Scott Ellison II's Reviews
GUNHEAD is a fine game on its own, because it contains all the pieces that made CRYPTARK so good. That said, GUNHEAD feels surprisingly unambitious as it plays just like its forebear, albeit through a different lens. I’ll say that if you didn’t like the 2D side-scrolling shooting of CRYPTARK , then the 3D first-person shooting of GUNHEAD is probably more appealing. It’s unfortunate that the 3D space is hard to gain awareness of approaching dangers, and the fact it resembles the prior game so much that it doesn’t feel new or fresh. GUNHEAD contains the formula of a great a tried-and-true roguelike that you should at least try before you buy.
HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED 2 – Turbocharged is the kind of game to bring friends, siblings, or others together and play for hours on end. Then when they’re done, go into their closets and start playing with real Hot Wheels sets. The sophomore entry hasn’t changed much, so it’s more of the same, but it’s more of a great game. Milestone is a great fit as the developer of this series, and it’s a good time for all. HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED 2 – Turbocharged features wonderful locations, action-packed racing, and a virtual collection to rival all collections – there’s so much to love in the sequel.
For the first time in many years, I don’t have to keep DiRT Rally 2.0 and the annual WRC game installed simultaneously. Additionally, the DiRT series doesn’t have to live a life of dual identity anymore. Despite some minor quibbles with some modes being hollow, or some concerns of performance, this freshman offering is simply great – and what smooths a lot of this over is its moderate pricing. WRC puts World Rally Championship on full display, and this next-generation rally renaissance is not to be missed.
Colossal Order offers an intricate deep simulation of a city builder. Aside from the taxing performance, it’s simply amazing to see in motion. For the price, you get a metropolis-sized game full of options. It’s also one of those things where I can’t wait to see what this game is like eight years from now. Cities: Skylines II offers the next-generation of the city builder that constantly impressed and amazed.
ABRISS is just a towering achievement of a building and destruction simulation game, offering a unique and visually stunning experience. It successfully blends innovative mechanics with addictive gameplay, making it a can’t miss. While there are a few minor areas where it could improve, the overall package is highly enjoyable for all. ABRISS – build to destroy encourages you to smash it up, and stands tall among the crowd.
Pizza Possum has more than enough meat to satisfy. It’s a game that you might be done in two to four hours, but for the price, it’s really fun. This is one of those games that just about anyone can pick-up and play. It’s a rare kind of game that doesn’t too much out of you, and you can get a lot of enjoyment from it with each person you introduce to it. Pizza Possum is bite-sized game with meal-sized fun, and it truly delivers.
El Paso, Elsewhere calls back to the early 2000s with slow motion dives and psychedelic dream sequences with platforming, but it fails to feel like it's breaking new ground despite its differences. This is a Max Payne -like that doesn't have a sense of place or personality. A motel just doesn't cut it, no matter what you do with the interior. There's a lot to like with the story set around responsibility, the neo-noir writing, and even its aesthetic. But when it comes to gameplay, you'll get into a rhythm with it, but it can't keep up with its own beat. El Paso, Elsewhere is fun for its runtime, but you'll be ready for it to be over once the credits roll.
The Crew Motorfest will do a lot get your motor running. It's felt as each game in this series has been closing in on Forza Horizon , and if you want a new flavor to try, this is it. There's a breadth of content to explore and race in, and there's sure to be many favorites. While Hawaii is not an all-new location to racing games, and it may feel like you've been here before, but it's like your favorite vacation destination that you want to revisit. The Crew Motorfest celebrates motoring's past, present, future with much respect and tons of fun.
Gunbrella is a visually stunning and mechanically innovative, and while the narrative isn’t on even footing as its counterparts, it’s a standout title. From its stylish pixel art to its engaging gameplay and intriguing world, Gunbrella is a must-play for fans of action-adventure and retro games alike. With its unique blend of humor, mystery, and action, it’s a testament to what doinksoft does best, and does so well.
Even though this is the predecessor to Raiden IV x MIKADO remix , this remaster comes after it, and it’s easy to see that MOSS has learned a lot and even made improvements where it needed to. While I like Raiden IV a lot, I gotta say that I like the simplicity and improvements of Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX more, really enhancing Raiden III in great ways. Every game deserves a second chance, and Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX is an approachable and awesome entry in the long-running series that is well-worth the price of admission.
Starfield doesn’t reinvent the RPG genre, but it does make it quite exciting. It’s a game that feels distinct from the studio’s prior work like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout , and even represents the best of both worlds. Bethesda Game Studios managed to incorporate streamlined systems to make exploring space fun, and never a chore. There’s nothing I dislike about it. Starfield is ambitious and magical, capturing the wonder and vastness of space beautifully, and feels like a truly next-gen experience.
Frozenbyte hasn’t lost a step in the four years since the last game. Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy reminds me of a simpler time but still manages to be engaging and complex. The story presents the biggest threat to the heroes in all of its entry’s since the original, and is a wonderful adventure all around. If you’ve never experienced a Trine game, there’s no better time. Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy proves to be a delight and highlight among its contemporaries.
As someone who quicksaves vigorously, having a mechanic around that, tied to the game’s lore is so smart and encouraging. They absolutely own the stealth strategy genre, and they don’t miss. Mimimi Games is at their best when they are working with an original IP, and this being totally their own, makes this their best game yet. Mimimi’s third game with Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is sheer brilliance, where little victories lead into big smiles.
Atlas Fallen is a fun and exciting journey over the sand and under the sun with a combat system defined by enhancements and not the weapons themselves. The story is forgettable, but the experience isn't. It's a game that has a bevy of systems, yet it all feels artificially restrained for unknown reasons. I found the gameplay loop to be enjoyable from start to finish, and the game ended right when it needed to. Atlas Fallen is a little flat in its presentation, but it's a good way to spend a dozen or so hours sand-gliding and fighting as the Summer winds down.
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons is the arcade, reborn . Several games have been revitalized by returning with new ideas, and Rise of the Dragons is in peak form. I do wish the game had a little more depth in its content, but as it stands there is plenty to do and see, even though you have to grind for it. There’s a great time to be had while solo, or in co-op, as it’s just so fun. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons brings back the coin-op feel of arcades with smartly integrating the roguelite genre into the beat’em up; it’s not to be missed.
Sad Owl Studios has a great gimmick in Viewfinder , and I hope we get additional content or games around it. There’s more than one trick up its sleeve, and the game continually keeps things fresh with new puzzle elements with each new chapter. Viewfinder stumbles at the finish line but it still gets there with a successful run. Viewfinder has mind-bending and mind-blowing puzzle design, that are sure to be talked about for years to come, and will be oft-remembered for how well it pulls it off.
Like the ocean itself, there’s so much depth to DAVE THE DIVER , as there’s more that’s hidden beneath the surface. The stunning graphics, mesmerizing sound design, and well-crafted gameplay combine to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a fan of exploration games or simply have a love for ocean games, this is sure to captivate you for dozens of hours. Prepare to have your expectations blown out of the water, as it constantly introduces new and exciting things right up until the end. DAVE THE DIVER is a treasure of a find, so take the plunge on what is one of the best games you’ll play this year.
Crime O’Clock is as clever as it is cool, and offers help when needed, but not when it’s unwanted. The game is wholly enjoyable, and its only real issue is pacing and momentum due to the interruptions of finding things by the AI as it serves to move the detective story forward. It is a game that is deliberately casual, and can be played by kids and adults alike. I actually spent a lot of the game with my kids, in a race to find the object we were tasked with finding. Bad Seed smartly twists genres of hidden object and detective games. Crime O’Clock is a great way to wind down, and is one that’ll be remembered for the ages.
Fun is at the forefront of AEW: Fight Forever and should be celebrated for achieving that. This is unfortunately a game that has its issues, and whether intentional or not, is a dated experience. The arcade wrestling is great, and such a different experience to what else is out there. It’s clear this was made with the purest of intentions, and is an honest to goodness game. I think as the name implies, AEW: Fight Forever will have a long life, but the next iteration will have to see some serious improvements to be competitive. AEW: Fight Forever is a newcomer game from a veteran developer, and while there’s room for improvement, this is a solid start for what is still a must-play wrestling game.
Necrom has everything you need from story to location to characters to keep you invested in the goings on in this MMORPG for the next year. It successfully builds upon all of the expansions before it, especially last year’s. Being released at this time, it’s a summer horror with Lovecraftian vibes that really sets apart from the other content in the game. It’s got a great questline, and the two new zones are a visual delight, and doing everything is easily 30 hours worth of content. For its seventh expansion, the team is showing no signs of fatigue as this is another fantastic addition. The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom is a great reason to revisit and hang out in the Morrowind province for a summer of Eldritch horror.