Starfield is, overall, a very good RPG from a studio known for making very good RPGs. Not the most surprising news I’m sure, but it’s nice to see that they’re able to break away from the Elder Scrolls and Fallout settings successfully, and I do feel like their take on space exploration is a breath of fresh air for this type of RPG experience. It’s a huge game overall, so if you’re the person that believes time played = value, you’ll be pretty happy with this one for sure, but at the same time if you’re worried about overall quality, I think you’ll still enjoy your time with Starfield.
I’ve really been impressed with Sea of Stars overall. I think it delivers the total package when it comes to retro-infused RPG’s, and it feels pretty unique in a field that’s full of like-minded games.
It can be daunting to take on another RPG in a year that’s already seen a hefty number of popular releases, but Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg might be the perfect palate cleanser if you’re burned out on 40+ hour adventures at this point. It’s not the longest RPG in the world, nor the most complex, but it does offer a charming adventure that also serves as a new starting point for the long-running series from developer Gust.
It’s been a pleasant trip down memory lane with both Pikmin 1 and 2, and if you’ve never had a chance to experience either game, I’d say they are both highly recommended and stand the test of time quite well. Neither game is particularly long, and while 2 can be challenging at times, both are pretty friendly to new players and work as a solid primer for the upcoming release of Pikmin 4. Definitely check them out when you get a chance, you won’t be disappointed.
If you’ve ever been curious about rogue-lite style games, or Rogue Legacy in general, I see no reason to not give Rogue Legacy 2 a try.
Essentially, what I’m telling you is that The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is indeed a bad video game. It’s not fun when it works, it’s even less so when it doesn’t, and the overall concept of the game is one that ultimately makes it feel unnecessary altogether.
All in all, these are solid additions to what was already an impressive overhaul of these 8-bit and 16-bit classics, and help solidify the ideal that the Pixel Remasters could now be considered the definitive versions of classic Final Fantasy.
if you're willing to look over some of the rough patches or have any love for checking out older classics, then you'll likely find Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is right up your alley
Depending on how hardcore your love is for '90s arcade action games you may want to hold off for a sale down the road, but if you have any affection for Strider or games of its ilk, then Cannon Dancer – Osman will likely be right up your alley.
it's not necessarily the best entry point in the series for new players, but it's a satisfying conclusion to that arc for fans, and it's a darn good RPG altogether.
Overall, I've really enjoyed my time with Pinball FX and can definitely see myself continuing to play down the road. I'm excited to see what tables are coming next, and as a casual pinball player I'd say the physics here feel pretty great on current-gen consoles.
Fire Emblem Engage is worth checking out. It'll be a pretty appealing entry for both long-time and new Fire Emblem Fans, the Engage mechanic adds a fun layer to the already excellent combat system, and the bevy of new characters introduced are all generally entertaining. The look of the game is fantastic on the aging Switch hardware, bolstered by the excellent character designs, and the music is really well done. It might not be the best Fire Emblem on the Switch, but it's still a really solid adventure regardless.
I cannot overstate how bland I found Neptunia: Sisters vs. Sisters to be, I was actually pretty surprised by how bored I found myself hour after hour.
I find the PS5 and Xbox versions of Monster Hunter Rise to definitely be the better version of the game, at least as far as consoles are concerned, and would wholeheartedly recommend you check out either version if you have yet to play the game.
It's hard not to expect a little hyperbole when people start throwing around comparisons to beloved hits, but boy does Chained Echoes really deliver. Having played through the game on Switch over the course of the holiday season, I was amazed at how well it plays, and while it certainly wears its inspirations on its sleeve, it also does a fantastic job of carving out its own unique mix of mechanics to make for a pretty memorable experience.
I see little reason to not check out High on Life when you get a chance. It's a solid shooter that often manages to nail its jokes, has a unique visual style, and feels pretty great to control the further into the campaign you get. It isn't going to be the best shooter of all time, but it's certainly fun while it lasts, and worth checking out.
Front Mission 1st: Remake seems to mark a possible resurgence for the strategy mech RPG in the West, and while I'd like to have seen a little more done with the concept of a remake here, I still enjoyed my time spent with one of the two campaigns for this review. It's not perfect by any stretch, but it was nice to revisit the original game again.
While not as shocking of a change as 2018?s God of War reinvention, God of War Ragnarök has proven itself a fantastic follow-up over the 40+ hours I?ve spent playing it. Ragnarök, like a good, traditional sequel should, expands upon ideas and mechanics from God of War in ways that feel like a natural evolution of the 2018 game. Kratos and Atreus’ journey across the Nine Realms is fully realized here, making for a fantastic visual and gameplay feast that is sure to please the many fans that God of War: Ragnarök's predecessor gained.
While Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed isn't a full priced, AAA style release, it's still a solid ghostbusting experience overall.
The DioField Chronicle is a game that I had little trouble sticking with throughout the review process, and could easily see myself going back to in order to finish up the few remaining trophies I have left. The fun gleaned from this strategy title is almost entirely due to the engaging battle system, which while a bit basic compared to other titles, is still a lot of fun to play. It's not a game that I'd wholeheartedly suggest picking up at full price, but I'd certainly suggest giving it a go after a sale or two.