Life is Strange: True Colors is defined by well-written characters and a great presentation, but the plot suffers from a sluggish pace and a weak ending.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a relaxing game with fantastic visual direction and fluid gameplay. It is a remnant of the past with modern touches in many ways.
Sifu is a must-have game for anyone who enjoys martial arts. It has a solid combat system, but its main disadvantage is a steep learning curve.
Capcom Fighting Collection is a satisfying bundle that includes 10 classic games with a variety of options as well as online multiplayer.
Soul Hackers 2 is a fun budget JRPG that has a repetitive design, but the developers tried their best to deliver an experience that should please fans of the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series.
Valkyrie Elysium has an excellent battle system and exciting exploration options, but the plot never takes off, resulting in a lackluster conclusion.
The Callisto Protocol is a perfect example of a game that is well-polished yet suffers from several design faults that highlight its weaknesses. In this case, the melee and dodge system can be a thorn in the game's side, but don't let that stop you from enjoying this otherwise fantastic experience.
Before Your Eyes is a narrative-driven VR game that uses eye-tracking technology to immerse players in the life story of Benny, offering a short yet emotional experience, but with graphics that may not satisfy everyone and a narrative that could be more developed.
WWE 2K23 offers a vast roster and abundant content, making it one of the best wrestling games in the past decade, despite minor animation issues and suboptimal online performance.
Atelier Ryza 3 excels with its expansive world, refined gameplay, and dynamic combat. Despite pacing and character development issues, the game offers an engaging experience for both newcomers and dedicated fans, featuring captivating alchemy and numerous improvements.
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is a nostalgic compilation of the Battle Network series, featuring ten games with turn-based card combat and RPG elements. While some games haven't aged well, and exploration can be daunting, the enjoyable combat, charming art style, and added online features make it a worthwhile purchase for fans and newcomers seeking hours of entertainment.
The Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection remasters the first three games of the series for the Nintendo Switch and PC, maintaining its unique dungeon crawling gameplay but struggling with the transition from dual to single-screen. Despite some compromises in the mapping function, the collection offers improved visuals, auto-battles, and remains an engaging strategic adventure, particularly on handheld devices.
Depending on where one stands on the convergence of interactive and non-interactive mediums, Alan Wake 2 may be perceived as a work of art or as an experience where gameplay is overlooked in favor of narrative artistry.
ANONYMOUS;CODE offers a visually engaging experience and strong main character development but falls short in fully realizing its genre's potential. Despite these shortcomings, it remains a valuable addition for fans of the Science Adventure series and visual novels.
Like A Dragon Gaiden links Yakuza 6 and Like A Dragon 8 with a focus on Kazuma Kiryu's life, featuring traditional Yakuza brawler action and a new gadget-heavy Agent style. Despite its engaging main story and memorable cutscenes, the game's side activities lack depth and innovation, falling short of series expectations.
Persona 5 Tactica emerges as a bold step in the Persona series, introducing a strategic RPG gameplay and a unique artistic direction, diverging from the main series' established norms. While it excels in maintaining the series' aesthetic charm and offers an engaging narrative, the removal of social elements and the focus on strategic combat may divide traditional fans. The game's success depends on embracing its innovative gameplay and fresh character perspectives, making it a distinct, if somewhat polarizing, addition to the Persona franchise.
Echoes of the Fallen, the first expansion for Final Fantasy XVI, extends the main story with a new quest and enriches gameplay, but its short duration and segmented narrative set the stage for the more anticipated expansion, The Rising Tide.
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising brings substantial updates and new content, making it a standout in its genre despite the lack of an upgrade path from the original. With its expertly developed gameplay, expanded character roster, improved RPG mode, and innovative multiplayer options, it offers both accessibility and depth, catering to both newcomers and seasoned players in the fighting game community.
Shiren The Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is an excellent addition to the franchise. It combines narrative and roguelike dungeon crawling to offer a challenging yet rewarding adventure. Unlike other games that rely on tutorials, this game doesn't hold your hand and is enjoyable for both veterans and newcomers. This latest installment introduces a captivating new setting and multiplayer modes, and also refines the gameplay with quality-of-life improvements. Additionally, the game features a dynamic online rescue system, making it stand out in the mystery dungeon genre. It is a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.
Paper Mario: The Origami King is a fun-filled adventure that manages to keep things fresh, however, the puzzle-based battles tend to feel repetitive. Despite the repetitive combat, the boss battles are easily some of the best seen in the series.