When all is said and done though, Röki is a lovable game with deep storytelling, and while the mechanics behind crafting and puzzle-solving isn’t my cup of tea, the narrative and art are. This game offers beauty in its design and emotion in its narrative. At only 12-15 hours of playtime, this is an easy game to pick up and play through.
When all is said and done, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is a wonderful game. It’s humorous, nostalgic, and something I would recommend to both existing fans and new ones alike. While there is a lot to be gained when you already know the story, prior knowledge isn’t necessary and I can easily see this title making new Jack fans out of many players. By nailing nearly every element, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is just the game I was looking for.
When all is said and done, Hitman 3 has a few hiccups, but it’s a stunning finale to the series and a fantastic game to play even if you haven’t played the ones before it. The way the writing of the game lays out past events helps ensure that even if you didn’t beat the last two in the franchise, you’re up to speed with the story so far. Throw in the added elements to get you playing missions multiple times and the more expansive online elements I have not mentioned here and you have a game worthy to pick up on launch day.
In Chapter 1, there is a line: “Survival isn’t a neat and tidy process but its better than the alternative.” This isn’t just a one-liner, but the thesis of the entire game. And with that, Life is Strange: True Colors lands itself as one of the most cathartic and resonate video game’s I’ve played in a long time.
Overall though, Jurassic World Evolution 2 is well worth the money. It’s an expansive game that has a little bit of everything for everyone without skipping a beat. There is nostalgia, challenge, and just pure fun. You get science and you get entertainment park, and a lot more. I can say, having put nearly 100 hours into Jurassic World Evolution, picking up the sequel feels like a new experience.
Bayonetta 3 isn’t perfect, but it’s everything I wanted. Absolute nonsense with sexy demons, some dope ladies, and dynamic combat is what makes Bayonetta 3 absolutely stellar.
Kukoos: Lost Pets is a fantastic 3D platformer that uses its environmental designs. Vibrant in style and fantastic in gameplay, Kukoos: Lost Pets is a joy I didn’t expect from 2022, and I wish I had played it while in Early Access.
Sumida and its urban legends come to life in PARANORMASIGHT in a way I didn’t expect from a 2D visual novel. I expected something artistic, yes, but I got something that engaged me, sent a shiver down my spine, and that I ultimately couldn’t put down.
While some elements of the puppet aesthetics aren’t necessarily original, and those who have played Bloodborne will see similarities, Lies of P is a gorgeously grim experience that offers difficulty and magic through immersive and dynamic gameplay with enough content baked in to make replayability a must.
Justant is a testament to letting environments speak for themselves instead of relying on dialogue. Don’t Nod trusts its ability as developers to create a game that relies on experience, not words and it trusts its players to understand narrative subtleties. Jusant may be simple, but its layered vision of a world is timeless.
Whether it’s embedding yourself in Paell or running dungeon after dungeon, you won’t want to put Cuisineer down.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a vibrant reimaging of ancient Persian myth. It’s a turning of the page for a traditionally Orientalist franchise, and it never sacrifices gameplay to do so. The Lost Crown is the right mix of difficult ingenuity and self-pacing that makes the Metroidvaia inspiration a perfect pairing.
In its sound, mechanics, visuals, and narrative, Howl captures a dark fairytale and creates a gorgeous folktale without losing its way.
While I’m unsure if this will pull in new fans of the original Modern Warfare series, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is something that works perfectly for longtime players and fans looking for a solid story and new challenges.
A Fold Apart is full of emotion and heart that you can feel in the story. Additionally, the story can help people understand what their significant others go through when miscommunication happens. That empathy-building is to be commended. While the game isn’t perfect, it is charming and makes for a relaxing playthrough, especially as some are separated from their partners while the world is in self-quarantine.
Overall, Iris.Fall is a phenomenal game. It’s gorgeous, emotive, and not exhaustively long. It’s an immersive game that aims to blend a somber tone with an innovative design. While there are some tedious moments and less than ideal elements that don’t map to controllers well over a mouse, this isn’t enough to make it a game to pass on. Having found success on PC, I’m excited for fans of the genre to play Iris.Fall on their consoles. For the beautiful world and score alone, this is one game that I want more of.
Resident Evil Village is a great game that embraces the elements of the series that we know and love while also carving out its own space nestled deep in dark fantasy. In fact, this game beautifully finds a middle ground to please existing fans of the franchise but also serves as a great entry point for new players.
Days Gone on the PC is a great experience that brings a stellar upgrade for graphics that take full advantage of the dynamic weather system. And, with a much smoother ride than it got on console, this is well worth the buy for PC-players looking to get in on zombie action. While it definitely plays better on controller, the experience is still a great one.
Overall, Backworlds is a short and sweet game that offers up ample amounts of wholesomeness and challenge in the best way. Painting your way through the world isn’t just a gimmick; it’s an integral part of the game, which is important for niche travel mechanics. Plus, there are a few surprises in-store, including teleportation. So if you’re looking for a game to play on the go and puzzles to keep you focused, then Backworlds is definitely for you. A port from the PC, this one takes full advantage of the way you play your Switch and just works.
Evil Dead: The Game is a blast. It’s fun to play, difficult in spots, and something I can see myself returning to again and again just to keep exploring and learning, as well as unlocking new things as I’m sure they’ll become available over the games’ lifespan. Plus, for Deadites out there, it’s beyond a great buy with lore plugged into just about every design choice, line of dialogue, and piece of the landscape. So pick it up and all the king baby.