Zack Palm
The painful progress of The Conjuring House makes it a difficult game to recommend for any horror fan looking for a fun scare this Halloween.
Apparition is a horror game that quickly deflates as the gameplay becomes repetitive and the threats become rudimentary
The true horror behind The Callisto Protocol is how much it wants to be Dead Space without directly being tied to the franchise. The Callisto Protocol’s style and gameplay feel like hollow shells of what it’s trying to emulate, without any genuine, risky attempts to make the formula feel distinctly unique.
Ninja Theory’s combat gameplay is astounding in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. The fast-paced nature of it might feel frustrating at first, but with a bit of practice, it becomes an intricate dance that’s as satisfying to play as it is to watch on screen. Every boss battle and unique encounter mechanics were enjoyable, and I never felt frustrated battling against the same enemies.
Gotham Knights is a game that feels at odds with itself, wanting to dip its toes into so many things without fully committing itself to one thing or another.
The core gameplay of combat and the roguelike nature of Eyes in the Dark are exciting. The flashlight is an interesting weapon and offers a good amount of flexibility for every player. However, the game lacks intense combat depth that makes repeating the battles exciting, which should be the core of any roguelike.
While certain bosses’ attack combos are troublesome to avoid given your character’s recovery time, the journey of Salt and Sacrifice is thoroughly enjoyable for anyone who enjoys soulslike games.
I was never completely won over by Age of Empires IV. Still, I had a great time playing it, and everything clicked together really well without feeling too overdone. The fact an Age of Empires game could be made in 2021 and not feel like something that’s trying too hard to lean into the nostalgia of the original games is a huge accomplishment.
While the quests are thin, Disciples: Liberation has a fantasy world where good and evil don’t feel like a huge factor. It gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the game’s tactical combat, cleverly using your units in each encounter. You’ll use the quests to assist you in bolstering your forces to ensure you come out on time with the right allies on your side, leading to the ultimate conflict.
Build your own Lego character to star alongside DC's most notable baddies as they attempt the save the world from even worse villains!
Hypergun offers a fun, interesting approach to the rouge-like scene, but lacks a certain inventiveness to make it standout to other titles among its genre.
This Is The Police 2 proves to be a challenging management simulator with a dark story that sometimes gets a little long-winded. A few hiccups hold it back, but fans of the genre will enjoy it all the same.
Immortals of Aveum is a solid game with plenty of heart. The magic powers and build diversity genuinely turn it into a fantastic experience, and one I want to return to for more, coming up with a unique way to use power or how to best complement everything. I wanted to enjoy the central plot more, but I never quite felt gripped by the arching dangers to become invested in it, especially alongside Jak. There’s a lot of promise with Immortals of Aveum and the magic system Ascendant Studios brought to life. I can’t wait to try flinging more magic soon and see what other unique combinations I can craft and use against my foes.
There’s still a little bit of magic left in the Diablo 2 bottle to make Resurrected a worthwhile adventure, even for players who have been consistently going through the original game every so often with friends or by themselves. Resurrected gives a good amount of life to a game many may have only heard about but never went out of their way to try.
It’s a game with charm, gorgeous art, and soothing music, making jumping into the action extremely enjoyable. The strategy becomes even more delightful when you dive into it, slowly peeling back seemingly simple layers to show a more complex nature underneath it. A lot is going on in Wildfrost, but it never overwhelms you, and it’s easy to find yourself lost in it for hours as you carve the path forward for your tribe.
Although there is a distinct lack of social and side activities for you to enjoy in Fire Emblem Engage, it’s for the better. These cuts made Engage a more enjoyable experience from start to finish, with the overarching plot taking a backseat to the phenomenal strategic combat
Two Point Campus has a solid and well-polished gameplay loop, and it’s undoubtedly an easily replayable experience. But unfortunately, the development team doesn't pull any surprises in the game's complexity or doesn’t take a risk by adding something that hasn’t been done before.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is everything any Star Wars fan would want in a Lego game. The humor might lean a bit too much into the childish side during your favorite moments of the franchise, but the gameplay, galaxy exploration, and pile of challenges never leave you wanting more things to do.
Megaquarium gives you the chance to run your own aquarium and figure out how to make fish the best thing since sliced bread
Cultist Simulator may have a high learning curve, but the meaningful rewards matter to you, and the variety of choices encourage you to experiment during each game.