Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 knocks nearly every single one of the first game’s problems into the blast zone while also introducing the exciting new Slime mechanic, a more interesting roster, and better visuals throughout.
Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections may have the flashiest graphics in the series, but there’s almost nothing else here to make me seek it out over past entries with basically the same fighting system and better single-player stories.
Foamstars' combat mechanics are unexpectedly engaging, but confounding time-gated modes and aggressive monetization make them harder to enjoy.
It’s already been a busy year for game releases, but I’m so glad I took time off from the high-stakes, melodramatic adventures of ecoterrorists or the comically action-packed exploits of galactic fascist pawns for Penny’s good-ol’-fashioned sense of fun. Here’s a game that’s not just worth playing, but replaying and finding every little secret. Even if its retro vibes and dated designs can be frustrating, they account for pennies out of each successful dollar that Penny’s Big Breakaway cashes in thanks to its sense of speed, charming art direction, and clever innovations.
Pepper Grinder boldly defines a short and sweet, pixelated adventure with a whole lot of punch in its short runtime. This dynamo of chaos, tight platforming, satisfying movement, tight-level design, and dazzling art style is one of the best platformers I've played in a long time.
We wish we liked Library of Ruina more than we do; its world and characters touch on clever themes and storytelling devices, but never fully lean into its potential. Slapdash pacing coupled with sluggish, nerve-wracking menus makes playing Library of Ruina an exercise in courting digital whiplash as you cycle between rushed, truncated story beats and glacially-paced menus. If it had more engaging combat and a more efficient narrative setup, Library of Ruina would have really impressed us. Sadly, we don't feel very compelled to see it through to completion.
Teeming with life, secrets, and charm that surprise and delight, Animal Well held my full, undivided attention