Not only is it one one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever played, but it’s probably the most immersive open world game I’ve ever experienced. This is a rare gem that is not only a piece of art, but also incredibly fun and satisfying to play.
I have to say that while I was expecting to enjoy Hades mainly on the merit that it’s a Supergiant Games title, I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. Everything from the premise, the art style, sound design, and combat are masterfully done. I can’t put this game down and I’m not even a big fan of roguelikes.
The developers proved they listened to their fans by including more travel banter and all-new companion sidequests, giving them believable reasons as to why they would be traveling with each other. All the new features enhanced an already great concept, making Octopath Traveler II a true masterpiece of a RPG.
Horace is a game of great challenge, quirky humor, and heart-wrenching storytelling, all wrapped up in an adorable package. You simply cannot let this game pass you by. I’m certainly glad I didn’t.
The level of creativity and ingenuity is mind-blowing. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun with a game from start to finish. And for a game that’s about sixteen to eighteen hours long, that is quite a feat. For a title that tackles surprisingly mature themes, there’s a ridiculous amount of charm woven into every aspect of it. So no matter who you are or what games you enjoy, grab a partner and play It Takes Two right away because this is a game in which everyone can find something to love.
Psychonauts 2 is not just a rare example of a sequel that delivers an experience to rival or outperform its predecessor, it’s truly a masterpiece in its own right.
I was highly anticipating Lost in Play, but it far exceeded my expectations. For the most part, the puzzles aren’t overly difficult, but they are incredibly entertaining. The solutions make sense and feel organic to discover throughout the journey. The various characters and locations are fantastically weird, in the best possible sense. If you’re a fan of point-and-click adventures, or even just a big kid looking to recapture the feeling of their youth, then you can’t pass up Lost in Play.
FFVII Remake impressed me in every possible way. The level of detail to the world building and character development is some of the best I’ve ever seen in a video game. There are several trophies that you can only acquire after a few playthroughs with making different choices, so there is a huge replayability factor. Square Enix took a big chance by taking one of the most influential video games of all time and completely revamping it.
Anyone who is a fan of Monty Python, or sarcastic British humor in general, needs to play it. This game had me cracking up all the way through. It’s a breath of fresh air in an otherwise quagmire of mediocrity that is the current point-and-click scene.
Röki was one of my most anticipated games of 2020 and it blew me away in every way possible. It might have the look of a living children’s book, but its darker themes proves that this is a fairy tale for grownups. I was already impressed with its premise and art design from the trailer, but I wasn’t expecting just how organic everything felt.
With the updated graphics, reworked gameplay mechanics, and new content, Observer: System Redux is a treat for those already familiar with it and newcomers alike. If you haven’t already checked it out, then now would be a good time to do so.
It was only by a most serendipitous happenstance that I even stumbled across The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark. I might have known about it until now, but I’m officially a fan.
The Forgotten City is a game unlike any I’ve ever experienced before. I wasn’t kidding when I said I couldn’t put it down. Then I went back and played it again with a different character. I am truly shocked that this game was developed by only three people! The creative concept, smooth controls, clever time-looping mechanic, and stunning graphics are on par with the quality of work of some major studios.
I’ve been a fan of Myst my whole life. I was already impressed with realMyst released last year, but playing this version in VR is a whole different experience entirely. It looks better, sounds clearer, and plays smoother. If you’ve never played Myst before, then you need to check it out. If you have played Myst before, then you need to check it out in VR to experience it in a whole new way.
I truly cannot recommend A Short Hike enough. The trailer is both misleading and yet also tells you exactly what you can expect. The experience you have and what you’ll get out of it is up to you. If you skimp on the side stuff and only focus on getting to the top of the mountain, then you’ll probably feel disappointed, especially since you can do so in under an hour. If you take your time fully exploring the island and helping the locals, then you’ll discovery a surprisingly rich and rewarding experience. A Short Hike is a journey you won’t soon forget.
It’s one of the very few games in recent memory that I couldn’t put down. The story started off a little hackneyed, but this was a purposeful design choice. It doesn’t take too long to before it lets you know that there’s more going on than might first think. There are plenty of twists, turns, and revelations along the journey that make for a delightfully complex and engaging experience. There are a lot of retro-themed RPGs on the market, but Rise of the Third Power is one you shouldn’t let pass you by.
I simply had to know everything about each each character and wanted to see just how different the endings were. I can attest that in each of my playthroughs, no run was ever the same. With so many games being essentially carbon copies of one another, a game like Road 96 is a remarkably refreshing surprise. Don’t let it escape your notice, it’s well worth your time.
It’s absolutely gorgeous, the controls are tight and responsive, and the new weapons are a blast to play around with. The addition of the Pullcaster and underwater exploration were huge improvements to enhancing the gameplay. It’s a rich world that easy to get lost in. Even after beating the main story, I still want to go back and see what secrets I can discover.
There’s just enough story to have your actions make sense and have purpose, while still being open to interpretation. The lifeforms within the seascape are well varied and creepy. The possession gameplay mechanic is refreshingly different and well-utilized. Silt ventures seamlessly into feelings of tension and awe in equal measure. It’s a relatively short experience, but it’s a gem of a game that sticks with you long after you’ve finished playing.
Supermassive Games has been constantly perfecting their formula and now they’ve delivered something great. The Quarry is without a doubt their best game to date. The story unravels at a good pace and will keep you guessing until the very end. All the main characters are given good screen time (unless they die early) and are fleshed out surprisingly well. Even though The Quarry offers less gameplay than some of the other Supermassive titles, this is the first game where the QTEs actually felt like they were a natural part of the story.