Keith Mitchell's Reviews
While I didn't think Playground Games could do it again, they absolutely have. Not only does Forza Horizon 4 surpasses their previous entries, but the addition of dynamic seasons helps to push longevity of the game and is well done. Tossing in a huge selection of cars and fun-filled challenges, this game does not disappoint. A game for both car lovers and gamers who love going fast, even if they're sideways while doing it.
To be perfectly honest, it feels good to get reacquainted with an old friend. The original Odin Sphere was one of my favorite RPGs on the PlayStation 2 and I'm happy to see that not only did the game survive the test of time but still offers just enough challenge and fun for even the most jaded gamer. On a presentation level, the game does so many things right; I wasn't really able to find any major flaw and my entire game-play session was a blur as I forgot what time it was after I started playing.
Witch Beam has created a title that incorporates old-school mechanics and game-play. Souped it up to 9000 and gave it a new coat of paint. The result is perhaps the single most fun title I’ve played in a very long time. A game that doesn’t take its self too seriously at all and more importantly, a title that anyone, regardless of skill level, can pick up and enjoy.
I have to hand it to Playground Games. They took everything that made Forza Horizon 2 great and refined it. There's basically nothing in Forza Horizon 3 that doesn't say perfection. From the moment you press start, the game throws everything it has at you, from flawless execution on or off the track, its presentation, and fun online session / matchmaking. This is, at least for the time being, the pinnacle of racing games for the Xbox One. Forza Horizon 3 has my vote as Game of the Year and if not that, easily the best title on the Xbox One by far.
At first glance, Nioh resembles a Dark Souls clone and that's an unfair comparison. While Nioh draws heavily from Dark Souls, Koei Tecmo has provided more than enough features to put Nioh on the same level as Dark Souls. Plenty of action, an engaging combat system that encourages you to develop your own style of play and it's own charming yet deadly world.
In the end, if you've played Ikaruga on any other previous platform, then you've played what is available on the Switch. However, that's also the beauty of it all. Ikaruga is a timeless classic and a game that is worth picking up again and again. The main question is should you pick it up. With the obvious answer being, HELL YES. Casual gamers will welcome the challenge, while SHMUP masters will feel right at home. And now you can take it on the go!
Death’s Door is a cutesy, yet challenging isometric game that takes many influences from Dark Souls and The Legend of Zelda, and shines just as brightly
King of Fighters XV is perhaps the most accessible game in the series so far. Rollback netcode, great fighting game mechanics, and amazing visuals and sounds flesh out the game, and make it one of the better King of Fighters titles we’ve played in a while.
Elden Ring Review - Elden Ring is the perfect mixture of the Soulslike genre and open-world games. It's simply that good. Fromsoftware has taken everything it has learned, from both the Dark Souls, Demon's Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro games, and combined with a vast and amazing open world, and it works better than it probably should.
Turn 10 Studios has taken what was already a decent simulator racer and improved on it in so many ways that it's impossible not to enjoy it as a car and racing fan. The attention to detail when it comes to the tracks, the cars, the mechanics, and even the performance. This trumps every previous effort, every prior Forza Motorsport game that Turn 10 has ever developed, and I'm sure that was the plan all along.
Bloodborne is perhaps the best reason to date to own a PlayStation 4. Despite several minor issues that I have with the game, it's easily the best looking title on the system and easily my favorite (I still love you Driveclub). It has fast based combat system, more than enough weapons to keep just about everyone happy, interesting locations that you'll wander and get lost in and more importantly, it's fun. Lots and lots of fun. Despite the game being so short, Bloodborne is exactly the shot in the arm the PlayStation 4 need and another notch on FROMSOFTWARE's games that kick ass list.
A throw back to the Golden Age of gaming, Castle in the Darkness is a fun, yet death filled adventure that should not be missed. If you loved another similar type of game, Shovel Knight, then you're going to be right at home with Castle in the Darkness! Hard as balls, indeed!
Platinum Games shining star from the days of the Wii U has made a huge comeback now that it's on the Nintendo Switch. With a heavy amount of action, a nearly 60fps experience, and huge replay value, Bayonetta 2 is right at home on the Switch. Fans of the game will fall in love all over again, while newcomers will be in for a massive treat.
All in all, if Dark Souls III is indeed the final chapter in the Dark Soul series then at the very least the game will go out with a supernova sized bang. Multiple endings, hidden paths for the adventurous, optional bosses and levels, tons of items to find and despite the forward linear progression this is perhaps the game in the Dark Souls series. While this review does cover the Xbox One version, nothing else will be any different on either the PlayStation 4 or PC versions as well. That said you can't do wrong regardless of which system to you decide to play Dark Souls III on, just make sure that you do play it.
After putting in over 40+ hours into The Surge, I'm happy to admit that this game was a pleasant surprise. I fully expected this to be a failed attempt to capitalize on the Soulsborne series, like some many others. Instead, I played a game with an interesting story, tons of hidden content, a cast crafting system and more than enough combat to keep me swinging away. Deck 13 Interactive should be applauded for what they've managed to pull off and more importantly, it will help to remove the blemish that is Lords of the Fallen.
You know the saying, that good things come to those who wait? Well, this wait for Chasm has definitely yielded an amazing fun title, that should appeal to even the more hardcore of Metroidvania games. Beautiful, lots of stuff to do and tons of items and secrets to uncover, makes Chasm the game that will keep you busy for a long time. In fact, we just might be playing it longer than it took for this gem to be released.
The team over at Shin'en have crafted a fast and futuristic racing title in the vein of F-zero and Wipeout. I would go as far as to say that Fast Racing NEO is definitely a nod or an homage to those past racing giants. Even still, Fast Racing NEO has it's own set of features and tricks that make it stand out on it's one, from the beautiful and attractive backgrounds that will ultimately make you crash if you pay attention to them instead of the track, to a mechanic that rewards players that have split second reflexes. With the addition of multiplayer options as well as a smooth 60 frames per second, makes this easily of the better Wii U racing out there, maybe even a little better than a certain racer that features a certain plumber.
All in All, Persona 4 Dancing All Night, at first did not see that interesting to me, that is until I got my hands on it. Full of kick ass music, fast and frantic gameplay which will have you on the edge of your chair as you try to hammer out a perfect gameplay session and of course, your favorite Persona 4 characters for you to choice and play with. Aside side a fantastic and colorful presentation, Atlus has created yet another exciting and fun entry in the Persona series, even though there are fans who may argue that this game has nothing to do with the series.
Thankfully all my fears were disproved with the release of Gears of War 4. And even though the game still plays things close to the hip, instead of going balls deep into a new territory, make no mistake that this is a Gears of War title that does exactly what it was meant to do - Get you excited and have you smiling from ear to ear.
I really have to give credit where credit is due - Owlboy is an amazing title from D-pad Studios. Full of charm and wonder, this is easily one of the best indie developed games I've played this year. I'm a huge fan of 2D platforming / puzzle games and have been since the days of the Super Nintendo. So being able to play a title such as Owlboy was a treat. The only sad thing about this game is when it ends as the game really doesn't have much in the terms of replaying the title. Unless you're a perfectionist and want to go back and find all the secrets and collectibles, there's little to encourage a reply of this gem. Finally, I'm holding out hope that D-pad Studio's has plans to port Owlboy to other platforms, especially the 3DS and PS Vita, as I feel that the title would be right at home on both platforms - but of course bring it to every platform as humanly possible.