Rise of Industry is fundamentally sound, but it goes from boom to bust too quickly.
Observation spins a solid sci-fi yarn steeped in ominous atmosphere, but it fails to live up to its intriguing "Play as HAL 9000!" pitch. Too much of the game feels like irritating busy work as you wait for something interesting to happen. Folks who care about story first and foremost will want to give Observation a look, but those hoping for both an engaging plot and mechanics may find this space odyssey a drudgery.
Shadows: Awakening presents a few interesting ideas and a surprisingly large, diverse world. Unfortunately, the game's ambitious vision is undermined by a host of basic storytelling, combat, and technical issues. Those desperate for some fresh hack ‘n' slash fun will find things to like about Shadows: Awakening, but the game is easily eclipsed by Diablo and any number of other, better, action-RPGs.
It seems Capcom ran out of inspiration partway through making Mega Man 11, as only half the game's stages, bosses, and Special Weapons are up to series standards. There's some old-school fun to be had with the Blue Bomber's latest if you can ignore the bad stuff, but given the eight-year wait, this feels like a Mega misfire.
Jurassic World Evolution is lavishly produced and sporadically engaging, but it fails to infuse the park simulation genre with much big-screen excitement. If cloning cool-looking dinosaurs and dealing with a few light management elements is enough for you, Jurassic World Evolution should satisfy, but if you're looking for a deeper level of strategy or true dino chaos, you'll likely be disappointed. I'd recommend most Jurassic Park fans wait until this one, uh, finds a way to the bargain bin.
Murderous Pursuits is an entertaining, inventive, and accessible online multiplayer experience hobbled by its technical issues, stingy amount of content, and lack of polish. The game's developers are promising to brush up and expand the game over the coming months, but will it ever reach its full potential? Only time will tell. There's fun to be had at this murder party, but you're probably best showing up fashionably late.
Resident Evil 7's final round of DLC feels like a step backward. While both Not a Hero and End of Zoe are competently built, they replace the genuine horror and more nuanced characters of the main game with schlocky action and dumb wish fulfillment. The worst thing that can be said about Not a Hero and End of Zoe is that they leave me feeling uncertain about the future of the series. Let's hope Capcom hasn't already forgotten how to do Resident Evil right again.
Resident Evil 7's final round of DLC feels like a step backward. While both Not a Hero and End of Zoe are competently built, they replace the genuine horror and more nuanced characters of the main game with schlocky action and dumb wish fulfillment. The worst thing that can be said about Not a Hero and End of Zoe is that they leave me feeling uncertain about the future of the series. Let's hope Capcom hasn't already forgotten how to do Resident Evil right again.
Lost Sphear is a competently assembled retro product that may dredge up fond memories of older, better JRPGs, but it lacks a personality of its own. The unique, melancholy world of I Am Setsuna has been replaced by soulless tropes, and incrementally improved battle mechanics and dungeons don't make up for that loss of identity. Sadly, the makers of Lost Sphear have lost the thread.
Hand of Fate 2 captures some old-school RPG charm, but deals a few too many bad cards in the process. The game's appealing premise is marred by unsatisfying progression, punishing randomness, and clunky combat. Nostalgic RPG fans will find things to appreciate here, but given the popularity and diversity of actual tabletop gaming these days, it's hard to fully recommend the half-stacked Hand of Fate 2.
Ironically, AER Memories of Old doesn't leave much of a lasting impression. It feels like a prototype you might show a publisher to convince them to fund a full game. What's here is charming, but it feels underbaked compared to the games it patterns itself after. If you're looking for a laid-back Zelda-like adventure and don't mind spending $15 for a single play session, AER Memories of Old is a pleasant-enough distraction, just don't expect to be swept off your feet.
At first, Tokyo Dark seems to be little more than a pale replica of better Japanese adventure and horror games. The game's presentation is amateurish, its characters are stereotypical, and its depiction of Tokyo doesn't break any new ground. Thankfully, the game's innovative SPIN system and focus on player choice heightens what would otherwise be an uninspired homage. Tokyo Dark falls well short of greatness, but hardcore point ‘n' clickers looking for something a bit different may want to give the game a stab.
Darkwood is a fine open-world survival experience, and spins a good yarn, but doesn't quite succeed as a horror game. The ominous veneer wears off quickly enough, and you're left with a somewhat cumbersome Don't Starve clone. Darkwood has its moments and will please a certain dedicated breed, but less masochistic general gaming audiences may find the title more tedious than terrifying. Don't venture into these woods unless you're prepared to rough it.
EA Sports UFC 5 doles out impressive blood-soaked Frostbite visuals and a double-dose of M-rated attitude, but don’t let the new swagger sway you. While the action remains satisfying enough, it hasn’t evolved in any significant way, and a lack of compelling content continues to be an issue for the series. UFC 5 may deliver the razzle dazzle, but it needs to work on its fundamentals.
Immortals of Aveum makes a solid early impression with engaging magic-infused FPS action and eye-catching Unreal Engine 5 visuals, but a predictable plot, irritating characters, and repetitive, by-the-books level design dims the game’s razzle-dazzle. Immortals of Aveum will be worth it for some shooter and fantasy fans, particularly at a discount, but don’t expect your memories of the game to live forever.
Remnant II is an impressive technical and artistic accomplishment in some ways, offering an intermittedly-striking, cutting-edge procedural world that’s satisfying to unravel. Unfortunately, a forgettable story, middle-of-the-road gunplay, dull loot, and some performance issues means this fantastic world isn’t always that fun to inhabit. Some folks, particularly those with a regular co-op party, will be drawn into this dark multiverse, but others may find Remnant II only provides scattered fragments of excitement amidst the frustration.
Season: A letter to the future offers plenty of moments of low-key beauty and, at its best, makes you truly feel part of a unique and enigmatic world on the verge of great upheaval. Unfortunately, the game’s abrupt ending and reluctance to make meaningful statements about the subjects it brings up may leave you questioning what it all meant. While an often-pleasant slice of virtual tourism, as a complete game this one feels a bit underseasoned.
Sonic Origins does well by Sega's classics, but only to a point. While the action feels true to the 16-bit originals, an abbreviated list of games, lack of features and archival goodies, and frustrating crashes keep this collection a step short of greatness. Hardcore Sonic fans looking to relive some of the hedgehog's best games in widescreen HD ought to have fun, but others may wish Sega had reached harder for that shiny gold ring.
Evil Dead: The Game does a solid job of carving out its own bloody, aggressive take on the asymmetric multiplayer formula, but some nagging gameplay issues, frustrating single-player content, and a failure to fully capture the series' groovy attitude hold the game back. Hardcore Evil Dead fans should find plenty to like here, but with competitors like Dead by Daylight around, this game hasn't really earned its "hail to the king" moment.
Nintendo Switch Sports is a fun and nostalgic romp that offers nicely-upgraded visuals and well-implemented motion controls, but there simply isn't enough of it. With a meagre six sports (only two of which bring anything truly new to the table) and very few extras, this one probably won't compete for your attention for long.