Casey Scheld's Reviews
Rival Megagun deftly changes up the shmup formula while effortlessly nailing the basics. PVP is a game changer, and while more characters and stages would be welcome, what is here provides a compelling competitive challenge that places an emphasis on both defense and offense.
Those who have already had their hearts taken by Persona 5 will enjoy their time with Dancing in Starlight, but those less familiar with the Phantom Thieves may be disappointed at its small song count and lack of extra content.
Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight might not have the largest tracklist in the genre, but the remixed tunes and challenging gameplay ring true. Those that don't mind a package that is a little on the light side will enjoy mastering its unique playlist.
Tayal is a blatant ripoff of the Mega Man series that completely misses what made Capcom's series so great. The frustrating platforming, along with the brutal difficulty, make it an easy pass for even the most diehard fans of the Blue Bomber.
Coffence's unique take on the fighting game genre stands out, but its battles could use some fine tuning. It offers something new, but only the most diehard of fighters should drink up.
Factory of Monsters is a broken game that will waste the time of all those who stumble across it. Don't bother playing this one, even for a laugh – this is one dud of a release.
Those with a love of visual novels, good art, or fur babies will enjoy Cateau. Though it ends far too soon, it provides a wholesome romp filled with three distinct personalities.
Dead Dungeon fails to capture the platforming magic that made its inspiration so great. Even the most diehard fan of games like Super Meat Boy can pass on this one without missing anything of importance.
Rigid Force Alpha doesn't commit any cardinal shmup sins, but it doesn't stand out either. Those looking for the next Gradius or R-Type will find comfort in its familiarity, but the whole experience does not leave a lasting impression.
The Pizza Delivery Boy Who Saved the World lays on the cheese thick, but its humor often misses the mark. The actors and actresses behind Doug's adventure no doubt had fun making this visual novel, but the end result feels more like an in-joke than a laugh riot.
Wonder Wickets turns the game of golf on its head with its vibrant worlds and saccharine stylings. Gameplay can be somewhat gimmicky, but those looking for a far out take on the time-tested sport will find a lot to like here.
When the game launcher has a typo in it, you just know that you have a broken, buggy mess on your hands. Playing Freebot: Battle for FreeWeb is an experience in the worst way possible, and is without a doubt the worst title released this year.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! has rock-solid drumming mechanics and a fair difficulty curve, but the amount of DLC available at launch is a little extreme. Buyer beware – this is one game that will cost completionists a pretty penny.
Shudder's score-based gameplay is both simple and complex at the same time. Though this package is somewhat barebones, its reliance on defense as well as offense help to give it an alluring quality that encourages replayability.
Goinund's endless waves of generic enemies will leave players bored rather than scared. When paired with the brain-dead AI and lack of challenge, you've got yourself a title that overstays its welcome in no time flat.
Black Bart attempt to immerse the player into its world fails miserably due to its poor storytelling, muddy graphics, and wonky engine. Its Western world is unique, but its execution leaves something to be desired.
Driftpunk Racer's small selection of tracks and poorly designed controls take away any semblance of enjoyment this game may have had. Don't be fooled by its futuristic aesthetics – this racer's a relic.
Soul Calibur VI is the best looking and best playing game of the series, but the number of available options and characters is lacking. Fighting game fans will still have a blast in this stage of history, but don't be surprised if it leaves you wanting more.
Whirlygig does absolutely nothing to improve the time-tested Tetris formula. Everything that makes this title unique ultimately takes away from the game, rendering it borderline unplayable.
Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition shakes up the MetroidVania space with excellent worldbuilding and the challenge to match. Though the game does not hold your hand, those willing to face the world of Hallownest will find a game with a lot of “Soul.”