A triumphant return for Fatal Fury, blending razor-sharp combat with deep mechanics—but held back by baffling guest characters and sparse single-player content. The Rev and S.P.G. systems add thrilling strategic layers, while the netcode delivers silky online play. Yet, the lack of robust tutorials, unbalanced newcomers (looking at you, Ronaldo), and a barebones story mode keep it from greatness.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered revitalizes a cult classic with stunning visual preservation and crucial quality-of-life upgrades. While its uneven gameplay systems show their age, the game's breathtaking watercolor aesthetic and ambitious dual-narrative structure remain uniquely captivating.
Expelled! is a brilliantly crafted mystery with a clever time-loop mechanic and razor-sharp writing. While its replay-driven structure may test some players' patience, the game rewards persistence with surprising depth and multiple compelling endings. A standout narrative experience that turns schoolyard drama into an unforgettable whodunit.
Assassin's Creed Shadows delivers a visually stunning and technically polished experience, with improved stealth and combat mechanics. However, its uneven narrative, repetitive side content, and lack of meaningful NPC interactions hold it back.
Two Point Museum delivers a charming and addictive simulation experience, blending quirky humor with deep management mechanics. While it occasionally feels repetitive, the addition of expeditions and diverse museum themes keeps the gameplay fresh.
Split Fiction is a co-op masterpiece, blending inventive gameplay, emotional storytelling, and stunning visuals. While its dialogue occasionally stumbles, the game’s relentless creativity and seamless teamwork mechanics make it a must-play for fans of cooperative adventures.
Rise of the Ronin delivers a visually striking and mechanically solid action-adventure experience, but its repetitive side content and unremarkable story hold it back. While the PC port offers technical improvements, performance issues and underwhelming visual upgrades dampen its potential.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center offers a visually striking and intriguing mystery-solving experience with its nostalgic pixel art and modern twists. While the gameplay loop is engaging and the social media integration adds a fresh layer, the slow pacing, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent case quality hold it back.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD swings back into action, capturing the charm of its predecessors while introducing new difficulty modes and quality-of-life features. Though it loses some of the 3DS version's 3D magic, the jump to HD brings noticeable visual improvements. The game remains a classic platformer with rewarding collectibles and solid performance, despite longer load times. While its pricing as a full-priced game is steep, it offers enjoyable gameplay and nostalgia for fans of the series.
A swashbuckling spin-off that delivers the charm and chaos of the Like a Dragon series, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii shines with its action-packed combat, quirky side content, and Majima’s magnetic presence.
A solid but uneven return for a classic fighter, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. shines with its deep, technical gameplay and excellent rollback netcode but falters with stripped-down content and a lackluster tutorial. While its 3D combat remains engaging, the absence of single-player modes and controversial customization cuts leave fans wanting more. A promising yet flawed revival.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black brings the beloved, brutal action of the original back to life with a stunning Unreal Engine 5 remake, though it stumbles slightly in living up to its "Black" legacy.
Alien: Rogue Incursion brings a breath of fresh air to VR gaming with its immersive and action-packed experience. Developed by Survios, this first-person shooter captures the essence of the Alien franchise while offering a different approach from Alien Isolation. The game excels in its interactive elements and smooth controls, despite some visual shortcomings on PSVR 2. While the narrative may leave fans wanting more, the engaging gameplay and rich lore make it a must-play for Alien enthusiasts.
A nostalgic trip down the survival horror lane, Enigma of Fear blends retro aesthetics with modern 3D animation, creating a visually captivating experience. Despite its charming art style, the game's interface and presentation can leave players lost and puzzled. With a focus on challenging puzzles and an eerie atmosphere, it demands keen observation and memory. While some aspects, like the navigation and UI, fall short, the solid writing and engaging combat make it a worthwhile adventure for old-school horror fans.
Metro Awakening ventures into VR with mixed results. The game offers detailed environments and immersive sound design but struggles with performance tweaks and long load times. While it answers key lore questions and provides solid gunplay, its linear and repetitive gameplay diminishes the overall experience. Though it doesn’t match the heights of VR titans like Half-Life: Alyx, it remains an engaging spin-off for Metro fans.
Mario and Luigi: Brothership offers an enchanting adventure, combining exploration with captivating gameplay. The vibrant world of Concordia and its quirky characters bring fresh life to the series, despite a simplistic narrative. With intuitive mechanics and the classic charm of our favorite plumbers, it offers a delightful journey that's a must-play for fans.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake revitalizes a classic with a blend of retro charm and modern visuals. The HD-2D engine creates stunning graphics, though some aspects feel dated. Under Yuji Horii's guidance, the game balances nostalgia with modern enhancements, providing a refreshed experience. While there are instances of grinding and slow battles, it remains an engaging journey for both longtime fans and newcomers—essential for JRPG enthusiasts.
In The Rise of the Golden Idol, players dive into a web of mysteries, using sharp deductive reasoning to solve them. This sequel features a rich narrative and modern setting that makes each revelation satisfying. With engaging art and intuitive gameplay, it offers fresh challenges for point-and-click adventure fans, despite minor interface hiccups on platforms like Steam Deck. A must-play for enthusiasts of the Golden Idol series.
Despite a few minor drawbacks, Black Ops 6 successfully breathes new life into the Call of Duty series by building upon fan-favorite elements while boldly introducing omnimovement, a mechanic that is transformative to moment-to-moment gameplay.
Sonic X Shadow Generations revitalizes a classic by combining nostalgia with fresh content. With enhanced visuals and a campaign focused on Shadow the Hedgehog, it offers smooth gameplay and rich character development. While console players will appreciate the upgrades, the high price for PC users might seem steep for just the new Shadow story.