Tales of Kenzara: Zau is a touching and emotional metroidvania that very literally and metaphorically portrays the pain of loss and the subsequent grieving process. The narrative is very strong and its world is a delight to discover and explore, just missing a more robust combat system and the resolution of some problems to be an experience that takes us to heaven. Still, I have no doubt that fans of this genre will find an absolutely captivating and memorable experience here.
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Penny’s Big Breakaway is a game in which the idiomatic expression “first you find it strange, then you understand it” is perfectly applied. The first impact causes some strangeness and confusion to more modern gaming sensibilities, but as we progress and master the mechanics better, we find a real pearl in this experience. It will not yet be a milestone within the 3D platform genre, mainly due to some inconsistencies and some technical problems that disturb the experience, but it is a game that leaves us with our mouths watering, and praying that Penny ends up leaving in more adventures in the future.
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Mario Vs. Donkey Kong marks a competent and, above all, fun return to one of the most underrated subseries by the famous plumber. Most levels are simple and short, but very well designed, offering a wide variety of challenges. The game's new paint job is also appealing, the new levels add several new elements and the single player mode (along with the cooperative mode) can be the perfect gateway to show a younger person how fascinating the world of video games can be. It suffers a little from some inconsistency regarding the quality of the Plus levels and some problems in detecting collisions and contact with enemies. But overall, it's a quality experience, which will please new players as well as those nostalgic for this type of monkey business.
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Everhood: Eternity Edition is a very successful rhythm adventure game, but it fails to reach the level of stardom of the game from which it is inspired. It's a very fun adventure, with a different combat style, a well-built world and a soundtrack that makes me tap my foot. But it tries too hard and without success to be a new Undertale, ending up leaving something to be desired in some moments of the story (especially in the ending) and in the characters it presents. It's a great, great indie, which I'll want to return to more often, but it falls a little short in some aspects, which prevents it from being a title for the ages.
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Within the Blade is one of those games that leaves us with lingering feelings of frustration. Not because of its demanding nature or challenging levels, but rather because of all its wasted potential. There are simply too many ill-conceived or poorly implemented design options which hurt the experience’s overall enjoyment, tainting the most of its interesting ideas and genuinely fun moments it can provide. Fans of demanding and punishing 2D action games may get some enjoyment out of this game, but there are far more accomplished, and captivating offers out there
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Flatland Vol. 2 is a surprisingly captivating and competent 2D platformer. Its controls are always precise and intuitive, and its challenging nature creates moments when a sense of accomplishment is genuinely felt, and the action is non-stop due to the speedy return to the game after every failure. Some camera zooming problems and a few pesky bugs stop it from attaining excellency, but this is still an easily recommendable experience to any fan of this genre.
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New Pokémon Snap is nearly everything fans have been clamouring for during the last couple of decades. The Pokémon are more alive than ever, and it’s a true splendour watching their behaviours and interactions. Gameplay is still simple and appealing, adding a few well thought features. Despite some questionable design choices, and some notable performance issues, this is a game every Pokémon fan will want to play, even those who never even touched the original Snap
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Returnal intends to present itself as the first big new original PlayStation 5 exclusive, and it certainly does not disappoint. With its enveloping narrative, well thought out mechanics and great implementation of the PS5’s distinctive features, we won’t be surprised if many players end up getting dozens (or hundreds) of hours of enjoyment out of Returnal. Despite one or two bizarre design choices, lacklustre boss encounters and some persisting technical issues, this is a very recommendable experience, and the first big affirmation of arrival from this new generation.
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There’s no way around it, Disco Elysium – The Final Cut is an absolutely brilliant RPG. The vast amount of content to explore and all the character development systems guarantee a robust experience and all but assure no two campaigns are the same. Add to the mix a phenomenal story, with one of the best scripts we have seen, and we have before us one of the most memorable experiences this industry has to offer. Sure, the mostly slow pace won’t be to everyone’s taste, buy we simply have to recommend this game to any and all RPG fans.
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Taxi Chaos presents some fleeting moments of chaotic gameplay but lacks the required personality to reach its inspiration’s heights. You can tell there is some passion behind it, and there are some interesting ideas, but its graphics and music are uninspired, and the overall package offers lacklustre of content. When played casually, you can get a few moments of fun out of it, but only the staunchest Crazy Taxi fans will be able to get some enjoyment from this attempt to revive its formula.
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Control Ultimate Edition on the PlayStation 5 is a great example of what the new generation of consoles is capable of when compared to the previous. Graphics and performance are noticeably improved and bring some justice to this adventure’s very fun gameplay. Although some fundamental problems persist, before us is a much more consistent experience which is hard not to recommend to any fan of action games.
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Cyber Shadow isn’t merely a nostalgia inducing adventure, but a triumph of modern game design. It’s demanding, it’s challenging, and despite a few exaggerated difficulty spikes, it grabs us with its rewarding easy to understand but hard to master gameplay. It’s a visual and auditory delight from beginning until end, and a game to which we will keep coming back in the future. Cyber Shadow is a game of undeniable quality, and one of this year’s first mandatory experiences.
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The Pedestrian is a very accomplished puzzle game. With a very creative premise, a genuine surprise of a twist and a unique atmosphere, the whole experience is pure pleasure. Its levels are very well designed and presents a unique and captivating take on 2.5D environments. I just wish it challenged me more and it had more replay value. All in all, The Pedestrian ends up being a contained and relaxing experience, which may be ideal for this troubled start of the year.
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Ponpu presents us with a creative idea than ultimately isn’t that well executed. The Bomberman-style gameplay lacks depth, and after a handful of levels you realize the futility in deep level exploration. The multiplayer modes are a bit more achieving but are still just a short distraction. The visual style and the interesting idea are worth something, but for every positive there is also a negative. Ponpu’s wasted potential is palpable.
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Demon’s Souls is everything I hoped, and a bit more. Combat is still precise, challenging and rewarding, and the world is as beautiful as it is bleak. With its new coat of paint and notable improvements to the game’s quality of life, this is without a doubt an ultimate Souls experience. It is mandatory for players who went through the original experience, as well as for those who passed it by. It’s a true next gen game, and a phenomenal start for the PlayStation 5!
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When it comes to original entries, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is a triumphant return for the beloved marsupial. Using the remade trilogy’s excellent framework, this title offers a more varied, gratifying, and challenging gameplay. With an absurd number of challenges to overcome and a new shining art direction, we risk affirming this is Crash Bandicoot’s best entry yet. Before us is an excellent experience, one which is mandatory for fans of platforming games.
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When it works as intended, Ghostrunner is one of the most exhilarating games of the year. It is brutally challenging, presents a frantic rhythm, and its gameplay is stylish and rewarding. But some frustratingly designed sections, inconsistent AI, and several bugs stop it from achieving excellence. There is a lot to love about Ghostrunner, which can become something truly special with a bit more work and care put into it.
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Nexomon: Extinction assumedly presents itself as a Pokémon clone. Even though it does not deviate enough from the formula set by Game Freak, this title ends up offering some fresh ideas that make it memorable. The narrative is more mature and has a delicious sense of humor, and the variety of well-designed creatures gives it a sense of wonder until the end. Some technical issues and unpolished aspects somewhat limit the overall enjoyment, but before us is an excellent base on which something special can be built within the genre.
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Manifold Garden offers an experience both challenging and stunning, in equal measures. With absolutely beautiful visuals and a set of simple mechanics it cleverly takes to its limits, it is not an exaggeration to affirm we are before one of this genre’s best and most creative games. Above all, Manifold Garden is memorable and easily recommendable, even to those less used to puzzle games.
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Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise loses itself among too many technical and mechanical problems, which almost completely overshadow its intriguing story and memorable characters. Performance-wise it is almost always atrocious, the gameplay mechanics are basic and, despite that, inconsistent, and its design is frustrating on many levels. Underneath all its flaws are some enjoyable aspects, but only the most avid fans of the first game and its fantastic protagonist will want to take this experience all the way through to the end.
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