Tomas Franzese's Reviews
Phantom Blade Zero is a roller coaster of stellar boss fights that give out worthwhile rewards. I recall enjoying fighting Hua Qianxiao, The Sword Fanatic, a faceless swordsman clearly inspired by the drunken fist kung fu stereotype. I had to stay on my toes, as he could use his drunken powers to dodge my attacks and counter with his own sword from a distance. After several attempts, I was finally able to beat him and was rewarded with a weapon: The Fanatic's Drunken Sword. With The Fanatic's Drunken Sword, I could have Soul, the game's protagonist, fight in that very same style. On top of that, the weapon had a unique mechanic where I could enter a Drunk state where I could automatically dodge incoming attacks. That weapon became a mainstay of my loadout for the rest of Phantom Blade Zero, and is emblematic of the game's greatest strength. Every 15 to 30 minutes on the mainline path, this action game throws a new boss fight at you that most games would be envious of as their final encounter. When you win, you are rewarded with a weapon or Phantom Edge that has the potential to completely redefine their playstyle.
Warhammer 40000: Boltgun 2 is a genre-defining boomer shooter. Excellent level design, sound design, and crunchy combat ensure Boltgun 2 is nearly as good as the classics that inspired it.
Metroid Prime 4 isn't the worst game Nintendo has released for Nintendo Switch 2, but it is the most disappointing.
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.