REVEIL feels like a game that tries to be like its inspirations but fails to deliver on what makes them stand out. The game doesn't appropriately do much with the potential it has and the atmosphere and tension it builds doesn't really go anywhere. The twist at the end also comes out of nowhere and exists only to deliver a shock that really isn't deserved.
South Park: Snow Day! is a roguelike shooter experience that is short and extremely mediocre to the point of being bad. While it isn't incredibly broken, it still fails to provide a meaningful experience, especially compared to the games that came before it. The shift from 2D to 3D isn't important at all. Rather, it's the incredibly repetitive and boring approach it takes alongside its formulaic plotline that makes it feel like one of the worst episodes in the series.
While The Outlast Trials is a game that can be completed, it has many issues that currently keep it from being a fun experience. The game is very repetitive and cumbersome while the balance that it has is all over the place. Unfortunately, these issues seem to be only fixable with a lot of reworks and massive patches. Even then, it still won't address the boring gameplay loop and the lack of actual challenge outside of modifiers that only exist to make the game even more frustrating. This is a game that only hardcore Outlast fans can be invested on and thus, it is hard to recommend.
Helldivers 2 is broken at launch. That much is almost unquestionable. The game has many high highs and also abysmally low lows. While I can recommend it for players who are seeking a good time due to the physics and the wacky situations a group of players can find themselves in at lower difficulties, it also is a tough recommendation for players seeking thrills with challenging yet fair content. That may change in the future if the developers can fix all the bugs and connection problems.
Granblue Fantasy Relink offers plenty of options for players to engage with in terms of content. It's an action RPG that is easy to pick up and difficult to master when it comes to its character roster choices and mechanics. However, when you get to the deeper aspects of it, it doesn't offer much of note compared to its peers. Still, the way the game delivers its narrative as well as how impressive and tough its boss fights are is definitely worth bringing up. Overall, this is a solid game that could have been a bit more intricate.
The Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy brings some of the most divisive entries in the series with some needed improvements to the aesthetics. While it doesn't do much to improve on their flaws, it is still the definitive way to experience each of these games and relive the next chapters in the story of the original Ace Attorney trilogy.
There's plenty of content for those seeking to shell out the cash, however, and that's the best part. Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising offers plenty of content for both its single-player and multiplayer components to justify its price tag and its new mechanics and highly refined visuals are just a beautiful sight to behold.
In short, The Invincible is a relatively comfortable experience that I could recommend to fans of thrillers and science fiction. I don't think it could be scratching an itch for horror fans specifically because it certainly doesn't have much going for it when it comes to cosmic horror. Still, its twists and turns can leave an impact on those seeking a psychological thriller, especially with the kind of questions it poses at the end.
Sonic Superstars doesn't do much to wow players when it comes to 2D stage design or mechanics. Still, the new gameplay features it brings to the table are fun enough for a decent experience for all kinds of players. While this game is quite safe in its approach, it still can be a decent time for everyone involved.
Payday 3 is a game that looks like it ticks the right boxes to look like a next-gen game and nothing else. The game offers a fun and addicting gameplay loop but it's unfortunately bogged down by a series of bugs and glitches that hamper the experience overall. It also doesn't help that the game's launch state is one of the worst in recent memory in a year that had excellent game releases.
Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy is a decent culmination of the series. The game offers plenty of mind-bending puzzles and still respects its platforming roots. While the combat still feels somewhat clunky, the game's visuals and puzzle difficulty more than makeup for it. The game is much more enjoyable with friends as they can solve puzzles more inventively.
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is a game that's clearly wearing its inspiration on its sleeve. With mechanics that are pretty easy to get into and a great soundtrack to boot, fans of Jet Set Radio and 3D platformer games in general should feel very pleased. While the game has some shortcomings that prevent it from being a masterpiece, it still delivers some memorable beats.
Due to its lackluster beginner experience, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre might be a little obtuse for players that aren't familiar with asymmetrical games. However, players who have plenty of experience with the genre will find a wonderful treat with this game compared to more prominent titles such as Dead by Daylight, thanks to its potential for more skill-based gameplay.
Oxenfree 2 feels like it relies on its dialogue system a bit too much as its more exciting elements take a backseat. While the dialogue is still incredible, the appearance of these more unique sequences left me often asking where I would be able to find more of the unique time-altering puzzles and surreal visuals that also made it stand out over other games. The character writing is still as good as the first game, but it feels like more could have been done to make it stand above the first game.
GYLT is a pleasant experience with a serviceable anti-bullying message that could use a bit more subtlety in its delivery. While the game doesn't break any new grounds in terms of horror design brought by its peers that were released this year, it still is a worthwhile experience for most players looking for a thrill in a mysterious world filled with monsters.
Hi-Fi Rush continues to provide to an already complete experience with it's latest update that brings 2 new game modes to the table. While I believe that it won't do much to attract new players who already settled to some of the more noteworthy highlights of the year, this should please the dedicated fans of the game and players who adore rhythm games that have added depth and challenging game modes. I certainly hope that future updates bring more to the table the way the Hi-Fi Rush Arcade Challenge! update did.
Trepang2 offers a lot of choices in terms of customization, gameplay, and mechanics for players. While the enemy AI isn't that clever and the difficulty surrounds changing damage values more than making enemies smarter, it more than makes up for it with its memorable set pieces, gun variety, and incredibly chilling horror moments.
Amnesia: The Bunker has become one of the best horror games in an ever-changing landscape on par with titles like Resident Evil 7 and The Dark Descent. This game not only is a return to form for Frictional Games but it also paves the way forward thanks to its systems that encourage creative solutions to problems and an ever-changing nature that will keep players on the edge of their seats as they face off against the supernatural threat that's roaming the halls of the bomb shelter.
The System Shock remake offers a lot of great graphical enhancements and beautiful stylistic choices that make for an overall enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, it's dragged back by several aspects that haven't aged well over the years and have become more accentuated after the advancements that gaming has made in all these years.
The Lord of the Rings Gollum is a game that has a lot of technical issues that also ultimately drag its presentation back. However, it still is a charming game in its own way with its setting, writing, and some incredible environment design that can catch your breath at times. This game is a cautious recommendation for players that aren't Lord of the Rings enthusiasts.