Rigid Force Redux is a great addition to the shmup genre and a great way for newcomers to be introduced to the otherwise hardcore game style. Thanks to its save system, health system and fun power-ups, this game will appeal to all types of gamers. Despite a few difficulty inconsistencies, this is an overall great experience and a surprise gem that should not be missed.
Those Who Remain is an interesting horror definitely worth a playthrough. The uneasiness created by the constant onlookers is definitely a great mechanic and is a bit refreshing as opposed to the traditional being chased down by monstrosities. While nothing is perfect within Dormont such as annoying puzzles, an archaic checkpoint system can feel a bit detrimental, the trip is worth it.
Shantae and the Seven Sirens is definitely one of the year’s better games. It’s a cute, fun Metroidvania platformer with a depth of gameplay content. While it does have a few shortcomings that can cause unnecessary frustrations, the newest entry in the Shantae is definitely worth your time and hard-earned money.
Super Mega Baseball 3 is the perfect mix of a baseball sim and arcade baseball game. Those looking to fill the void of MLB The Show like games will find an interesting and deep experience (albeit not as deep) where they can craft their team, strategize and feel like they have control over their team. On the flip side, those looking for a simple, easy to pick up and play baseball game should jump on Super Mega Baseball 3. Definitely a must-play.
If you’re craving classic FPS games from late 90s and early 2000s, then Ion Fury is the game for you. It’s a carbon copy of what once was; confusing navigation, hunting for colored keycards, decent arsenal of weapons and crazy shooting sequences. For those who are more comfortable with current games from the FPS will find a confusing, frustrating and limited experience. If they had taken the best from past games mixed with newer mechanics from more recent FPS games, this could’ve been so much more.
Huntdown is definitely one of the best games I’ve played thus far in 2020. From its simplistic and addictive gameplay mechanics, to the arsenal of weaponry at your disposal, the fact that its perfectly balanced, and the unique and challenging bosses makes this game a must play.
While far from perfect, Daymare 1998 is still a worthwhile trip and a great template for the birth of a new series (hopefully). It’s a clear homage to early 90s survival horror titles, but clearly rough the edges. Clunky pistol reloading mechanics, audio issues, sub-par visuals by today’s standards and a myriad of technical issues won’t stop you from enjoying this throwback. Definitely worth better than Resident Evil 3 Remake content wise and a smarter investment.
Overall, the title is definitely a unique and interesting experience. While this genre can be of an acquired taste due to the lack of proper gaming, it’s definitely a unique experience to sit through and it’s gets us as close as we can to interactive movie. Sure, this one comes off a bit odd mostly because of the one sided conversations you experience by watching videos, but as any great mystery movie or books, this is riveting.
As much as I had high hopes for Shred! 2 Ft. Sam Pilgrim, I came away disappointed. The game feels more like an attempt to mountain bike-ify Ubisoft’s Trials Fusion series. The tricks are easy to pull off and look pretty awesome, but relying on the game’s momentum feels like it’s making this more difficult than should. Also pedaling’s lack of realism is also a bit baffling here as it can hinder a comeback mid-track.
So is Bear Can’t Drift?! worth your hard-earned dollars? No, because it overall feels like a glorified demo. The core idea is there (I mean kart games are fun, so bring on a new one!), but unfortunately, the package falls flat. This is far from being a Mario kart level of game as Bear Can’t Drift?! is clumsy with questionable controls and full of frustrating menu UI design. The game has very limited, albeit unique, power-ups and options. There are other, better kart alternatives on Xbox One, don’t fall for this.
So is Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition worth your money? Only if you have the time and patience. The games rely heavily on nostalgia and can be a great reason to bring back classic games, but these should’ve stayed where it once was. The PC centric controls don’t apply well to controllers as it makes the simplest things cumbersome, the presentation is dated and it requires a lot of time and dedication. It’s easy to be overwhelmed with the number of things to manage/remember. If you stop playing, it’s easy to forget not only where you left off, but how to play the game. Unless you were a fan of the original a fan of nostalgia, save your money.
Sayonara Wild Hearts is an experience. While yes, it is a videogame, once you’re done with it, it feels more like an experience; as if you attended a concert. Sayonara Wild Hearts is a very simplistic, addictive game suited for any gamer. It’s a unique rhythmic gaming experience with simple gameplay easy to pick up and play. If you’re looking for a fun, relaxing, albeit a bit short, gaming experience, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a must play.
Music Racer is a great concept on paper, unfortunately it fails in its execution. It looks great; the retrowave visuals lends itself perfectly to this type of game, unfortunately the game is boring, tedious, and frustrating. The soundtrack is meh at best; nothing really stands out. Little to no gameplay; it’s hard to recommend this rhythm based game in a world where Xbox players can get AVICCI Invector instead.
Dragon Sinker: Descendants of Legend feels like a mis-step. The idea and concept are interesting (and they definitely were a part of me wanting to dive in), especially for fans of classic RPGs, unfortunately the formula falls flat. The overall package is enticing enough, but the poorly balanced battles is a major turn off; coming across overpowered enemies right off the bat will be nothing be frustration to players.
As a huge Mega Man fan and considering the similarities (I actually devoured the previous Gunvolt game on Switch early last year), I tried very hard to enjoy Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX. The presentation and the feel of it felt like I was playing an homage to the original Mega Man X game, however the lack of tutorial and absurd combat drags it down. It’s really fun until you reach a boss; trying to randomly manage your sub-weapons while bosses do exaggerated damage is annoying. If you have the patience to figuring out an overly complicated combat system, there’s a chance you’ll enjoy; otherwise you might want to check out Metaloid Origin instead.
Oniken is a great love letter to classic games from the 8/16bit era such as Ninja Gaiden, Contra, Shadow of the Ninja; and al. While it is a fun and challenging game, sometimes it can be too challenging for its own good, mostly because of the sometimes insanely over the top difficult bosses. Old school gamers will revel in the challenge while others might be put off by the difficulty and stiff checkpoint system.
It’s clear as day that Metaloid Origin was inspired by Capcom’s Mega Man X series, it’s not to say it’s a bad thing. The game’s unique mechanics such as level exploration, self-guided upgrade mechanic and more approachable difficulty makes this game a fun diversion. Add three playable characters on top of it all and you have a great little gem; Not only harcore fans of Mega Man games can have a fun time, but any fan of platformers will enjoy this game.
Story of a Gladiator is definitely one of the best indie games I’ve played in 2019. While the premise sounds simple and repetitive, the execution gives it depth: the upgradeable equipment (armor, weaponry, shield), the plethora of skills, the use of amulet, pets, foods; Story of a Gladiator is a simple, yet complex game that’s easy to pick up and play. I highly recommend this game.
The idea behind Gozalo! is a great one; provide gamers a friendly pick up and play soccer/football game for those who feel like the FIFA or PES series might be too daunting. Unfortunately, the game is a missed shot. Despite being filled with content and its friendly approach, the A.I. is frustratingly rough around the edges; the opposition can often come off as insurmountable while your teammates are dumber than dirt. If you have the time and dedication, which ironically could be used for a soccer sim, you can end up enjoying Gozalo!, however this is the perfect party game to play with friends.
Simulacra is definitely a game not to be missed. The game is a twisted take on a missing person case and it creates uneasiness and skepticism throughout. Nothing is black and white and every decision will lead you down a tailored ending. Sure, there’s a few nuisances such as always having to re-type everything and a few times, trying to figure out what to do next can lead to frustration, but the premise and the game’s design make up of it. Don’t sleep on this unique experience.