A short run time and a few obtuse puzzles do not damper Shadows Over Loathing's irreverent energy and rewarding RPG gameplay.
While it is a walking simulator at its core, South of the Circle contains great performances, beautiful visuals, and strong themes and commentary. It is worth experiencing at least once
Outriders Worldslayer brings more fun gun battles, new loot and perks, as well as the same minor annoyances.
Solid card trick gameplay and some great quasi-historical presentation helps alleviate Card Shark's occasionally obtuse level design.
A striking visual style and stylish presentation helps make Trek To Yomi a memorable journey through hell, even when the story and gameplay remain familiar and predictable.
A few balance issues and questionable combat encounters do not mar an otherwise solid and memorable cyberpunk action-RPG experience.
Maid of Sker is an adaptation of influential Welsh folklore and brings its own voice to the survival horror genre. That is once it gets over stage fright.
Raji: An Ancient Epic manages to bring a distinctly Indian perspective to a conventional action-adventure spectacle.
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 is a great follow-up to the retro throwback that was its predecessor. Simply put, there is more to play and more to enjoy.
Man of Medan is a solid horror experience that relies on the strengths of the developers' past success. It's admittedly trashier than its campy predecessor, but the prospect of playing through it with friends feels like the ultimate evening of entertainment. A great mix of creepiness, suspense, and just the right amount of genre silliness.
While the main story can get too melodramatic for its own good and Majima's side story doesn't amount to much, I can recommend Yakuza Kiwami 2 on its level of presentation alone. The twists and turns of the plot kept me wanting to see what would happen next, the gorgeous production provided by the Dragon Engine left me wandering the streets just taking in the sites, and the combat is as satisfying as hitting someone you don't like with a bicycle. While I can't say that Yakuza 2 still holds up under a modern lens, I can say that this remake kept my attention to the end. And in that regard, the developers should give themselves a round of applause.
While the overarching plot isn't exactly high drama and the gameplay can feel limited by artificial busywork, Starlink: Battle For Atlas is the kind of game I've been craving for a while.
Catherine: Full Body is yet another respectable remastered title from the guys at Atlus. Everything that made the original great is still here and there are honest attempts to address or fix story or character issues with the addition of new scenes and scenarios. If you enjoyed the original, there is just enough to have you come back, and if you missed out on this underrated gem before, now's the best time to jump in.
Whenever it's fully embracing its detective murder mystery identity, Judgment is a fantastic gritty action experience that takes Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios' formula into a refreshing new direction. The characters are likeable, the central mystery is intriguing, and even when it leans back on its own established formula, the gameplay remains satisfying and fun.
If you can groove on a game that takes its time with cutscenes and characters, ignore some subpar visuals in some spots, and have a love for gangland crime thrillers mixed with high-octane martial arts madness, this is the game for you.
It's a great continuation of the series that addressed the shortcomings of the last game and took advantage of it being something supplementary to a larger experience. Simpler but more versatile powers, a more open-ended approach to seeking objectives, characters with understandable motivations and emotional stakes, and a more downplayed moral choice system lead to an experience that's easier to pick up but more rewarding the deeper you go.
Splatoon 2 is a great game that could have been amazing. If you have a Nintendo Switch and some friends willing to deal with some headaches, then this is a must-buy especially if you didn't dive in to the series before. But the baffling way modes and maps are gated off feels antithetical to a game on a console that prides itself on letting you play however you want. It's one heck of a catch, I just wish it didn't get tangled in its own net so much.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed World to the West. It was a lovable eight hour distraction full of amiable heroes, interesting puzzles and an atmosphere that instills so much excitement and intrigue. If this game is a sign of what Rain Games is capable of in the future, I will be more than happy to see more of this endearing world that they have created.
As it stands at time of writing, Destiny 2 stands as a testament to Bungie listening to feedback and making a sequel that stands head and shoulders over its predecessor. It can be accused of preaching to the choir with its lack of in-game codex and more aggressive microtransaction pressures but if you found the first Destiny cold, impersonal, and half-baked, this installment is the one to jump in on.
In conclusion, Tales of Berseria is another installment in Bandai Namco’s series that manages to be a refined adventure worth taking with reliable, albeit antiquated, gameplay. While it doesn’t break any new ground in the genre or in gaming as a whole, I can still fully appreciate the polish and care that has gone into this game’s characters, writing, and combat. If you’re a fan of the series and are willing to take a trek down a darker path, this latest tale will be worth telling. If you’re like me and haven’t given the series a fair shake just yet, this is the installment to get you on board.