Blazblue Cross Tag Battle does have some fun parts, but on the whole, feels lacking.
However, for the asking price of thirty dollars, I did get a lot more out of it than what I was expecting. It is a much needed entry point into a series that has made its own mark in the industry as a more melancholic and measured crime experience. A game that ate up forty hours of my time and had my attention, even when I was having conversations with a club hostess, picking up spares, or smashing the teeth out of some punk with a baseball bat. If you've wanted to get into the series before but didn't know where to start, this is the game you've been waiting for.
Agents of Mayhem manages to make its own identity while still retaining the spirit of the series that inspired it. With a visually pleasing art direction, pleasantly entertaining combat and a plot that easily ate up thirty hours of my time, it's the kind of experience that is perfect for turning your brain off. There's an art to making video game junkfood like this and Volition haven't lost their touch yet.
It's not a bad game by any stretch, but as a whole it's an underwhelming imitation of past glory.
If you thoroughly enjoyed the first Evil Within, chances are you've already picked up this sequel. However, if you're like me and found the original to be a lot of bark with no bite, this installment is worth the ride. Just be ready for some cringe-inducing dialogue and some tonal whiplash along the way.
If you desperately want to show your support with your wallet and want a return to classic gameplay, then Metroid: Samus Returns will give you just that. A pleasant easily digestible experience with enough style and visual gloss to keep you entertained. If you were expecting a more deliberately made installment for hardcore fans or a revolutionary retelling of one of the weaker Metroid experiences, you may want to lower your expectations.
But with gaming constantly evolving in complexity in both narrative and real-world commentary, Ubisoft's latest adventure feels like an artifact. Trying to say something profound and winds up toothlessly paying lip service, leading to a flat and hollow narrative.
As it stands, Friday The 13th can best be described as a perfect embodiment of the slasher genre it draws inspiration from. It's made on a budget, full of annoying guff and chintz, but becomes very entertaining once the blood starts flying. It's a steep price at $40 with what is on offer, but if you're a huge fan of the antics at Camp Crystal Lake it's not a bad way to spend a weekend.
ARMS tries to do several things at once and only barely manages. There's a great foundation with the gameplay that makes it great for both casual parties and fighting game junkies looking for something new. But the shallow mini-games and lack of customization options leave a lot to be desired for those looking for some quick fun and the competitive meta can do with some needed balance tweaks. On top of other questionable creative decisions, the final product is a lot like the franchise mascot Spring Man: a gangly yet spry pile of energy that has it where it counts but could use a bit more meat on its bones.
Complaints and level design grumbles aside, Double Dragon IV is a proud throwback to gaming’s yesteryear and if you’re a fan of the series you can do a lot worse than picking this up. Just watch out for the disappearing bits near the end, the timing on those things are murder.
If you want to experience a different type of fantasy narrative through an underrepresented cultural lens, there is some merit to be found here. But those with a low tolerance for half-baked combat might have to look elsewhere.
While short and lacking in side content, Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a good entry point for curious players and a nostalgic throwback for longtime fans. (Review Policy)
Both ambitious and novel, Immortals of Aveum is a solid first-person action experience, hampered by several minor issues and a narrative that fails to emotionally connect.
Boomerang X is a polished and exciting action platformer with throwing stars and excitement, but not much else.
When it isn't going through the motions with its main story, Ocean's Heart is an imaginative retro adventure worth your time.
When it wants to imitate the 1987 movie, Predator: Hunting Grounds is a lot of fun, but doesn't really have anything past that
Call of Cthulhu is a case of the whole being better than the sum of its parts.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is underwhelming as an action RPG, but is a must-play thanks to solid character drama and challenging moral decisions.
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores has a strong character story at its center, but not much when it comes to new content.
While short and inconsistent in challenge, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a fun throwback to late 90s Japanese cyberpunk spectacle.