Frantic and rhythmic, ROBOBEAT enters the small crowd of music-centric action games that blend the timing of beats and bullets. While touted as a roguelite, it's more random arcade shooter at heart, focusing on the thrill of the kinetic kill.
While Eternal Strands may openly pull ideas from numerous beloved games, there is a distinct charm and creativity in its execution, despite some questionable physics. Familiarity is merely one tool threading this promising tapestry together.
Tales of Graces f Remastered is a wonderful expression of translating a classic JRPG onto modern consoles. Rather than attempt a costly, unnecessary overhaul, Tose and Bandai Namco paid respect to this legacy series by bringing it to a current audience, one made up of series veterans and newcomers.
Few games are as compellingly unique as The Thaumaturge, a murder mystery set in 1905 Poland, brimming with magical realism, intricate writing, and enough clever ideas to cover up a few shortcomings.
Despite the overstuffed quality of this ambitious package, it's hard not to admire the noble attempt Spirit Mancer makes to capture diverse genres and blend it into a game with whimsical pixel art and breezy combat.
Metaphor: ReFantazio continues Atlus' generational streak of stylish, remarkable JRPGs. Persona and Shin Megami Tensei fans will feel at home but this new fantasy world is gracefully transformative and rife with meaningful subtext.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is the best entry in the long-running franchise since 2019's Modern Warfare reboot. While omni-directional movement is likely going to become the new gold standard, the true highlight is one of Call of Duty's best, most inventive campaigns ever.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure retains the focus present in True Colors while bringing back the supernatural mystery angle of Max Caulfield's inaugural adventure. Deck Nine again proves it is a worthy caretaker of this dense, narrative series.
El Paso, Elsewhere may seem a mimicry of multiple games and ideas. But its impeccable writing and vibrant soundtrack carve a path through evolving chapters of demon hunting and introspection, leaving the player thirsty for more.
Neva follows Nomada Studios' ethos laid out by Gris, telling an equally captivating, thematic tale with a remarkable art style that, while short, will certainly linger on the mind long after credits roll.
Phoenix Springs is an interesting take on the point-and-click adventure genre, transforming more into a visual, text-based journey relying on more than enough guesswork to piece together its often nebulous solutions.
Concord is an incredibly distinct PvP shooter in an incredibly busy space. Tight, polished gameplay drives its diverse cast along a number of memorable maps. Distinctly old-school in its execution, it is multiplayer game stripped of annoyance and packed with fun.
Charming, inventive, and constantly transforming, The Plucky Squire is not only a celebration of adventure and games, it's an exploration of creativity and art. Wildly distinct art styles and genres harmonize in this perspective-bending tale.
Pepper Grinder's unique drilling mechanic and sheer variety of levels do well to distract from its paper-thin length. Players looking for a different type of platformer that is one-and-done outside of crunching for better times should enjoy this brisk grind.
Mars 2120 undeniably borrows heavily from the progenitor of the genre it aspires to emulate. Metroid hallmarks are here--along with a few interesting twists and setpieces--but are held back by some finicky issues and a rushed power creep.
Deadlink is a pulse-pounding boomer shooter wrapped in roguelite trappings. By stripping the fat and relying on intense action, GRUBY Entertainment delivers the best both genres have to offer.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is absolutely worth the cost of its significantly difficult entry point. When exploring the vast reaches of the Shadow Realm, it is impossible to deny how FromSoftware managed to capitalize on Elden Ring‘s immense thrill of discovery and challenge. Shadow of the Erdtree is a full expansion of the masterful vision that represents the culmination of the developer’s work, one that raises the standard even higher, one that feels unimaginable to best. But if there’s studio that can do it, it’s the one who made Elden Ring.
V Rising's surprising blend of genres manages to incorporate a vampire simulation no game has accomplished. Harvesting blood from foes and the innocent to not only strengthen your powers and your castle results in a satisfying, gothic fantasy.
Indika unquestionably defies definition. A swirl of impactful narrative and visual decisions are meant to resonate with the player longer than they linger on screen. It may be offbeat to a fault but this brief journey is uncompromising in vision.
Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game excels in its uncomplicated experiment with asymmetrical multiplayer. Rather than bog players down in multiple systems, IllFonic and Teravision choose kinetic gameplay that always has players doing something. Such a stripped-down experience is made memorable by the campy nature of the film, quick matches, and fast leveling. Of course, the circus elephant in the room is how welcome the community will be towards embracing a game that leans more into thrills and less into horror. Will the Killer Klowns wrap us up in its sugary embrace or scare us away?