If you’re a visual novel fan, or at least open to them, you should definitely give Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! a try.
At the moment, Dungeon & Dragons: Dark Alliance is just too rough around the edges to recommend, but some will be able get enjoyment out of it if they can work past its issues. As ever, it’s fun battling your way through dungeons with friends, collecting loot as you go – especially once you’ve powered up your characters and learned some new moves. But until the camera has been tweaked to give you a better view, enemy AI has been improved and bugs have been quashed, the action will always be accompanied by an element of frustration and disappointment. It might be a good idea to wait for a patch or two before jumping in, basically.
Its challenging puzzles and fiddly controls make it something more suited to older players, but those of all ages will find delight in its colourful and downright charming visuals. If nothing else, it makes me keen to see what Light Brick Studio develops in the future. Like being presented with a bag of actual LEGO bricks, there are many opportunities to be explored by a bunch of open-minded creatives.
Offering a lengthy adventure that you’ll need to play through twice if you want the full picture, Scarlet Nexus is entertaining enough. Due to numerous issues with its gameplay, however, it’s a game that’s carried by its story. It’s a shame really, because the world created here is genuinely interesting and unique; I’d certainly like to see more Scarlet Nexus games in the future, and will definitely check out the anime when it arrives on Netflix. But there were times throughout my adventure where the combat was irritating rather than fun, and traipsing through an environment just felt like a chore rather than an exciting foray into the unknown.
It’s only a simple game, but it’s hard to sit down with Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective and not be taken in by its charm. Its labyrinths never frustrate, instead opting to entertain players with unadulterated humour as they make their way through them. And when coupled with both a quirky soundtrack and sumptuous 2D visuals that are a treat for the eyes, you have an easy-going puzzle adventure that’s suitable for all ages and skill levels. A feel-good gem, that’s what Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective is.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is a great entry point for those looking to get into the long-running series, and one that’s more accessible than ever thanks to an aesthetic that makes it more suitable for younger players. Throw in new features like the character switching mechanic and you have a game that’s a blast to play in small doses when alone, but really shines when played with others. Ultimately though, repetition is still an issue, as the gameplay never really evolves as you move through the lengthy campaign.
The Persistence Enhanced is well worth checking out if you’re a horror fan, especially if you also like a bit of stealth. Those fond of roguelikes will no doubt get a kick out of it too. However, the game’s repetitive nature alongside its clunky and often unfair combat will likely result in some frustration, and maybe even cause some to give up on their bid for freedom. Players who do see their journey to its end, though, will find a welcome assortment of complimentary modes that will entice them to go back for more deck exploring action.
While little has been done to make these games truly shine on new, more powerful formats, they’re all still highly enjoyable action games – Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 in particular. It’s just a shame that Ryu Hayabusa hasn’t been shown a little more love.
On the whole, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is an accomplished sequel. It builds on the first game in meaningful ways, expanding the scope of its gameplay while also being more accessible to newcomers. It remains great fun visiting one of the classic regions and figuring out the best ways to complete its available contracts, while the new long-range contract regions complement them very well, offering a different type of sniping challenge. Better yet, despite being released at a budget price, it has the look and feel of a AAA game. Needless to say, if you’re keen to do some armchair sniping, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 deserves to be in your game collection.
This is a game in which you can lose an arm and still keep on fighting, insisting that it’s just a scratch until you inevitably end up laying motionless on the floor, just like all the other unfortunate dead. It should be horrifying, really, but that’s Chivalry II‘s greatest achievement; it’s so well put together that such moments can only be considered a bloody spectacle.
Guilty Gear -Strive- isn’t the most generous fighting game available when it comes to content, but its wonderfully energetic combat makes up for it. Its characters are larger than life, each bringing something new to the table that’s worth exploring before settling on perhaps one or two to truly master. And while it’s the easiest Guilty Gear game to simply pick up and play, there’s a hell of a lot of depth to be discovered by those who wish to compete at a high level.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is easily the best game in the series by far.
So, it turns out that Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown isn’t quite as ultimate as the title suggests. It is, however, a solid fighting game that should keep players entertained for tens of hours – providing the online community remains buoyant and matches play out without any hitches. It’s just a shame that more offline, single-player offerings haven’t been provided to round out the package.
Maid of Sker is certainly a better game now than it was a year ago, no matter what format you play it on. It’s still doesn’t quite achieve its potential though, and while there are some clear improvements on PS5, there are unfortunately more disappointments. While it’s nice to finally be able to play the game with a silky smooth frame rate and responsive controls on console, it’s a shame that to achieve that you have to opt for visuals that don’t really impress. In you’re in the mood for an atmospheric horror you’ll probably eke some enjoyment out of this improved Maid of Sker, but you’ll soon forget the experience.
Knockout City has surprised me. It has all the ingredients of a successful multiplayer game: an enjoyable core gameplay mechanic, a high skill ceiling, and the promise of continuous and meaningful support. It’s the type of game I could easily see becoming a popular esport. If you’re after a new competitive online game to play that’s fun and rewards teamwork, be sure to give it a try. If you’re an EA Play or Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, you don’t even need to pay anything for it. Velan Studios has taken the simple concept of dodgeball and turned into one of the most original and enjoyable multiplayer games I’ve played in quite a while.
A great amount of love has been put into the creation of Capcom Arcade Stadium, and it shows. It has all the features you’d expect of a retro collection and then some, alongside a wonderfully curated selection of games. Even better, you’re not forced into buying all of the games available. Granted they’re pretty much split into three packs rather then being available separately, but at least it puts you somewhat in control of the games you have access to. And here’s hoping that it’s a selection that continues to grow, as there’s no better way to enjoy Capcom’s back catalogue of classic arcade games.
It’s hard to call Wrath of the Druids essential, but those seeking to eke out yet more gameplay from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla would be wise to check it out. As I explored the countryside of Ireland, including iconic landmarks such as The Giant’s Causeway, I couldn’t help but stop to take screenshots due to the beauty of it all. And while the gameplay boils down to more of the same, it’s enjoyable spending yet more time in Eivor’s shoes, developing their skills even further, adding more gear to their repertoire and being the person that gets things done.
There’s a framework for a good multiplayer game here in Hood: Outlaws & Legends, but it needs tweaking and building upon to truly give it legs. A PvE mode that actually awards progression would be welcome, too. As it stands, the clunky close combat, somewhat unbalanced characters, and a single match type results in a game that doesn’t quite meet its potential. Despite its frustrations though, it’s at least fun to play – well, until the action starts to begin feeling repetitive, which doesn’t take all that long unfortunately.
Resident Evil Village is a far cry from its more grounded and horror-focused predecessor, but in the end, it’s perhaps just as lovable. At times it feels like a greatest hits collection of some of the best elements of previous Resident Evil games, and while that leads to it not being wholly coherent, it’s not to its detriment. It may not be perfect in terms of combat mechanics and storytelling, but Resident Evil Village keeps you on your toes, with you never truly knowing what’s waiting for you around the next corner. And that’s why when playing it, the hours simply fly by. Will the series ever become stale? Not while it’s being as inventive as this, that’s for sure.
Skate City isn’t going to wow you. If you have the patience to master its awkward controls, however, it’s a game you can keep going back to, delving into it for as long or little as you please. With its action more grounded, it’s not as exciting to play as some of its competitors, but some will enjoy its more technical gameplay and showboating element that arises out of its video editing features.