The core concept of Lost Soul Aside is solid, and there’s fun to be had in its combat, but it’s not something I can comfortably recommend. It’s a stylish action game that is capable of delivering high-octane encounters that would bring a smile to your face. But everything else puts too much pressure on the little good it has going for it.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure brings back Max Caulfield with new time-manipulation powers, but struggles to capture the original’s emotional weight. While the dual-timeline mechanic is engaging, the story’s weak twists, forgettable characters, and technical issues hold it back. A nostalgic revisit, but not a standout entry in the series.
I've traversed vibrant planets and chased after the promise of the ultimate big score. But as the novelty wore off, a harsh truth emerged: beneath its polished surface, Star Wars Outlaws is a missed opportunity, bogged down by repetitive gameplay and a narrative that struggles to find its footing. It’s a game that tantalizes with potential but ultimately leaves much to be desired.
It’s tough to recommend Final Fantasy XVI’s first DLC called Echoes of the Fallen as it doesn’t deliver much to the core experience, or even something completely different. At the current price point, I was expecting a bit more to stand out, maybe focus on one aspect of the game we haven’t seen before, but sadly this isn’t the case. You’re not missing much here as it would be best to wait for the second DLC called Rising Tide coming next year.
“Left Alive insists you play it smart and conservative, but the combat has the potential to get stale early on. Having to revisit past locations with different characters magnifies the lack of variety, both in combat and level design.”
Synduality Echo of Ada has potential, but its flawed economy, tedious grind, and lack of meaningful story incentives make it hard to recommend in its current state. Without drastic improvements, it risks being forgotten before it ever finds a steady audience.
At the very least, I was hoping this would be a game to entice people to check out the series or highlight the great moments that make Seven Deadly Sins a great Shōnen anime. Instead, we have a game that could potentially confuse newcomers, and which provides very little for big fans of the series.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remastered is a fun but flawed revisit to a zombie classic. It stays true in delivering its quirky and chaotic spirit, and was given a fair amount of polish to make it more appealing to modern players. While it’s a treat for longtime fans of the series, newcomers will feel the game’s age through its flaws.
Stellar Blade’s potential was clear, but as its ambitions expanded into something greater, it lost focus. As soon as Stellar Blade tries to bring everything together, it merges into a single figure that looks deformed and uneven. The quality is unquestionable but it wasn’t the final product I was slowly building in my head as I went through the game’s first half.
If I’m comparing Persona 5 Tactica against the original game and the other spin-off, it’s my least favorite of the bunch, but the effort didn’t feel like an afterthought, as the story, character designs, and level designs make it an entertaining strategy game for those already well-versed in the Persona 5 world.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name isn’t Ryu Ga Gotoku's best work, as combat feels bland and we’ve seen these side activities before, but this is a nice distraction for hardcore fans and a more touching and satisfying sendoff to Kazuma Kiryu as the leading man.
Starfield isn’t as groundbreaking as one would expect it to be, but the developers held true in delivering the game fans have come to expect from Bethesda Game Studios, and in that regard, they succeeded, as this game has the potential to be relevant to players years after it was released, similar to what The Elder Scroll V: Skyrim is to this day.
This is Bungie’s first take on releasing content on its own as a studio, and just how aggressive they will be in releasing future content is still a big mystery. It has only been a few months in, but the current state of Destiny 2 shows that it’s aimed in the right direction. Shadowkeep is a reminder that not everything can go as planned, and that this new journey for the Destiny franchise can still be a bumpy ride.
The Ghost Recon series is now among the many franchises that provide just that: what started with Ghost Recon Wildlands has continued in Breakpoint, an open-world tactical shooter that feels great when the bullets start flying, but slowly loses its identity the moment you're caught in this endless gameplay circuit of looting gear to “improve” your character.
Developer Supermassive Games was on track to pioneering interactive horror in their breakout PS4 exclusive Until Dawn. Unfortunately, Man of Medan doesn't come close to matching that 2015 release. What they've provided is a dull horror story with predictable jump-scares, uninteresting characters, and a story that will leave you scratching your head and saying, "Really?"
They attempted at something different with Black Clover: Quartet Knights; by making it a more team-oriented online brawler. However, the lack of gameplay depth and balancing issues make it a short-lived experience for fans of the series.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a solid simulator with rough edges that disrupt the flow of learning and experiencing modern flying. Those new to the world of flight simulation will be overwhelmed and frustrated. But for those well-versed in the world of aviation, you will find appreciation for what is available here, even on the PS5 version of the game.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows greatly blends the classic Assassin’s Creed stealth with the RPG elements of recent entries. Its dynamic world, seasonal changes, and improved stealth mechanics make exploration a joy, but Yasuke’s restrictive gameplay, overall story, and a half-baked notoriety system hold it back.
Lego Horizon Adventures transforms the serious world of Horizon Zero Dawn into a playful experience geared towards younger gamers. With a lighter story, fun character twists, and familiar machines recreated in Lego form, it serves as a charming introduction to Aloy’s universe. While hardcore fans may find it a bit basic, it’s ideal for friendly, family-oriented play with loved ones of any age.
Ballistic Moon’s Until Dawn remake polishes the 2015 horror classic with impressive visual upgrades and little additions. However, beyond the sharper visuals and slight changes, the core experience remains the same. Fans seeking a fresh take may find little reason to pick this up over the original, as the gameplay and story haven’t evolved beyond minor improvements.