Tetris Forever is a fitting monument to a legendary franchise. With over 90 minutes of interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, this virtual museum beautifully captures the unique journey of Tetris—from Alexey Pajitnov’s workstation in the USSR to the hearts of millions around the world. Although some classic iterations are absent, the selection of key titles and diverse versions provides a solid representation of the series’ evolution. The experience is enriched by Tetris Time Warp, which celebrates the game’s legacy through its innovative, era-shifting mechanic. As a whole, Tetris Forever tells a captivating story about one of gaming’s most iconic titles.
Leikir Studio has successfully reimagined a classic franchise for a new genre, and despite some issues with system clarity, the addictive gameplay loop offers a fun and innovative twist on tactical strategy.
Slitterhead takes an innovative concept and places it at the forefront of the adventure. The possession mechanic leads to a frantic combat system that encourages you to quickly switch between characters to fight formidable foes. This bleeds throughout acting as a method of traversal and stealth. Although a little clunky and lacking polish, the game manages to deliver a truly unique experience that will resonate with fans of action and horror.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure tackles the difficult task of continuing the story of a beloved character and successfully executes it in a way that respects the series’ legacy while pushing the franchise forward.
Super Mario Party Jamboree marks a significant advancement for the series. With customizable gameplay options, you can tailor your experience by removing elements you don’t enjoy, making it more accessible for everyone.
Neva offers a unique, spiritual journey through life’s complexities. While the narrative leaves some elements open to interpretation, its grounded aspects make the characters relatable. Though brief, the adventure is full of memorable moments that will captivate you with each step toward its wonderful conclusion. The emotional and thought-provoking journey blends captivating storytelling with immersive gameplay to deliver a truly special experience.
Max Mustard is the PSVR 2 game I’ve been waiting for. Its clever use of perspective makes navigating Max through the rich, diverse world a delight. Each of the 40 levels introduces fresh ideas, keeping the experience surprising all the way to the end. With numerous nods to classic titles, this ode to the genre is a joy and an essential title for any PSVR 2 owner.
While not every punch connects perfectly, and knockouts may lack some of the desired ferocity, the game’s attention to the nuances of boxing makes it the most impressive iteration since EA’s landmark series.
Remaking Silent Hill 2 may have seemed like an impossible task, but Bloober Team has delivered an impeccable reinterpretation of the classic. With enhanced combat, each encounter becomes more intense, heightening the visceral impact of every strike. The stunning graphical overhaul captures the world’s pervasive decay, while improved lighting magnifies the sense of threat, creating an anxiety-ridden experience. Whether you’re returning or a new resident at Silent Hill, this is a must-play for horror enthusiasts.
Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns introduces three well-rounded veterans that add even more variety and depth to an already robust roster. The guest characters inject personality into the game, offering you the opportunity to create memorable encounters with iconic figures from video games, film, comics, and television. While the campaign delivers incredible sequences packed with cinematic flair, it falls short in narrative depth. Nonetheless, the game’s engaging combat mechanics, diverse character lineup, and stylish sequences ensure that long-time fans of the franchise will still have plenty to enjoy.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a wonderful remake that remains faithful to the original whilst adding new elements to improve the adventure. Mickey is now much more mobile and the revised controls remove frustrations that engulfed the Wii release. Though the game lacks challenge and includes rather basic combat, its stunning visual overhaul and new features give it a new lease of life, making it a worthwhile revisit for both newcomers and longtime fans.
Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged enhances every aspect of the original, making it the definitive version of this already incredible adventure. The reworked visuals breathe new life into the world, while the refined UI and added accessibility options ensure that anyone can enjoy this classic. With its masterfully crafted story, witty dialogue, and rewarding puzzles, it stands as one of the finest examples in the genre.
EA SPORTS FC 25 introduces a tactical layer that alters how you play on the pitch. Combined with new PlayStyles, and improved HyperMotion, the game is an authentic representation of the sport. Although there are only small tweaks to systems, each thoughtful change improves your time under the floodlights. Rush injects new life into the multiplayer portion with its fast-paced, 5-a-side matches. While Career Mode still requires more attention, the new features are a step in the right direction. Although FC 25 doesn’t completely reinvent the formula, it successfully refines the gameplay experience, delivering a more immersive, strategic, and enjoyable football simulation that fans of the series will appreciate.
Evotinction pays homage to traditional stealth games while introducing fresh and intriguing ideas. Though the narrative doesn’t quite reach the heights of its inspirations, it offers some clever twists on the formula. The sound design has a few issues, and the combat feels a bit clunky, but overall, it’s an enjoyable adventure that stays true to its roots.
Marvel Vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics includes some of the best fighters in the genre and is a must-have for enthusiasts. Packed with a range of features such as the ability to alter display filters, online options, training modes, and even a music player, the game is comprehensive. Although I would have liked to see a museum-style mode with interviews and commentary on the game’s creation, the quality-of-life improvements and rich selection of fighters make this a standout collection.
Astro Bot is a delightful adventure that blends original ideas with a solid platforming foundation, delivering an experience that has long been missing from the PlayStation Studios catalog.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a manic action adventure that successfully combines multiple gameplay elements. Traversing the world is a thrill and is accentuated through platform-focused segments. Unfortunately, the basic combat gets tedious due to the lack of depth and repetitive missions. Although that portion is underwhelming, it’s still a chaotic crusade packed with style.
Dustborn tells a touching tale brimming with personality and political messages with each character offering a unique perspective that enriches the narrative. While these diverse viewpoints occasionally lead to inconsistencies in tone, the game succeeds in delivering a strong, but potentially divisive, story. The musical elements provide a refreshing twist to the gameplay, standing out against the uninspiring combat. Overall, Dustborn adds various elements to the interactive drama genre, and while not all are equally successful, the game offers a compelling experience that will resonate with those seeking an ambitious tale.
Pepper Grinder is an innovative platformer that doubles down on its unique gameplay mechanic. Rather than just sticking with the premise, it evolves and adds new ideas to make levels distinct. Although there’s a difficulty spike with bosses and the controls take a little to get used to, the short adventure is a thrill. For fans of platformers looking for something that pushes the genre in a novel direction, Pepper Grinder is a treasure worth unearthing.
Thank Goodness You’re Here! manages to deliver a comedic adventure like no other. Daring to push the envelope, the game delves into the sub-genres paying homage to the greats while carving a unique identity in the medium. Although it’s a short adventure with simplistic gameplay, the set pieces you experience are truly hilarious and will stay with you long after the runtime. So, if you’re after a proper belter, tha can’t go wrong wi’ this. Tha’ll be over the moon wi’ it!