Shaan Joshi's Reviews
In a world of by-the-numbers sequels and soulless cash grabs, Astro Bot stands as an oasis, an absolute masterpiece packed to the brim with charm, creativity, and a genuine love for video games, old and new. There are still four months left in the year, but if I’m being honest, I think I’ve already found my pick for game of the year.
There’s an endless list of things to gush and wax poetic about — the haunting soundtrack, the monochrome visuals punctuated by bits of crimson and neon magenta, the callbacks and homages to your favorite PlayStation 1 horror games. It’s clear that Simogo has an undying love for the medium as a whole; not because of the winks and nods to the games of the past, but because Lorelei and the Laser Eyes forges its own path, and it does so with a startling amount of confidence and an unwavering artistic vision that has to be seen through to its conclusion. I doubt I’ll be able to convince genre detractors to cross the aisle, but if you have even the slightest interest in puzzle or adventure games, you owe it to yourself to give this modern-day masterpiece a try. Just make sure you have some pen and paper, and a bit of patience, at the ready.
Bastion stood out as one of the best titles when it first released years ago, and it stands just as tall this time around.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt manages to constantly excite and amaze, with sublime storytelling and engrossing gameplay that never leaves you wanting more.
The Witness is not only a masterpiece of game design, but one that truly inspires and amazes, without relying on traditional tutorials or restrictive hand-holding. It's one of the few games that truly respects the intelligence of those playing, rather than guiding them through each and every step.
Though diehard fans intent on playing the same old Metal Gear may be upset with a few of the changes here, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain stands as a crowning achievement for Kojima and one of this console generation's best games.
Zero Time Dilemma wraps up the long-running Zero Escape series in style. Presentation issues aside, it's the masterpiece we've been waiting for, and the one that the fans deserve.
Playdead's Inside is one of those rare games that has to be experienced first hand in order to understand its importance. Rest assured, you'd be hard pressed to find another game that's equally brilliant and beautiful.
With Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, Naughty Dog has once again raised the bar when it comes to cinematic action games, delivering an experience that is equal parts exhilarating and ambitious.
Super Mario Odyssey is a pure expression of joy and fun that never ceases to amaze or delight.
More than a decade after its original release, and Fumito Ueda's masterpiece is still an absolute joy to play. Whether you've played it on older hardware, or you have yet to take the plunge, you owe it to yourself to play through Bluepoint's remake of one of the best games ever made.
From its renewed focus on storytelling, to its stunningly gorgeous world and incredibly satisfying combat, God of War is nothing short of a masterpiece, one that sets a new bar for what can be accomplished in the world of AAA games.
It may have taken a few years, but the king of level creation is back and better than ever. Super Mario Maker 2 might not reinvent the wheel, but it refines the entire level creation process to near perfection. An absolute must-buy for anyone with a Nintendo Switch.
Even on its third outing, Grand Theft Auto V continually manages to impress and astound, and the refinements made on the PC version are just the icing on the cake.
God of War Ragnarok is a masterclass in storytelling and design, and it'll easily stand the test of time as one of PlayStation's finest games.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is, simply put, a masterpiece. If you're at all interested in adventure games, this one is a must-play.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an absolute masterpiece, offering up some of the most inventive, charming, and creative platforming action the genre has ever seen. It might have taken three decades, but Super Mario World has finally been dethroned.
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games stands as the definitive way to experience two of the best (and criminally underrated) visual novels to date. If you have yet to check out Uchikoshi's brilliant series, now is the time to do so.
Putting aside that minor issue, the most divisive thing about Braid, Anniversary Edition might be how little of the core package has changed. Aside from the visual facelift, the core mechanics and gameplay are just as they were back in 2008, and that more or less dictates who this remaster is for. Those who were turned off by Braid’s strictly linear progression and uncompromising puzzles are unlikely to have a change of heart all these years later. For longtime fans or those who have yet to experience this timeless classic for themselves, Braid, Anniversary Edition is a must-play.
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection offers up some of the best storytelling and characters the medium has seen.