While Star Dynasties has a lot to live up to, its unique gameplay features, interesting setting, and wonderful UI make it an excellent addition to the world of Grand Strategy games. There is really no better way to fight a shadow war between a player's own Atreides and a rival Harkonnen than in Star Dynasties.
The bottom line is that Disciples: Liberation is a fantastic experience. From the engaging story to the deep but approachable Strategy RPG combat, this is the type of game to suck players in until the wee hours of the morning. There aren't many games like Disciples: Liberation on the market these days, especially when the old champion, Might and Magic, has become an autobattler. Disciples: Liberation a welcome breath of fresh air that delivers hope for the future of the Strategy RPG genre.
What Legend of the Kestrel Lancers comes down to is how much players enjoyed the spectacle and gunplay of MechWarrior 5, and how much they want to extend their time with the game through a new, and definitely interesting, story, and bigger battles. The gameplay is fun, tight, and tactically sound, but it was in the core game as well. The DLC offers more of the same, hampered by a lack of new mechs and diverse missions, but what is present in Kestrel Lancers is fun and purpose-built to give fans more of what they like. If players are only dipping their toes into MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, the base game has plenty to offer before players need to judge this DLC's worth.
Much more than just a flashy upgrade and the inclusion of mythical units, Mythos breathes new life into A Total War Saga: Troy, giving it the opportunity to reach out to players who may have been put off by the historical tint and narrower focus of the base game. Here monsters and legends serve to make battles more interesting, campaigns more dynamic, and of course, war more fun. Leading Ajax in a duel against Hector while Gryphons battle Hydra is modern Total War at its best.
To top it off, there are still some annoying bugs like the odd flying boat, items falling through the world, and rarely, crashes. Players who loved Maneater will surely find more to appreciate in Truth Quest, but it doesn't do enough to truly expand on what made Maneater so memorable in the first place. The DLC is an obvious choice for those who simply want more of the world of the base game, but anyone looking for some major leaps in either the gameplay loop or its iterations will be left a little wanting.
Psychonauts 2 is a must-play for anyone interested in what modern platformers can do and what a compelling comedy adventure looks like in 2021.
Chernobylite's mixed collection of gameplay styles comes together beautifully. The narrative is engaging, the world is atmospheric, combat is solid , and the base building is decent. It may not be a STALKER game, and it's eclectic collection of elements are integrated with varying degrees of success, but Chernobylite offers a worthy replacement, full of its own charms and quirks that will allow it to stand on its own two feet.
If players are looking for a quick fix of World War Two shooting action, then Hell Let Loose won't be for them. The pace, length, and harsh combat conditions dictate that players dedicate themselves to teamwork and victory. If players are willing to communicate over voice, work together to achieve local and broader objectives, and have the patience to play slowly, Hell Let Loose can be amazing. It may not happen every session, but a full game of Hell Let Loose with a dedicated, communicative teams is a must-experience gaming moment for any fans of tactical shooters.
A fun indie take on a classic SRPG formula.
Subnautica: Below Zero doesn't revolutionize the Subnautica formula, but builds on it. Every new venture into the depths is full of calculated terror, the narrative is more interesting and personal, the horrors are memorable, and survival rarely feels trivial. Subnautica: Below Zero is as good a Thalassophobia simulator as anyone could hope for.
There's a lot to like in Evil Genius 2 for both fans of the original and new aspiring super villains. For fans, Evil Genius 2 accurately recreates the feel of building up and defending a Bond villain's lair from the original, but with a host of quality of life changes that make it feel effortless. For the newly curious, Evil Genius 2: World Domination is a witty, stylish, and surprisingly deep base builder.
There's not a lot of content, but the coop is fun.
Deep combat and strategic management hold up well.
Clever Building, Interesting Combat, But is it Enough?
Loop Hero is a one-of-a-kind adventure. Blending roguelike elements with deck building and auto-battling feels like a combination that shouldn't work, but Loop Hero pulls it off in magnificent style. It might not be for everyone, but the core gameplay is entertaining, forces important decision making, and keeps players coming back for more.
Tohu brings cute adventure gaming to Switch.
Adventure, treasure, and near-certain death await!
The Unexpected Quest fails to live up to its ideas