Riders Republic is a solid game all around; even in terms of its technical aspects, I hardly experienced hiccups that would hamper the experience. It can make you a believer in games like it - Ubisoft has a clear winner on their hands that, if nurtured properly, could spawn a community that will gladly take in any new content coming their way in the future.
While Horizon Forbidden West doesn’t break the mold of the action-adventure open-world genre, it further enriches its blend of entertaining combat within a unique world that still stands out among other post-apocalyptic offerings. They might not have stuck the landing very well, but that wasn’t enough to completely stain the complete experience.
Sifu is the perfect representation of why the martial arts genre is so beloved by many and tackled through various mediums through the years. The amount of detail in the moves shown in this game empowers the player, making you feel like you can take on the world. The difficulty may be a turn-off to some, but the difficulty options added recently make it a more accessible game in comparison to how the game first launched in February, giving a chance for more players to experience how much of a gem this game really is, and how much it can inspire future games aimed at delivering a similar experience.
It’s been a while since I've been this engrossed in a video game world, but Stray is a journey that wouldn’t have worked if it wasn’t explored through a cat’s perspective. I sucked in as much of the game as I could because it was a joy to do so, and I was left emotionally invested towards the end. Some will be turned off by Stray’s short campaign, but there’s enough here to make the experience feel complete.
I simply enjoyed the hell out of this video game. This journey comes out swinging and never lets up. Even during its subtle moments, you'll be captivated one way or another by the characters, the scenery, and the level of quality that only a handful of creators can accomplish. The folks at Santa Monica Studio are true masters of their art, and I can’t recommend God of War Ragnarok enough.
The fact that the developers implemented so many quality of life changes while simultaneously maintaining the game’s charms with such finesse makes Tactics Ogre Reborn stand tall and easily become one of the biggest surprises this year, as I didn’t think I would have so much fun with a strategy RPG released over 25 years ago.
Resident Evil 4 is another example of why I appreciate remakes, as it revitalizes the love for a beloved title. This game was delivered in such a way to not only appease veteran fans but also to welcome those who have experienced the series only through the previous remakes.
I took my time with Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s latest entry in the long-running Yakuza franchise. The turned-based combat has greatly improved, the myriad of activities feel endless and entertaining, and the overall story left me teary-eyed and wanting more. I’m now more invested in the series than I ever was thanks to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth with Kasuga leading the charge.
This sequel is a perfect example of building from the first game’s successes while simultaneously focusing on improving where it fell short.
Some might be bothered by Moonlighter’s grindy nature later on, but I found it to be a fantastic mix of dungeon crawling and a fun store management gameplay that made Moonlighter a treat to experience. Digital Sun crafted a perfect balance of the two main gameplay elements with a forgivable difficulty, and a cute and appealing art design that can appeal to a variety of players.
Days Gone has characters that make you smile, and a trusty bike ready to take you away. For while some irritations persisted during my playthrough – such as the technical irregularities that need to be patched – that its encounters provide a real sense of accomplishment makes it an open world worth exploring.
There are countless issues that made me roll my eyes, but they did not outweigh the gameplay, which is something I plan to engage in every now and then, but probably on mute or while watching a movie.
I played They are Billions on PS4 and loved what the folks at Numantian Games created, but feel the console version is not the best way to properly appreciate this zombie apocalypse.
The expansion isn’t the best piece of content but the overall changes that came with the launch of The Division 2: Warlords of New York expansion make it a great addition to keep avid players geared up and ready for the coming content planned for the game in 2020.
"There are a few setbacks, but none of them so much as taint the fact that Horizon Chase Turbo: Deluxe Edition - a simple and fun experience either alone or with friends - is a solid choice worth considering for arcade racing enthusiasts."
It’s a complete game straight out of the box; Outriders doesn’t feel like another one of those live service games - you know the type - where you’re encouraged to go online and do dailies, weeklies, and pretty much not miss out on limited-time rewards. It’s very refreshing, as I didn’t feel the need to question what’s next for Outriders; while I can walk away from the experience happy I’ve accomplished all I set out to do, I can easily see myself revisiting this game again in the future with another character to repeat the process all over again.
The expansion gives me hope for future games in this franchise as it shows there’s more stories that can be told in this world, and I would gladly see more of it. If a new game does happen, I just wish it’s a new lead character, or at the very least someone already established and known to many.
I had my issues and frustrations with Cris Tales, but once I dusted myself off from the finale, I emerged with a big smile. It reminded me why I loved JRPGs. Though it featured the usual JRPG tropes, they were executed so well that I feel Cris Tales is an easy recommendation to anyone eager to find an escape, as it was a fun ride despite some hit-and-miss time travel elements.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is an okay option for those getting into Uncharted for the first time with the latest games on the PS5. I replayed the new versions of both titles and was reminded how entertaining they are, not only to the player, but to those fortunate enough to be spectating.
Gran Turismo 7 checks all of the boxes of what would be expected from a palatable Gran Turismo game, but has some questionable design choices that weigh it down. With Gran Turismo Café leading the way, this is the most approachable GT game to newcomers, whether in the series, or of car racing in general.