Switch - or Die Trying is a simple platformer that shines at times but doesn’t really do anything to help it stand out.
Dynasty Warriors 9 might have managed to reboot a franchise that has been criticized for so long to not take enough risks, but gets hurt by its unmatched technical upgrade and repetitive gameplay. It's still at the root of it a Musou like all games, regardless of its open world setting and added RPG mechanics, but its niche appeal, painful framerate drops and crude textures will probably only make the game stand out in its own genre.
Previously remastered in 2012, this re-release of the original Devil May Cry trilogy on current generation of consoles is a worthy investment for those that never played the game. But with just a simple port to a higher 1080p and 60fps display, Capcom has unfortunately not added much to appeal to the hardcore fans.
It’s obvious that Akiba’s Beat is inspired by hit titles like Persona and to a lesser extent Tales Of, but it misses the mark and doesn’t manage to deliver what made those titles great. The story has its moments, but its bogged down by a wordy script and clichéd characters. The repetitive combat doesn’t help, and Akiba’s Beat goes down as another forgettable JRPG.
A bit more demanding than usual, NBA Playgrounds fits in the right line of NBA Jam and NBA Street, without a constant comparison. The game may be arcade in looks and gameplay, but it tries to compensate for a slightly more demanding timed control schemes, which might not be fun for all. Too bad that the solo as the multiplayer part have been shipped almost half-baked at launch, and I really hope that the updates and patch will be coming fast to keep the momentum.
Black Mirror does a great job setting up an unsettling atmosphere and telling a story filled with mystery and intrigue, but it falls short in creating challenging puzzles and memorable gameplay moments. It’s a case of good storytelling bogged down by uninspired gameplay. However, if you like macabre tales and ugly family secrets being dragged out, it’s got a great story to tell.
Theseus has some interesting ideas, and it manages to create an immersive atmosphere, but it doesn’t flesh out its concepts enough to create a full-fledged VR adventure title. It feels like it has some great ideas but it doesn’t explore them as much as it could have
Holobunnies: Pause Café definitely shows us that the devs are working on something promising and that they’ve got the chops, but it’s still essentially a glorified demo
While Sombrero offers some fun and frantic local multiplayer action, it doesn’t do enough to stand out among other offerings, and its action doesn’t really evolve or engage the player. This is definitely one to pick up on sale
INK is a decent little platformer that has a fun concept at the start but doesn’t really do enough with it. It’s good for a few little bursts, but more serious aficionados of the platforming genre won’t enjoy it as much.
While there’s plenty of the classic Gundam customization here and decent combat to let you try out your creations, New Gundam Breaker’s cookie cutter plot and serious performance issues hold it back.
Rain World manages to create a big, scary world for you to navigate but it doesn’t really put much in that world besides its visuals. You’re not given much instruction, and after a while it can feel boring and frustrating to get through. The game does offer quite the challenge, but with no real reward or sense of progression, it’s not a challenge you’ll feel like taking on.
Attack of the Earthlings is terrific indie strategy title that pushes you to be careful and manage your turns and resources. It’s morbid and overly violent at times, but it’s surprisingly clever and charming at the same time, and you get the sense that it has a lot to say.
SEVEN: The Days Long Gone is a great title hampered by some poor design decisions. However, its greatness still shines through, and if you’re willing to be a little patient, it offers a really solid isometric adventure that’ll offer you a ton of different ways to carry out goals.
Impact Winter does some great things with the survival formula, and its focus on cooperation really forces you to think twice about your actions, but its technical issues on PC mean you’ll have to wait for some patches to get things in working order
While it’s by no means a bad shooter, Demon’s Crystals doesn’t have much to offer to help it stand out from the pack. Its lack of content and somewhat repetitive nature make it a more ideal recommendation for shooter fans looking for a nice arcade shooter on sale
While its mechanics can be a little finicky, Beholder is a simple game that ends up immersing you in the life of an informant in a totalitarian state, and it’ll no doubt make you develop a fascination with the lives of others. As you juggle your desire to be a good person with your desire to stay out of prison or an early grave, Beholder will force you to make some heavy choices
While Syberia 3 is a great way for newcomers to explore the unique world of Syberia, a wealth of technical issues prevent this promising adventure game from really shining. We hope future patches can take care of it, because the story at the core of Syberia is just as engaging as ever, and while its puzzles aren’t that tricky, it’s got a story worth telling.
A surprisingly fresh take on licensed anime games, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet manages to get more creative by offering you a fresh character rather than one of the series mains, and it carves out a fairly decent story within the canon. The gunplay is solid, but be prepared to grind and patiently wade through some of the slower sections
The Low Road is a light romp through corporate espionage that features a great cast and top-notch writing, as well as some very compelling moments. Its puzzles are a bit lackluster at times, but it’s still a great way to pretend you’re a 70’s spy.