Soulblight is a largely disappointing experience. Hopefully My Next Games can take what works here (namely the morality-based systems) and apply it to a future effort, but this current action game isn't enjoyable in the slightest. It doesn't bring anything new to the genre, and isn't polished enough to stand besides the better offerings already available.
Racism and slavery is bad, folks. You can probably figure that out without playing Detroit, and if you can’t then David Cage’s writing isn’t going to change your backwards thinking in any way.
'Necropolis' feels like an amalgamation of 'Dark Souls,' dungeon crawlers, and roguelikes. Sadly, it also seems to miss the mark on what is enjoyable about those games. The combat lacks variety, the randomized dungeon wasn't fun to explore, and technical issues keep it from ever feeling fair. If anything, it suffers from trying to do too much. When combined with the shocking exclusion of online matchmaking for cooperative play, I simply can't recommend it.
'The Collider 2' just doesn't have enough substance to make it an enjoyable experience. In fact, it even seems like in several ways to be a step back from its predecessor. There's a solid base, though, and with a few tweaks to the progression system it could be a much more enjoyable title.
The general lack of polish and content makes 'Umbrella Corps' highly disappointing. There are rare moments where the round-based gameplay really shines, but it just doesn't happen often enough to make up for the title's many other shortcomings. Similar thrills can be had in recent releases such as 'Overwatch' and 'DOOM,' so there's no shortage of superior alternatives that don't constantly disconnect or feel rushed.
'Full Mojo Rampage' is a forgettable twin stick shooter that offers up very little when compared to the genre's best. It doesn't have the satisfying gameplay of 'Assault Android Cactus' nor the addictive grind of 'Enter the Gungeon.' It's more frustrating than fun, and there's little reason to ever play this when its contemporaries are so far ahead.
Ultimately, Goat Simulator is a hilarious mess that is worth experiencing for a few hours, just one you probably shouldn't buy.
AEW: Fight Forever tries its best to invoke one of the most beloved wrestling games, but it’s a pale imitation that doesn’t live up to that legacy.
Maybe check back in a few months...
Crossing Souls has a bunch of elements that should be right up my alley, but some flat writing and uninspired design really keeps it from hitting the desired marks. There's a good idea here, and I have no doubt that a teen adventure starring ghosts and Egyptian Gods could be really dope, but a cool concept doesn't make a great game. Instead, it just makes the end result all the more disappointing.
It's easy to crack jokes about the return of Bubsy not turning out great, but I don't feel that The Woolies Strike Back is a pure misfire. After all, the boss fights are filled with smart and satisfying design. If that type of level design was seen in the main game (and there was simply more to do in general), then we'd be looking at a very different game. There's potential for Bubsy to be a relevant 2D platformer in the future, and I'd like to see Accolade take another shot at bringing the furball back to prominence.
What's most disappointing about WWE 2K18 is that there are so many good ideas present. Being able to go backstage and interact with larger-than-life wrestlers should be great fun, not a monotonous annoyance. The goals should add some much needed structure to the career, but instead they're so oddly specific that many players won't be bothered to even advance pass them. That's not even mentioning the horrendous artificial intelligence, which is somehow leaps and bounds worse than previous years. Clearly a lot of work went into this year's installment, but the end result simply did not come together in the slightest.
Hardcore Hatsune Miku fans might find something redeeming here, but even then they won’t be getting much for their $15 or more they spent. Even within its limited scope of being a virtual concert, Hatsune Miku: VR Future Live is a disappointment. Much more could’ve been done with this idea, and maybe the future DLCs will do just that, but right now it’s without charm or much pizazz.
There's an interesting story to be told in A.W.: Phoenix Festa, but sadly, this game only teases it.
Disappointingly, Trials of the Blood Dragon isn't the mashup that fans hoped for. While it manages to capture the trippy vibe of Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, it doesn't replicate the fast-paced action of Trials.
Corpse Party is a faithful port of the original PC version, but that's not enough when the PSP remake added so much more to the experience. The extra chapters are a nice addition, though, and make it a decent buy for diehard Corpse Party fans. Just don't expect to be scared.
KOI is a pretty face with not much to offer beyond that. The gameplay has little substance to it, and it feels repetitive, even though the whole thing lasts less than two hours. It's a nice idea, but one that shows China's indie scene still needs time to develop.
The ultimate disappointment is that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan has a solid base. A good game could’ve been made with these combat mechanics, but sadly some abysmal level design makes this 4-hour game a complete chore to play. When an uninspired boss rush level is arguably the best part of the game, then you know something went wrong.
With Catlateral Damage, Chris Chung has created an adorable game that is sadly lacking any real substance. You'll have fun for the first hour or so, but will get tired of the same old formula rather quickly, and find little reason to return.
There was hope that the Neptunia series would finally fulfill its potential on PlayStation 4, but sadly that hasn't happened. Good ideas are still tarnished by poor execution and disgusting attempts at fan service.