Scott Ellison II's Reviews
Volgarr the Viking II is sometimes unfair, but it’s a throwback to the 8 and 16-bit platformers it is so clearly inspired by. It’s a game that requires precision, patience, and practice. It’s a straightforward game that has multiple endings to encourage replayability, but is a game that’s more about the journey than the destination. Volgarr the Viking II is a hardcore and uncompromising sequel that delivers.
SteamWorld Heist II can be as relaxing or as challenging as you want it to be thanks to its wide array of difficulty modes, it’s pure fun the whole way through. The shift from the first game taking place in space to this game shipping out to sea might seem like a step back, but it’s such a fantastic setting, filled with sea shanties and naval combat. Having direct control of your shots, being able to ricochet them, or perform a trick shot is still an incredible feeling each and every time. SteamWorld Heist II everything great about the first game, only more and better that you have to sea to believe.
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 6 is an evolution and successor to EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 both in gameplay and as a game. There’s so many quality of life improvements, more missions, a far more intriguing storyline, and the best enemy variety the series has ever seen. EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 6 is a triumph of mindless fun. It delivers everything fans of the series have come to expect and more. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it refines the formula to near-perfection. With its over-the-top action and addictive replayable gameplay, EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 6 is a must-have.
CLICKOLDING is the best three dollars you can spend on Steam right now. It’s short, sweet bitter, and sure to leave an aftertaste. Strange Scaffold has crafted a fantastic thriller leaving you degraded at the whims of a deviant. CLICKOLDING is a different kind of clicker game, and you’ll be edging for more.
While there’s a competent racing game here, it’s perfunctory. This is going to be solid on Switch or even the Steam Deck, but on desktop PC this is really disappointing. It’s a game I found mostly frustrating because of its AI, which needs some serious work, and can be patched. A workaround is to qualify in first place, but then it feels too easy and not the right amount of challenge. For the asking price, Hot Lap Racing is missing a wheel or two and is not a game that can’t be recommended in its current state.
Anger Foot takes the trial-and-error formula, and puts its best foot forward. The game does a lot with a basic concept and amps it up with modifiers, objectives, and a bumpin’ soundtrack. The game can be downright challenging at times, but being able to get past that level you were stuck on or pull off some really cool reactive feat is so satisfying. Free Lives made a really kickass game, and the unlock system gives a lot of incentive to change-up your playstyle and experiment. Anger Foot is all killer, no filler.
Riven is for old and new players, offering new twists for players of the original while offering a deep and rewarding experience for newcomers. Riven has never looked better, and has finally received the remake treatment it has so rightly deserved after 27 agonizing years. Cyan has completed their arc of remaking their first two Myst games with incredible accuracy, care, and reverence, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Riven is a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern realism to provide a puzzle adventure for the ages.
It’s true that F1 World and Career modes offer more than enough to satisfy most, the lack of historic races or cars and the story mode is sorely missing. The fact that this year is the 30th Anniversary since Ayrton Senna’s death, I thought there might be something in the game to celebrate his career. That said, F1 24 is a bit of a reset by bolstering existing modes that go above and beyond what they’ve done before, and are sure to be built-on for years to come. F1 24 is a fantastic companion to the current season while also being a fantastic game all on its own.
Children of the Sun doesn’t have barriers to progressing, as you can either brute force or cleverly solve any given level. Where it succeeds is giving you the power to find your own solution, as there are many. Being able to destroy a cult completely is a more than enough motivation. As you unlock new powers and begin to execute them with calculated precision is unmatched. The leaderboards are a great way to incentivize competition among friends and strangers. Children of the Sun is such a pleasure to play, whether you’ve got 10 minutes or several hours.
The core game is extremely well made and improves so much over the original game. Where Forbidden West is lacking, the Burning Shores DLC makes up for to give the game that fire that was needed. While this game doesn’t recapture the same mystery or have the same revelations as Horizon Zero Dawn , Horizon Forbidden West has a compelling narrative that takes you to new places in its world you have to see for yourself. I stand by the fact that Sony’s games are better on PC with all the additional bells and wheels, and this is yet another shining example, because Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition is easily one of the best ports and open worlds around.
Sons of Valhalla may be a Kingdom-like on the outside, but it’s one of the best to follow that formula, while also surpassing it in every way once you peel back its layers. The developers at Pixel Chest clearly love the Viking Age, and this era offers a lot of cool things you’re in total control of. Everything about the game feels handcrafted, except you’re given the tools to craft your own destiny for a fantastic adventure. Sons of Valhalla excels at being a fully fleshed out game where strategy, combat, and role-playing come together to form a viking voltron for the ages.
WWE 2K24 delivers an electrifying wrestling experience that will satisfy fans of this series. With its stunning visuals, refined gameplay mechanics, and a wealth of content to explore, it’s clear that Visual Concepts has pulled out all the stops to deliver a championship-winning performance. While the game isn’t without its flaws, including occasional graphical glitches and lackluster AI, these issues are minor in the grand scheme of things. With its extensive roster, robust creation suite, and dynamic career mode, WWE 2K24 offers something for everyone. While it’s not as fresh as last year’s entry, WWE 2K24 really feels like the pinnacle of the simulation series.
The first game was neat for it’s time, and the remake breathed new life into the series. While I’m not sure we needed a sequel, there’s some really neat ideas, quests, systems, and ways of traversing I haven’t quite experienced. There’s clearly a lot of secrets to uncover and things to do in this open-world adventure we’ve seen before, but in a new way. This really feels like a throwback game from a different era mixed with new ideas. While not every component of Outcast – A New Beginning comes together the way it should, it’s still very entertaining and captivating.
Expeditions: A MudRunner Game isn’t a game that has mass appeal, it’s niche in design and executes on that well. The off-roading and simulation systems are second-to-none, and the lack of co-op at launch will disappoint many. The positioning of this entry being more science-focused keeps things fresh for the series that could have gotten stale or too familiar otherwise. Expeditions: A MudRunner Game is sure to challenge you, but rewards patience, and offers an adventure like no other.
At no point was I rushed or pushed towards a linear path. Islands of Insight respects your time, and ensures that you take your time. The way puzzles are introduced feel organic, and it has its own way of ramping of difficulty in each area. So that when you reach even the third or fourth island, you’re still starting fresh, and not dealing with near impossible puzzles. Lunarch Studios have made something special here, and being able to do that in a shared open-world with others is a delight. Islands of Insight is joyful, peaceful, and a relaxing experience that’s absolutely worth it.
I certainly like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League more than I did Gotham Knights, but only just. There’s a good game here, but it’s best moments are in the opening hours, and what follows is live service tedium that takes its own life. There are some laugh out loud moments via the cutscenes and quips said throughout the game, but it doesn’t save it from itself. This game feels forced, more so than WB’s desire to make “Suicide Squad” a household name, and cheer for the anti-hero. No amount of endgame content is gonna change my mind on what should have been finite, self-contained story. Instead, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is an infinite crisis of mundane content.
Bahnsen Knights features less “going through the motions”, and features more gameplay to chew on. LCB Game Studio really has something special here in Bahnsen Knights, and the entire trilogy of games must be experienced, even if they are crafted as standalone experiences. I think the connective tissue that binds these games together is well worth it. I appreciate a game that doesn’t waste your time, and the short story presentation is absolutely killer. Bahnsen Knights will leave you satisfied, but is an uncomfortable and tense ride until it’s credits roll.
“Risk of Rain Returns” has its own flavor while staying true to what made the original special. I might not agree with the chaotic nature that longer playthroughs become, but with so many positives, so many hours already pumped into it — and many to come —, it’s hard not to fall in love with it. If you manage to fall in love, I recommend checking the original game if you haven’t and its sequel. But, a fair warning: I won’t be responsible for the hours you might spend in each game. Whether this goes to the dozens or to the hundreds. What I can say is: buckle up, it will be one hell of a ride, and one I’m happy that it exists. I’m happy that “Risk of Rain” is “back”, I’m happy that I’m having a great time with it. I hope you will too.
Call of Duty HQ needlessly complexes the game loading process, as switching between games and modes requires relaunching a different executable. The campaign is hurried along in an unenjoyable way with open mission design that takes away from what makes the series great. Zombies mode is completely forgettable and a rehash of DMZ, which is not included or playable in Modern Warfare III . Multiplayer does the heavy lifting, and really only stays strong through nostalgia of the original Modern Warfare 2. While the maps hold a timeless appeal, it doesn’t feel fresh or new as an experience. This is a game that barely stands on its own. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is unlike other games, it’s not broken, just bad and lacking any redeeming values.
Dungeons 4 hasn’t changed a whole lot, but it is far more refined. Realmforge Studios have really found their stride here. The game balances challenge with power fantasy that just works so well. It continues the wonderful escapades of underground excavation with the best of real-time strategy – and that’s turtling to steamroll the enemies. Dungeons 4 does Dungeon Keeper legacy proud, and is a devilishly good time.