Tomas Franzese's Reviews
Not only is Marvel Cosmic Invasion a fun brawler to play through alone or with some friends, it's also a love letter to the 90s era of Marvel Comics that I grew up with.
Whether you're a fan of Kirby, racing games, or just games that are flat-out satisfying to experience, you need to give Kirby Air Riders a shot as soon as possible.
A total disconnection from Call of Duty's military roots, the prominence of generative AI art in the game, and a lack of compelling reasons to move on from Black Ops 6 ultimately make Black Ops 7 feel like a trippy, artistically contradictory experience rather than the next great Call of Duty.
If you own a Switch 2 and have been looking for a game to push the system to its limits, check Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment out. If you've been waiting for a Zelda game to put is narrative front and center and take it very seriously, you'll want to check this game out too. It continues Nintendo's streak of great launch-year exclusives for its latest console.
Lumines Arise, its music, and weirdest levels will stick in my mind for years to come, to the point where I see it being my preferred puzzle game of not just this year, but the foreseeable future
It's an expertly written, socially relevant RPG about how those with wealth and power will constantly fight over control of others, even as the universe tears itself apart. Its skills and perks aren't afraid to impact your playthrough in ultra-specific ways, and its hand-crafted planets ensure the entirety of the adventure is memorable.
Its open world is fun to explore but basic, its combat is equal parts simple and frustrating, and it doesn't lean into the RPG mechanics of the tabletop game as much as I hoped. Still, Phyre and Fabien's journey is one I don't regret experiencing, and it proves to me that there's potential for a AAA RPG starring vampires.
There are moments, specifically during flashy boss fights or particularly tough levels, where Ninja Gaiden 4 shines. Unfortunately, a lackluster story, repetitive content, and a general lack of polish on important gameplay elements like the camera make the series' grand return anticlimactic
While a game where you control a lighthouse and a bird might look extremely odd on the surface level, give Keeper a chance and you'll discover one of the most beautiful games I've played in years
If you can look past Battlefield 6's campaign, though, you'll find what's otherwise the best game in this series since 2016's Battlefield 1. The massive battles, character class system, and destruction that make Battlefield what it is are all as good as ever in Battlefield 6. Even with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on the horizon, I expect this will be my go-to multiplayer shooter for the foreseeable future.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a stunning, ambitious first outing for Sandfall Interactive.
Avowed embraces what works best about Obsidian Entertainment's games to offer an unforgettable adventure.
Sid Meier's Civilization VII succeeds at making one of the most storied strategy game franchises still feel fresh.
Marvel Rivals is the most entertaining hero shooter since Overwatch.
Slitterhead is the most creative action game that I've played this year, but it's also deeply flawed.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a return to form for this once-lauded RPG studio that should satiate Dragon Age fans quite well after a decade-long wait. But returning to form and perfecting form are not the same thing. BioWare has plenty of room to regrow as it gets back on track making the kinds of games RPG fans want them to create.
Max Caulfield’s journey resonates with me deeply, and Deck Nine has demonstrated that it can give that character the respect she deserves. I may not love every aspect of its gameplay or ending, but I’m glad Max’s story continued. I can’t say whether or not Double Exposure will feel like it was made for you, too, but I can affirm that the Life is Strange series can still capture that feeling.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster proves that Capcom's experimental zombie classic still holds up today.
The Plucky Squire wants players to understand the impact art has on us, and it succeeds with flying colors.
I could see a great Star Wars game in the stellar world design and emergent moments that truly put me in the shoes of a smuggler. Anytime Star Wars Outlaws allowed me to live that fantasy, I was happy to be in its orbit. But so often, it left me hanging in the airlock.