Ashley Donnelly
The Sims 4: Island Living is a solid tropical expansion for both newcomers and avid fans of the Sims series.
For fans of the point-and-click genre, The Wardrobe will be a game to check out–especially for those who loved the style of the 90s. Overflowing with references to basically everything related to gaming, movies, television shows, and even creepypasta, it's fun to pick out each one as they appear in each brightly colored scene to search around in. At times, the insults can become a bit grating, but overall the dialogue is cleverly written. Some of the game's puzzles seem a little ridiculous. For instance, when you finally figure out that you need to mix pills with sewer water in a beer mug to feed to a dust pile, it can be hilariously frustrating. The Wardrobe is a solid game, and even gamers who aren't familiar with point-and-click games will find it to be one that they should check out.
Overall, The Mooseman is a wonderfully crafted adventure puzzle game that has stunning music and visuals. It's apparent that Morteshka put a lot of research, time, and care into the game. While it may seem too short to some, I feel that it is the perfect length to explore these myths of old. I found The Mooseman to be a work of art and an ingenious way to explore a tale that was woven in perfectly with the game's different puzzles.
Strange Brigade is a solid third-person shooter that doesn't bring anything fresh to the genre besides its charming, over-the-top campiness which makes the game shine and not take itself too seriously. The gameplay is nothing new, but everything is executed seamlessly, and the game is relatively quite enjoyable minus a few frustrating hordes of inconvenient undead. Rebellion has provided an enjoyable game that is well-done, especially for fans of third-person shooters, but many players will have fun playing with friends.
State of Mind explores transhumanism, fiction becoming reality, and the separation between the two. It looks at what it means to fragmented, and not whole, which really is the essence of humanity. It also explores how the strive for perfection through technology, may truly be the downfall of what it means to be human. The game is story-rich and cinematic, with layers upon layers of truth to uncover and figure out how it all fits together. It kept me glued to my screen like it was a TV show I was binging. Like Blade Runner, it left me reeling with questions and conspiracies as only a thrilling adventure that examines what it means to be human can do.
While some of its bugs and awkward graphics take away from the game as a whole, Remothered: Tormented Fathers is an homage to classic old-school survival horror games that fans of the genre will definitely appreciate.
Semblance is a unique platformer whose minimalistic environment is the perfect background to the satisfyingly challenging puzzles that must be solved in order to save the adorable Squish's world. It's relaxing, aesthetically pleasing, and gradually increases its difficulty in a way that is fresh each time and does not get repetitive.
As this is the first project of Freaky Creations, and one of the first Ecuadorian games available for PlayStation 4, I look forward to what other unique, experimental games they'll come out with in the future.
Overall The Sims 4: Seasons expansion provides an entirely new experience for players and will give them another reason to revisit their Sims. I enjoyed how it changed up the daily lives of my Sims and how the holidays broke up their sometimes monotonous lives. Even though I had a serious binge while trying out the new expansion, I'm sure there are many more surprises to be found.
FAR: Lone Sails has quite a few awards and it is easy to see why during gameplay.