David Silbert's Reviews
I’ve written more than 2,000 words about Donkey Kong Bananza, and I’m still not quite sure I’ve done the game justice. Yes, the early hours are a bit of a slog, but the game ramps up by the halfway point and is all gas until its very climatic finish. The Bananza abilities capture much of the “what’ll I transform into next?!” energy of Super Mario Odyssey, while the fully destructible environments add welcome dimension to an IP that has been criminally underserved the past few decades. No, it isn’t perfect, but the juice is well worth the squeeze. Whether you’re a 3D Mario transplant or you’ve played every Donkey Kong title since the arcade, you’ll find quite a lot to love in DK Bananza. Take time to clear past the rock, and you’ll strike certain gold.
Part Slay the Spire, part Paper Mario, Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson takes two genres and finds unique harmony between them. Sprinkle in a third inspiration — the music-rhythm gameplay of Guitar Hero — and you have all the makings of a really rad band. The final result has its issues: notably, a slew of bugs, some balancing issues, and an underwhelming ending. Still, Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson is a worthwhile play, and an admirable addition to the genres that inspired it.
Ruffy and the Riverside is a challenging game to review. Its collectathon gameplay is a blast, and its mission variety deserves praise. Its audiovisual presentation is equally commendable, paying loving homage to the games that inspired it. However, the elements that surround the core experience — the story, the combat, the menus — chip away at the fun. Hopefully, Zockrates Laboratories UG can use Ruffy and the Riverside as a springboard to greater heights. What’s here is a welcome addition to the collectathon genre; just keep your expectations in check before you jump in.
Zelda, Mega Man, and Metroid are just a few names to which Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo pays homage. And while living up to those greats is grueling work, somehow, Pipistrello makes it look easy. It’s wonderfully designed, perfectly paced, and filled with secrets and side attractions that are well worth its lengthy runtime.
For those seeking a unique entry point into TTRPGs, The Horror at Highrook is a satisfying starting course. It has issues that derail the fun, ranging from poor inventory management and lackluster leveling mechanics to the lack of any real hint system. It’s also a fairly linear affair, with little replayability (something at odds with its tabletop roots). Still, if you can embrace the flaws, there’s a fun little adventure waiting for you.
Bionic Bay is an often impressive, often frustrating experience. It nails the look and feel of grade-A games like Limbo and Inside, but fails to hold up once you start to scrutinize its puzzle-platformer label. There’s a worthwhile game to enjoy here—one with responsive controls, satisfying action, and a visual polish that puts other games to shame. Unfortunately, the puzzles are lackluster, with too many ideas that come and go with little development or follow-through. If you come into Bionic Bay expecting the next Portal, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Come in expecting a solid platformer with occasional frustrations, however, and you’ll fare far better.
Your House is a competent mystery game that suffers from its own ambition. Its central reading mechanic adds flavor to the experience, and it offers a decent variety of puzzles to keep players engaged. However, the narrative lacks bite, and the difficulty will be a turn-off for some. If you don’t mind a “just okay” story and are open to some wonky solutions, Your House offers some unique puzzle thrills. But just don’t expect a revelatory experience.
Part cozy game, part comedy, part poignant self-reflection, Wanderstop proves even the most well-trodden genre can bear creative fruit. Its gameplay errs on the side of simplicity, and elements of the story—particularly the side cast and the ending—left me hungrily wanting more. Still, the soul of Wanderstop shines through, resulting in a narrative experience that is one of a kind.
Split Fiction is another great addition to the Hazelight catalog—one that solidifies the studio as the paragon of co-op gameplay. If you thought It Takes Two was a fluke, think again. Split Fiction learns from its predecessor’s story missteps, doubles down on the great platforming, and deftly pays homage to gaming royalty. The result is Hazelight’s most creative game to date, and—in my humble opinion—its best.
Dead Letter Dept. definitely shows some cracks. Visuals can get muddy, some of the lighting choices don't work, and, in more intense moments, it can be very easy to get lost. But in looking past the small hiccups, you can find a simple but evocative game with a lot of variety. While we weren’t always certain what choices determined what endings, we ended our time excited to dive back in. This is a labor of love from someone willing to escape the doldrums of corporate number-punching.
50 games; 25 bucks. UFO 50 is the best value in gaming since The Orange Box, and though other games have it beat in terms of depth, far fewer can lay claim to its charms. If ‘80s gaming is your jam, this is a no-brainer. And if it’s not… give it a try anyway, if only to appreciate how far this wonderful pastime has come.
In isolation, Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure is a tough but fair puzzle game. Once the game clicks, there’s a zen-like flow to zooming about the environment (speedrunners, take note). But the puzzle element is only one part of its RPG promise—the sense of adventure is lacking, and the roles are nowhere to be found.
El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is an imperfect wonder. On the one hand, its novel world and beautiful sights always kept me interested in exploring what’s around the bend. On the other hand, its simple combat and archaic storytelling hold it back from being more than just a gorgeous vignette. It doesn’t help that the remaster offers little in terms of frills or extras. At $29.99, this is a tough sell for those expecting a “definitive” rerelease in line with modern performance expectations. Still, if you’ve never played El Shaddai before and are curious about what you missed back in 2011, I can’t help but suggest you give it a look. The vibes are that good.
Botany Manor is a beautiful game that caters to anyone with a love of horticulture, science, or mystery. It’s also an important game, one that tells an effective story about the resilience of women—past, present, and future. In terms of quality, the game delivers. However, at its $24.99 asking price, the three- to four-hour experience (five if you hunt for achievements) may leave you wanting. Thankfully, the game launches day one on Game Pass—and it is the perfect way to spend an afternoon or two. Whether you pay to play or you subscribe to vibe, Botany Manor deserves a look. Bring the brains, and it’ll bring the seeds, the planters, and the heart.
I enjoyed my time with Born of Bread. The characters are cheery, the combat is smooth (if simple), and the dialogue, though verbose, offers just enough charm to keep the player reading. That said, it’s far from a perfect substitute for a Nintendo-level release. We’ll see whether a patch (or a few) helps ameliorate some of its bigger technical stumbles. For now, though, Born of Bread is a competent Paper Mario-like that’s held back from truly leavened greatness.
I wasn’t a believer at first, but Ghostrunner 2 won me over. Sure, the story’s forgettable, and the technical performance takes a hit here or there. But the combat is sharp, the platforming is sharper, and there are quite a few surprises lying in wait. (I’m intentionally not spoiling one of the game’s coolest gameplay twists, but trust me: It rocks.) If you have room on your 2023 gaming plate for one more adventure, and you’re ready to grind through the pain, Ghostrunner 2 is well worth your time.
What else I can say about Smushi Come Home without spoiling its finer moments? Its characters are charming, its gameplay is soothing, and it has a great sense of style. (Just listen to that feel-good soundtrack from composer Failpositive.) And while the experience is a bit on the short side, it’s one that hardly feels undercooked. If you’re looking for a breather between AAA epics or simply searching for a wonderful indie, Smushi Come Home has enough charm to make you blush. Come for the adorable mushroom; stay for the tender narrative and cozy vibes. This is one homecoming you don’t want to miss.
Secret of Mana is a monumental JRPG that deserves your respect—just not your time.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective will keep you entertained with its characters and puzzles, but falls short of being a timeless mystery.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is absolutely worth playing. It’s a rare game that exceeds despite several key issues, and the more I reflect on its narrative and core themes, the more impressed I find myself. Beware spoilers, and go in with zero expectations. Jedi: Survivor will win over your heart, just like it did mine.