Having only a handful of enjoyable minigames means players will end up playing the ones they dislike more, and the horribly paced board game component makes the journey getting to those minigames feel like a slog and then to not have GARFIELD VOICED IS JUS- let me calm down. Even at the ‘value’ price of $39.99 this feels overpriced, if you are a huge Garfield fan wait for a deep sale before picking this one up.
From what I’ve played of Divine Knockout I think its going to be a lot of fun while it lasts. I am always wary of getting behind Hi-Rez games because they have a habit of going hard on this project when they are popular but then support will peter off and eventually die thus killing the game. Outside of Smite I think their other two big franchises Paladin’s and Rogue Company are on life support. I am rooting for them with Divine Knockout though, its easy to pick up nature and attractive art style will hopefully help it to garner an audience that will allow it to stand the test of time, or at the very least until they can put my man Zeus in the game, once I can get him they can do what they want.
Crossfire: Legion does a great job of evoking great memories playing better games in the RTS genre. It does very little if anything to innovate and leans heavily on the tracks that many other games have laid before it. But what hurts it most of all is the fact that there is NO A.I. matchmaking, which means that if players want to play the game, they must use the multiplayer option which seems to be on its way to being abandoned at this point. So that leaves players to repeat a lackluster campaign filled with generic characters (whom they utilized some top tier talent such as Ashly Burch who is wasted here) and cliché plots. Crossfire: X was my first introduction to the world of Crossfire and as you can read in my review it was a terrible first impression. And now with Legion being the mess that it is I think I may not give Crossfire a third chance to disappoint me.
I can’t say enough good things about Marvel’s Midnight Suns, while I knew this was going to be a strategy game of sorts, I was pleasantly surprised with how deep its systems got for those that really want to dig in. The way that characters can be equipped and built out offers so much flexibility for players it is really astounding. And all of that directly corresponds with the relationship/friendship system. As players continually build those relationships they will be rewarded with various attacks, and buffs when using that hero. Not to mention the fantastic story that is built here, and while some will find some of the social elements a bore there is a payoff for a great deal of the interactions. Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a game that will demand your time and attention, its not a quick experience but it is just that, an experience one that is nicely balanced in its fantastic story and above average action for a perfect melding of what makes superheroes so cool to being with.
This game wants to be Dead Space really, REALLY, bad, but what’s interesting about that is I haven’t even finished the first Dead Space game and I can see it. Is this a bad thing? No, it’s really not as Callisto Protocol isn’t a trash game at all, they tried some new things with the controls and stuff some of it worked but for me a lot more of it didn’t. The game’s depiction of excessive violence is fun but even it wears on to the point of feeling overboard, especially when you think why they have giant grinding machines in the open like this in the middle of a prison. The story, while predictable, was an enjoyable adventure, but as far as graphics this game looks incredible. But as most of us know by now, looks aren’t everything and so it is with Callisto Protocol.
RWBY: Arrowfell isn’t a terrible game, it just doesn’t feel like this game lived up to the pedigree set forth by the teams involved. As I said I am not a fan of the source material, so I am curious to see what fans think but as a fan of side-scrolling adventure games sadly I find this one is lacking in the essence that arguably really makes this genre fun and its combat. There just really is no joy to be found in the combat here and that’s really a shame.
I have no doubt that these will be fixed in time but when are WE as gamers/consumers going to stop allowing this to be the norm. I feel like I say this on far too many reviews, fact of the matter is the game should have launched without these technical issues but I won’t start preaching here… we have a podcast for that. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is coming to Xbox at a later date and my hope is that all of its extremely rough edges are grind down to perfection by then, the moment to moment in battles is a blast to play but the pitiful rewards and technical issues just turns it into more of a chore than a joy to serve the Emperor.
Now that’s not to say Sword and Fairy: Together Forever isn’t a fun game, because it very much is. The journey and world are overall linear, but the fun is in the experience, and the story is good enough to deal with the stiff combat if you enjoy your tales on the fantastical side. The graphics were great with the usual amount of graphical pop in that has become the staple of Unreal Engine 4 at this point but the way the fabrics and hair move when in combat is almost mesmerizing and makes up for the aging engine. If you are wanting to try something new, I’d recommend Sword and Fairy: Together Forever, even with it’s issues it was still a good time but hopefully we can do a better job with translating the next one.
While I was able to complete some matches, I was disconnected in the lobby more times than I can count, and the awful wait time doesn’t help things. The latter being more an issue of sales than technical prowess, but it is notable if you want to play multiplayer but just don’t have friends who are interested. Bravery and Greed is a good time and for the price tag of $19.99 its low cost of entry is welcoming in this new age of the commonplace $79.99 games.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, not to be confused with the sequel to Call of Duty 4, Modern Warfare 2 is a great package. The roughly 8-hour campaign throws more twists and turns at the players than a day at an amusement park. It was a joy to not have to clear one corridor of enemies after another for the entirety of its run. Not to mention the stellar graphics on the campaign mode, combine all that with what is arguably the best Call of Duty multiplayer experience we have had in years, and you end up with a recipe for success that Infinity Ward is all too familiar with cooking up.
Aside from the art there isn’t much to love here, SBT can be one of those games that players can use when they want to turn their brain off and just move and shoot. But beyond that it’s just another day in the release of a Warhammer game; if you listen to the podcast, we make the joke about how they come every other week and only 1 is ever any good. Even for the price of $19.99 this game feels overpriced, there just simply isn’t enough game here even with the ability to play 4-player co-op. With the sluggish controls and aiming, and no real change in gameplay other than scenery this one may not please The God Emperor of Mankind.
Pentiment is not a bad game, it’s just not one that I have no real interest in; It’s more along the lines of an interactive, mystery novel than a video game. While I loved the storybook art style, the overly stylized font was just too much to look at for long play sessions. And Pentiment tends to drag on a bit too long for my taste, but for those that have a love of history, murder, religion, betrayal, secrets, walking from left to right/right to left and reading your video games; then I think you should try Pentiment, especially at the price of $19.99 or included with your Game Pass subscription.
Triangle Strategy wasn’t the game I thought it was when I accepted the review assignment, but I am glad I did because after I really got into the game I enjoyed the story, and the extremely tough decisions it asks the player to make. Triangle Strategy isn’t a perfect game but it is a really good time.
Like Total War, when the players massive armies clash in battle it is a sight to behold, luckily the game offers the option to simulate battles and watch the AI troops clash. This, to me was massively more enjoyable than trying to struggle through the games clunky combat. While I loved the depth offered in the RPG elements of the world, I came away disappointed enough by the combat that is just made the whole experience feel like a chore to play; combine that with the lack of a real story and I Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord just didn’t turn out to be the total medieval simulator game I was hoping for.
I was excited going into Valkyrie Elysium because of what I had heard about the series. While after my time with it that excitement certainly has dulled, not because of the combat but just because everything around it just kind of felt ‘meh’. If the world was more populated or at the very least more interesting there would be much more here to really sink one’s teeth into, as it stands once players are done doing Odin’s bidding they will find little reason to return in my opinion.
I wanted to like The Last Oricru very much, I was intrigued by the fish out of water story, but the abrasiveness of the main character and the basic feeling combat just killed it for me. There is a case here for a strong presentation, the vistas and some of the levels were a joy to explore, also the fact that the game kept what felt like a solid 60 fps was a big plus in this ‘next-gen’ age but there was always something just keeping me from really enjoying myself. Be it the so-so story, the wasted use of souls mechinics or just Silver himself, sadly The Last Oricru just doesn’t add anything new to the genre.
Metal: Hellsinger is a raw, old-school style of FPS, which a kick ass soundtrack that showcases a new rhythm mechanic (using original music from the team) while including lots of things from the recent versions of the Doom franchise. ‘Glory Kills’, air dashing and more are all here but even with those elements the developers have done enough to make Metal: Hellsinger feel different and unique all on its own. Its inclusion of the rhythm mechanics and even the ‘bullet hell’ aspects of some fights that have players dodging bullets and enemies around an arena is one of those things. This might not be the best example of a demon slaying game done right, but this is a fantastic tribute to those that have come before and a great example of thinking outside the box and taking a change on something different in a sea of sameness.
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is hands down Illfonic’s best game to date and by and large probably the most approachable asymmetrical multiplayer game on the market. Having OG Ghostbusters on board with some new blood is an awesome way to get people into the lore and making it so that player can create their own character was a super smart move as well. I’m excited to see what the team will add into the game, perhaps Dr. Venkman will show up down the line, maybe a playable mini Stay-Puft ghost; whatever it is I am excited to get more. I hope that this game sees a longer lifespan than the developers’ previous games, with all of the polish and the obvious love for the license this is one scare fest that everyone should experience.
Gotham Knights did an outstanding job at making me really feel like I was a vigilante protecting the city, as I said the immersion level is Gotham Knights greatest achievement. I am excited to see where the team takes the Knights next honestly, and with all the talk of the ‘Multiverse’ lately there is no reason why this series can’t exist side-by-side a traditional Batman game. All four of the characters show growth and come to terms with not only Bruce’s death but the legacy that they have inherited by his passing and while yes, it’s a shame there is no performance mode Gotham Knights is a fantastic experience that should be experienced by fans and non-fans alike.
While players may not be playing TemTem for the next 10 years, if Pokémon games are your jam, then TemTem will offer you a great experience for the foreseeable future.