Telling too much of ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos’ story would compromise what it’s really trying to do, but this isn’t to imply that it’s reliant on some sort of obligatory Shyamalan twist. No, like the best visual novels, it remains focused on its character growth, and unveils its secrets and motives with time. For someone with even a light taste for anime who may not normally take to visual novels, ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos should make them a believer.
Dandy Ace is roguelike fun dialed up loud.
Little Nightmares II finds a niche and thrives.
Cyber Shadow brings the nostalgia in bunches.
Scott Pilgrim holds up exceptionally well.
Art Sqool is more sketch than masterpiece.
The takeaway is this: Watch Dogs: Legion is an ambitious simulation which reliably fails whenever players push against its boundaries. Like the cargo drones which grant them the ability to freely fly, it hits an invisible ceiling that prevents players from soaring above London’s skyscrapers.
There’s a reason the Sands of Salzaar fanbase put in so much unpaid translation modding work prior to this full release: it’s an inspired and engrossing RPG that delivers a fierce value for its modest price. It makes up for an occasional lack of polish with impressive and entertaining depth, and features an excellent soundtrack that somehow doesn’t wear out its welcome 50 hours in. While the game is narrative-complete, Han-Squirrel Studio’s attentive updates thus far means that more content could well be on the horizon, and a spirited mod community will only grow further with this English translation. Anyone wanting to lose themselves in a new sandbox RPG need look no further: Sands of Salzaar is it.
That’s about as much as should be spoiled for a game which all fans of the first and many curious neophytes will readily purchase on sight. Spelunky 2 is, at the end of the day, more Spelunky, an unspeakably radiant generosity to the medium at large. Whether or not it’s perfect is beside the point, because it’s the very definition of a must-play game. While multiplayer could not be tested for this review, the addition of online co-op will likely set Twitch streams on fire, and the return of daily runs ensures that Spelunky 2 is a game that will happily remain installed for years to come, and may even improve with age.
We should talk says a lot with a little.
Almost anyone smitten by Necrobarista’s style will find more than enough to warrant its asking price, including a rather poignant denouement after three hours of play, but it risks frustrating anyone expecting more of a game and less of a film.
Death Stranding is a game meant to be experienced by all, even those who won’t complete it, and a good PC build makes this the best version to determine if Sam is the right porter for the job.
The new indie game Wildfire is a boon for stealth game fans, and it's packed with smart ideas, interesting spells, and inventive level design.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners isn't just a great use of the source material, but a top-notch survival action game that fulfills VR's potential.
New indie game Itta combines a dreary narrative with hairy bullet-hell bosses, though some half-baked systems hold it back from greatness.
Treachery in Beatdown City mixes classic brawls with turn-based tactics, but it's compromised by an easily exploitable combat system and short length.
Tactics game Element Space's port to the PlayStation 4 is something of a failure to launch, with poor presentation and stability in a crowded genre.
Mission: It's Complicated is a wonderfully relatable and inclusive superhero romance dating sim, offered up for free on Steam for Valentine's Day.
The Arcade Crew/Turtleblaze's Kunai is a masterclass in 2D action, and will be catnip to metroidvania platformer fans looking for their next fix.
Doctor Who: The Edge of Time on PS VR is filled with exciting bouts of fan service, but the VR game built around it feels considerably dated.