Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game is fun, especially when played with a friend. While some events aren’t as engaging as others, there’s enough variety here that everyone will find something they can enjoy or excel at. The huge range of outfits available to unlock gives completionists a reason to keep going back, but most players will find this best enjoyed in short bursts.
Like other great roguelikes, the more of Roguebook you play, the more you want to play. Each death is simply a nudge to continue; to assess your strategy and try something new. Exploring the game’s world is a joy, and combat is easy to get to grips with while still being deep and engaging. There’s a lot to love here, all wrapped up in a package of sumptuous art.
It’s hard to fully condemn Legend of Mana Remastered, because the original game’s choices are unusual, and some players will certainly find merit in its hands-off approach to steering the gameplay. Others, however, will undoubtedly find the lack of direction infuriating. So, Legend of Mana Remastered won’t be for everyone then. Its combat and lack of engaging narrative holds it back, but its soundtrack – both the original and rearranged version – is truly a standout feature.
If you like the idea of an open world adventure filled with wonderfully written characters, engaging puzzles and a heart-warming story, don’t hesitate to give Chicory: A Colorful Tale a try. It’s so much more than “a game you colour in yourself”; it’s a journey filled with heart and soul. It isn’t free of frustrations, but they’re easily forgiven thanks to just how charming and wonderfully unusual this adventure is.
Farm Frenzy: Refreshed is likely not something you’ll want to play for long periods of time. But in short bursts, it’s entertaining enough, and offers a nice palate cleanser between more involved, demanding games. Just be prepared to do plenty of grinding on your quest to unlock all the upgrades.
Does Dreamworks Spirit: Lucky’s Big Adventure have any redeeming features? Sadly, I can’t think of one nice thing to say about the game. It has an easy platinum trophy that’ll unlock simply by finishing the story? It felt more like a commiseration prize for the three hours of my life I wasn’t getting back. Even if you’re a fan of the Spirit franchise, don’t waste your time on this. Kids deserve better.
Although Episode INTERmission doesn’t build much on Final Fantasy VII Remake‘s story, instead being mostly its own diversion, it’s an excellent excuse to revisit Midgar. Not that we need an excuse when it looks as fantastic as this. Yuffie makes an excellent protagonist; her combat is fast-paced and dynamic, and her straight-faced sidekick Sonon is the ideal antidote to her loveable but in-your-face personality. It may only be short, but there are plenty of side activities to keep you busy. Essentially, if you have Final Fantasy VII Remake and a PS5, then this DLC is not to be missed.
Like the apocalypse itself, The Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom is rather messy, and not everything works like it should. It doesn’t quite do the series justice, but there are glimmers of a fun game here. Just be prepared for some glitches, and a lot of repetitive missions. Still, for kids who are fans of the Netflix show, the use of the actual voice cast for the main characters adds some worthy authenticity.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure looks amazing, sounds amazing, and provides four-or-so hours of perfect, meditative escapism. Who knew taking control of a pre-teen girl as she picks up rubbish and takes photos of animals could be so much fun? But it is. Don’t sleep on Alba; it really is a gorgeous experience that will have you grinning from ear to ear for every moment you spend with it.
Whether or not you’ve played the original, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is an adventure worth going on. Its gameplay might be old-fashioned, but it’s just as engaging as ever, offering a nice little distraction from the latest AAA blockbuster. Are better side-scrolling adventure games out there? Absolutely. But that doesn’t make this any less worth your time.
The Magnificent Trufflepigs is a beautiful escape to the countryside; its slow pace lends itself to being a relaxing and almost meditative experience. Top-class voice acting and excellent writing means you’ll quickly care for its characters and their stories; and regardless of how you feel about the ending, it’s hard to disagree that the journey was worthwhile.
It’s a shame that Stonefly‘s combat is so frustrating, because there are glimmers of a good experience here. It’s a novel concept, and collecting materials to upgrade your rig is a satisfying gameplay loop. But whether you can grit your teeth through a myriad of problems to gleam just a slither of enjoyment is highly debatable.
If you enjoy narrative driven adventures, make sure Sumire is on your radar. Packing in a powerful message in its two-hour run time, it’s the type of game that will inspire you and make you think about your own life in meaningful ways. It may be short, but this beautiful game will stick with you long after the credits have rolled.
Not to be taken too seriously, Very Very Valet is well worth pulling out next time you have friends over.
Small problems aside, I’ve had a great time exploring the post-apocalyptic ruins of Biomutant. It’s a world that begs to be explored, and with so much loot to be found, it’s always worth going off the beaten path. An interesting story is backed up by wonderfully fluid, engaging combat, and it’s made even better thanks to deep equipment customisation options. It might not be the most polished open world adventure out there, but it’s entertaining from beginning to end. What more could you ask for, really?
As a franchise, Geminose has potential. The range of animal creatures are adorable, and they’re impossible not to love. But Geminose Animal Popstars doesn’t provide them the best backdrop to truly shine. There are some nice original songs here, but many of the minigames are unoriginal and are let down further by poor motion controls. Kids under 10 will get a kick out of its cutesy presentation, but it’s not going to hold anyone’s attention for long.
Overall, Essays on Empathy is an intriguing collection. It’s a shame that a few finishing touches weren’t applied to give the overall package the polish it deserves, but there’s no denying that the concepts created by Deconstructeam are seriously impressive. You likely won’t find a collection of games as eclectic as this anywhere else.
A sensitive, beautiful and emotional glimpse into what it might like to live with Alzheimer’s Disease, Before I Forget feels as important as it is excellently-executed. It’s not exactly a ‘game’ in the traditional sense, but it’s an experience that will stick with you and perhaps make you look at the world in a new light. You’ll certainly never take your most treasured memories for granted again, that’s for sure.
Battle Axe packs in a lot of personality thanks to its trio of colourful protagonists and its wonderful art style. But its gameplay likely won’t keep your attention for much longer than an hour or two. It’s a great flashback to games of yesteryear, but outside of a nostalgia hit, there’s no real reason to keep going back.
Despite its difficulty, there’s no denying that Buildings Have Feelings Too is a lovely little game. It oozes personality, with quick-witted lines of dialogue and a premise unlike anything else you’ve played before. If you’re expecting a true city-building sim, you’re probably going to be disappointed. But if you pick up Buildings Have Feelings Too expecting a quirky puzzle game, you’ll have a great time.