Kieran Toovey
Overall, One Finger Death Punch 2 is full of action and pleasing visuals. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough variety to keep the player coming back for more and more. It improves on the formula set by its predecessor, but doesn’t do a lot to distinguish itself.
In the end, Bucket Knight isn’t a masterpiece and it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it has enjoyable moments. Unfortunately, these moments are brief, just like the game.
If you’re looking for a stroll down “Where’s Waldo?” lane, or you’re a fan of hidden object games in general, Hidden Through Time is solid. The experience is pretty mellow and is a nice reprieve from a lot of current games that can induce anger with their difficulty or be ultra competitive.
In the end, Freedom Finger is a unique, and solid shoot ‘em up. Those looking for replayability can go down different branching paths in the campaign and aim for high scores in arcade mode. They can even play new missions included in the day one update. Add in the wonderful visuals and a splendid soundtrack, this is a no brainer for fans of the genre.
The end result is a game that feels too familiar all the way through with fleeting moments of originality. That being said, it is still worth it for diehard Soulsborne fans and/or lovers of the original Nioh.
Thankfully, the in-depth and engrossing story, the strong execution of the actors, and the sheer uniqueness outweigh these negatives. It appears that the genre has much more to offer, and Telling Lies exemplifies it greatly.
At the end of the day, Dread Nautical suffers from repetition, a big spike in difficulty, and a clunky interface. It’s really a tough one to recommend.
Even after playing through plenty of rogues, Fury Unleashed stands out. With its bright and varied visuals, unique combination of level design and storytelling, and polished modernized mechanics, this one will keep you coming back for more. So grab a partner or go it alone, and unleash some fury!
In the end, Shantae and the Seven Sirens overcomes its issues with a variety of fantastic visuals, tight controls, and a new cast of characters that mesh perfectly with the old characters.
Overall, CrossCode does the overwhelming majority of things right. However, the game definitely drags in certain areas (especially the dungeons) and has frustrating platforming elements, which mar the experience. But anyone who wants a heavy dose of nostalgia that’s finished off with a smooth and refined finish should look no further than this gem of a game.
Ultimately, Cuphead was a masterpiece when it originally released years ago and it still holds that position today. And with the upcoming “The Delicious Last Course” DLC set to add another playable character, levels, and bosses, more greatness could be on the horizon. The difficulty might rule some out, but this is a game that should be experienced by all.
In conclusion, Cold Symmetry has achieved greatness with Mortal Shell. The game is by no means perfect and it is fairly brief. But for such a small team and a new IP, the result is impressive. This is strongly recommended for all fans of the Souls genre and it shows that innovation still exists within the cluttered space.
In the end, it’s hard to recommend The Ambassador: Fractured Timelines. It’s not innovative, it’s not fun, the art style is not impressive, and the gameplay is very repetitive.
Feather is a short and sweet game that is enjoyable if not purely for its mellowness. The art, music, and visual variety heighten the experience to make it even more enjoyable. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t provide a lot of replayability, bringing its value into question.
When all is said and done, Nexomon: Extinction is an enjoyable experience. At times it suffers from having time wasting fetch quests and backtracking, but makes up for it with refined gameplay. Combined with being an inexpensive and non-Nintendo exclusive alternative to Pokémon: Sword and Shield, this might be the best way for a lot of gamers to scratch that itch.
Ultimately, it’s a shame that A Tale of Paper doesn’t achieve greater heights. It has the components to be a great game, but the final product just isn’t. The well developed environments and catchy melodies don’t do enough to save the game from the rest of its downfalls.
The intense rush of a photo-finish hardly ever occurs and the combat is underwhelming. Hardcore fans of the genre might find enjoyment in Pacer. But honestly, they probably won’t find enough to sink their teeth into or a reason to keep coming back for more.
Despite everything, when all is said and done, Demon’s Souls is darn near perfect. For those who missed out on the PS3 title that started it all and those who waited the entire PS4 generation for a remaster, now is the time to enjoy.
Overall, The Pathless is good, but not great. The game is really hindered by its repetitive gameplay and visuals, taking away from what is initially a very fun experience. A solid voice cast and great music definitely serve it well, but it only takes it so far. It’s more than serviceable for a launch title, but it never soars to the heights that the player hopes for.
For people looking for a “lite” version of a Souls game, this could be a good way of dipping your toe in the water. For veterans of the genre, Chronos: Before The Ashes is simply too basic and easy to actively seek out.