Jake Su's Reviews
Despite the rebranding, EA Sports FC 24 is a familiar product for good and for worse. The technological improvements continue to push the experience of mimicking the Beautiful Game in the right direction; having more leagues is always great, and the additional support for the women’s game is commendable. There remains niggling issues, as well as the sense that things are reaching a plateau, but for players looking for their football fix, there really isn’t any worthy substitute out there right now, even if this newcomer feels more like a Europa League contender instead of a Champions League heavyweight.
Whether you are a seasoned combatant or a new one stepping into the arena for the first time, Mortal Kombat 1 has something for you. The Kameo system has revitalized the trusted formula, which has improved with the many welcomed changes made by the team, everything looks great in motion, and the story mode is more engaging than ever before. Invasions might not be for everybody, and online play could do with some work, but there is nothing too major holding this game back from shining brightly. A new era of Mortal Kombat has arrived, and things are looking smashingly good.
Ultimately, Immortals of Aveum stands tall in the first-person shooter genre, replacing guns and bullets with magical mayhem. The combat is engrossing and intense, the puzzles and platforming provide plenty of reasons to enjoy the details, and its full focus on a single-player experience pays dividends with a solid campaign that bodes well for building something even bigger. True to its name, perhaps this is one game that will definitely live long in the memory.
A grizzled veteran will find much to love in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, and with FromSoftware continuing to refine its approach of hardcore sensibilities with a degree of accessibility, so will newcomers to this fabled franchise. The action comes fast and heavy; there is immense depth and enjoyment to be had in assembling ACs, and with a story that takes plenty of twists and turns leading to any of the three endings, it has been an immense pleasure to see things to the end, and return for more before the dust even settles.
It is clear to see that Blasphemous 2 is an excellent sequel which addresses many of the issues that plagued the debut game. The combat retains its tactical and methodical nature but amps it up with improved mechanics and the breadth of customisation available to players. Similarly, exploration is even more enjoyable this time around, with environmental puzzles doing their part. Combine all of that with the stunning pixel art visuals, and you have a great time ahead of you, even if the storytelling can be a tad ostentatious.
Even if you end up playing solo, the many ways in which Moving Out 2 has improved the original formula and amped up the fun factor will undoubtedly push players to find co-op partners to partake in the chaos. A healthy variety of creative levels, level elements, and charming character personalities all contribute to a party waiting to happen, and that’s saying plenty when it comes to the thankless task of moving furniture.
At the end of the day, Atlas Fallen is certainly a worthwhile open-world action RPG to consider for your next adventure. Its world and creatures are mostly a delight, and the co-op potential is there for friends to have a great time. Just don’t look closely at either the story or the visuals, and you will have a good time.
It is a testament to the developers and writers that Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical remains an accessible adventure, even for those not particularly into musicals or video games in general. The immense effort put into the world, the art, music, and storytelling is clear to see, and while there is room to venture into a more involved discourse about mental health and the human condition, this is an excellent start of an imaginative and unconventional concept, one well deserving of an encore and a standing ovation.
The game ultimately can’t shake off the repetitiveness that eventually sets in, while the lack of rewarding incentives and awkward platforming do not help its cause. Yet, the combat delivers with great impact, helped by a colourful roster of unique characters and a smart tag-team system that expands the possibilities of combat approaches. All in all, Double Dragon Gaiden is a journey worth embarking on, even if it is for the first few runs to give players a taste of the various mechanics in play.
In essence, Remnant 2 outperforms its predecessor in every single way, with its focus on procedural generation paying off handsomely. The action is satisfying on every level, the loot grind is anything but, and the sheer amount of possibilities when it comes to archetypes, skills, and gear means a fresh experience can be created almost instantly. While the main plot lacks impact, and the visuals can be subpar, the real meat of the action is juicy and succulent, and if you happen to have friends along for the ride, this is one new obsession that can be a mainstay for years to come.
In essence, Dave the Diver is not like anything that players would imagine based on their first glance at this RPG. Its story is simply intriguing and engrossing, both parts of its gameplay formula complement each other greatly with fun and depth, and the many different surprises always manage to astound, usually in a good way. Despite the rare bugs and the lack of challenge in some of its bosses and puzzles, this is one deep-sea dive and sushi restaurant that should have droves of players lining up to taste its goodness.
While it is definitely great to see a new contender step into the ring, AEW: Fight Forever feels like it is just making up the numbers in its current state. There is much potential based on the few solid ideas the game pushes, with its fights being frenetic and characters being larger than life. Everything else, however, is well below the level of a main event and ultimately contributes to a missed opportunity for a shot at being top of the ladder.
It can be hard to compare Park Beyond to its obvious inspirations, even if there are many similarities. On its own, this is a park management sim that places emphasis on fun above everything else, even at the cost of a more involved management aspect. The space for creativity and freedom is unmatched, but the lack of depth and unpolished state of things can leave much to be desired.
Needless to say, Street Fighter 6 has set a new benchmark for the genre in more ways than one. The new Drive System injects a new sense of depth into an established formula, the roster is more than substantial to keep players busy, and the online netcode allows for true skill to shine through. Other than the slight misstep of the World Tour mode, everything else connects like a well-timed haymaker, and that’s an impressive feat to say the least.
The worry remaining is that the balance needs to be struck well in order to maintain Diablo IV as a viable and long-lasting adventure that doesn’t lose its freshness or that the incessant rush to get more powerful gear becomes a chore rather than a thrill. At this juncture, there’s much for players both old and new to dive into, making combat and exploration exciting times, all while pushing the story forward in a new chapter for Sanctuary. The hope is that this will last, and that Blizzard will continue to support the game in all ways. After all, Lilith is coming, and all hail the Mother.
Ultimately, Redfall could have been a great way for Arkane to branch out in its development philosophies and strategies, but the final product leaves too much to be desired. Instead of turning players into willing thralls of exciting combat and teamwork, dropped into an engaging world full of treasures, what we have got is the opposite. Everything fans love about the studio’s work is sorely missing in this nightmare, and that is but a stake through the heart of a risk not worth taking.
It would have been easy to dismiss Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores as just another DLC that doesn’t do much, but on the contrary, this is one new chapter that fans will sink their teeth into and come out the other end satisfied and excited for Aloy’s next adventure. From further refining a gorgeous world, expanding the character development, to adding even more spice to the established combat formula, the experience comes to possess additional depth and flavour that should not be missed, even if certain impactful moments don’t exactly hit the mark.
There are small issues, which in the grand scheme of things, wouldn’t amount to much when Star Wars Jedi: Survivor remains exemplary in the areas that matter more. Having been introduced to Cal Kestis in 2019, it is fitting that in 2023, we finally get to see the fruits of Respawn’s labour. Here stands a mature Jedi Knight, capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of not just saving the day, but doing so with flair and proficiency, a similar journey for a sequel that takes centre stage in our galaxy.
Needless to say, Company of Heroes 3 marks a triumphant return of the beloved RTS series from Relic. With the tight, tense battles that can be experienced in the linear North African campaign or the more player-driven dynamic campaign remaining the star attraction, further reinforced by the presence of a new layer of strategic considerations, Company of Heroes 3 is headed in the right direction. All it needs now is for the balance to be worked out and technical issues to be eliminated, and this might just be the best entry yet.
Overall, Dead Island 2 knows exactly what it is under the skin’s surface. An action RPG that is all about explosive combat with some sprinkling of worthwhile exploration, and the realisation of zombie destruction on a scale unlike anything seen before. Just check your expectations of too involved a story and overlook the routine, and you might just agree that the series is back with some newfound vigour, unlike the many undead players will leave in their destructive wake.