Hi-Fi RUSH is an absolute delight. A simple idea that could have been extremely difficult to correctly develop, Hi-Fi RUSH is a real joy to play. Here's hoping that there are many more brilliant surprises to come this year, as Hi-Fi RUSH sets a high bar.
SEASON: A Letter To The Future has a real touch of brilliance around it, showcasing something truly unique with a world that players will be desperate to rediscover, and hopefully there will be an opportunity to do so. A game that will last long in the memory, even if it's something that will be lost to its own characters.
A Space For The Unbound tells a story with plenty of heart and strong atmosphere, if occasionally let down by technical limitations.
Overall, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is an awful lot of fun. Those who appreciate the platforming games of yore will get a nostalgia kick that feels very close to those older titles, with some subtle tweaks to make things more playable. It may not be a game with a lot of longevity, but what's here is very enjoyable.
As such, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition is a fantastic upgrade to the already-phenomenal original game. Since it's provided free of charge to people who already own it on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, there's no real excuse for those players not to revisit this all-time classic. And for those who have never played The Witcher 3 before, this is the perfect time to finally enjoy this incredible title.
Space Tail: Every Journey Leads Home is a strong puzzle platformer. There's enough variety throughout to keep things fresh, and it uses the fact that its playable character is a dog effectively. When tied with a decent, emotional story, it's an overall success.
Gungrave G.O.R.E. is a solid enough third person shooter with a lot of action to be found in its varied levels. It doesn't quite have the nuance of its best competitors, with moments of clunkiness that hold it back from greatness, but nonetheless it manages to be a satisfying adventure for the entirety of its runtime.
Overall, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Galactic Edition is a strong game in the series. Those who didn't pick up the Skywalker Saga normal release earlier this year will find some enjoyment at the inclusion of a new set of characters, particularly those from Star Wars TV shows, although it's nothing essential for those who already own the game. The changes to the LEGO formula are a bit hit and miss, but in general land well - hopefully there will be a tweak to how the co-op works for future releases, though.
Overall, A Little To The Left is exactly the kind of relaxing experience that it sets out to be. Some of its puzzles could have been better refined, but those after a meditative moment will appreciate what it has to offer.
Overall, Football Manager 2023 is another strong entry in the series. It's unlikely to convert anyone who isn't already passionate about what it has to offer, but it is brilliant for those who do. Would-be managers take note.
Overall, Ghost Song is a very enjoyable addition to the Metroidvania subgenre. It maybe lacks a little bit of originality to help it stand out from its contemporaries in a rather crowded market, but the game does provide a very enjoyable experience. With an atmosphere and story that are haunting and interesting to explore, there are plenty of reasons to delve into the dangerous world of Ghost Song.
A Plague Tale: Requiem is a fantastic game, expanding its framework in the right places through intricate themes and horror elements, weaving into what worked about the original while maintaining a voice of its own. It sometimes may feel a little too ambitious within the tight confines of its framework, but the emotional weight of its premise and story will keep players going to the end.
Overall, PGA Tour 2K23 is bound to find its fans, thanks to its clear love of the sport and strong gameplay. Whether or not 2K will be able to keep hold of the market after the release of EA Sports PGA Tour next year remains to be seen, but in the meantime PGA Tour 2K23 will certainly entertain its players.
Overall, Electrician Simulator is another fun simulator game. Its central gameplay loop is an enjoyable one, and there's always something pleasing about working through a job to completion. Electrician Simulator may not be the most bombastic of titles, but what it does, it does well.
At the end of the day, the value of Life Is Strange: Arcadia Bay Collection comes down to whether the Nintendo Switch release is a worthy and required port. If players haven't had the chance to experience Life Is Strange and the Switch is their platform of choice, then it is an obvious choice to go make - particularly as it's then a jumping off point to also enjoy the brilliance of Life Is Strange 2 and True Colors. Meanwhile, long-time fans may have a bit of hesitancy, as it's not an entirely necessary upgrade on the original games, but the portability of the Switch version could make it a useful way to play a much-loved game once again.
So far, it's looking good with FIFA 23.
Overall, Penko Park is a real joy. Although its simplicity may leave those after a more complex experience wanting more, it's an enjoyable photography game with a great setting. And above all else, its various creatures will keep players coming back for more.
Overall, Wayward Strand is an interesting game that explores humanity in a way that few games have, while its time limit to each day means choosing who to spend time with has an added importance. Technical issues hold the game back, alongside a lack of dialogue depth as the weekend rolls on. However, overall this is still an engaging game for players who want a more cerebral title.
Immortality is a stunning game overall. It's a truly effective mystery that has a great understanding of the kind of story it wants to tell and the kind of topics where it wants to peel back the skin. It certainly won't be for everyone, but it's a demanding and brilliant experience for those who want something a little more cerebral.
Overall, then, The Cowabunga Collection is a great look back at the Turtles games of yore. The franchise's stranglehold on side-scrolling beat 'em ups is fully on show with some of the best examples from the era, while the rest of the collection is still worth playing. A worthy selection for TMNT fans looking to delve into the past.