Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rare triumph for such a small studio. The devs at Sandfall Interactive aimed for the stars, and they delivered a game that JRPG fans have always wanted from a Western studio. I can't recommend this game enough.
Grit and Valor – 1949 is a serviceable mech tactics game that has equally serviceable rogue-like elements. I wish that there could be more to the story and characters, but what’s already here is good for at least 16 to 20 hours of play. If you like tactics games, you will definitely like this neat little experience. The mechs are a definite bonus but don’t go expecting anything too deep. Or anything that resembles a story or even characters.
Atomfall tries to incorporate a mix of genre staples but ultimately fails to go in-depth into any one aspect save for its investigations. It is trying hard to punch above its weight class. But like every underdog at the beginning of a boxer movie, it is brought back down to reality by its superiors, in this case, the games it takes inspiration from. The game has potential, to be sure, but in its current state, it leaves a lot to be desired. I recommend you wait for a sale before adding this game to your library. Hopefully, Atomfall can mount a comeback with its upcoming DLC story expansion.
Despite a shaky start, Monster Hunter Wilds delivered on the most important thing that matters in a Monster Hunter game: the core gameplay loop. The game is built on a solid foundation, and it is only going to get better from here. However, it needs to be said that the game still suffers from optimization issues to this day, two weeks after launch. Wilds will go down in history as a great Monster Hunter game. How great it ultimately will be remains to be seen. What I do know is that the game is a blast, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Two Point Museum is the culmination of lessons learned from both previous Two Point games, reinforced with copious amounts of feedback from the community. It boasts the most creative freedom in the series so far. It's also the most sophisticated in terms of underlying support systems. I believe this one can go the distance and we'll see more and more content being released in the months and years after launch. So, if you are into the micromanagement aspect of Two Point games, you will absolutely love Two Point Museum. For everyone else with a passing interest in management sim games, give it a shot, at least.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 doubles down on everything that made the first game so memorable for so many players. It didn’t set out to reinvent itself. Instead, it made great strives to realizing that vision of Medieval Europe the first game was always supposed to be. And with DLC on the horizon, I can’t wait to sink another 200 hours into this wonderful world. If you loved the first game, I can’t recommend this game enough. You NEED to experience it.
EA Sports FC 25 shows that the franchise is indeed moving in the right direction. We’re in the Honeymoon phase where it still retains that feeling of “new-ness”. But as far as annual franchises go, the sophomore title has more positives than negatives. It still won’t win over the onlookers due to how closely it looks to the previous game, but anyone who has played last year’s entry will appreciate the changes if only to shake up the way the series is played. I still recommend this entry for new and returning EA Sports FC players.
Frostpunk 2’s emphasis on intensity and foresight makes it a worthy sequel to the first game. While it treads well-worn paths, the game takes everything we’ve come to expect from the series and expands upon the idea in every way possible. I highly recommend the game for fans of the series. First-time players may find it too daunting but that’s all part of the Frostpunk experience.
Kunitsu-Gami Path of the Goddess is an amazing game deserving of a spot in Capcom's roster of games. I don't see it as something that'll get the Resident Evil treatment of world-building, but it is nonetheless another hit from Capcom. Hopefully, we may see another collaboration with Okami if the stars align. I highly recommend this game for players who enjoy a lot of hack-and-slash action in their games and wouldn't mind a small dose of RTS to round out the experience.
Sons of Valhalla may have fallen short in a couple of categories but it made up in the ones that truly matter, particularly in the gameplay department. You can also complete the campaign in a little more than 8 hours. I’ll still take that over any bloated open-world collect-a-thon any day. If you like 2D action games with a hint of base management, you can’t go wrong with Sons of Valhalla.
Rise of the Ronin, in its entirety, is a Jack of all trades and master of none. It is a sampler platter of many design ideas stitched together, held in place with a captivating story and likable characters. If you are a fan of Team Ninja’s unique blend of combat and/or the time period this game takes place, then you are in for a treat. Just know that combat won’t be forgiving and you probably won’t like all the busy work. But barring all that, it is worth a couple of playthroughs just to see where the story possibilities go even if you can’t change history in the way you would’ve liked.
Helldivers 2 is what every future live service game should aspire to be going forward. Beyond the stellar gameplay and the community building, we need more games like this and Deep Rock Galactic. Not the stress-induced run towards extract kind, but rather games that respect players’ time and money. Just don’t feel pressured to buy everything from the store just yet. The war is far from over and there are yet more sinister forces at play here pulling the strings from behind the scenes. There’s no better time than now to get into the thick of the action.
Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth isn’t just an adventure, it’s the whole damn package. By the time you reach the end credits, you’ll have done so much that you can consider yourself a true Hawaiin through your deeds and notoriety. You’ll have lost yourself in the scenic views and forged bonds with dozens if not hundreds of people. Most importantly of all, you’ll have gotten to know the people closest to you during the entire ordeal before ending your trip the only way Yakuza games know how – dramatic and over-the-top. If you love the Yakuza series, This is one you’ll want to keep in your library.
RoboCop: Rogue City is the sequel to RoboCop 2 we wish we had. The developer’s adherence to the source material is to be commended. Never did I think that the game was something only fans could enjoy. The action is thrilling while the side quests serve as a nice distraction from non-stop shooting. Sadly, minor performance issues and visual bugs hinder this title from ascending the ranks even further. There’s also the developer’s conscious choice of reusing characters for background characters. But despite the shortcomings, Rogue City is a game I highly recommend as it goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Sea of Stars is greater than just the nostalgia that inspires it. If it’s not through gameplay and minigames, then it’s the story that’s going to win you over. It may have had one awkward plot point involving bread but the message behind it was well-received. After 45+ hours of gameplay, I am thoroughly convinced that Sea of Stars is well deserving of all the praises it has accumulated over the years in development. I wholeheartedly recommend this game to more than just RPG enthusiasts.
Shadow Gambit The Cursed Crew hits all the right notes when it comes to a stealth strategy game. It would have been an okay game even without the memory shenanigans regardless. But that simply wasn’t going to cut it. It’s clear that the developers wanted this title to be of the highest quality possible. And it shows. Shadow Gambit is a solidly entertaining game that has the same level of awareness as Guybrush breaking the 4th wall. I can’t recommend this game enough if you are into stealth strategy games.
Remnant 2 is the closest thing to a perfect sequel as far as video games are concerned. It strikes that delicate balance of remaining faithful to the game that came before it while branching out in hopes of not being called a DLC for the game before. If you have played and loved the first Remnant game, you owe it to yourself to experience Remnant 2 sometime in the near future.
Ultimately, Aveum is a fun time while you are in combat and quickly forgettable once you’re out. If you’re into lots of colorful explosions or particle effects in general, this game’s for you. For everyone else, it might be better to wait for a hefty price cut before playing it over a weekend. Admittedly, I had a bit of fun. But those moments are clearly highlighted after suffering entire segments of monotony and absolute boredom. There’s a good game in here, somewhere. But it is drowned out by meaningless mechanics meant to artificially extend playtime.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty offers a mixed gaming experience. While it attempts to blend elements from the “Souls” genre with Team Ninja’s signature combat, it falls short in storytelling and gear management. The combat system shines as a highlight, offering a satisfying and challenging experience. However, the game’s repetitiveness, issues with progression, and lackluster story may deter some players. In the end, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty has its merits but also a fair share of rough edges, making it a title that will resonate more with fans of Team Ninja’s combat style than those seeking a seamless “Souls” experience.
Atomic Heart is brilliant, well-intentioned, and yet flawed at the same time. Much like Dr. Sechenov. While I complained a fair bit about the gunplay and abilities, I was genuinely impressed with the enemies and bosses. On top of that, I walked away from the experience wanting to know more about the world of Atomic Heart. And finally, melee combat ended better than I expected. All these factors are enough to give the game a favorable outlook. If you’re in the market for an interesting FPS puzzle-solving experience, this might be what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for top-notch FPS action, you’d best look elsewhere.