James Paley


315 games reviewed
75.9 average score
75 median score
45.4% of games recommended
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Sep 8, 2025

Your time in this massive world is focused on that critical combat/custom/upgrade gameplay loop, so you never feel lost or shiftless. I could do with fewer load times, and the routine gear scrutiny does mess with the pacing. But once you’re actually out in the world, mixing it up, the game flows quite beautifully. I can’t get enough of that core loop, at least once it gets going. If you’re looking for an enormous mecha RPG with tons of customization and a captivating story, then Titanic Scion is exactly what you need.

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The game looks and performs just as it did back in 2022. I hesitate to recommend something so expensive, but the game is still a lot of fun. Returning fans won’t want to miss this one, however. Star-Crossed World is a delightful addition to an already excellent Kirby game.

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90 / 100 - Sword of the Sea
Aug 18, 2025

The music is chill, the vistas are fabulous, and the vibes are immaculate. If you’re looking for a short, singular gameplay experience, Sword of the Sea will be perfect for you.

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Everything is built around the hobbit ideal that is food. The writing and the aesthetics are all extremely hobbit-coded. Rather than a life sim, Tales of the Shire is a hobbit sim. If that sounds like a good time, you should definitely check out this game.

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Honestly, there’s a good chance you’ll love all of it, even if I didn’t. If you’re looking to dive into the latest generation of Mario Party games, the Jamboree TV Switch 2 bundle is the perfect way to do so.

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90 / 100 - Wheel World
Jul 23, 2025

Anyone looking for a chill, cool, slightly weird racing game would do well to check this one out.

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Jul 16, 2025

Mario Kart World was a great introduction to the Switch 2, but Donkey Kong Bananza is the first can’t-miss game to come to the platform. You’d be a fool to pass on this one.

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I wish the visuals felt more worthy of the Nintendo Switch 2, but they still look better than ever before. If you’ve played the original, I’m not sure if you want the remaster. But if you haven’t, you simply can’t miss Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster.

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90 / 100 - Mario Kart World
Jun 13, 2025

As far as launch titles go, Mario Kart World is a real banger. The races are more chaotic and intense, the world feels huge, and there’s a ton of racers to choose from. Also, the skill ceiling feels higher.

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May 28, 2025

Like any good simulator game, you know exactly what you’re getting into here. You’ve got a lot of work ahead, and though you might not enjoy it, you won’t be able to easily put it down. Spray Paint Simulator is a simple yet compelling zen garden, a Sunday morning job perfectly captured in game form. I don’t recommend it, but I don’t really have to. If this calls to you, I’m certain that you’ll answer.

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A mishmash of my favorite dopamine receptors are getting smashed to bits when I play this game, and I’m fine with that. If you’re looking for a cozy, compelling Skinner box of a game, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is perfect for you.

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Apr 18, 2025

Promise Mascot Agency is a weird, flawed experience. You spend most of your time driving around this tiny town, chatting up a series of total weirdos. You’ve got a short list of tasks to complete, a lot of money to make, and a lot of fires to put out. But all of it is so engaging, so charming and fun, that you don’t mind one bit. This town is a complete, well-crafted world full of compelling characters and fascinating stories. Plus, the core gameplay loop is addictive and butter-smooth. I don’t know exactly how to recommend this game, but I can’t recommend it enough.

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Apr 17, 2025

If you’ve been looking for a way to play these games on modern consoles, then Lunar Remastered Collection is a godsend. The visuals are mostly preserved, the item management is better, and the voice acting is brand new.

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The combat feels more grounded, the mechanics more approachable, and the plot is more accessible. Plus, the custom outfits. Those really changed the game for me.

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75 / 100 - WWE 2K25
Mar 10, 2025

As a new player, I was floored by the character creator, impressed by the roster, and almost overwhelmed by the amount of content available.

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I loved the new sprites, and the levels do look better than ever before (even if the aesthetic saddens me). I wish more mechanics had been modernized more than anything else. We’ve come too far to go back to this kind of awful inventory management. But the point remains – this is the best way to play these games on modern hardware.

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90 / 100 - PGA TOUR 2K25
Feb 20, 2025

PGA Tour 2K25 is slick, seamless, and pretty compelling. You’ve got a bunch of ways to play, and an endless amount of mechanical customization to mess with.

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Jan 23, 2025

If you’ve somehow gotten here with no Disgaea in your history and a love of complex strategy RPGs, The Lost Hero will be an excellent adventure. Otherwise, I’m simply not so sure.

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Jan 14, 2025

The boss fights are all clever, the controls allow for precise maneuvers, and the visuals are nice and crisp. It took me a little time to get used to the controls, and I kept feeling slower than I would have liked. But the level design is excellent, the soundtrack is choice, and the difficulty never felt unfair.

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If you’re a fan of the old games, then Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered will be a breath of fresh air. On the other hand, new players will likely have a very difficult time with these games.

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