Alex McCumbers's Reviews
Resident Evil 4 VR is a must-have for Meta Quest owners. The game plays surprisingly well on the Meta Quest 2 headset and it captures the feel of RE4 in a way that respects the original while also adding enough elements to entice players of previous versions.
I do wish that the experience found in Crisis Core Reunion was more refined and the performance on Switch could certainly be improved but this is a great way to refamiliarize oneself with Zack, Sephiroth, Aerith, and the rest of Midgar’s cast of interesting characters. That said, Reunion might be enjoyed best on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC but it is playable on Switch.
Regardless of the criticisms I have with Chained Echoes, the fact that it was created is astounding and it is clear that the developer has a ton of love for RPGs and why they are so special. The game is unapologetically dense, making a perfect title for those that put in the extra time it takes to learn its world. This is a full-sized adventure in a classic style, making it an easy-to-recommend game for fans of the genre.
Overall, GigaBash is a fun time that is way better with the right group of friends. I wish it had a bit more substance to encourage a competitive play environment but this is a game that I will absolutely look forward to playing at conventions or parties. Anyone into Kaiju should check it out but don’t expect GigaBash to be an all-time great. However, the potential success of GigaBash could lead to a more feature-rich sequel which could become one of the coolest Kaiju games ever.
Evil West is unapologetically a game about gruff gunslingers ripping through gross nightmare monsters and that is exactly why I like playing games.
Demon Slayer - Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles is a faithful representation of the popular anime but it sticks to that path so strictly that it fails to expand beyond that framework into something more meaningful. Even with the game’s extra characters that add a little spice to the online lobbies or weekend fight nights, The Hinokami Chronicles needs more substance.
Yomawari: Lost in the Dark desperately needs a health system or far fewer run-ins with ghosts that can instantly kill the player. Honestly, allowing the player to be scared but keep trudging through would be better to keep the tone and atmosphere consistent.
I wasn’t expecting much out of this expansion but we did get a few lore details that further expand what we know of the Megamycete and the villain using it plus more Village gameplay with a character that we might see more of later in the series. That’s a great thing.
This may not be the end of A Plague Tale but Requiem is a satisfying conclusion to several characters’ stories, creating a dark fantasy drama with bite and heart.
All in all, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is fine enough and certainly a good representation of the Ghostbusters franchise. I just wish there was a bit more meat on these ghoulish bones.
In different circumstances, Valkyrie Elysium could have been fantastic but now it will live forever as an oddity.
All in all, Spidersaurs is a by the book run-and-gun game that’s sure to please fans who may feel that there haven’t been enough releases from their favorite franchises.
The puzzles rely on weird logic, the arcade sections are dull, and the courtroom-style quizzes leave a lot to be desired, making Yurukill: The Culmination Games a title that struggles on all fronts.
There is a ton of potential in Dyschronia: Chronos Alternate but unfortunately, it lacks some of the best qualities that VR gaming has to offer.
Expanding the modes, adding new characters, more customization options, and improved netcode would do wonders for All-Star Battle R. As it stands, this game is still a love letter to JoJo and worth picking up for fans of the franchise or anyone with fighting game chops looking to branch out.
Cult of the Lamb is exactly what it sells itself as.
The action is fun and the pixel art is awesome but I still don’t feel as excited about Gunvolt 3 as I would have hoped... Criticisms aside, Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is another entry in a large franchise of titles that will surely be enjoyed by fans.
HunterX is surprisingly well-crafted where it counts. It certainly could use a patch or two but I thoroughly enjoy this type of gameplay and I cannot wait to see if ORANGE POPCORN makes another game.
For fans, this is a wild ride of nostalgia but don’t expect it to be the next great spin-off from the franchise. For players outside of the Final Fantasy scene, it’s an okay beat-em-up with laugh-out-loud scenes that might make for an unforgettable weekend.
Anyone looking for an arcade-style cooperative game definitely needs to check out Pocky & Rocky Reshrined.