Eric Hall
Planet of the Eyes is a thoroughly average platformer that needed more in order to stand out. The mood of the game crafted by Cococucumber is solid, but the gameplay just doesn't measure up to even the most basic platformers out there. There's just not enough here to make the game worth recommending.
Capcom's popular crossover remains as enjoyable as ever, but a disappointing roster and off-putting visuals drag down the Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite experience.
Absolver has the potential to develop into something very special. As it stands now, though, the content just isn't entirely there yet. Coupled with a handful of nagging problems, it's hard to recommend the title to anyone but only the most dedicated fighting fans out there.
Nidhogg 2 is a solid multi-player title that is bogged down by a handful of issues. The online play is currently a mess, the single player is lackluster at best and the new weapons do more harm than good. It's a testament to how rock solid the gameplay is, though, that the title is still worth checking out if you have friends willing to embrace its weirdness. For now, I'll stick with the original, though.
Clumsy combat aside, Songbringer is a gorgeous adventure that successfully stands out among the overcrowded dungeon crawler genre.
While More Than A Feeling at least gives Telltale's fledgling series direction, the surprisingly brisk length and game-breaking bugs place it among the studio's lesser efforts.
Matterfall may not be the best product developed by Housemarque in recent years, but it is still a thrilling adventure that boasts excellent gameplay and gorgeous visuals.
Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 may not be as sizable when compared to its predecessor, but it still boasts four solid entries from Capcom's dormant franchise.
Sundered is a sight to behold, and has a unique world that I loved exploring. However, the controller-smashing cheapness of the combat, and iffy technical performance make it tough to recommend for those unwilling to embrace the grind and conquer the challenge.
Nex Machina is another impressive addition to the portfolio of Housemarque. It's a top-tier shooter with dazzling visuals that never lets up on the action.
The metroidvania-lover in me wished Randall turned out to be more enjoyable. There are some interesting ideas here, like the use of mind control, but the good of that is buried under a litany of technical problems and just general sloppy design. Like the titular hero, I found myself frequently battling headaches during my time with the game.
Strafe has the look and style to stand out, but Pixel Titans should have been focusing on making sure the game was not only fully functional, but actually fun to play, as well.
Forma.8 may not be perfect gameplay-wise, but gorgeous visuals and a true sense of exploration and discovery elevate it above other Metroidvania titles.
Loot Rascals is a neat variation of roguelikes with a charming, oddball style that's unfortunately marred by an over-reliance on luck and frustrating difficulty spikes.
With the exception of a late episode misstep, Hitman: The Complete First Season is a perfectly designed showcase for the skills of Agent 47, as well as an excellent demonstration of the benefits of an episodic release structure.
Not even nostalgia can save Saban's Mighty Morphin: Power Rangers from feeling like a mediocre and rushed licensed screw-up.
Toby: The Secret Mine isn't a bad game because it's so similar to other titles. It's bad because it can't even come close to matching the strength of releases from five years ago.
Colorful, gorgeous visuals and refined mechanics help Shantae: Half-Genie Hero not only reach franchise highs, but also establishes the series as one of the genre's best.
Whether you're speeding across the Monte Rosa in a wing-suit, or casually riding down the Ortles, Steep is an enjoyable winter playground. And, with a few tweaks and fixes, both minor and major, from Ubisoft Annecy, it could eventually develop into a great one.
Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection is a great introduction to Ubisoft's popular franchise, but for those already familiar with the series, the lacklustre remaster treatment given here makes it hard to recommend.