Proceed with caution like these heroes would in this hellish world.
No amount of good cutscenes or music can salvage a game with bad gameplay. Balan Wonderworld is average and mediocre at best. For a AAA 3D platformer with a AAA price, that’s not acceptable at all.
I won't mince words. If you're expecting to play through Returnal just for the story or expecting it to be like any other AAA PlayStation exclusive before it, then you should probably skip it altogether. Returnal is for those who are ready to grit their teeth for some truly unforgiving and punishing combat. Consider that a genuine warning.
Roguelikes and roguelites are notorious for having high difficulty curves, but Rising Hell doesn't feel too punishingly hard even in the beginning, likely due to the length of the levels. It's a worthwhile effort from Indonesian developer Tahoe Games and it's one to look out for as it keeps getting better.
Your enjoyment of Siege Survival Gloria Victis will depend on how much you like to see human suffering. Sieges are often hellish and hopeless experiences and that’s reflected well in this game. This really feels like a survival game with strategy and resource management elements, so the gameplay isn’t good enough to make up for the overall depressing tone of the game.
Even after 20 years, Ratchet & Clank is better than ever, and it looks like Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart will be for many new gamers what 2002’s original trailblazer was for me as a kid.
If you prefer more explosions and action, you should probably look for other more action-heavy FPS games. This is a great sniper simulator if you’ve ever wanted to be a slick deadeye yourself.
The Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Episode Intermission Yuffie ultimately feels more like an appetizer for the eventual full-blown sequel to Final Fantasy VII Remake, which might still be years away at this point. If you’re already a fan of the franchise or Final Fantasy VII Remake, the ending of this DLC alone might be enough to make it an essential purchase.
Where The Heart Leads is a gut-wrenching and relentless look at how life’s littlest decisions and actions can have the biggest impact on one’s past, present and future. The game may suffer from its lack of voices and facial expressions, but it makes up for those with good music to set the tone and vibrant visuals. This is a praise-worthy original title from the folks at Armature Studio.
Cris Tales is definitely a praiseworthy effort from Colombian studios Dreams Uncorporated and SYCK, both of whom have crafted a JRPG adventure worth playing through from beginning to end. This game proves that even JRPGs can transcend their origin country, becoming a worthwhile and memorable experience, even with some of its issues.
F1 2021 is clearly geared towards the most dedicated F1 and racing simulator fans, leaving casual racing game fans like me struggling to understand the game’s mechanics. At the very least, Codemasters has certainly delivered another authentic F1 racing game and attempted to do something new with Braking Point.
If you're a fan of the era or just want more content, you should totally check out Assassin's Creed Valhalla The Siege Of Paris. However, other than the Black Box infiltration missions and some new weapons/gear, there's really not much else on offer in this latest DLC from Ubisoft.
Rustler is not a bad game. The writing and setting can be fun and entertaining, but the shoddy controls and janky mechanics make for an unsatisfying experience. I enjoyed the game but couldn't really bear to play much of it one sitting.
[Lost Judgment is] quite a slog, to be sure, but ardent fans should appreciate it better than the majority of people expecting a shake-up like Yakuza: Like A Dragon.
In the grand Far Cry pantheon, I’ll put this slightly above Far Cry 5 since it reiterates and improves an already surefire open-world action game, adding in a much-needed new locale & flair.
As anime games go, Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba The Hinokami Chronicles is a relatively good one. It’s not remarkable, nor does it do anything new, but it’s first and foremost catering to fans of the anime and manga anyways. It seems like developer CyberConnect 2 has put a bit of effort into this one, compared to other barebones and horrible anime games like My Hero One’s Justice 2.
If you like space adventures as well as the bicker and banter of Star-Lord and the gang, Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy is definitely for you.
Horizon Forbidden West doesn't really do much to revolutionize or innovate the open-world genre. However, it's a mighty exhilarating game with a great story, fun gameplay, beautiful graphics, and meaningful improvements over its predecessor, essentially adding way more to an already surefire wonderful experience.
Before you think about getting Total War Warhammer 3, just know that this is a game that will ask a lot from you, in terms of time and effort. It's demanding and stressful, with the most hectic and chaotic campaigns in the franchise to date. However, the sheer variety, diversity and aesthetics of the game can make the experience satisfying and rewarding.
Polyphony Digital has definitely succeeded in making a racing simulator that even a casual gamer can enjoy. It still has a few issues, but if you're willing to put some effort into your racing skills, the game can be enjoyable and satisfying.