Ben Sheene


135 games reviewed
84.7 average score
85 median score
77.3% of games recommended
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Mar 27, 2024

Alone in the Dark‘s revival has been a long time coming. And while this new take on the mysteries of Derceto Manor carry a decades-long weight of survival horror innovation, Pieces Interactive almost missed the mark. Barring underwhelming combat and a lack of polish, curious players will be met with an expertly acted, unnerving tale of madness that just might be the spark Alone in the Dark needs to reemerge from the shadows.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Rise of the Ronin
Mar 21, 2024

Rise of the Ronin is not merely an amalgamation of open-world tropes with punishing combat. While its side activities may be unremarkable and its serene world more barren than alive, each system feeds into itself. This is done in service to further expand upon Team NINJA’s character-driven combat fantasy, one supplemented by a narrative housed in cultural and political intrigue during one of Japan’s most turbulent periods. Whether looking for a casual, open-world jaunt or a ferocious action-adventure, Rise of the Ronin is steeped in choice.

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Mar 8, 2024

Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator is just that: cozy. There’s little reason to strive for perfection in a game that merely wants players to dabble in its goal of building whatever kind of idyllic flower patch desired. This kind of directionless aura may be a turn off for those seeking a different kind of simulator but what’s on offer is hard not to enjoy.

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Feb 22, 2024

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth codifies the long-lasting significance of JRPGs from the mid to late ’90s, an era in which developers finally had the tools to tell captivating sagas with little compromise.

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Jan 11, 2024

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an exceptional entry in the Metroidvania genre. What started out as an inventive spin on the time-bending franchise became a masterclass in 2D combat and traversal. Players wanting a dense, rich map riddled with secrets will find a happy home. Those wishing for surprisingly deep battles and razor-sharp navigation puzzles won’t be let down. With each new moment, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown becomes timeless.

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Dec 17, 2023

Have a Nice Death should satisfy any player looking for a roguelike that excels at being more than merely competent. Bolstered by an incredible art style, accessible combat with a taste for encouraging lengthier and harder playthroughs sets Have a Nice Death firmly amongst the heaviest of competition.

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9 / 10.0 - Cookie Cutter
Dec 15, 2023

Cookie Cutter is hyper-violent translation of old-school Metroidvanias that gracefully does not allow itself to get bogged down with convoluted modern flourishes. Exploration tools drop the player into a satisfying progression loop that doesn’t rely on random elements and combat is not overtly punishing. But it’s Cookie Cutter‘s unique visual palette and uncompromising absurdity that truly leave a bloody impression before ever allowing itself to grow stale.

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Nov 17, 2023

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III will likely be one of the most troubled releases in the series' history. A Campaign and Zombies mode rife with Warzone influence make it difficult for the better parts to shine. Thankfully the multiplayer feels the best it has in years.

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8.3 / 10.0 - The Invincible
Nov 14, 2023

The Invincible is an apt, narrative-focused piece of science fiction. Avoid entrenched gameplay expectations as this "walking sim" aims to extend a curious, eerie hand, offering players a tense journey of alien discovery meant to be slowly absorbed.

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6 / 10.0 - PAYDAY 3
Oct 28, 2023

Payday 3's catastrophic debut has instilled little faith in me. Despite a strong mechanical core and knowledge of Starbreeze's past support, it's apparent the game needed months more to cook and even then it may lose all but a hardcore audience.

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Oct 16, 2023

Like its web-slinging hero, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 pulls double duty. Not only does this sequel vastly improve on the original, it has become the zenith of superhero features, bursting with blockbuster setpieces and sublime open-world action.

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9.5 / 10.0 - Cocoon
Sep 28, 2023

Cocoon's core premise is an evocative meditation on puzzle mechanics. A player's thought process should never come unraveled in this mysterious universe of overlapping worlds and expertly crafted "a ha!" moments that propel to new reveals and deeper brain teasers.

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7.8 / 10.0 - Ad Infinitum
Sep 12, 2023

Ad Infinitum deals in many types of horror, often skewering expectations. Though rough around the edges and packing unremarkable puzzles, the terrifying truths of its real-world scares offer more captivating chills than its monster-focused moments.

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Sep 12, 2023

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon strays from the recent FromSoftware formula to deliver an amplified exploration of its long-dormant mech series. Intense action and deep customization more than make up for its daunting opening hours and nebulous story.

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6.5 / 10.0 - Fort Solis
Sep 6, 2023

Fort Solis' aspirations of big-budget, television-like storytelling nails the look and sound in spades. But its execution may leave players wanting, especially those searching for a viable video game.

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7 / 10.0 - Somerville
Sep 3, 2023

In Somerville's attempt to differentiate from Limbo and Inside, player's are left with a moody, wordless story lacking technical finesse and head-scratching puzzles that define the genre's best.

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9.5 / 10.0 - Sea of Stars
Aug 28, 2023

Sea of Stars is a pitch-perfect homage to many of the classic turn-based RPGs from a bygone, beloved era. Rather than mere imitation, Sabotage Studio has crafted a loving tribute to genre hallmarks.

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10 / 10.0 - Baldur's Gate 3
Aug 10, 2023

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a watershed moment for RPGs and gaming. It represents one of the closest approximations of true freedom, creativity, and player choice available, evolving concepts and mechanics that have been tinkered with for decades. Using Dungeons & Dragons as its catalyst, Larian has honored the past and forged a new future for a genre that has allowed increased agency for players to put their thoughts, feelings, hopes, and wants inside of a digital realm and live. Like every other player, my experience with Baldur’s Gate 3 is significantly anecdotal, ripe with unique stories about what happened to me that would take hours to share. But why listen to me when you can become lost in one of the most richly beautiful worlds ever created and make up your own tale?

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9.5 / 10.0 - Diablo IV
Jun 14, 2023

Diablo 4 is the herald of your newest time sink. Blizzard's constantly captivating ARPG went to refine rather than redefine, resulting in a familiar dungeon crawler that gives players fountains of loot and endless possibilities to blitz through increasingly vicious foes.

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6.8 / 10.0 - SkateBIRD
Jun 10, 2023

SkateBIRD is capable enough to ensnare players looking for a game that encapsulates its simple, clever pun. Beyond that, however, is a passable skating experience that would have benefited from a touch more polish and a slightly more vibrant world.

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