Kenneth Shepard's Reviews
Despite my frustrations with its structure, mechanics, and the fact that it looks and runs like a middling GameCube game most of the time (there were several instances, even outside of the open-world areas, where character animations would drop to near stop-motion levels of movement), I still left Scarlet and Violet enamored by its character relationships and neatly tied-up themes of finding one’s own joy in the big, wild Pokémon world.
Life is Strange 2 ended as it began: an emotional, uncompromisingly political story that succinctly represents player choice in its final moments.
Sayonara Wild Hearts' is gorgeous and packs an incredible pop soundtrack, but the actual levels the music accompanies never feels as natural as its audiovisual splendor.
While occasionally caving under the weight of its ambition, Greedfall delivers a world worth exploring inhabited by characters and stories just as memorable.
Catherine: Full Body has more interesting things to say about relationships that are dragged down by a story too cynical to let it shine.
"Faith" continues Life is Strange 2's examination of a broken system to showcase a series at its most powerful.
Telling Lies is a game defined by the individual's own terms and parameters, rewarding the wide spectrum of curiosity of anyone willing to put the time and thought into its mysteries.
Cadence of Hyrule is a lovingly crafted, challenging, but rewarding ode to 30 years of music.
Persona Q2's has a lot of fun dungeon crawling to offer, but doesn't make the most of its great cast's time together.
"Wastelands" has a better understanding of what makes Life is Strange 2's story work, and is more enticing for it
Devil May Cry 5's risk-averse approach grounds it as other games in the genre are reaching for the sky.
Dancing in Starlight pays a loving tribute to Persona 5, but without a stronger setlist it doesn't stand alongside its fellow rhythm game spin-offs.
Dancing in Moonlight uses twelve years of songs to bring the Persona 3 cast the musical tribute they deserve.
Life is Strange 2 sets up a very different story that cares a lot of the original game's strengths with it, and leaves some of its weaker points behind.
Just Shapes & Beats' excellent soundtrack spawns intricate levels in a stylish aesthetic that is sure to challenge even the most dedicated players.
Unravel Two is a clever and endearing take on the original's formula, but doesn't come through on its cooperative premise.
Captain Spirit's use of a child's imagination to contextualize a dark, poignant story sets up a strong foundation to build Life is Strange 2 upon.
"Farewell" succinctly captures everything that Life is Strange does well in a beautiful and devastating package.
Hacker's Memory is a solid addition to the original Cyber Sleuth, but as its own game it has little in the way of substance.
As poignant and raw as ever, Night in the Woods feels more at home on Switch than anywhere else.