Scott Ellison II's Reviews
Raiden IV x MIKADO remix is an incredible collection of modes and now music combined into one of the finest of the arcade era. It flawlessly combines classic gameplay with modern enhancements, delivering an experience that will captivate both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. I do think the game’s price will deter many, so maybe wait for a sale; but if you live for shmups, then there’s no reason to hesitate. The work done by Mikado Game Center is nothing short of refreshing, and all the more reason to jump in on PC or console. So grab your joystick, prepare for intense bullet hell, and relive the glory days of arcade gaming with Raiden IV x MIKADO remix .
Trepang2 is not as good as it wants to be, or as anyone would be led to believe. Trepang Studios certainly tried emulating Monolith's epic first-person shooter, and the gunplay certainly comes close to that, but they failed miserably at nearly everything else. This is a terrifically gory game, and it's great coating rooms in strawberry jam each and every time, but there's a lot of bad to get through before seeing the good. Trepang2 has only a few redeeming qualities, but even then those have been done better in other games. It's sad that Trepang2 is a pale imitation of F.E.A.R. in every way, and is a completely forgettable experience I can't recommend even a little.
The Diablo series continues to be timeless, and Diablo IV is no different, becoming an instant classic. There are so many systems in play at any time, whether it be the skill tree, paragon boards, glyphs, or elixirs, it all comes together – the devil is in the details. There’s so much game here, and there’s hundreds of hours of content, without the Season Pass even being live yet. And with everything leading up to and after the launch of the game being so smooth, the game is set for success. The complexion of Diablo IV could change in a year, or even six months from now. Though, as it stands currently, Diablo IV is a hell of a good time.
Whether you’re fulfilling a fantasy of being a driver on a famous team, racing your friends list with a custom team, or taking part of a Netflix-style docu-series; there’s lots of racing to be had. I can’t find anything about this package to be disappointed with, not even its price point, which feels warranted for once. F1 23 simplifies what didn’t work in prior years, continues a story mode that improves on the original, and expands on modes to make them more worthwhile than ever. Codemasters put on a clinic this year, and manages to top themselves year-over-year with F1 23 being the best entry they’ve made yet.
Bleak Sword DX is the rare instance where it does overstay its welcome, but if played in small bursts, is brilliant. While it doesn’t run out of new ideas, it does drain the player through its numerous arenas and modes, it’s an exhaustive amount of content that it never runs dry on. Playing something so challenging that originated on Apple Arcade, but now expanded and reworked for PC and Switch shows that it has a home on these new platforms. The dioramas that encapsulate the arenas to fight on are some of the more unique elements, to include its visual and enemy design, makes Bleak Sword DX easy to recommend.
Urban Flow ‘s translation to PC is warranted if not a little barren in terms of customization. The sometimes manic and manual control of each city’s traffic lights. That said, it can get very challenging is and good at what it does. It follows Bushnell’s Law whereby this is “easy to learn, but difficult to master”. Urban Flow is a straightforward game, yet has lots of longevity and sustainability due to its tense gameplay and decision making.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a solid first-person shooter that captures the 90s era well, it’s hardly anything revolutionary. It’s a nice homage that does a solid job of making you feel like the game existed back then, but modern things like mantling, bloom, and 21:9 support give way to its immersion. The game is unapologetically Warhammer 40K, and the weapons and enemies are true to the source material. The Warhammer 40,000 Universe has nothing else like Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun , and that’s what makes it so distinct in the space and genre.
If you’ve played The Bearded Ladies’ prior games, you’ll be happy to know that this is next best thing to a Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden sequel we’ve had yet. If you’ve never played the developers games before, this is the greatest version of what’s come before. It contains the DNA of what made Mutant Year Zero and to a lesser extent Corruption 2029, so good at their tactics and expands upon that. It’s here that you’ll find a gorgeous and enthralling mix of real-time exploration and turn-based tactics for thirty-plus hours well spent. Miasma Chronicles is The Bearded Ladies’ their finest game since their 2018 debut, and is a can’t miss.
Redfall is a far cry from Arkane’s usual work, and it’s sad to see this is the final product from this team. The writing is the best part, but nothing about it can save this from being a mediocre game that can’t manage to do more than one thing at a time, whether it be an immersive sim, an open-world game, or even an RPG. Try as I might, I can’t find enjoyment in this, or even continue to play a game that looks and feels this incomplete for its $70 price tag. Redfall is playable, but in the most threadbare way, as it’s a shell of a game that will exhaust you long before the credits roll. And like vampires are wont to do, Redfall sucks.
Showgunners is a true spectacle that stays true to its format for a game that doesn’t overstay its welcome. The turn-based gameplay is really smart, and the third-person real-time movement is a nice change of pace for the genre. It’s scripted fun you can save scum to your hearts content, or die a glorious death in ironman mode. Homicidal All-Stars is not a show I would watch, but I definitely enjoyed taking part in its vision of the future of reality and game shows. Showgunners is not tactically dense, though it offers a uniquely tight turn-based experience you should definitely pick-up.
Age of Wonders 4 offers nearly infinite replayability with the built-in scenarios and ways to create your own, to include all of the included factions and ones you can manifest. This is a game that corrects past mistakes, includes expansions into its core, and has no shortcomings. This is an incredibly beautiful game that is popping with color and visuals. There’s essentially two to three games in here across its 4X, RPG, and tactical combat layers that offer variability and unpredictability. This is a massive game that is able to carry the weight of the series on its shoulders proudly, Age of Wonders 4 is purely magical.
There’s connective tissue between LCB Game Studios’ games, so your experience with Varney Lake will be enhanced by having played Mothmen 1966 prior to it. It’s a short story video game that doesn’t take up your time, and is a great palate cleanser from other games you’re currently playing. I’m really excited for what’s in store next, and am enjoying how these play out. Varney Lake feels like PC adventure games of old, and will take you back to those summer or rainy nights of gaming, for a truly visual and aural treat of the senses.
While I still prefer the original Desktop Dungeons mainly for nostalgia, Rewind this is a refreshing and modernized reintroduction of the game will have a new generation falling in love like I did over ten years ago. Even if you haven't played it before, I think the price of admission is well worth it for a game that offers so much variety and longevity, being infinitely replayable in the truest sense. QCF Design offers a game that lets you peel back the layers like an onion, only to find that it's wrapped around another onion. And once you peel back those layers, there's yet one more onion inside that's offers more depth and surprises. Desktop Dungeons: Rewind is a lighthearted and challenging procedurally generated puzzle meets dungeon crawler roguelike, and is the coolest thing you'll play all year.
While the menu navigation is clumsy, the videos are glitchy, and the ball-hitting can be spotty, this is a far better effort than the series’ last outing. The closest we have in the golf space is 2K’s PGA TOUR 2K23, but it doesn’t hold a candle to what EA SPORTS PGA TOUR offers. Having all four major golf tournaments is a huge boon to the game’s benefit, and Augusta National is well worth the purchase alone. I’m actually surprised at how well the live service element is done, the game feels more connected than most other sports games. EA SPORTS PGA TOUR is satisfying in its own right, the start of something solid, but needs more polish that I think will happen in due time with patches and updates.
Wartales is unlike anything else I’ve played this year, as it boasts a massive landscape of near-emergent gameplay where you are not the hero of the story, but you do have a crucial role to play in it. It’s a grim, dark world to take part in, but it’s utterly fascinating at the events that take place, and how you can help shape or unmake it. The dynamicism in which things unfold makes replayability high, and the inclusion of multiplayer co-op is the perfect kind of game night with friends. Shiro Games have crafted something special here, and Wartales excels for letting you make your own successes or failures through the choices you make along the way.
Meet Your Maker is a devious evolution for asynchronous multiplayer via user-generated content, and there’s so much joy in dismantling someone from across the internet with your skill.
While WWE 2K23 is a visual, presentation, and gameplay step-up over WWE 2K22 , it’s a ladder’s climb up if you’ve been away for more than a year. It tends to cater to those who played last year’s game, but I think the game does enough to get anyone acquainted with all of the systems. There’s a mode for everyone to like in here, tons of matches to engage in, a stacked roster of favorites and newcomers, and of course WarGames! It’s all backed by great gameplay and controls that’s the best yet. WWE 2K23 is the freshest feeling WWE 2K game in years, and is worth getting excited about.
DROP – System Breach is unlike other games of its ilk, as it doesn’t require scripting knowledge or too many button presses. This is a rather casual hacking sim that never releases its tension or lets go of your attention. The experience is over in just after several hours, but it’s one I want to replay to see what its procedural levels have in store for me. It’s a shock to the system at how good it is, as each new mechanic is doled out. DROP – System Breach is remarkably clever, and an irresistibly addictive puzzle meets hacking simulation.
For most, The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition is just a $10 upgrade, which makes it an absolute no-brainer purchase for existing owners. If you’re coming to the game completely new, the full price is still very much worth it for an RPG that doesn’t overstay its welcome and offers a varied and unique gameplay experience with familiar yet distinct style. This whole game is textbook Obsidian, but is no less interesting or cool. If you liked what Obsidian did with Fallout: New Vegas , then you’ll be right at home here. The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition is the definitive version of the game and it’s DLCs all but in name.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty has a lot of familiar elements from Team NINJA’s own Nioh series and also the FromSoftware series. However, there’s nothing quite like the Chinese martial arts and Three Kingdoms backdrop that you’ll find here. The dark twist that KOEI TECMO put in the later Han Dynasty a remarkable and fascinating portrayal I can’t say I’ve seen anywhere before. The underwhelming performance on PC is a major disappointment, but this can absolutely be patched and updated in time. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is not an easy game to beat, but it does come easily recommended.