It doesn't drastically change the genre, but Stranded Sails is enjoyable. The stamina bar can be very annoying, but don't let it stop you from enjoying what the game has to offer. The straightforward approach to task completion is a benefit for those who need more guidance in their sim games. If you are looking to try out a simulation game, then Stranded Sails might be a good jumping-off point.
Felix the Reaper might not be for everyone. The mechanics are easy to figure out, but meeting the objectives is very challenging. It's also very much a game about death. However, Felix is someone that is easy to root for. His dancing personality and the use of the game's soundtrack are highlights. If you are in the market for a challenging puzzle game, then Felix the Reaper that is a unique game that is worth trying.
Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair is one of those rare games where the development team makes a substantial change that completely works in its favor. The platforming levels are a blast to play, and each level is colorful and unique. The Lair itself is very challenging, which encourages you to play through all the levels and their variations. If you are a fan of 2.5D platformers, then you really need to add this to your collection.
I absolutely love Trine 4! It's a whimsical fantasy puzzle game with fun characters and challenging puzzles. The campaign is relatively short, but fun to play by yourself or with friends. If you have the option, I would definitely invite friends over to play with you. It's a blast playing with multiple people. I wish the combat was a little more intuitive, but it never took away my enjoyment of the game. If you want a fun co-op experience with challenging puzzles, then you owe it to yourself to give Trine 4 a try.
Sniper Elite V2 Remastered still has the great shooting mechanics as the original. I had a blast sneaking my way behind enemy lines and seeing all of the glorious x-ray kill cams. Single player is really fun, and the multiplayer modes can be fun with the right set of friends. The graphics are great, but I wish some more time was put into remastering some of the linear levels and technical anomolies. Overall, if you are a fan of the series, this is a great addition to your gaming libary.
If you love a good action game, then My Friend Pedro is a must own. The slow-motion gunplay is incredibly satisfying and fun. The story leaves a little to be desired, but the action makes up for it. The story is relatively short, but you will go back again and again to raise your score. Plus, with its handy gif generator, you will be replaying levels over and over again in order to make the perfect action moment to share with friends.
Overall, Alt-Frequencies has some nice puzzles and a great change of pace from your typical puzzle game. The gameplay may be too simple for some, but I think it works thanks to the short run time. I would be excited to see what the team does next with the concept because I would like more auditory games like this one to hit the market.
A Plague Tale: Innocence is a genuine surprise in terms of story depth and beauty. The game mechanics drive the plot further, giving us a truly terrifying look at siblings who are in way over their head. I can imagine that some will find the constant escort and stealth tedious over time, but I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I would consider A Plague Tale an earlier contender for surprise hit of the year. Don't miss out on this game!
In a way, game mechanics of Degrees of Separation keep you from having a fun, immersive experience. The collecting of scarves takes you out of the story, which is unfortunate. The narrator continually gives you clues and story exposition, but it's easy to ignore as you get knee deep in finding the scarves. It's a shame, really. The narrator's voice acting is lovely and the story is very sweet and endearing. It's a fantasy story with star crossed lovers that can't be together. The focus should be on the story and not finding scarves. Degrees of Separation can be enjoyed in small bursts, but overall it's hard to recommend.
World War Z takes the fun gameplay of the Left 4 Dead series and adds nice touches that create a fun and frantic zombie co-op experience. Some technical issues aside, World War Z is a blast with friends and scratches that Left 4 Dead itch that you might have.
World War Z is reminiscent of Left 4 Dead but improves on the formula with upgradable classes, weapons, and PvPvZ modes.
Ape Out offers a simple, yet stylistic experience that will keep you occupied and entertained for hours. It stands out as a truly unique indie game that you don't want to miss. The challenge speaks for itself and is a real visual and audio treat.
Toejam and Earl are back in a funky fun adventure.
Fan favorite characters unite in this Manga crossover event
Crackdown 3 does not innovate the genre. It is extremely similar to the first game, which is a shame in some aspects. I was hoping the extra development time would give us some interesting twists to the franchise, but it didn’t besides destructible environments. Despite the similarities, it is still fun to play! It’s one of those games that I can pick up, play for a few hours, and leave with a smile on my face. And in the end, that is all that matters to me. If you enjoy it, great. If you don’t, it’s ok to let others enjoy it. If you have Xbox Game Pass, then it is definitely worth a try.
Genesis Alpha One isn’t perfect. There are things I wish it would change, like adding a deeper story, adjusting the menus, and bumping up the AI so they can do a better job of running things by themselves. While the game isn’t glamorous, it is addicting and rewarding, especially when you have the perfect setup and routine that ensures your survival. Genesis has something for everyone, including fans of FPS games, simulation/building, and survival genres. And for $29.99, it’s a great price point for a game with lots of content.
FutureGrind is simple to play, but hard to master. It takes a certain amount of strategy to stop your tricks and nail the correct color wheel to the rail. Overall, it's very fun to play and the booming soundtrack makes for a very enjoyable experience.
Override: Mech City Brawl has a great premise but is a bit bare bones. The multiplayer modes are a good start, but there needs to be more in order to draw players in. The cities are a bit lifeless (which makes it easier to destroy, I guess). Hope some more content will breathe life into this Mech game.
GRIS is a moving work of art. If the stunning visuals don't entice you to play, then the messages from the story will. If you haven't played GRIS yet, then do so immediately.
At first glance, Arca’s Path looks like a simple marble game. But it is much more than that. The story helps motivate you to keep going through the challenging levels. And the hand's free controls work extremely well, and ties into what the protagonist is going through. I really enjoyed Arca’s Path, and recommend you add it to your growing VR library.