I struggle with Vampyr as a title. One the one hand, I love so many of the concepts and ideas that are packed into this game. Moral dilemmas, mystery, Vampires; these are a few of my favourite things. The fact that it takes place in such an intense and interesting historical time with such engaging narrative concepts excites me to my core. Yet frustrating porting issues, a lifeless world, endless dialogue and washed out visuals made it a slog to get through. As much as I would love to recommend Vampyr, I fear that the darkest parts of Vampyr have overcome the light.
Subaeria is a title that has loads of potential but suffers from a mix of poorly implemented roguelite mechanics and bugs. At present ,it's not a title I can wholeheartedly recommend. However ,the issues mentioned can be patched out and hopefully soon as Subaeria has the potential to be a great action puzzler.
Conqueror’s Blade attempts to set a new standard for what a tactical action MMO can look like. The game does achieve some of what it sets out to do, with some truly great tactical moments and some epic battle sequences. However, clunky, simple player combat, overwhelming progression systems and lacklustre visuals and open world leave the game feeling underwhelming and a bit disappointing.
Ultimately Last Encounter is a decent game that misses the mark on greatness.
So is Riverbond worth your time? If you have kids I would say that they couch coop experience is great. It introduces them to a great genre with a family-friendly filter. If you're looking for the next dungeon crawler for yourself I worry that there just isn't enough here to keep you interested for any length of time.
They Are Billions is a brilliant game that breaths fresh life into the RTS formula. Its setting, concept, and execution make it a wonderful addition to the genre. However, the console port with poor controls will most likely leave players frustrated and wishing they had picked it up on PC. As much as I loved the title I cannot recommend it for a console. So if you're interested in They are Billions I would strongly recommend taking a look at the PC version of this zombie survival RTS.
Overall Niffelheim hits the mark in regards to setting, story and world building but misses terribly in play mechanics like combat and progression. It's a shame because in many the world begs to be explored and discovered. If you can stomach the grind then I do think there is some charm in this 2D side scroller RPG. However, for the average player, it's going to be tough to see base the deery combat and farming.
After a week's worth of time spent in Rainbow Skies I have to say that even as someone who is not typically a tactical, turn-based RPG player, I appreciate how much has gone into Rainbow Skies. It definitely scratches that particular itch with great progression mechanics, an intriguing world and story, and some great tactical combat. However, the game's unbalanced pacing in story delivery coupled with some serious "what do I do now" moments hamper this otherwise fun tactical, turn-based RPG.
Despite its flaws, I appreciate Death's Gambit and what it has accomplished. It offers a challenging, story-driven platforming experience that will reward the patient and methodical. Wrapped in a beautiful pixel art veneer and topped with a wonderful soundtrack, Death's Gambit is a treat for those willing to spend the time to master its combat and enemies. Will it appeal to everyone, absolutely no! However, much like games like Dark Souls, I don't really think that's the point.
At the end of the day Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition feels like a fairly solid addition to the Warhammer 40k Universe. Its setting and visuals offer a great look at the dark gritty universe and the deliberate choices in combat mechanics will make you feel like a Space Marine. However, those same choices will definitely be a turn off to a lot of FPS players and when coupled with some awkward AI it's safe to say this title won't be for everyone.
Need For Speed Payback is a mixed bag. One the one hand it’s a fun arcade racer with great customization, a wide range of cars and race styles and some truly great single player moments. Yet with the other hand holding an underwhelming multiplayer experience, lather, rinse repeat story missions, and some awkward storytelling pacing, NFS never seems to hit top gear in its goal to capture the glory of the old days.
Return to Moria, from Free Range Games, is a fun experience for fans of survival titles and Lord of the Rings. It takes some of the better systems from the genre and marries them to the lore and setting of Moria, the result of which is a world that fans can be excited about.
DOOM Eternal on Nintendo Switch is a mechanically smooth experience to play. Combat feels tight, controls are decent and it runs smoothly. It's one of the most impressive shooters of this generation and the fact that I can play it on a handheld device is exceptionally impressive. However, all of this comes at the cost of visual fidelity which is both distracting and takes away from the game's overall appeal.
Foregone is a solid offering. Combat, progression, and platforming are all fast, fluid, and engaging. What it lacks in fresh, original concepts and mechanics it makes up for a refined Metroidvania experience. If you are looking for a fun, engaging platformer with a good story and some refined mechanics, Foregone delivers.
The Wild Eight is a great addition to the survival genre. With some creative storytelling, some underlying mysteries and an incredible progression and crafting system, it's a title that can keep players engaged.
WarPlanes: WW2 Dogfight offers a fun light-hearted dog fight experience for players. Despite its repetitive mission types and unbalanced visuals, the title still is a fun arcade experience. If your looking for a quick dogfighting flight fix, then it might be worth checking out WarPlanes.
With all this packaged together, the player is presented with a well-balanced package that gives gamers a taste of what it used to be like to be called a gamer but never pushing so hard as to cause a rage quit, tip over the arcade machine and demand your quarters back.
If you’re looking for a unique multiplayer arena brawler ‘Black & White Bushido’ will deliver. It offers a unique enough take on the genre to set itself apart. With its simple controls and minimalist style, it is easy to pick up and enjoy. My only real concern is the lackluster single player (which to be fair really wasn’t their focus) and lack of content for the console release. With a console release date of May 17th and at a 10.00 price tag, You’ll more than likely get your money’s worth if you decide to pick it up.
When thrown in with two other great titles (more on those soon) Rock N Roll Racing was an innovative racing title that still plays well today. Priced at a smooth $19.99USD for the whole collection, I don't think you can go wrong picking up this blast from the past.
Overall the Doom Collection on Switch is a treat to own. It has literally provided several hours of entertainment. Each game offers a smooth, slick gameplay experience and offers players some serious bang for the buck. Despite the sleep mode issue, all three titles are worth picking up if you're a fan of the series and are looking to introduce some Demons to the business end of a double-barrel.