Francis DiPersio's Reviews
Little Nightmares II is an excellent follow-up to an already terrific game. While the changes it makes to the series’ established formula, such as the dual protagonist story and the addition of combat, are a bit hit or miss, I still found it nearly impossible to put the game down during my six-hour playthrough thanks to its satisfying puzzles and unrivaled atmosphere. If you’re a fan of the original Little Nightmares, then this is a game you won’t want to miss. However, if the performance problems I mentioned have you on the fence (though honestly, they’re not that bad), perhaps consider picking up the game on a more capable platform than the Switch.
Paradise Lost is a grim alternate history lesson that asks tough philosophical questions about humanity and sacrifice. With a fascinating story and a genuinely engaging setting, it’s a game that’s easy to recommend to fans of the adventure genre. If you don’t mind the game’s lack of puzzles and plodding pacing, then be sure to make your way underground to uncover the bunker’s dark secrets. You won’t be disappointed.
If you’ve yet to pick up the six previously-released games on this collection, then Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1 is easy to recommend. Packed with hours upon hours of retro-gaming goodness, it’s as close as it gets to a definitive look at SNK’s 16-bit handheld. I only hope that Big Tournament Golf, Dark Arms, and Metal Slug: 1st & Second Mission are added to the eShop down the road so that those who purchased the earlier releases don’t have to shell out another $40 to play these titles.
Mayhem Brawler is hands down the most fun I’ve had with a beat-’em-up since Streets of Rage 4. With its gorgeous graphics, satisfying combat, and plenty of replayability, it’s a slugfest that will keep you coming back for more. While the game probably would have benefited from a more engaging combo system, it makes up for this with a great selection of weapons and a colorful cast of playable characters. If you’ve finished Streets of Rage 4’s Mr. X Nightmare DLC and are looking for a new way to get your beat-’em-up fix, look no further. Mayhem Brawler will punch you in your face, and you’ll like it.
Far Cry 6 is a must-play experience for fans of Ubisoft’s flagship first-person shooter series. New features, such as the Supremo and various ammo types, do a great job of spicing up a familiar formula. At the same time, the series’ rock-solid gunplay and exciting exploration are more inviting than ever. Even though it sometimes stumbles, both in terms of performance and tone, traversing the island nation of Yara is so fun that you probably won’t care all that much. Whether smashing the system solo or teaming up with a fellow freedom fighter for some online co-op, Far Cry 6 is sure to give armchair guerillas something worth fighting for. Viva La Revolución!
Minor issues aside, UnMetal is an absolute winner. With gut-busting writing and a great mix of retro-inspired stealth action enhanced with modern mechanics, it’s a game that warrants a spot in any classic Metal Gear fan’s collection. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last time we get to take control of Jesse Fox. He may not be the action hero we deserve, but he’s the one we need right now.
At the end of the day, SkyDrift Infinity accomplishes just what it sets out to do: deliver a fast, frenetic, and furiously fun arcade racing experience. With a wide selection of planes to unlock and addicting multiplayer (at least in local play), it’s sure to be a hit at your next gaming get-together. So if you’re a fan of the arcade racers of the 90s or simply missed SkyDrift Infinity when it was first released, there’s never been a better time to earn your wings.
Performance woes aside, Unbound: Worlds Apart is easy to recommend to any fans of the Metroidvania genre. With its outstanding presentation, clever mix of puzzles and platforming, and a truly unique hook, it’s a game that will keep you glued to your controller from start to finish. So if you’re looking for an enthralling adventure into a vibrant fantasy world, look no further. Unbound: Worlds Apart is a window into a strange and fascinating realm that you’ll want to explore.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes is yet another excellent offering from the masters of horror at Supermassive Games. While not every facet of its choose-your-own-adventure style narrative works, its compelling cast of characters and immense replayability will keep you coming back for more. I’ve played through the game twice in the past week, and I’m already dying to return to the underground with four friends to experience Movie Night mode. If that’s not a testament to the game’s lasting power, then I don’t know what is.
While not all of the features Battlefield 2042 introduces are a hit, and the lack of a single-player component is a little disappointing, the game still manages to deliver the same spectacular skirmishes fans of the series crave with its explosive 128-player conflicts and satisfying selection of near-future weaponry and gadgets. Add to that the impressive Portal Mode, which has the potential to keep a steady stream of community-created content flowing, and Battlefield 2042 could very well keep your itchy trigger finger soothed for the foreseeable future. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the franchise looking to dominate the leaderboards or a greenhorn ready for your first tour of duty, Battlefield 2042 delivers something worth fighting for.
The VR platformer genre has seen plenty of innovation since Lucky’s Tale made its debut with gems like Japan Studio’s Astro Bot and Polyarc’s Moss. Still, while it may not be quite as ambitious as those aforementioned adventures, revisiting this family-friendly fox for another go-round on the Oculus Quest 2 was an irresistible treat that my inner child savored from start to finish. It’s a quick burn to be sure, but if you’re looking for a lighthearted romp for your new headset, Lucky’s Tale is pure platforming magic and a must-own addition to any platformer fan’s library.
If you’re a fan of Left 4 Dead and VR shooters, then After The Fall comes easily recommended. Its cross-platform co-op is an absolute blast regardless of which platform you’re playing on. And when it comes to replay value, the game’s loot and upgrade systems will keep you coming back for more as you work to craft the ultimate arsenal of zombie-killing hardware. Still, I can’t help but wish the game had just a little bit more to offer players out of the gate. Depending on which difficulty you choose, you can barrel through the game’s five stages in just a few hours. And with just a handful of zombie types to encounter, things can start to feel a little repetitive after a while. Still, if you’re looking for Left 4 Dead-style thrills on your favorite headset, After The Fall is as close as you’re going to get, and a solid addition to any VR gamer’s library.
So, does Persona 4 Arena Ultimax hold up in the eight years since its debut? Absolutely. Arc System Works and Atlus' slugfest of a spin-off is just as satisfying now as it was the day it was first released. The game's easy to pick up yet challenging to master gameplay is suitable for fighting game novices and pros alike. And the excellent Story Modes that further flesh out the narrative are must-play experiences for fans of the franchise. Of course, if you already own the game and all of the DLC, there's little reason to plunk down the cash for this version. But if you've yet to see what Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is all about, there's never been a better time to step into the ring.
While not perfect, Andro Dunos 2 is an excellent revival of Visco’s 16-bit shooter series that deserves your attention. With its killer retro-inspired presentation, driving music, and plenty of exhilarating boss battles to test your mettle, it’s a game that’s easy to recommend to anyone who has a passing interest in shoot-’em-ups. If nothing else, it makes me excited to see what else publisher PixelHeart has in the works for Visco’s other IP. If the upcoming Ganryu 2 is anywhere near as good, nostalgic Neo Geo fans should be in for a treat.
While it may lack the extra content fans of the series might expect to find, Lost Judgment: The Kaito Files is easy to recommend to armchair detectives looking for another exciting case to crack thanks to its satisfying combat and developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s masterful storytelling. If nothing else, it definitively shows that if the contract issues surrounding actor Takuya Kimura prevent him from reprising his role, the Yagami Detective Agency would still be in perfectly capable hands.
Despite a few rough edges in terms of stage design and enemy variety, Evil West is a must-own experience for fans of the character action game genre. With a deep and engaging combat system, a meaty campaign, and a killer sense of style, it’ll leave you glued to your controller until the credits roll. If you’re a fan of Flying Wild Hogs’ brand of gory, in-your-face action, Evil West is a non-stop thrill ride through the freaky frontier that you won’t want to miss.
If you’re a fan of Hotline Miami and roguelites, you owe it to yourself to add OTXO to your Steam library. While it’s true the busy visuals can occasionally lead to some frustrating deaths, and the soundtrack repeats itself a bit too often, these minor gripes are easy to overlook when you consider just how much the game does right. Offering punchy and gratifying combat, a meaty challenge, and an addicting progression system that makes each loop feel fresh and exciting as you experiment with its engrossing perk system, OTXO will kick your ass and leave you begging for more.
It may have taken more than three decades for Cannon Dancer to make its way to our living rooms, but it was totally worth the wait. If you’re a fan of Capcom’s Strider or classic 90s arcade games in general – especially ones with a meaty challenge – then you owe it to yourself to check it out.
If you’re looking for an adventure that will keep you busy, Afterimage will fit that bill quite nicely. A single playthrough will take you roughly 30 hours to complete. With such a sizable quest, heaps of hidden items to uncover, and multiple endings to unlock, dedicated players can expect the game to keep them busy for weeks on end. Not bad for a Kickstarted project from a tiny Shanghainese studio, right? To call Afterimage ambitious would be an understatement, to put it mildly. Despite its excessive backtracking and hard-to-follow story, Afterimage is hands-down the most enjoyable Metroidvania I’ve played since Hollow Knight. With an engrossing world to explore, superb combat, and a plethora of fun abilities to master, it’s a game that’s almost impossible to put down once it gets its hooks in you. Even if you feel like you’ve had your fill of Soulslike Metroidvanias in recent years, you owe it to yourself to make time for Afterimage.
Despite these minor grievances, if Double Dragon IV left a bitter taste in your mouth and you’ve been waiting for the franchise to return to its former glory, it’s time to celebrate because the Lee boys are back and fighting fit. With its furious fisticuffs and a wealth of smart evolutions to the series’ established formula, Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is a must-play for fans of the beat-’em-up genre.