Princess Peach Showtime! is full of wonderful bits and pieces, all showcasing a staggering variety of extremely well implemented gameplay styles which come together as a very fun full game. It stumbles a little in terms of performance (perhaps some irony there in relation to theatre) but pulls itself back up. A Stella(r) second outing for Nintendo's leading lady and one that comes recommended regardless of age or any other features people use to create target audiences.
The best Need for Speed title in a long time, Unbound has such a fun gameplay loop and funky style that it's hard to put down. It has a hard difficulty and slightly odd game feel, but most players of racing games will have a blast here and probably fall in love with the chaotic and frantic police chases. Pick this up!
Although sometimes a little rough, Alone in the Dark is a fantastic remake/reimagining that brings the series back in line with its most interesting events and timeline. This is essential for players looking for a semi-old-school survival horror title that has excellent world design, acting and a host of interesting mysteries to solve. A really great return to form!
There is an abundance of things to love in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. It successfully provides players with an excellent linear critical path and a ton of side content which some players might call bloat, though it is entirely ignorable. It has absolutely insane production value, housing one of the most insane and interesting Final Fantasy VII stories so far, which strikes a perfect balance between incredibly silly, self-referential and very serious. It has a couple of slight technical issues but is otherwise the perfect follow-up to part one and the perfect setup for part three. Absolutely recommended!
Another Code: Recollection recontextualises two of gaming's most obscure and heartfelt stories into a single cohesive whole, improving upon them in almost every way and providing a much wider audience with a chance to enjoy the adventure of Ashley Robbins. There are some rough edges here and there but the games are overwhelmingly a slow yet excellent journey that really ought to be experienced by everyone who can stomach the pacing. Melancholic, nostalgic adventures that come highly recommended!
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has done it again, Like a Dragon: Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is another notch in their award adorned catalogue. The emotional journey of series favourite Kiryu and the important bridging of the gap between Yakuza 6 and 7 is a joy to behold and experience. This entry presents the best version of the now deprecated action combat design and is one of the most consistently great experiences to be had on the PlayStation 5 console.
Prince of Persia is back, Baybee! The Lost Crown is not only a fantastic new entry to the series but one of the best Ubisoft titles in a long time (sorry FarCry and Assassin's Creed!). It's exciting to see the Prince return in such a polished title and it easily stands shoulder to shoulder with The Sands of Time. The adventure of Sargon is one to remember. A heartily recommended title to all who want a fun 2D action adventure!
Shin-Chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation - The Endless Seven-Day Journey may be a mouthful to say but the game is a charming little title that is one of the most relaxing times a player can seek. While it won't appeal to everyone with its slow meandering gameplay, those who want to feel like a child on a holiday will find a memorable experience. A great, child and family friendly, experience.
Exploring the mountains of the Scottish highlands and having bizarre encounters are at the heart of A Highland Song, packaging up everything into a cute side scroller with rhythm action and fun dialogue that feels very unique. Not only is the game a love letter to Scotland, it feels like a very personal project full of talented individuals and while the game has occasional slow moments it is overall a lot of fun. If an atmospheric adventure featuring a wee Scottish lassie is on yer cards then this comes highl(and)y recommended.
At its heart, Super Mario RPG is a hilarious and excellently written 12 to 14 hour RPG experience. Its beautiful music and art style ooze a unique charm that most Mario games can only dream of.
It's hard to resist the world of Benoît Sokal's Syberia: The World Before. With its sweeping vistas, well designed machinery and unique charm, it's a visual joy. This joy is backed up with sublime music and an irresistible dialogue and story that uses ample sarcasm. This, possibly last, entry to the series is a love letter to all that came before and a much-needed return to Syberia. Highly recommended to all lovers of adventure titles.
This far outstrips the first game in content amount, and the approach to telling a new story that can encapsulate the wider scope is genius. We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is a fantastic portable game and fits Switch like a glove. This is a hearty recommendation to all gamers and any lovers of the King's tight purple tights.
While it would be easy to look at Final Fantasy XVI from certain angles and proclaim something looks rough when looked at as a single package and a sum of its whole, this is a fantastic game. The cinematic flair, crazy action combat and extremely involved story with a nice side dish of world building make this a game worth playing. This is likely to appeal to fans of most character action games but also to those who just want another cool Final Fantasy to get lost in. Absolutely get this game.
D-Life accomplishes something totally unique. Hidden behind its simplicity is a system of complexities, just enough to make for a strangely compelling time. The sound and visuals combine to make something otherworldly and entertaining. It would be a travesty to not recommend this cool and relaxing experience and so this comes highly recommended to all who have a Steam account, and even more so to those who own the Nano KONTROL2!
A fantastic conversion and localisation of a game horror fans have been waiting for for years. Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is an amazing horror title with an intriguing story, great visuals and a penchant for being terrifying. It works well on Switch, and, outside of a couple of small control issues, is a worthwhile and recommendable experience for horror game enthusiasts.
Moss and Moss: Book II are exemplary virtual reality titles. The visual design, levels and characters are awesome, and this implementation increases the immersion through new control methods and greater player interactions. With PS VR2, the increased detail and fluidity is also excellent news for those who struggle with VR comfort. Without any doubt, this series is highly recommended to all who have a PS VR2 device.
Moss and Moss: Book II are exemplary virtual reality titles. The visual design, levels and characters are awesome, and this implementation increases the immersion through new control methods and greater player interactions. With PS VR2, the increased detail and fluidity is also excellent news for those who struggle with VR comfort. Without any doubt, this series is highly recommended to all who have a PS VR2 device.
Players should expect a slow start to Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge, but will begin to flow better after a couple of hours. Once the pacing picks up, the Star Wars atmosphere, tense gun fights and fun excursions offer an experience that fits PS VR2 like a glove. It's a great game and recommended to owners of the hardware.
There are few indie horror titles as awesome at catching that fixed camera horror game aesthetic as Song of Horror and even less that reach the nail-biting tension on display here. The constant fear of losing a character permanently is a kicker but it really enhances the experience, making each choice drastically more important. The visual design and story should keep players entranced as they confront the horrors of the music box mystery! All horror fans deserve this title in their library.
Potion Craft is a great little indie title, offering a deep enough system for players to get lost in and play for a long time, but balanced enough for shorter play sessions to satisfy. Its aesthetic and atmosphere increase the enjoyment of its core mechanics. Highly recommended to players of all ilks.