Two Point Campus is a joy to experience thanks to its easy-to-learn but hard-to-master gameplay. Newcomers to the Two Point series of games will find a lot to like, and it is commendable how the developers have made the onboarding process easy to understand despite its very deep gameplay. Veterans will appreciate an engaging and immersive sim, with multiple systems layered on top of each other that promotes a highly-addictive gameplay loop. There’s a lot to uncover for those that want to dabble in the deep end of the game, which is sure to keep things interesting. Overall, Two Point Campus is another fantastic and enjoyable outing that will scratch your management sim itch. These types of games are few and far in between all of the action-adventure titles out there, but you can be assured that Two Point Campus scores high marks and deserves a place among the best of them.
Monster Hunter Rise is a success and Sunbreak just builds on top of the formula by adding more of the same of what made past installments great. Both Rise and Sunbreak are easy to love, easy to hook you in but hard to let go. Considering that Rise is arguably the easiest generation to get into for newcomers, Sunbreak really caps the experience off and massively upgrades the base game in more ways than one. Sunbreak isn’t really breaking any molds, but at this point in the series – it doesn’t have to, at least not yet. It’s an amalgamation of new and old Monster Hunter and a worthy capstone for Rise, in a so-tasty digestible package that’s just beckoning you to sink your teeth in it.
F1 22 is in a bit of a strange situation because while it doesn’t add drastic changes or updates to the game, it still is the best F1 game out there that’s as easily accessible to newcomers as well as F1-heads looking for a deep experience. One thing it adds is F1 Life, a lackluster experience when compared to Braking Point, which I would expect to make a return next year. Other than this, F1 22 will feel overly similar to last year, especially for casual players that won’t pay too much attention to the finer details and will simply enjoy the game for what it is – a fun and exciting racing experience. F1 22 is far from a bad game, but its current offering this year features a laundry list of changes that don’t do too much to change the overall experience unless you know what to look for. Some will like the consistency while others will rue the lack of updates, and it will really depend on how much these mean to you when thinking of that eventual purchase.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a great in-between game, something that can be greatly appreciated after the deluge of heavy and tiring games from the past couple of months. Offering charming gameplay that is simple to pick up and understand, players will find some respite here that is easily worth the price of admission. For some, the idea of countless fetch quests might be an immediate turn-off, and with such a simple core loop, the game does little to deviate or add something new to the mix. Instead, it doubles down on the basics, making it feel like a game that doesn't look like but plays similarly to previous console generations.
Trek to Yomi often feels like it prioritizes looks over gameplay and to a certain extent, that's fine. The game flawlessly executes exquisite camera angles that give off a highly-cinematic feel that is a joy to both watch and play. While its close-up visuals are average at best, the game exceeds at framing scenes that look 'gram-worthy whenever the screenshot button is pressed. Its combat system, while decent, boils down to repeated patterns at easier difficulties but gets excruciatingly difficult at the next level, without finding a good middle ground that makes the experience feel satisfying. That said, it is very easy to pick up and play but will require players to prioritize timing over dexterity.
MLB The Show 22 is the latest installment in the long-running series and, like most annual sports games, introduces some new features that make it an arguably better product than last year. One of my gripes from last year was that MLB The Show 21 didn't really take advantage of the more powerful hardware of the PS5 and Xbox Series and it's mostly the same complaint I have now. Maybe next year? Similar to the likes of NBA 2K, many will most likely flock to its campaign mode called Road to the Show, and while it is a competent mode, there's very little difference from last year's outing, which is getting rather old at this point. Other features like Diamond Dynasty and March to October make a return, rounding up a full-featured installment.
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is quite the curious case. On one hand, the game is an absolute classic that everyone needs to experience, and this release just does that. By releasing on more modern platforms, especially on the Switch (which is probably the best way to play this game), a brand new audience can come to realize the greatness of the RPGs of old wrapped in a shiny new package. On the other hand, the remaster isn't something you'd expect for a game of this stature. Maybe it would have been wrong to expect more, but I certainly expected more from it and was disappointed, mainly because of the performance issues, something that is inexcusable given the technology we have currently. Some may overlook this, but it doesn't change the fact that it exists.
Stranger of Paradise: FF Origin is a surprisingly fun game that has very competent systems and features that work together to bring a good technical action RPG. Anchored by a deep job system and excellent combat with precise controls, hunting down Chaos can be quite fun if you let it. Despite its ridiculous premise and story, the game can easily attract both fans and newcomers to the Final Fantasy franchise and action RPG titles in general. There is a possibility that some players may feel overwhelmed with its many systems, but seeing it through is rewarding enough.
Overall, Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach is a solid entry in the long-running series that has garnered a cult following throughout the years. It is the best-looking game in the series and really excels at creating a tension-filled atmosphere that will keep you on your toes. Despite its many bugs and glitches, the core gameplay remains enjoyable as long as you can learn to put up with some of its questionable design decisions that can pile up to be a source of frustration while playing the game.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is certainly aimed at the looter-shooter crowd wanting a familiar formula wrapped in a crazy comedic package anchored by spectacular performances from the cast. However, players looking for something that's a lot more different, disappointment might set in because this is basically Borderlands in everything but name. There are a ton of guns to use and choose from, and while the feel isn't as solid as other shooters out there, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands delivers well enough in other areas to merit a playthrough.
Chocobo GP is a serviceable racer that will, unfortunately, be compared to Mario Kart until the end of time, as with any other kart racer. That's not to say that the game is bad, and it isn't, by a longshot. Despite several similar features, the game has enough spin to it to give it its own identity. In particular, the Magicite system is surprisingly good, offering a layer of strategy on top of the chaos that ensues during a race.
Gran Turismo 7 is more than just a racing game, it is a celebration of the automotive industry, blending superb gameplay and stunning views while showcasing the rich history of the scene. You can tell that Gran Turismo 7 was created by a team that has a deep passion and love for cars and it shows in every aspect of the game. Newcomers are more than welcome to hop for a ride across its beginner-friendly settings and can proceed through a sizeable chunk of content even without engaging the incredibly detailed sim-related customization options. Gran Turismo 7 offers a wide range of features for both newbies and veterans, making it arguably one of the most accessible and approachable entries in the series.
Death’s Door is a good example of a game that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but instead polishes it heavily and puts out a clean and satisfying experience that makes it a must-play. Acid Nerve has kept it simple all throughout, and the game is arguably better for it, trimming a lot of excess fat and giving players a lean 10-hour package that’s a good time from start to finish.
Loop Hero is quite the refreshing experience, employing a mix of features and design decisions that seemingly don’t go well together but somehow makes it work. It may look simple at first, but the game offers multiple layers of strategy that will pull in newcomers and even long-time fans of the genre. The pixel graphics and simplistic audio may turn some off, but Loop Hero is something that simply needs to be given a chance to pull you in with its addictive partly idle “one more loop” gameplay, making it a perfect match with the Nintendo Switch and its portable nature.
Battlefield 2042 feels like a game that could have used another delay to position itself as something ready for the spotlight. Instead, it released with a number of annoying bugs that compounded into problems that led the community to really rail on the game. Despite these bugs being something that can be fixed by a number of patches, Battlefield 2042 really needed to make a strong first impression seeing the tight Q4 FPS landscape.
Call of Duty: Vanguard, while another solid offering, doesn’t do enough to stand out and make it another must-buy compared to previous years. This has become increasingly important because of the fact that there are a couple of huge FPS games that will be releasing in the next few weeks that will surely give players something to think about. Call of Duty: Vanguard sticking to a safe outing might have been to its detriment for this year, just when it needed to shine the most.
Just Dance 2022 is the latest entry in the long-running series from Ubisoft. Boasting a selection of tracks that will cater to a wide variety of musical preferences, there’s much to love about the game despite the lack of innovation from year to year.
NBA 2K22 is not just a roster upgrade. Overall gameplay upgrades make it a blast to play, offering some of the best action compared to recent years. 2K has certainly listened to the community, making meaningful changes that try to accurately reflect the state of the game as we can see it.
Overall, Hoa was quite the treat. The game could be finished in one sitting, which will understandably be too short for a lot of gamers, but the price tag should be easy enough on the pocket to enjoy a relaxing campaign filled with beautiful backgrounds accompanied by a fantastic musical score.
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut is a standout experience especially on the Playstation 5. It has enhanced the already beloved title with many improvements over its PS4 counterpart including improved visuals, DualSense support, and much-improved frame rates among other things. While the $10 upgrade fee is a bitter pill to swallow for some, we feel that the proof is in the pudding, and the upgrades are substantial enough to make the experience even better.