Josh Broadwell
Garden Story reaches for the sun with its bold stalks, but a shallow root system robs it of the stamina needed to fulfill its lofty dreams.
Biomutant doesn't deliver on some of its more interesting promises, but its earnest, bizarre world is still a joy to get lost in.
Atelier Firis DX is a unique Atelier game in its structure that holds its own, even where later games improve on what it started.
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a frictionless, relaxing spin on life sims that manages to remain heartwarming and charming, despite a few Switch-related rough patches. Dreamlight Valley's unique identity relies heavily on fresh interactions with your in-game friends, and Gameloft will need to continue supporting it with regular updates to keep the Night Thorns from creeping back in. However, what's here at launch is surprisingly touching and thoughtful, and cleverly plays on the nostalgia of anyone who's ever been a Disney fan.
A refreshing take on the survival sandbox with a robust approach to progression and countless ways to tackle each mission. Sadly, harsh penalties, bugs, and crashes combine to make this a frustrating off-world expedition.
That's Sand Land in a nutshell, though. It's a vibes game more than anything else, charming, sometimes surprisingly incisive, and daring enough to be its own thing. That thing isn't always as engaging as it could be, but it's certainly unforgettable.
I'm hoping 11th Hour has more in store for Last Epoch's future as well. There's a strong foundation to build on, both from narrative and combat perspectives, and more than that, I just want an excuse to spend more time in Last Epoch.
Just when Tactica’s combat feels like it steps into its own, the game ends. Atlus definitely played it safe by easing players into the basics and gradually giving them more freedom to use all of Tactica’s tools, but the moment where everything clicks and all the systems work together happens a little too late. There's a lot of potential here, though, and I hope this isn't the last time Atlus brings tactics to the shadow world.
Dragon Quest Treasures is far from the richest jewel in the Dragon Quest crown, but a laid-back structure, charming world, and endless stream of rewards make it a relaxing RPG still worth admiring.
Ota Imon has something interesting to say with Wolfstride. I just hope it finds the right voice to say it with next time.
Total War Pharoah doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does introduce a handful of promising and sometimes deep new ways to approach the familiar formula. Combat is still hit-and-miss, but the approach to history and empire-building are among the best in the Total War series.
Final Fantasy 5 Pixel Remaster still isn’t the ultimate way to play the game. That would be the Game Boy Advance version of it, thanks to the bonus classes and character portraits. However, it’s still a fantastic RPG, elevated by its spirit of fun and an absolutely gorgeous soundtrack. Whether you’ve played another version before or not, it’s definitely worth experiencing.
Lego Bricktales is a fresh and clever twist on the puzzle genre, even if the controls could be more intuitive.
Temtem may look like Pokemon on the surface, but a deep battle system and engaging PvP elements make up for the similarities.
Held back by a few shortcomings, Hard West 2 is still one of the best tactics games in the genre.
Ghostwire Tokyo's charm, bizarre world, and engaging story shine in spite of the rather empty world.
Horizon Forbidden West could be much more, but what's here is beautiful, cleverly designed, and just plain fun to play.
Pokemon Legends Arceus is the most imaginative and absorbing Pokemon to date, though Hisui itself is disappointingly bare.
Despite some rough edges, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are the best of modern and classic Pokemon.
Resident Evil 4 VR is a brilliant port of an already fantastic game and the ideal way to experience Capcom's classic