Try as Mirror Forge might, it never reaches the ambition it establishes in the opening moments. Generic and stock-standard horror storytelling provides beats you've mostly seen before, leaving players going through the motions. Uninspired and funky-looking characters and monster designs rip away the mystique the game offers. There are some eerie environments, with pulsating fleshy walls amid harsh industrial complexes that feel incredibly Silent Hill. That should be praised as such. However, at the end of the day, Mirror Forge is an unfortunate case of missed potential and raising scope too high. Neither remarkable nor an offensive entry to the horror genre, you might as well let this one pass you by.
Ammunition-fueled ATV trips, Mech piloting sequences and taking down squid-operated choppers levels of insane action can’t save Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem. No matter how varied the environments or silky smooth the gunplay and weapons may be this time around, it’s clear the franchise is in need of more of a shakeup. Blowing through waves and waves of extraterrestrial threats doesn’t take long to blur together and once more feels like going through the motions. It’s frustrating too; creating a game with the help of loyal fan modders is arguably as true as the franchise can get. Still, it struggles to impress. Maybe it’s high time the Serious Sam series take notes from its most recent setting: traipsing away on ice for a little while.
Actraiser Renaissance certainly is a SNES remake for better or worse. The 2D parts of this game have been remade poorly in regards to mechanics and visual fidelity. The gameplay loop of varying between action platformer and city-building sim did get its hooks in me but will be a harder sell for others. While it proves difficult to remain a strong recommendation, there are nuggets of character dialogue gold in there that are worth seeing through. On top of that, the visuals and music that come with these moments are special and remain evident why this is such a cult classic. If all else, I’m glad I got to check out a deeper cut in the Square Enix catalogue. Flaws and all, it’s at the very least got some heart.
Have you ever played a game that has so many intriguing ideas that are begging to work but never quite reach that level? Chernobylite is that game for me. Never boring but never keeping me on the edge of my seat. Most of my investment here lies in the potential it shares. Donning your gear and risking your life for precious rarities may very well be worth it if you’re part of the hardcore survival fanbase and waiting on something new. If not, bunkering down and steering clear could undoubtedly do you good.
I understand Nintendo seeing an appeal in releasing Miitopia on the Switch. It’s that kind of family-friendly adventure with social capabilities that’ll help it remain in the zeitgeist whilst also generating money. Still, I can’t help but be frustrated by the minimal additions the game has on offer with this new port. On a 3DS, Miitopia is a great and fun delightful integration. On the Switch, it’s only a decent adventure with some laughs and time-killing to be had. I wanted more.
Eclipsed by the greatness of Until Dawn before it, The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope will never quite take off in the way you hope. There’s enough in its bones to make it a fun distraction for horror fans for a few hours but that’s about all.
Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is quite an okay example of a game being made out of a television show. That being said I don’t think there’s a world where it could’ve been anymore than that. It’s a good introduction to the tactics genre and has some neat levels, but that’s about it. It’s decent, that’s all.
When pen comes to paper, Liberated unfortunately doesn’t work in the way I so desperately wanted it to...
Life Eater is a game I'm a little sad I can't rate on concept and premise alone. Snooping through timelines of activities of potential targets and investigating tidbits to try and correctly take down those requested is good on paper, offering the same highs of franchises such as Hitman. However, its execution is a little underbaked. The qualifiers for targets are equally too vague and too simple with little variety, leading to friction and distrust about whether or not you're on the right track. There is quality design in the way you're managing meters to avoid suspicion and maximising your time, along with some stellar returning performances from the likes of Xalavier Nelson Jr. However, Life Eater needed a little more time bunkering down, taking notes, and just getting every little thing right. The perfect hunt it is not.
Lords of the Fallen may be better than its predecessor in many regards, but it isn't quite worthy of standing among the genre giants yet. However, this isn't from a lack of trying. Excellent and varied biomes are on offer that are truly striking and immersive to be beheld to. There are quality improvements to make the experience smoother. Still, balancing for builds, boss fights… the whole gambit is a little all over the place so far. Consider this with some of the bugs currently experienced in-game and it's not quite smooth sailing yet. Hopefully, before long Lords can be patched into a state where it stands solidly amongst the genre giants.
Samba De Amigo: Party Central isn't quite the revitalisation of the licensed music rhythm game, but it is a decent, weird and charming little title. It's a big deal that the franchise is returning after fifteen years and to celebrate is a fun enough and grooving adventure that celebrates both a wide range of excellent songs across multiple genres and even the SEGA name as a whole. Playing in multiplayer, competitively or co-operatively makes for dastardly sabotage or harmonious pairing fun. While this lets up somewhat in motion control movements not being as responsive as they should, button prompt inputs make for a rhythmic good time as you work up a finger cramp or two gliding your fingers across the face buttons. The Streamigo campaign mode may offer a nice setting but will test players with its grindy nature and artificially bloated length. Still, for every shortfall, there's enough whimsy in Party Central that it will be certainly worth picking up those maracas and shaking it all out to a moving, grooving time.
Undoubtedly set to be divisive, We Are OFK will garner fans in with its catchy pop tunes and emotional storytelling, but also lose just as many with narrative and character omissions, light gameplay and purposefully cheesy dialogue. Still, for better or worse, this is an experience not like many others. Captivating cinematography also paints a haunting if bittersweet L.A. narrative. Like a classic pop debut that its own self is based on, We Are OFK has heart and moments that'll reel you in while remaining plenty messy. If all else, isn't that how this road was always going to go?
Pepper Grinder is a good video game but it doesn't feel like a complete video game. The mechanic of burrowing away through different biomes is always satisfying as you make platforming leaps of faith between different bodies of ground. What exploration, world and mechanical growth is there is really strong, it's just limited and brief. Fun throughout but over before you know it, Pepper Grinder is a charming title that is just missing that extra little spice.
Tchia provides a vibrant and enjoyable world to explore. Soul jumping into an animal or object to move about is an incredible mechanic that allows for creativity, experimentation, and improvisation. Sailing among the waves is mesmerising in colour and imagery, as is the thick jungle and wildlife that also awaits. What's more refreshing is the open-world formula the game offers that doesn't daunt you, only rewarding you for however much you choose to engage with it. Tchia may have the occasional bug on PC and a rocky and overly accelerated last quarter of a story, but remaining throughout is a narrative and world with heart, love, and a feeling of home. For that alone, this is a game well worth taking to the high seas for.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me is the best game in the series yet. Featuring a solid cast and dynamics to boot, I was well engaged in wanting to ensure everyone made it out of the horrific Murder Castle alive and was genuinely devastated when some didn't. More opportunities are provided to explore and pick apart the environment than ever, often unearthing genuinely intriguing readables. Technical shortcomings once again rear their head a bit, showing stiff character animations from time to time and varied visual fidelity in some character models. Some of the equipment you'll use to poke about the hell you've found yourself in is inconsequential but when they work they really work. At the end of the day, these flaws are forgivable. With obstructive shifting walls and deadly traps waiting around every corner so that you're never really sure when you're safe or not, The Devil in Me is a very alluring setting for horror fans.
At the end of the day, Foretales offers a broad and delightful journey all within a digital tabletop setting. Its card art and party are diverse. Clever and varied card mechanics, along with party members' abilities, make for a fun suite of solution tools to use against some tough and fantastical narrative-based obstacles. However, with a lack of checkpoints, players may at times feel like they have bitten off more than they can chew in a run. Still, this remains a funky, unique little indie worth checking out for ambition and coziness alone. Carry on.
Demon Turf is a good game begging the eyes of those invested in the collectathon niche. Plenty of fun hours are on offer to watch those numbers tick up and pull off some tight and joyful platforming. It may waver in some of its later combat and ability design, also proving unfriendly for younger audiences. Though just as much forgiveness is issued when you consider how devoted the game is to tackling its genre. If you’re looking for a more modest and fun game to wind down the year, this is it.
...a thrilling, quite pleasurable experience that, while the answers may not always be satisfying, will leave you guessing until its conclusion. I can only hope this remaster is the start of a new turn for the series. Flaws and all, the Project Zero franchise is more than worthy of another shot in the spooky spotlight.
Lost Judgment is a hell of a game, mess and all. Passing its predecessor in some regards and lagging behind in others, it at least has solid bang for your buck and brings the franchise goods that have been built upon over recent years. However, I’m disappointed by some of the shortfalls. Female character treatment remains a problem in-game and the mystery or detective gameplay don’t feel as solid as the one prior. Still, if you’re after a living breathing world with plenty to do and some of the best combat the series has seen yet, then this is a mystery adventure that still manages to hit hard.
Boyfriend Dungeon is a good dating sim held back to being something truly great by its curious choices and lite dungeon-crawler elements. While you may not get the deepest rogue-like experience in-game, you will be satisfied by some of the intense, hot (and maybe even cute) relationships on offer. Just tread careful ground if you’re sensitive to some of the themes that the game is exploring. Regardless, some good and disposable fun can be had smashing some monsters and pashing some cuties. Delve on.