But that doesn't change the fact that this is an entertaining and very worthwhile ride, and one that players might want to experience more than once from the beginning to see all of the different ways in which the deadly events at Hackett's Quarry can unfold (including all of the gruesome deaths).
Whether it's the best occult or not is another matter. As a package, Werewolves is a shade above Vampires by 2022 standards – with supporting content like the world and accompanying lore fleshing out the occult beyond the core gameplay. But we'd also argue that a vampire Sim, by itself, has more engaging interactions with other Sims and weaknesses that have greater impact on everyday moments.
That's not to say it's impossible to develop well-made packs for The Sims 4 several years on. In fact, some of the packs mentioned above were received well, we really liked Snowy Escape, and there are positives in My Wedding Stories that can be appreciated. But this pack raises major questions about how much longer The Sims 4 can realistically hold out.
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain shines as a party game, adopting a family-friendly approach that evens the playing field regardless of each player's age and experience. We had a lot of fun with our family and friends across the 20 puzzle activities featured in this accessible and budget-priced package. It's just a pity that there aren't a few more minigames (or a slightly more substantial single-player component) for greater replay value.
Mario Party Superstars is the strongest outing for the long-running franchise since at least the early GameCube days. It doesn't take many risks and admittedly lacks imagination, but this party leans on nostalgia and understands why these games are so popular among longtime fans. It's a well-executed and highly enjoyable return to the series' roots while remaining largely accessible to first-time players.
Samus Aran's latest 2D mission boasts consistently high thrills in exploration and combat to provide a worthy sequel to a highly-regarded game that came out 19 years ago.
Tetris Effect remains the best version of Tetris on the market, and the Nintendo Switch port is hardly compromised, successfully retaining what made the game stunning in the first place. The added portability of the Switch version is more than enough reason to double-dip, and it looks wonderful on the OLED Model's new screen if you're fortunate enough to have the upgraded console.
True Colors makes an extremely strong case for the best Life Is Strange game yet, with an affecting story that tackles themes such as loss and belonging and featuring the series' most likeable protagonist to date in Alex Chen. The town of Haven Springs is also a standout, and by the end of the game, I was sad that I had to say goodbye to the cast of characters. Hopefully this isn't the last time we see Alex.
WarioWare makes a welcome return, providing the familiar fast-paced microgames action that fans will be accustomed to. Filled with quirky charm, this Switch entry doesn't disappoint. The new character gimmick, however, does get in the way slightly despite adding a neat twist to some of the microgames.
New Pokémon Snap is a delight, and a big part of that comes from how the Pokémon are brought to life, from the animations to their behaviours and the way they inhabit the world. Each unique creature is afforded their moment to shine, contributing towards making the Lental region a vivid and fulfilling place to explore.
Super Mario 3D World on the Nintendo Switch is the definitive version of an already stellar game. More than seven years after the original release, Mario's Wii U adventure hasn't aged a bit – oozing creativity and providing platforming thrills at nearly every turn. Bowser's Fury is a nice little companion, and although not quite as consistent, it combines with 3D World to form an outstanding package.
The Outer Worlds is one of the most polished and best games of this type, undoubtedly helped by the smaller scope. Focusing and doubling down on the right areas while telling a story that often asks thought-provoking and difficult questions, the game provides a memorable time without overstaying its welcome.
Starting virtually from scratch has allowed the developer to experiment and push themselves as storytellers, and the result is a more grounded and mature story that has real potential.