La Quimera is an incomplete game, a mixture of stitched together parts that don't come together to make a full image. The amount of bugs are clear indicators that this game needed more time in development, but so is the underwhelming story and gameplay that aren't given enough time to go anywhere. If La Quimera was communicated as an Early Access release, then I'd be more hopeful for what's to come, but if this is meant to be the full game, it's not one that's worth your time.
The Talos Principle and its expansion Road to Gehenna are undeniably two of the best puzzle game experiences available in video games. That unfortunately only makes the difficulty jump in the new In the Beginning expansion more frustrating, but it remains true for the base game, and both expansions that the struggle is worth it for the writing and storytelling.
South of Midnight has some incredibly strong storytelling chops, brought together by its stunning visual design and excellent soundtrack. Unfortunately, the experience is bogged down by boring, repetitive combat and lackluster platforming, but it's worth rushing through those parts to experience everything else South of Midnight has to offer.
Assassin's Creed Shadows is almost the best game across the long-running franchise, as a beautiful game to look at the whole way through, with strong central characters, solid improvements to exploration and perhaps the best combat and stealth gameplay we've seen from the series yet. Its strengths, however, make it all the more upsetting that the poor progression system and elements of bloat still drag the experience down. Still, it's very close to being the best game we've seen in the series yet, and a true sign that Ubisoft is on the right path to elevating the franchise beyond its original peaks.
Neva is a stunning game with incredible art and visuals that showcase a Nomada Studio team that's much more refined since it's last game, "Gris." The much-improved gameplay experience on offer in Neva paired with a deeply emotional story that's expressed in the art, the score, and the wonderfully detailed animations hit deep within you, charging you towards the credits until you're weeping while watching them roll. It's more simplistic puzzle-platforming and combat design do leave something to be desired, and a pacing deficiency dampens the mood, but those issues don't stop it from being a must-play game and one of the best indie's in 2024.
EA Sports NHL 25 fails to deliver on the promises it sets in the new features that EA swears are improvements. It's another example of an entry into an annualized sports game series that doesn't feel like it's doing anything differently from the last year, but at least in this case last year's (and by default this years) game is fun to play.
Star Wars: Outlaws registers as a great game to me because I'm a huge Star Wars fan, and I can't help but love all the things I got to do here that I've never done in a Star Wars game before. However that doesn't change the fact that in most areas the game is off the mark in big and small ways, in one direction or another. These misses could understandably be the thing that puts many off from Outlaws, but the Star Wars-of it all shines bright enough to blur them out.
Thank Goodness You're Here! is a game for a short time and not a long time, and that combo makes playing it a great time. I understand the humour in it might not be for everyone, but for those that do enjoy it you'll see just how wonderfully the comedy is woven into the gameplay. The charming visual style and absolutely amazing voice acting make it an absolutely hilarious game.
Aspyr Media's port of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is missing a lot of the atmosphere I loved about the original game. The sharpness in the visuals now remove too much, and shine a spotlight on the game's worst angles. At the same time, the modern control scheme improves on the experience so much that the parts of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter that made it a classic are able to shine brighter far more than they ever did - even if the camera is still wreaking havoc most of the time.
Flock doesn't care about you, but kind of in the best way. A chill game that lets you be as chill as you want, while flying around providing you with charming tasks involving even more charming creatures. It's lack of care at times a curse as much as it is a blessing, Flock is in many ways the perfect cozy game either on your own or with friends.
Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree is far more out of an expansion than I ever thought it would be, and my expectations were already a little high. While I have personal gripes with what I see to be missed chances, that doesn't stop it from being spectacular on the whole. This expansion feels like it fully completes Elden Ring, a game that already felt like a whole project, in a way I didn't even know it needed to be completed. I can no longer imagine Elden Ring being without Shadow Of The Erdtree, almost like the Realm Of Shadow was there the whole time.
Tales Of Kenzera: ZAU is a solid debut title from Surgent Studios, with its strongest aspects coming from the art style, world design and a truly impactful story. It's gameplay however lacks the same depth, and doesn't do enough to set itself apart in a genre crowded with some of the best games ever made.
Sker Ritual has a lot of good, strong bones as a round-based horde shooter, it's very easy to be having fun while playing and to recognize the things that it does well. Despite that it still feels half-baked, due to balancing issues, sound issues, technical issues, and an overall lack of polish. But if you can see past those rough edges, and you've been a COD: Zombies fan for years, then Sker Ritual is something you shouldn't miss out on.
Slave Zero X is an old school game that is great to look at, thrilling to play at times with excellent animations and a feedback loop to the combat that makes smashing enemies into a bloody mess amazingly fun, but it's difficulty spikes and how those spikes are escalated only work to wear you down. By the end of the game those things you might've enjoyed about Slave Zero X are being crushed under a pile of frustrations as high as the body count you'll rack up across a full playthrough. When the wins no longer provide any feeling of satisfaction, it's easy to be left wondering what you continue for. But all the things that are so well executed in Slave Zero X still make it worth checking out, especially if you're already intrigued by the difficulty barrier-to-entry to cross the line into 'enjoying Slave Zero X, even if it makes you want to throw something.'
Pacific Drive is a game absolutely dripping in atmosphere and excellent spooky vibes, with an exploration-to-looting-to-tense extraction-to-crafting/upgrading and back again gameplay loop that doesn't get old, and a story that is both emotional and intriguing. While pacing issues do hamper it down some, that doesn't damage the experience enough to leave it off anyone's must-play list for 2024.
Survivorman VR: The Descent walks a difficult tightrope between trying to be a fun game, and an authentic educational tool, and it does an okay job. It's quality as an educational tool is extremely high, but that doesn't always mesh with being a fun game, and it feels like there's a lot of missed opportunities with how it goes about teaching you. Still, it's a fun, short time that is a great to experience for how it depicts nature alone, especially at such a great price.
Ultros is ultimately an excellent game, and I loved almost every minute I spent with it exploring what is really a giant work of art. The storytelling, the music, the art, the design and exploration are all wonderful to experience, even if its biggest puzzle mechanic is also its biggest frustration. But those frustrations don't overshadow the things that make Ultros shine, and they are all why it is a must-play game for Metroidvania fans, or anyone that just wants to be awed by what they're looking at every five minutes.
Song Of Nunu: A League Of Legends Story is a simple game with excellent storytelling and truly endearing characters. Willump and Nunu's story and adventure will warm your heart even in the icy regions of its setting. It's a cinematic, Pixar-like experience that shouldn't be missed by adventure fans or anyone looking to get a new game for their young kid.
Resident Evil 4 Remake's VR mode is an immersive thrill ride from beginning to end, and what was already one of the best games ever made has been elevated to new heights on the PS VR2. It is truly a must-play experience for anyone with a PS VR2.
Ghostrunner 2 fails at being what it should be, a proper sequel. Instead, it ends up feeling much more like a 1.5, or a big DLC expansion, because of how little is changed or evolved from the first game. Where it does try to expand, it more often than not fails on the execution, and while the core combat is still just as insanely fun as it was the first time around, Ghostrunner 2's failings get in the way of that core experience so much that it drags down your whole experience.