Jake Su's Reviews
Between the obvious love for the franchise and the commitment to bringing every bit of that to life through the visuals, the colours used, to everything hammy that is prime Starship Troopers, the game does seem like a miss for a real-time strategy title. It has a good foundation to build on, but the various design choices leave us scratching our heads. Starship Troopers: Terran Command may well be made for the diehard fan, but even so, it might just be a bridge too far to recommend.
Whatever the path may hold, all that players can and would experience in Card Shark is beautifully put together, with a fascinating narrative matched by a vibrant and outstanding aesthetic, and propped up by wonderfully inventive gameplay that puts the player in the eye of the storm. In fact, it almost feels like the game has everything stacked in its favor, just like the different plots at play in the quiet confines of high society.
By returning to a structure that has made plenty of horror films a hit, Supermassive Games has delivered in trademark fashion with The Quarry. With fun scares, demanding situations, a cast of fun characters, and a narrative that picks up momentum with each passing chapter, there is much to like about this game. Of course, if you were never a fan, it will be hard for The Quarry to convince you otherwise, however, for those that love this kind of thing, this is one rabbit hole you might not want to come out of.
While the core gameplay is solid and the game looks awesome, everything else surrounding it seems to need more work. Whether Nintendo and Next Level Games will do so remains a burning question, and it would be a waste to see the potential of Strikers Club be, well, wasted. For now, even with the excellence shown on the field and that lovable Nintendo charm, it is hard to see Mario Strikers: Battle League as anything more than a game that just doesn’t have legs. In this case, the game was lost even before a ball was kicked, and that is a massive disappointment to eager fans around the world.
For a genre that is now getting even more popular and perhaps even saturated, getting the basics right is the least we can expect if a game hopes to make an impression. However, with all these issues plaguing the game, plus visuals that hardly scream 2022, Dolmen is not living up to expectations at all. The game tries to include many of the hallmarks of the genre, but muddles it all up with poor systems and execution. For a fan that has grown used to the genre’s often challenging requirements, recommending Dolmen is something that will only happen in an alternate dimension.
At the end of the day, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is a good addition to a genre that is gaining popularity. While it may lack the accessibility or even the swifter pace of other titles, it still manages to deliver a strategy roleplaying experience that is largely good on all fronts, supported by six distinct kingdoms and storylines. As long as you can accept that it might feel repetitive in a long game, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is an experience worth trying out.
A less-than-ideal cohesive story and poor systems design make Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong a game that perhaps should not have seen the light of day.
An asymmetrical horror game that balances accessibility and paying homage to its source material, Evil Dead: The Game is a ruthlessly entertaining time whether you are saving the day or ruining it for everyone.
Granting players a peek into futuristic Singapore and putting their research skills to the test, Chinatown Detective Agency stands out for its story and visuals, but less so for the detective work.
An intriguing tale of adventure that does not necessarily reinvent the wheel, Crowns and Pawns: Kingdom of Deceit pays homage to its predecessors while creating a modern experience that should appeal to fans, young or old.
On its own, it is a capable action-JRPG that looks great, with solid combat and platforming to keep players distracted from completing repetitive quests, but as part of the larger universe, it lays an inviting foundation for what is to come with well-realized characters amid a larger unfolding conflict. And as someone hoping for that Suikoden magic to be recaptured, New Neveah becomes an irresistible world to spend time in.
A cinematic experience that is spectacular visually, Trek to Yomi falters when it comes to keeping a straight story, with the combat being both a friend and foe.
A stupendous continuation of the legacy of Cellar Door Games, Rogue Legacy 2 is everything you would want in a sequel, and then some.
With a good selection of sports and robust motion controls that just work, Nintendo Switch Sports has everything to become an all-star, that is, if the online play holds up to the modern standards.
Everything is better in Moss: Book II, and Quill’s adventure makes for a fun time whether you are new to the series or returning for more, and it also makes the case that the PS VR 2 cannot come sooner.
Demeo is an excellent way of introducing tabletop gaming to newcomers and veterans, and the fun gets amplified when you can work together as a team. Just be wary of slight bugs here and there.
At the end of the day, it’s hard to say whether Serious Sam: Tormental deserves your time and attention. As a twin-stick shooter, it’s designed well and works to provide enjoyable gameplay for anyone looking for something simple. But when compared to its peers, it’s just not that special or unique that would warrant an extended amount of time spent on it, even if you happened to be a big Serious Sam fan.
A sci-fi mystery that contains narrative goodness from start to finish, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is both a visual showstopper and an immersive story that needs experiencing despite a few missteps in other areas.
Not the most original game to come out of the genre, Imp of the Sun is still a fun time that presents a setting not often seen in games, and the hand-drawn art style is definitely in need of appreciation.
Familiarity breeds enjoyment in Coromon, with new twists on existing mechanics doing their part to deliver a new type of monster-taming entertainment for something new.