I think fans of the genre are going to really appreciate what Triangle Strategy has going for it, even if the character development could use a bit more work. And for genre newcomers or those less familiar with it like myself, this is a fantastic entry point with an engaging story to keep you hooked.
Marvel’s Spider-Man continues to be one of the best superhero video games released in the last decade, thanks in no small part to Yuri Lowenthal’s committed and passionate performance as Peter Parker, and the overall lighthearted tone that keeps players feeling good over the course of its 20-hour runtime. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that you run out and buy it if you’ve already played the base game at launch, but if you’re looking for an excuse to jump back in and take a crack at all the DLC missions that have released since then, you can’t go wrong here.
Return to Castlevania is, hands down, Dead Cells’ best expansion yet, and it’s not even close. This isn’t to say that its previous add-ons have been lackluster, as every update to the game has only served to help flesh it out even further. Dead Cells continues to be one of the very best rogue-lite games that have released in the past decade, and this just further cements its place as an outstanding entry in the saturated genre.
Resident Evil 4 Remake is further proof that Capcom knows exactly what made these games so beloved in the first place, and longtime fans will find a lot to love in this brilliant recreation of the 2005 classic.
An incredible looter experience overall. I cannot overstate just how satisfying it is to play Diablo IV on a moment-to-moment basis, and with so much replay value to be had from its various classes and build possibilities within those classes, Diablo IV feels like a true return to form for the series.
In its second act, Starfield shows its cards as you finally realize what it’s all about, and that revelation is tremendous. You won’t be fighting dragons in this one, but Starfield doesn’t need any of that pizazz or showmanship to excel. The beauty of Starfield lies in its humanity, and how deeply it cares about the Earth we live on and what we’ll do to survive as a race. It’s a game about breaking through the final frontier, about appreciating what we have, about the lengths we’ll go to advance, and while it has its flaws and missteps, Starfield explores these themes with a sense of earnestness and authenticity that’s hard to find in most other titles. And maybe that’s all that matters.
Persona 3 Reload is an outstanding and worthy remake of a game that’s proven it can withstand the test of time. Welcome back to the dorm.
Despite its few shortcomings, Type-0 gets a lot right. It brings back the old-school charm of the series while experimenting with various new mechanics with a good degree of success.
Episode 3 has pushed the story of Resident Evil Revelations 2 into overdrive and there's little doubt that this is the strongest episode by far. Judgment keeps up the pace with its plot twists and breaks the action up nicely by throwing in some pretty elaborate environmental puzzles into the mix.
With that said, Contemplation certainly doesn't let up in terms of action and horror. The increased variety in enemy types and game mechanics is certainly welcome, and with the story picking up too, it will be exciting to see how the mystery unfolds.
Resident Evil Revelations 2's first episode is a strong start to the game and the only fault I can find with this method of release is that the next episode can't come out soon enough. Penal Colony provided just the right amount of backstory and twists to leave the player wanting to find out what's next in the story.
With all its technical upgrades and incredible attention to every little bloody detail, the mansion looks magnificent and the game fulfills its purpose in reminding fans why we fell in love with this series in the first place. Sure, I do miss the campy live-action intro (who could forget the suave, Val Kilmer look-alike Albert Wesker slicking back his hair?) from the original PS1 version.
Overall, The Last of Us Remastered is a solid title for the growing PS4 library and it's perfect for anyone who gave the game a miss last year to jump in. As for players who have already experienced the game on the PS3, I'd say this is a great opportunity to take another dive into the game's universe, especially if you loved it the first time you played it.
With the emergence of Transistor and Child of Light from earlier this year, it's getting harder and harder to argue that video games are merely there for entertainment and have no artistic value at all. Transistor strikes a fine balance between being an enjoyable video game and a cyberpunk piece of art.
At the end of the day, Persona 5 is a game that offers us the chance to live the perfect high school fantasy life we never had. It’s a chill, feel-good JRPG where you take control of a likable young man with the perfect social life, along with a secret double life where he and his friends save the world from corrupted evil.
If you're looking for excellent brawler gameplay with RPG elements and absolutely gorgeous artwork and uniquely designed bosses, you can't go wrong with Leifthrasir.
Despite the issues I have with the story and combat, there's still something special about Gravity Rush. And it's a damn shame that more people haven't gotten the chance to experience this game before now, simply because it was a handheld exclusive.
Dancing All Night looks like it’s set to be the final game before we have to say goodbye to our favorite cast of characters in Persona 4, and I’m perfectly fine with that. The Investigation Team solves one more mystery, and they’ve once again reminded us never to lose sight of our ‘true selves’. I’d say that’s a job well done.
Valkyria Chronicles Remastered looks fantastic on the PS4, and both its visuals and gameplay hold up well today. It tells a gripping tale of difficult battles and the bonds that blossom from conflict, and it serves up a story that will keep you invested in its development and characters from start to finish.
Despite having a couple of lackluster plot points and devices, Danganronpa 2 is a worthy successor to the trippy story of Trigger Happy Havoc, and I’d highly recommend picking this one up if you’ve already played, and enjoyed, the first game.