Jesse Norris's Reviews
The Alters combines a bunch of genres I hate, and somehow makes a game I loved (when it worked).
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is a short, fun experience. It takes all the classic elements of the roguelite genre and meshes them into this world seamlessly. It’s well worth checking out whether at full price or via Game Pass.
Spray Paint Simulator is decent fun. I do not know if the devs have any DLC planned post-launch. As is, there is enough here once you’re done, I think most will have enjoyed their time and be ready to move on.
A short and sweet romp that is an excellent addition to a fantastic game.
Monster Train 2 is excellent. It takes everything I loved about the first game and makes it just a little better. The looks, music, and strategy will have me playing this one for years to come.
Blades of Fire is not going to be a game for everyone. It’s beautiful, runs great, and has some design decisions that made me pull my hair out. It’s incredibly long, and I do not think that it benefits the game in any meaningful way.
RoadCraft is a ton of fun. It smartly evolves the MudRunner series, taking one of my favorite physics-based puzzle games and adding in some deliciously creative chaos.'
DOOM: The Dark Ages takes us back to the Slayer at his most powerful, stylish cape and all. Twenty-two levels of mayhem, excellent pacing, and furious combat make this entry my favorite in the series yet.
Revenge of the Savage Planet should take most 10 to 15 hours to complete, with the achievement hunters getting upwards of 20. It’s a huge step up from the first game, and a delightfully dumb, beautifully good time.
KIBORG caught my interest with its good looks, and quickly lost it with its bland and unsatisfying gameplay. Using some of the best rogue-lite tactics can’t help this one in the end, as its hilariously bad voiceover work and boring, repetitive combat make it a slog.
La Quimera is a beautifully baffling experience that I cannot recommend to anyone.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a beautifully inventive, heart-breaking experience of love, loss, and the will to survive
About as good as a graphical remake and gameplay remaster can be, for an all-time classic.
Crime Scene Cleaner is an odd duck. It’s mix of Zen-inducing gameplay in some truly horrific crime scenes is delightful, though a lack of things to do post-campaign is a bummer.
South of Midnight is a stunningly beautiful and moving experience. While the gameplay doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, it combines excellent writing and music to move your soul in ways only the best games can. This title is an enormous step-up for Compulsion Games, and I hope this isn’t the last we see from Hazel Flood.
Breakout Beyond takes a classic and forgets the most important part. You can’t have a brick-breaking game be fun if it doesn’t control well, and this one does not at launch.
The First Berserker: Khazan is an excellent action-focused Soulslike. A few minor quibbles and a predictable story aren't enough to hold back one of the most brutally difficult games we've ever played.
Atomfall is a punishingly difficult title, that rewards patience and forethought. This is no “Fallout in England”
AC Shadows is the best game in what has been an incredible series.
Mullet MadJack is excellent in every way. It looks great, sounds even better, and has gameplay for days. It’s a day-one port into Xbox Game Pass. No matter your skill level, there will be something for you to do in this weirdly wonderful title.