Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] is a very good correction for a host of games that suffered from the initial cloud gaming incarnation. The Switch 2 has once again proven that it can handle games of this caliber without having to sacrifice a great deal, and while Nintendo-only fans will benefit the most from this package, those who mostly play on the go will also enjoy these quality ports. Unless you've already played these games to death or already own them in any of their various forms, this collection is well worth owning.
As a complete package, Gears of War: E-Day is very good. The campaign may not be all that exciting, but it works fine and is elevated by the solid gunplay, especially if you play with real people rather than AI teammates. The adversarial multiplayer is fine if you can adapt to sticking with the one accepted play style. It is the PvE that really breathes life into the game and makes it a solid multiplier contender for a good while. While the game can be brutal for newcomers, it fits fan expectations well enough that they'd be happy to see this title in their libraries.
Minecraft Dungeons II improves on the original without abandoning what made it appealing. The open world provides plenty of opportunities for exploration, secrets, and loot, while the expanded equipment and enchantment systems offer greater flexibility without becoming overwhelming. The shops have improved as well, and combat can be chaotic when playing solo without ever feeling unfair. Players looking for a deeper action-RPG may still find the experience lacking, but those who want a straightforward adventure with a lengthy campaign will find Minecraft Dungeons II to be a satisfying sequel.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a very good flight-combat game. Its story has surprising depth while still delivering the series' signature dose of action. The arcade-focused controls remain approachable, and additions such as wingman commands, midair refueling, and takeoff and landing sequences give simulation fans a few more mechanics to appreciate without making the game significantly more intimidating. The lengthy campaign is complemented by a multiplayer mode with plenty of staying power, even if its rotating game types can be frustrating. Add in the excellent presentation, strong audio, and impressive visuals, and Wings of Theve delivers an experience that should keep Ace Combat fans occupied until the next entry arrives.
Like the duo's previous games, Well Dweller is a polished take on the genre that understands what makes Metroidvanias enjoyable without overcomplicating the formula. Fans of the genre should find plenty to like, and the Thompson brothers have once again delivered a strong entry in their growing catalog.
The biggest obstacle is the combat's difficulty, particularly when enemies attack from outside your view or provide unclear tells. You can either adapt to the game's demanding combat or use the extensive assist options to tailor the experience to your preferences. Either way, Resonant successfully expands what a Control game can be while retaining the strange atmosphere that made the original stand out.
Your opinion of Captain Tsubasa II: World Fighters depends on whether you played the first game. If this is your first time with the series, then the on-screen action can initially feel overwhelming, but you'll come to enjoy the over-the-top arcade action when you come to grips with the systems at play. If you've played the first game, then you'll like the gameplay changes but hate the fact that the game's modes feel pared back. In the end, the game is good for those looking for a simpler experience, but it's a little disappointing for those wanting some of the depth from the first game.
Your opinion of Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 will largely depend on whether you've played the first game. Newcomers will find a straightforward co-op shooter that captures the spirit of Aliens, albeit with technical issues, repetitive combat, and little reason to continue after the campaign unless they're completionists or simply love blasting xenomorphs. For returning players, the fourth fireteam slot is welcome, but it doesn't make up for the lack of meaningful changes elsewhere. After five years, Fireteam Elite 2 feels more like an expanded version of its predecessor than a true sequel. It's not a bad game, but more substantial gameplay changes, technical fixes, and a sale would make it much easier to recommend.
The only good thing about Agefield High: Rock The School is that the developers have been working on patches for the game. There is a slim chance that a constant flow of patches can turn around this game's fortunes and give it a comeback story similar to what happened with Crime Boss: Rockay City. However, that is a big mountain to climb. With a weak story, terrible characters, poor gameplay mechanics, an awful presentation, and a heap of technical issues, there is currently no reason to give Agefield High a look, even if you've been aching for something similar to Bully.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is a very good addition to the series, provided you don't mind how much it differs from its predecessors. Exploration is rewarding, particularly with the new grappling hook, while the puzzles remain clever without becoming obtuse. Stealth has been heavily reduced, but the expanded combat more than makes up for it, creating an experience that feels faster and more satisfying. As before, though, the story is the real star. It's exciting and gut-wrenching even when you already know its ultimate outcome. Series fans should find plenty to enjoy, while adventure game fans have another compelling reason to give it a look.
In the end, LEGO Party is a solid companion to Mario Party. Its rule customization can reduce some of the genre's randomness, while its minigames provide accessible, straightforward fun despite a few overly difficult or awkwardly controlled entries. The boards offer enough variety that several playthroughs can feel different, even if four boards aren't enough to sustain the game indefinitely. Presentation is strong across the board, and cross-platform play is a welcome addition despite the small online community. For party-game fans looking to spend some time away from the Mushroom Kingdom, LEGO Party is a worthwhile alternative.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is a good compilation overall. The games vary somewhat in their execution and porting quality, but they remain engaging titles in a series that isn't afraid to get weird or experiment. It is also nice to finally have a way to play the majority of these games on one platform at a time when some franchises still leave their biggest titles scattered across multiple inaccessible systems. Fans won't need much coaxing to pick up this compilation, but it is reassuring to know that some care went into putting it together rather than simply treating it as a quick-and-dirty ROM dump.
Ultimately, Mexican Ninja is a fascinating curio. Its setting is interesting, and its humor lands in both good and bad ways. The beat-'em-up mechanics are solid and fun, even if some enemy tactics can make the game feel unfair at times. The roguelike elements give the experience some legs while also feeling like a natural fit for a genre traditionally built around games that can be completed in an hour or two. The presentation is solid, and while the lack of co-op may turn off players who expect beat-'em-ups to be multiplayer experiences, those willing to go it alone will find plenty to enjoy.
Defender of the Crown: The Legend Return will likely appeal differently depending on your familiarity with the original. Retro is best for longtime fans seeking an authentic experience, while Classic provides some welcome improvements without fully addressing the original's obtuse mechanics. Both modes can therefore be difficult for newcomers to appreciate. Kingdom is the game's saving grace, streamlining the experience into an addictive strategy loop where even defeat contributes to future runs. That mode alone makes the game worth recommending to anyone looking for light strategy, although the overall package should still be approached with some caution. What appears to be a simple strategy game can be surprisingly, and sometimes unintentionally, brutal.
Wild Blue Skies works extremely well as a homage to Star Fox 64. Its old-school approach is refreshing at a time when so many other games are trying to put their own spin on the formula. The mechanics are excellent, the handling is responsive, and the level pacing works well with the game's replayability. For those looking for a nostalgic experience that gets the important things right, Wild Blue Skies is well worth checking out.
Dinoblade is a good example of an absurd concept being done right. Once you get past the gimmick of dinosaurs wielding blades, you'll find a Souls-like that sticks closely to the genre's core principles while introducing enough quality-of-life changes to make the experience more approachable for newcomers. The mechanics are solid, the campaign lasts just long enough, and the presentation is good enough considering the game's very small development team. Unless you absolutely hate the genre, Dinoblade is well worth picking up if you want a Souls-like that doesn't require a high double-digit investment of hours.
The Relic: First Guardian is ultimately a game full of promising ideas that rarely reaches its potential. Its departures from the traditional Souls-like formula initially make it stand out, even if its relentlessly bleak atmosphere won't appeal to everyone. Unfortunately, those innovations are undermined by frustrating boss encounters that highlight weaknesses in the core combat. Throw in inconsistent presentation, sparse PC options, and missing quality-of-life features like key rebinding, and the result is a game that's difficult to recommend in its current state. With enough patches and thoughtful refinements, it could eventually carve out its own place alongside the genre's best, but for now, it remains an ambitious experiment that falls short of its goals.
Directive 8020 ends up being a solid adventure game overall. While the story is enjoyable, it is also heavily reliant on familiar ideas due to the popularity of the films that inspired it. The characters fit well within the narrative, and the series' foundation of exploration and difficult decision-making remains as strong as ever. The ability to alter your choices at any point can be a positive or a negative, depending on how strictly you want to follow the genre's traditional rules. The addition of stealth ranges from a welcome change to an unnecessary mechanic due to its limited execution and frequent use. Directive 8020 may not be the best entry in the Dark Pictures series, but it is encouraging to see Supermassive experiment with ideas that don't completely undermine the experience. Adventure game fans and those curious about the series' direction will still find enough to make it worth checking out.
Denshattack! is a throwback to a time when games were allowed to be weird. A train pulling off skateboard tricks at high speeds while fending off a Voltron-style mech sounds strange even during the heights of the PSone/Dreamcast/early PS2 eras. The execution is excellent all around, and Denshattack! nails all of the familiar elements of other games while still feeling very original instead of being a homage to a particular cult title. This is a fantastic game, and the only reason to pass is if you tend to shy away from the extreme sports genre.
D-topia's narrative is intriguing. It's uncommon to see a futuristic story with an optimistic outlook, and while the plot is relatively short, its memorable cast of varied characters leaves a lasting impression. The puzzles add welcome variety, even if only a small handful provide a meaningful challenge for casual puzzle fans. Combined with a polished presentation, D-topia is a strong experience that will especially resonate with players who value storytelling above all else.