stealth, action, and drama that reaches for the stars and falls somewhere far below.
There’s a lot of Wulverblade that I do like. It takes on a historical story with a serious demeanor, letting players learn as they complete the campaign. Its customizable gameplay experience caters to all types of players, even if the difficulty curve is a bit rocky. Its art style, while somewhat questionable, is an accomplishment in and of itself. Despite all that, Wulverblade is a video game, and the gameplay that is supposed to tie everything together falls flat. Unless you’re already sold on a history lesson, this beat ‘em up doesn’t do enough to justify itself over countless other arcade revivals.
Dragon Ball FighterZ is no mere licensed game or anime fighter. Sporting a fan-friendly story mode, a robust online experience and a host of other ways for you and your friends to trade ki blasts, it's clear that Arc have delivered a 2D fighter that's worthy of respect.
A stylish introduction and grand presentation can't save this slog of a stealth game. Never Stop Sneakin' plays all its cards in the opening hand and then never follows up.
Injustice 2 is a solid game with beautiful characters and interesting fighting mechanics. The hunt for loot is real, and some may be put off by the microtransactions, but it's clear that NetherRealm hasn't lost a step.
Tower 57 is a gorgeous game with an old-school heart and absurd sensibilities, but it fails to put its best foot forward when you go in blind and alone.
Need for Speed Payback is a grind to play both figuratively and literally. Even if you like the arcade racing on offer, it's not worth slogging through the amateur presentation, repetitive missions and microtransaction hooks.