Jake Su's Reviews
Without a doubt, when it works, Fabledom is a charming city builder that has plenty to offer. The game’s systems are clear and easy to understand, the lack of tension is welcome, and it all looks lovely from up top and even when you go down to street level to mingle with your people. The way alliances work is also a delight, and whether you are chasing love or a political partnership, it all seems to lead to a fairytale ending. Just make sure you have plenty of time to govern; after all, this is your kingdom.
After more than ten hours spent with The Rogue Prince of Persia, there is every bit of a good roguelite within. The freedom of movement is excellent, and it aids the way combat unfolds naturally, but everything else is not up to par. Whether the game reaches its full potential is anyone’s guess at this moment, and launching in its current state, even in Early Access, is a risk that doesn’t feel like it is worth it. The idea is that the team is able to build from here, and just like the genre it represents, the hope is that fans will give them the support and time needed to do just that.
It may not be the best deckbuilder out there, but at least Zet Zillions knows what it is all about and goes hard with its fusion system. The risks it takes when it comes to the visuals and the storytelling may not be for everyone, but for those willing to buy into planetary genocide, this is one enjoyable experience worth playing over and over again.
Just like how the first game changed the way we viewed Early Access games, Hades 2 is treading that same path with a high level of polish and meaty content that is quite unbelievable at this stage. The team has given players another charming protagonist to root for, the kind of gameplay that necessitates the ‘one more run’ mentality, and options aplenty for how you might want to tackle the next trip. Parts of the game may be missing, but what’s being offered is already well worth the entry fee, making the journey to 1.0 a much more delicious one.
After diving into Another Crab's Treasure, it's hard to understand why hasn't more been done to expand beyond the foundational souls-like element. There's clearly room for thinking outside the box, and Aggro Crab mostly nails it with this unique take. With colorful characters and an even more vibrant world, jump in for the feel-good vibes and partake in mostly satisfying underwater combat. Despite the occasional hiccups, this is still one shell of an adventure that works great for genre veterans and newcomers alike.
It all contributes to Stellar Blade being a bit of a mixed bag, checking off boxes for what constitutes an action RPG in this modern age. That is not exactly a bad thing per se, but it is most certainly a missed opportunity for positioning the game as the leader of a new generation of experiences that build upon the successes that have come before. This title might not be the sharpest blade around, but it still has an edge that players can enjoy. Come for the visuals, stay for the combat, and try to ignore the suboptimal portions of humankind's latest attempt to take back the Earth.
Yet, at the end of the day, what could have been just a run-of-the-mill Metroidvania is transformed into a tale of growth and resilience in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU that is well worth the investment. With Kenzera being an utterly beautiful place full of mysteries and wonders, joining Zau and Kalunga as they fight and platform their way across delightful biomes in a bid to let go and move on became a therapeutic journey that I never knew I needed. We don't need actual loss to remind ourselves that things can be difficult, but having a reminder goes a long way in keeping us all on the right track of focusing on joy instead of grief.
Just like the people caught in this war, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has parts that are stronger and some that are weaker, but that is perhaps what makes it a journey worthy of embarking on. This is an epic that tries to do as much as it can when it comes to delivering a roleplaying story that draws players in, spicing up combat every now and then, and packing substantial content that might just get ignored by most. Just remember why you are on this journey, and you may just walk away happy like us.
All in all, MLB The Show 24 continues to swing for the fences as the best representation of the sport in video game form, and save for a few misses, it always delivers. The outstanding gameplay is enhanced with an elevated presentation in all of the modes, and the storytelling in Storylines is a big draw for those wanting to embrace the game's roots and pay homage to the legends from yesteryear. While Diamond Dynasty can be an acquired taste, and the inclusion of Derek Jeter may not appeal to all, these missteps hardly take the shine of the gem that is MLB The Show 24, and it's time to play ball.
Taking the good and the bad, it is still quite a remarkable feat to transition a familiar gameplay formula into the realm of VR, and those moments of feeling like a true assassin make it worthwhile to give Assassin’s Creed Nexus a go. Try to stay hidden as much as possible to avoid those pesky combat encounters, and what you’ll find is virtual reality gaming at its finest, sending you to another universe just like the Animus.
The best compliment for this free DLC is that it comes across as a work of love, put together for a distinct purpose and smashes that target beyond all expectations. Even against the growing scale and scope of AAA games, this smaller slice stands tall and mighty as an essential piece of the puzzle, giving fans more to enjoy and love. For the low price of nothing, it represents a return of immense value, as well as a therapeutic journey that all would enjoy.
As far as we are concerned, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is more than a serviceable open-world action-adventure experience, made better for fans who cannot get enough of James Cameron’s masterful sci-fi franchise. That said, for an adventure on a distant moon, it continually hints at a potential to do things differently and with a dose of freshness, but retreats into well-trodden territory to bring us crashing back to Earth. There is always going to be a fascination with the Na’vi, but you just might find yourself backing the RDA this time around.
At its core, While The Iron’s Hot doesn’t necessarily break the mold when it comes to such adventures, although its focus on blacksmithing does bring a more involved perspective that works pretty well for those that like to get their hands dirty in that manner. The art and music make for fine companions, especially as there is an extended amount of time being spent toiling away, but its plot and side quests are nothing spectacular. Just like a masterpiece, this is a game that has potential, but there is still work to be done in order to hammer out all the kinks.
While it would have been expected that the series would continue with another sequel, Hopoo Games’ decision to go with the remastered Risk of Rain Returns is a pleasant surprise that we didn’t know we needed. The visual upgrade, coupled with the smart additions and gameplay tweaks to an already solid roguelike formula, make for an experience that constantly entertains and challenges the player, even with the niggling issues that will take some getting used to. Brilliantly modernized for a new generation of players, who knew death could be so rewarding?
At the end of the day, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name feels like a bonus adventure that would whet the appetites of fans even more for Infinite Wealth, designed specially to fill in the Kazuma Kiryu gap. Learning more about the popular character and catching up with him is always a good thing, but other than the combat, everything else feels a little stale and too familiar. There is still a decent amount of entertainment to be found in both The Castle and Sotenbori, just don’t expect the same level of polish that comes in the mainline games.
For what it’s worth, RoboCop: Rogue City takes no prisoners when it comes to translating the old action movies onto modern gaming platforms, matching the violence with the kind of attention to detail that makes us believe in the existence of this crime-riddled future Detroit. Being RoboCop is a fantasy that comes to life in all the best ways, delicately balancing the combat-heavy sequences with an interesting levity that comes from more routine police work. While it may lack the cutting edge when it comes to visuals and technical polish, this is still a machine that will get the job done, and that is the perfect encapsulation of RoboCop as a whole.
Like an MMA veteran who has taken his or her fair share of beatings over the years, UFC 5 has learned much from its history and comes out swinging for this new entry. Its visuals and presentation are unmatched, and the underlying systems all contribute to a captivating time in the octagon. Career Mode is an excellent adventure that could still do with improvements, while the potential of its online variant points towards even more exciting times ahead. Even in a market where there is a dearth of competition, this is one true champion worth its weight in gold that can take down any opposition with ease.
It is great that Ghostrunner 2 exists, as there are simply not many games that can match the quality of its brand of action. With its formula and level design, players are always going to be finding something new to marvel at, impressed by its thumping music and the majority of its visuals. Yet, its attempt at stringing together a more cohesive and engaging narrative is not of the same quality, which is a shame. Nevertheless, for those seeking an exhilarating time full of mindblowing moments driven by your own ingenuity, Dharma Tower lies ahead, and I hope you are ready for it.
The 20-odd hours we spent in Alan Wake 2 left us in a strange place. While its graphical and audio prowess are clear to see, the gameplay, and more crucially, the story, are going to have their merits hotly debated and discussed, and that’s not even including the technical shortcomings. For what it’s worth, we enjoyed this haunted journey through both darkness and light, but for hardcore fans and even newcomers, this sequel might not be an instant classic right away.
Although 3D adventures like Super Mario Odyssey will continue to be the flagbearer for the franchise, an experience like Super Mario Bros. Wonder is nonetheless gratefully welcome. It is lively and colourful, the animations are pristine and a wonder to watch, and the innovation on display showcases the unwavering and astounding ability of Nintendo to think outside of the box. The 2D platformer still matters, and it has a new champion that players must not miss.