Michael Chow
While the Nintendo Switch has some absolutely wonderful games releasing in its first year, Golf Story is right up there with the best of them
Some great character depth as well as an overhaul to both the Final Fantasy formula and battle system makes Final Fantasy XV a delight for existing fans and new players.
…compared to years passed, player animations, ball spin physics, and defensive AI are noticeably improved.
Resident Evil 2 is a remake that went above and beyond the call of duty.
MLB The Show 20 is less like that random pitcher who threw a perfect game, and more like your perennial Cy Young candidate. You can count on the franchise to come out year after year with quality content and gameplay. While the actual season may not be happening soon, MLB The Show 20 is sure to keep baseball fans glued to their screens.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a splendid experience crafted intricately by Don’t Nod. The game starts off strong, but a bit of the allure wears off over time as you peek behind the curtains of the various systems within the game. That said, the game’s intriguing narrative, relatively tough decisions, and overall solid gameplay elements make Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden one of the strongest gaming experiences of early 2024.
Monster Hunter: World takes everything the series does well and arguably does it better.
Whether you are a competitive player, career mode player, or franchise simulator, MLB The Show 19 has something for you. As an added bonus for online players, opening day servers have been running smoothly as well!
While the game may be overwhelming for some at the start, Out of the Park Baseball 24 does have several tutorials available to help get players started. Learning curve aside, Out of the Park Baseball 24 has been the most in-depth baseball simulation I have ever played in my life. While I enjoy both gameplay-based and simulation-based baseball games, Out of the Park Baseball 24 will be my exclusive simulation baseball experience of the year.
As a long-time fan of the series, Tales of Arise was a fresh but familiar experience. The game iterated on the series formula enough to keep progressing the series while maintaining the Tales charm. The combat system is as fluid as ever, and I found it to be engaging and fun. The area that the game shines the most is in its characters, both during the course of the main story or the skits that break up the action. Overall, Tales of Arise is a great example of a classic series that keeps improving while maintaining its identity.
In a time where games rely on updates, patches, and DLC to become what the game should have been at launch, it was very refreshing to see Sniper Elite 4 release without any glaring weaknesses or issues.
RUINER is a tight experience that transcends its inspirations and becomes an experience of its own.
Diamond Dynasty is simply the best “Ultimate Team” mode in all sports franchises thus far.
Duelyst does not have the luxury of having a giant fan base at launch like other popular card games, so continual word-of-mouth and high quality updates will be required to keep the game afloat.
Overall, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom met my expectations and exceeded them in certain aspects.
Unlike the gameplay of Steins; Gate, it is the story which sets this visual novel apart from other games.
While hard to compare gritty first-person shooters with Splatoon 2, it's equally hard to argue against the aesthetically pleasing visuals, smooth framerate, polished gameplay, and pure fun of the game.
Arc System Works did an excellent job in adapting Akira Toriyama's art style into Dragon Ball FighterZ.
Overall, Ikaruga remains a treasure in the shoot 'em up genre due to its tight gameplay, challenge, and overall design.
Overall, Hitman 2 is a benchmark title in the stealth genre, taking the classic Hitman formula and making it better than ever. With new mechanics, locations, game modes, live content updates, and more, Hitman 2 is truly keeping to their World of Assassination. Whether you are a fledgling assassin or an experienced one, Hitman 2 is exactly what you need it to be with its seemingly endless customization options to tailor the game to your liking.