Omi Koulas's Reviews
The Artful Escape is a story about legacies, finding yourself, change and transition that presents itself in such an ingenious way that all can absolutely enjoy it. Gliding across the cosmos, playing electric guitar in unknown lands, and eventually vanquishing a divine complication with intricate audio design and superb music to accompany – it’s perplexing how captivating this interstellar adventure is. Inviting players on a musical journey through cosmic realms and challenging introspection, The Artful Escape is a masterpiece.
I’ll be thinking about my new squad of quirky techs, determined soldiers, and new alien friends for a long time after finishing XCOM: Chimera Squad, like waiting for the next issue of a great comic book.
“Microsoft Flight Simulator lets pilots fly around the world to essentially anywhere they want… innovative and mind-blowing.“
...new tricks, restored stages, a multiplayer as fun as you remember, a killer soundtrack, and fluid skating easily make THPS1+2 a must-buy for fans. Throw in that this Tony Hawk game actually works and this game is already miles ahead than the series’ last entry and easily one of the best remakes in recent memory.
...Pikmin 3 Deluxe is the same amazing game it was before. Figuring out how to traverse levels and defeating huge bosses is still great fun. The visuals, audio, and performance are up to the standard of every first-party Nintendo Switch game, capturing that superb family-friendly tone. The new side-missions, multiplayer modes, and accessibility options simply add more value to an already fantastic game.
Everhood is its own surreal beast of indescribable nature. On the surface, the adventure is a straightforward story of thievery and reclaiming… but for what means? Underlying is a cryptic tale about humanity and the darkness burdening existence that many fans of these sorts of games will utterly love. The shadowy overworld and diverse characters along the journey are mysterious to match the game’s ineffable spirit. With an outstanding selection of music to battle to in the unique combat, each fight is a bopping joy with slight twists to the mechanics adding even more fun. Already a cult hit with fans of Undertale and other games of the sort, Everhood is a bizarre and groovy adventure that can’t be missed.
The Ascent proves why the cyberpunk genre is so popular right now. There isn’t anything exactly different or unique about its story, but it perfects the atmosphere with terrific environment art and an otherworldly soundtrack. Combine that with outstanding twin-stick shooter gameplay and elements of wall cover, cool-down management, and role-playing to deepen the experience. Blasting through crews of Rojins with a rocket-firing gun, the Astrosmasher, being among my personal highlights. It may have accessibility and minor performance concerns, but it’s still sensational, action-packed, and so much fun. The Ascent may be the best cyberpunk game in the last year.
It’s a shame there isn’t any more than a straightforward 15-hour campaign and multiplayer, because Disintegration already feels like a new fandom waiting to thrive.
If it weren’t for the horrific number of bugs and glitches, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla could have gotten our vote for game of the year.
The unique mix of party-based RPG gameplay and Metroidvania style levels introduces a strangely enchanting combination. The hundred-strong roster of monsters is distinct with diverse skills and fantastic pixel art that compliment the outstanding environments they roam around. There are still a few changes needed to the combat systems, and some of the level design is sadly disappointing, yet the fascinating world of creatures gets its hooks deep with almost 30 hours of potential gameplay.