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.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure brings back Max Caulfield as an adult who faces both personal and supernatural challenges. Although her new powers hold promise, the gameplay tends to feel overly linear, and the pacing is inconsistent. Overall, Double Exposure is an engaging yet flawed continuation of Max’s journey, but it falls short of the series' best moments.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a new IP from Atlus that combines Persona mechanics with medieval fantasy elements. It features innovative systems like Archetypes and a hybrid battle approach. The narrative explores modern themes within a fantastical world. While the game offers depth and challenge in combat and exploration, it has some technical drawbacks, especially on the PC version.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero revitalizes the Tenkaichi series with nostalgic charm and complex mechanics. The game offers a dynamic experience with a vast character roster and an engaging combat system. While it has some issues with camera angles and balance, it's still a highly enjoyable entry in the franchise.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster revitalizes the beloved zombie-infested game from the 7th generation of consoles. It uses Capcom’s RE Engine for improved graphics and quality-of-life updates while maintaining the original gameplay and humor. With time-based mechanics, customizable weapons, and a visual overhaul, it's a great return for fans.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a nostalgic tribute and a well-packaged bundle of timeless arcade fighting games. It has a sleek user interface, customizable gameplay options, and appeals to both long-time fans and newcomers.
Visions of Mana masterfully captures the heart of traditional JRPGs with classic elements and stunning visual artistry. The main storyline and combat system shine with engaging characters and smooth gameplay, but the lack of meaningful side content and occasional performance issues hold it back from perfection.
Star Wars Outlaws offers a fresh take on the franchise. While it has great visuals and solid gameplay, it relies on familiar open-world tropes, which may not appeal to everyone. The protagonist, Kay Vess, and her companion, Nix, offer enjoyable interactions, but some missions and stealth elements can feel repetitive.
The Ace Attorney Investigations Collection revitalizes the beloved series with a focus on investigative prowess, updated visuals, and expanded gameplay mechanics. The shift to crime scene exploration and clue gathering breathes new life into the series, making it accessible to both long-time fans and newcomers. This collection stands as one of the strongest entries in the franchise, blending nostalgia and innovation for lovers of the detective genre.