It doesn’t have any radical ideas (or much to say about the radical idea of its inspiration). But, fans of old LucasArts adventure games will find a lot to love (and laugh at) in Stuck in Attic’s debut.
But, for now, Wreckfest just doesn't live up to the promise of its name. The destruction is technically impressive, but oddly distancing. It awes with flying debris, but rarely exhilarates.
It is Bloober Team’s least scary, least interesting game. There needs to be more to Blair Witch.
Most of what this game has to offer hasn’t changed since 2012. It’s more Borderlands. Decide how you feel about that.
Felix the Reaper is an exhaustingly tedious puzzle game that attempts to set itself apart with the patina of a quirky thematic approach.
Generally, though, The Park is an effective experience. It avoids the first-person horror genre’s worst habits while conveying an engaging story. It leans hard on horror tropes (and fails to interrogate well-trod stereotypical presentations of mental illness) but manages to unearth something potent in the process. Your mileage will certainly vary; roller coasters are thrilling for some, nauseating for others. I enjoyed this ride.
Afterparty falls short of the standard that Night School set with Oxenfree. While it boasts a strong setting and brilliant set-up, it leans heavily on writing that just isn’t strong enough to shoulder the load. I still can’t wait to see what Night School does next, but Afterparty feels like a watered-down take on Oxenfree. Here’s hoping they can mix up something a little stronger for the next round.
At times it feels like playing around with a chemistry set. Except it can only produce fun and harmless explosions.
Others provide functionality, like Twilen, the opportunistic merchant who sells Ori shards, equippable stones that provide our hero with active skills or passive buffs. You won't need to interact much with Wellspring Glade's inhabitants to finish the story, but you'll unearth a treasure trove of side quests and secrets by dedicating time to the village. The more grounded, yet still clever, conversations with these new characters adds an extra layer of connection to the game's world.
Though Maid of Sker has an intriguing premise, it is very often a frustrating chore to play.
Risk of Rain 2 is an exciting roguelike with an adrenaline-pumping pace, fantastically varied perks, and intriguing secrets to spare.
Wasteland 3 doesn't bring much new to the table, both as a CRPG and as a piece of post-apocalyptic fiction. But, it's a terrifically executed role-playing game that rewards player investment from beginning to end.
Windbound drops you in a world of wilderness and open water but fails to make exploration compelling.
Spelunky 2 is a successful evolution of what made the original Spelunky work.
Technical issues and tired tropes aside, Serious Sam 4 is a largely successful synthesis of the series' disparate identities.
The Solitaire Conspiracy deals out excellent solitaire with a weak layer of FMV window dressing.
With Doom Eternal's The Ancient Gods Part 1 Part 1 DLC, the best and worst of id Software's latest are on full display.
In The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope, Supermassive Games refines its tech and aesthetic but stumbles on storytelling.
The Falconeer boasts an intriguing story and a hauntingly beautiful setting, but is hampered by repetitive missions in an empty open world.
Twin Mirror's solid character work and strong environments are shortchanged by pacing problems that undermine much of what it does well.