Thomas McDermott
Like a top-notch episode of a great TV show Oxenfree presents a well told singular story in parallel with interesting mythology.
Aviary Attorney could've quite easily been a birdbrained game built solely to ruffled some of Capcom's feathers.
It may not be a masterpiece, almost solely relying on jump scares to shock, but it is fun to play, and that's what matters most. Once it gets going, it is a non-stop rollercoaster of visceral excitement. Letting players have control as they take a selection of disparate characters through the nastiness awaiting them is a fantastic idea that is also well executed. The fact these characters quickly go from looking fine and dandy to resembling someone that's been dragged through a hedge backwards only adds to the fun!
The overall aesthetic of the game was more than enough to keep me going during the times gameplay may have faltered.
It will not be the most compelling thing you play all year, but it does what it set out to do very well. It is a clever game, with a simple idea at it's core, that consistently brings enough clever ideas to the table as it goes to remain captivating throughout.
"If only I could go back and fix my mistakes," is a phrase often casually uttered when people face hardships the world throws at them. Life is Strange is a game that turns that fantasy into a reality, but by the time Episode Three comes to an end that question itself will have changed. As fans collectively wait for Episode Four, the question on the tip of everyone's tongue will be is one person choosing to incite such change always the right thing to do?
There may be much of Rumu's narrative that is not wholly original, but the story excels as it engages modern human sensibilities.
The Mummy Demastered is a retro inspired game good enough to both whet the nostalgic urges of people of a certain age whilst fulfilling the needs of newcomers alike.
Brave New World is yet another piece of lovingly crafted evidence that should banish any lingering doubt about the developer. They are a highly capable team and a near perfect fit for this series.
Just like Stardew Valley filled a void in the hearts of those missing Harvest Moon, Golf Story does what Nintendon't by delivering a highly competent take on the Mario Golf RPG formula – an offshoot of a franchise that has gone missing for well over a decade. Golf Story likely wouldn't have existed without looking to gaming's past for inspiration but that hardly makes it a knockoff. It excels in every way you'd hope a game in this niche but fascinating genre would.
I have an ongoing, unending urge to dig my way to every secret corner of the map, and I will once again embark on this journey the moment I stop writing. I highly recommend you start your journey as I continue mine.
I'm with you to the end Life is Strange.
Ultimately this is a game that should cheer most up, even from the dullest of moods, and possibly make them feel a bit tingly in the process – due to the near saccharin levels of sheer cuteness on screen at all times. You could almost call it the video game equivalent of an ASMR video – but a lot less creepy and weird.
Ultimately, above all else, the game comes across as feeling wholly authentic – and that is a word you can attribute to only a small handful of games released in this day and age.
On to Wednesday we go, otherwise known as Episode Three. If the quality of the series remains at this level, Life is Strange could grow into something truly great. I just hope I can keep that damn plant alive until Friday.
As the end approaches, it feels right to be alongside Max Caulfield in her effort to seek closure once and for all. Even though Episode Five may be a continuous torrent of truly dire situations, it is an experience that demands attention. Intense monologues – both venomous and heartbreaking – are its standout moments. Its clever narrative offers a sense of finality that can fill you with terror, happiness, and heartbreak in equal parts. Thank you for the year that was Life is Strange – it's been emotional.