Kyle Foley's Reviews
Enshrouded may only be entering early access, but there is already so much to see and do in the wonderful world of Embervale. Keen Games did not cut any corners when creating this excellent sandbox. Players will surely enjoy it as it evolves during the early access period.
Final Fantasy XVI: Echoes of the Fallen delivers beautiful scenes and incredible action but falters a bit with an anticlimactic ending. There is plenty to enjoy for fans of the main game, but the lack of a great ending means it fails to live up to the lofty expectations set by the main game.
Rollerdrome beautifully meshes two very different genres and defies all expectations coming into it. The style practically drips out of the screen as Roll7 delivers one of the most unique and exciting games in recent memory.
Last Train Home does a great job of meshing a challenging strategic experience with an immersive setting and story. The difficulty curve can get overwhelming for less experienced RTS players, but the attention to detail and the wonderful character interactions make it worth taking the time to learn the ropes.
After a bit of a letdown last year, Football Manager 2024 gives new life to a storied franchise. As far as management simulators go, Football Manager 2024 remains among the absolute best of them.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III recycles old ideas in a stale package that is a downright slog for most of the experience. It commits the ultimate sin of being boring, and it does not bode well for the future of a franchise that, for the last 20 years, has been the pinnacle of popular FPS games.
Persona 5 Tactica is a great example of how to do a spin-off game right by balancing familiar components with a new approach. There is plenty to enjoy for new and old fans alike and everything is tied together in a package that is equal parts approachable and fulfilling.
Total War: PHARAOH is a smashing success as a grand strategy game and brings the hit franchise to a new historical era. Fascinating leaders and subplots with mechanics to match help make each play session fresh and enjoyable.
NBA 2K24 features revamped gameplay through ProPLAY and small game mode tweaks that make it a worthwhile upgrade. Not everything is perfect, and there is still so much room for growth in future games, but NBA 2K24 is a promising step forward in a franchise that has been complacent in recent years without any real competition.
Rune Factory 3 Special is a well-done remaster that gives new life to an older game. While nothing sticks out as entirely revolutionary, that doesn’t stop the experience from being an enjoyable one.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a unique experience all about learning to accept failure in order to find solutions to new challenges. Accepting the fact that some runs need to end in defeat in order to learn more about how to tackle the encounter can take a while, but once you settle into the groove it feels so rewarding.
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical does an excellent job of blending video games and musical theater in a way that should appeal to virtually everyone. Excellent storytelling and a masterfully crafted soundtrack combined with incredible visuals give a new take on Greek mythology.
F1 Manager 2023 takes a good management simulator and makes it better. The new additions to the race day experience as well as new challenge scenarios, enhance the Formula 1 management experience and bring the high-octane sport to life in a whole new way.
Pikmin 4 brings back a storied franchise in a way that will appeal to players both old and new. The significant amount of freedom allows players to craft their own journey with so much to be discovered. New modern tools help assist players by making the experience more streamlined without ever feeling like hand-holding.
Crash Team Rumble feels like a great idea for a game that still had work to be done before it launched. The singular game mode, limited maps and characters, and a small online community kept from growing due to a high price point of entry do not bode well for the future of the game.
In a world full of games trying to stand out, Final Fantasy XVI has no problem rising above the rest. Wonderfully fun combat and beautiful presentation help make the excellent story even more impactful in an adventure well worth the price of admission.
Aliens: Dark Descent is a fun real-time strategy squad game that manages to feel tense and rewarding at the same time. It isn’t a perfect game, the loop can get a bit repetitive, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying every second of it.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a love letter to a flawed character that shares some flaws of its own. The care and love of Tolkien lore are quite obvious, but it doesn’t always mesh well with the disappointing mechanics and less-than-stellar gameplay.
Star Trek: Resurgence has an enjoyable story in a beloved universe but is bogged down by outdated mechanics and visuals in a genre that others have shown can be vastly improved.
Afterimage is a truly beautiful experience, one worth taking the time to enjoy. There are some frustrating moments like a lack of clarity in direction or forced moments of experience grinding, but a compelling story and fascinating world kept those from ruining the experience.