Casey Scheld's Reviews
Devil Devour Alive DX works better as an art piece than a video game - and even that is a bit of a stretch. This title has the depth of a puddle, and while the graphics are true to the 90s, it also captures the worst elements of the time.
Trapped with Jester is a proof of concept and nothing more. The voice work is at the top of its class, but it serves as more of a portfolio than a real game.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to be the definitive karting experience with Wave 3 of the Booster Course Pass. While there are some cut corners at spots, the twists, turns, and tweaks made to tracks old and new will be at hit at one’s next shindig.
Gravity Chase cribs F-Zero’s style wholesale with varying degrees of success. Squirrelly controls and questionable design choices somewhat take away from the game, but there’s a healthy variety of options for those who just can’t get enough Captain Falcon.
GOODBYE WORLD provides a great tale, albeit one without too much room to grow. Those who don’t mind a brief story will enjoy this tale of game development, but it needed more time to really flesh out this pair of fledgling designers.
NeverSynth is a rhythm game without rhythm, with procedurally generated courses that don’t quite match up. While it is great to rock out to your own tunes, those looking for near infinite fun best stick with the Audiosurf series.
While not all the tables designed for Slot Shots Pinball Collection are winners, the physics for pinball wizardry are on point. Pinball FX3 is still the 800-pound gorilla of the space, but this collection is still worth a go for diehard fans - albeit with a healthy amount of caution.
Deneb: Across the Stars has the framework needed to be a speedrunning sensation, but its brutal difficulty will only appeal to the hardest of the care. Those looking to brave the wild unknown best bring some patience.
Clown for Speed will only make you feel like a clown. The drifting is simple and the cars fun, but everything in this package feels like the circus is in town.
Once Again has a fantastic foundation, but the follow-through just isn’t enough. We’re dying to know more about Sia and his time-traveling adventures with his mother - it’s just a shame that things are over before they even begin.
Striking a perfect balance between casual and pro, PGA Tour 2K23 will appeal to golfers across the spectrum with its new three-click system and accessible modes. Even if you’re not gunning for the FedEx Cup in its MyCAREER mode, players will still enjoy making courses, hitting up Topgolf, and taking things at their own pace.
Hole in the Clouds is a golf game in the very loosest sense of the word, but this puzzle-platformer fails to have a personality of its own.
Booster Course Pass Wave 2 runs with the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe formula and takes it to higher highs than Wave 1 from earlier this year. Some tracks are noticeably better than others, but these eight tracks are well worth a race-through.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R’s weighty combat is a bit of an acquired taste, but the sheer amount of fanservice on display will appeal to those who have a knack for the bizarre.
Break out the personal pan pizzas - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is the best way to experience these heroes in a half shell. This is more than just a collection; it’s a tribute of the highest order.
Yars: Recharged has all of the underpinnings of a successful score chaser, but the premise just isn’t taken far enough to stand out in this day and age.
If you’ve ever played a visual novel in your life, you’ll know exactly what to expect in The Sound of Fireworks: The Haiku. This title is a walking, talking cliche, cribbing notes from the best without doing anything unique.
Cleaning garbage in a video game is about as fun as it sounds, and Vacuum Story doesn’t make a compelling case to pay for the privilege. Not even its vague story can hide how dreadfully dull the whole affair actually is.
Neodori Forever might look the part, but the stiff driving quickly gives away the fact that this racer is a poser. Those pining for days gone by best stick with the tried and true.
For those itching for some new oldies, Donut Dodo is the tribute you need. The controls take some getting used to, but those weaned on the classics will take to it like a dodo to water.