Failbetter Games have brought upon themselves a trademark capable of enduring over time, born with Fallen London back in the day and now present in both Sunless Sea and the upcoming Sunless Skies. This is by far the best way to experience the studio's vision and their unique take in narrative driven games.
It's fitting, then, that the championship's final subverts the expectation of the long, silent stroll through the hall by kicking the music in as soon as you start moving forward. This time the nerves are left in the dressing room. She's revisited her footsteps time and time again until she's ready for the grand finale. After tonight, everyone in the crowd is going to remember Kara Hassan's name.
Ion Fury mixes old and new in a throwback FPS that deftly builds its own enduring identity.
Huntdown is a throwback run and gun shooter that cares about style and rewards precision.
Nex Machina feels like a living retro experience in which the player gets trapped inside an arcade machine. The only way out is to get better, and destroy machines in the most stylish way you can possibly think.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar is more than a "western JRPG", it manages to reinvent and bring new elements to the genre in many unique ways.
STRAFE proves to be a worthy spiritual successor of all the classics of the genre, while also introducing modern elements that fit well into the gameplay. While the experience can be frustrating sometimes due to unfair damage and bugs, Pixel Titans delivered a solid and addictive game.
Crawl is an exceptional multiplayer that takes a huge advantage of the Switch's portability. An unique game that should be present in all parties.
Hitman 2 takes everything you love from the series and expands on it in every way.
Void Bastards is a roguelite shooter that encourages experimentation and smart thinking in outer space, and it mostly works to great effect.
RAD is a roguelike that presents a world worth fighting for.
Night Call is an intriguing ride through Paris full of intriguing tales and conversations. Too bad its detective elements aren't as compelling.
The Crimson Court invites veterans of the game to experience yet another challenge, which can be a little bit too punishing for newcomers. Come on in, the party has just started.
Absolver presents a brutal yet rewarding experience that gets going from the offset. Longevity is the titles main sticking point. However, with future updates looking to add to the game, it's worth sinking your fists into.
NeuroVoider proves to be a really complex twin stick shooter that is better enjoyed with a couple of friends in local co-op.
With a unique style and a large list of things to do, Tokyo 42 only falls short in some of its core mechanics, which can be a bit too tedious for some
Throughout the 30 hours it took to hit credits, I kept trying to latch onto the elements that work. Soul Hackers 2’s saving grace lies in its main characters, each with a distinct personality that often clashes with the rest. Witnessing the group’s growth by putting their differences aside and opening themselves up to camaraderie was a joy.
It’s unfortunate to see a Sonic game that tries, and often succeeds, in retreading past foundations and applying them to a different setting. But the highs of fighting the Titans or playing remakes of classic levels can’t justify the frustrations that constantly put stops along the way.
Some people will understandably be put off by all of this. Yet, for all the flaws in its script, Persona 4 Golden manages to mine heartfelt stories from other veins. Persona 5 Royal is a veritable amusement park of side activities that can sometimes be overwhelming. In Inaba, however, having fewer distractions lets you focus on your bonds much more closely. It will take some time to adjust to being away from the city, especially without a smartphone constantly buzzing to let you know where everybody is at all times. But there is no need for one. You’re bound to stumble upon a friendly face on your way to the riverbank.
The shadow drop was novel in and of itself, but the game is a triumph. The gorgeous animations and Jet Set Radio-esque art style are vivid and arresting. The array of tutorials, visual aids, and clever mechanics makes the rhythm aspects approachable to genre newcomers. And the vibrant, positive energy is present in every beat, keeping you tapping your feet as you take down a corporation built on a lack of vision. Hi-Fi Rush is a cathartic anthem that arrived at the perfect time.