While Friday the 13th will always hold a special place inside my heart, I think it’s time to stop mourning and move on, because Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a complete success. It’s a varied and surprisingly deep character roster, each character with their own niche to fill and progression paths to follow, coupled with excellent map design and variety, position Texas Chainsaw Massacre as a title that will absolutely become my new asymmetrical go-to. While I do have some concerns around balance, and the huge grinds that the progression systems represent may not be for me, those are relatively minor blemishes on what is an otherwise fantastic package at launch. It’s authentic, bloody, and terrifying – quite frankly, it’s everything that I wanted the Texas Chainsaw Massacre to be. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m just about ready to get back to spilling some guts.
At the end of the day, though, that’s not the vision the developers had for Adore and that’s fine, as what they have produced is a damn fine spin on the monster taming genre all the same. Look past the repetition, and you’ll find that early simplicity was a complete red herring, as the complexities of team synergy, hidden passives, and the real-time combat suck you in. The core of what’s here is excellent, and while the narrow scope of the moment-to-moment gameplay loops may feel a little limiting, they allow the excellent core combat and surprising depth to shine through. If, like me, you were a little tired of the genre rehashing the same formula for what feels like forever, then Adore, while not without its flaws, will likely feel like a total breath of fresh air.
I have similar sentiments when looking at Sword and Fairy Inn 2 as a whole – inoffensive yet uninspired and, unfortunately, boring. From the sloppy localization to the almost complete lack of direct player input that players have come to expect in things such as farming and cooking, it feels a little soulless. There is some satisfaction to be found in watching your tiny business grow into something more substantial, but the fact that you never really do anything to facilitate that growth beyond clicking through menus makes it all feel a touch impersonal. What’s more, is that the Switch is a console already drowning in quality cozy games that already let you live out the virtual life of your dreams, and on that basis alone, Sword and Fairy Inn 2 is a difficult product to recommend.
And that’s perhaps the keyword I’d use to describe the package as a whole – fun. Evil Wizard, while not doing anything to reinvent the genre, is just a fun, damn time. Once the writing finds its feet after a shaky opening hour, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments to be had, and the combat, while not especially deep, is polished and engaging. In a year where we are absolutely drowning in big-budget affairs that allow us to live out our heroic fantasies in spectacular fashion, it was a joy to take a slight detour and spend a few hours in the company of vitriolic little Wizard who hates the world and everyone around him.
I intend on sticking with Exoprimal despite these gripes, though, because the core of what’s here works so well. We also know future seasons will bring more content to the game, which should hopefully mitigate some of my complaints. In terms of whether I recommend Exoprimal in its current state, however, that’s a different question. If you’re someone who doesn’t mind investing in a product on the promise of what it might become, then I say go for it, jump on in. The core gameplay is so well refined that I have no doubt that fans of shooters and team-based shooters will find merit in what Capcom has produced and be able to overlook its rougher edges in the way I have. Whether that enthusiasm lingers long after the launch period remains to be seen. As highlighted, Exoprimal has core issues that need resolving to ensure it doesn’t become another live service casualty.
Mundaun is a bit of a hidden gem that I hope get’s more eyes on it as a result of this upgraded Ps5 release. Despite frustrating and doing little to push the genre forward when it comes to moment-to-moment gameplay, Mundaun is an absolute delight in almost every other regard. Its folklore-infused narrative that manages to terrify without relying on genre staples such as excessive gore and jump scares, and the unique and haunting art style that is unlike anything else offered by the genre, both come together to create something truly special and unique. Irrespective of whether you’ve played it before or are jumping into Curdin’s descent into madness for the first time, Mundaun on PS5 is a must-have addition for horror fans.
Had Decarnation not fumbled with its gameplay, I’d probably be giving this a perfect score. Its disturbing, yet engaging narrative, and top-notch presentation all come together in a way that somehow managed to exceed my already lofty expectations that the preview build had left me with. It’s just a shame, then, that those gameplay issues are so very intrusive. All too often I had my immersion broken and found my interest in continuing through Gloria’s plight waning due to how often Decarnation forces the player into irritating mini-games, or fussy stealth segments. On the whole, though, Decarnation still ends up being more than the sum of its parts, and I can confidently say that it’s worth the time of any horror fan.
Bleak Sword DX is an absolute treat that takes the core pillars of the soulslike genre and distills them into a wonderfully moreish, action-packed adventure. The narrow focus, coupled with the unforgiving nature of the gameplay and progression loops, may put some off, but not every game has to be for everyone, and I commend the developers for sticking with the vision they clearly had. If, like me, you love soulslikes, but have found yourself feeling slightly alienated due to the scope that some of the genre’s heavy hitters bring, then I urge you to check out Bleak Sword DX and let it get its pixelated hooks into you.
Showgunners is a violent delight that leans into its setting and premise to great effect. It may not be the deepest tactical RPG out there, which, in turn, removes a lot of the replayability that the genre is known for, but as a 12-15 hour experience that puts spectacle and accessible systems first, it’s a hell of a good time. You could argue that by removing a lot of the class versatility and research systems that genre veterans appreciate, it’s narrowing its appeal somewhat, and I myself don’t see myself ever going back for a repeat playthrough. However, it’s just as easy to argue that by carving its own path and not sticking religiously to genre conventions, Showgunners is opening the door to a whole new world of players looking for something less intimidating as a gateway into the tactical RPG space. It might not have enough meat on the bone to become your next obsession, but if you want to see meat carved from the bone in tactical bloodbaths, Showgunners is absolutely worth experiencing.
Homestead Arcana is a welcome addition to the cozy gaming space. A complete lack of combat, interesting magical farming techniques, and rewarding yet tense exploration that focuses on using spells to outwit your opponents rather than destroy, all contribute to an experience that manages to elevate itself and stand out. It may lack the engaging side content that ultimately keeps many around games such as this once the critical path is completed, not every game needs to be a time-devouring behemoth, and some may actually appreciate the breezier experience that Homestead Arcana presents. If you’re looking for a distraction from the genre’s heavy hitters, then the adventures of Billie and Huckleberry are well worth experiencing.
With a chunky new campaign that presents a significant spike in difficulty, and a whole new endgame to grind out, along with a plethora of new optional quests, new gear to craft, and a new wave of best-in-class monsters to hunt, Sunbreak might not present much in the way of surprises, but it’s a terrific addition to an already fantastic game that continues Capcom’s trend of complimenting the series base experiences with stellar expansions. For new players, the more logical difficulty curve that Sunbreak presents, with a meaningful endgame challenge now correct and present, means there has never been a better time to jump into Monster Hunter Rise. Similarly, for lapsed players who were eventually put off by how trivial things had become, Sunbreak provides the perfect excuse to jump back in. Whatever angle you’re approaching Sunbreak from, sharpen those blades – you’re going to need them.
Despite my gripes, Trinity Trigger is a charming little JRPG that successfully provides a role-playing fix for anyone who may want something a little less intense from the genre. For me, the success of a JRPG is largely based on two factors – the strength of the narrative and how engaging the combat is. On both these fronts, Trinity Trigger is a resounding success, and the fact that it’s playable from start to finish in local co-op, with online soon to follow, is a fantastic touch that should elevate the experience further. With fast-paced combat that manages to stay interesting if you’re willing to dig into the customizable nature of each weapon and a narrative that does a great job of establishing a universe with a complex and storied past, Trinity Trigger is proof that there is absolutely space for these more scaled back experiences, and I hope this is just the beginning of FuRyu tailoring to this particular niche in the market.
Given how ambitious and unique the premise of Inifite Guitars is, it pains me to say that what should be a refreshing marriage of RPG and rhythm-based gameplay has turned out to be a bit of an exercise in tedium that is held back massively by issues with input recognition and repetition. It looks beautiful, and, with a few patches aimed at tightening up the gameplay, this may turn into something that is worth experiencing for that fantastic soundtrack alone, but, as it stands today, Infinite Guitars doesn’t feel like it was quite ready to take to the stage.
Despite launching in a state that could really use an injection of some new content already, Deceive Inc. is a genuinely fresh and fun take on the asymmetrical multiplayer space. The tension and paranoia of the opening stages of each match are unlike anything else offered by the genre right now, and even though the tension of those initial moments is belittled slightly by the frequently chaotic endings, the gameplay hook remains strong enough that I’m keen to keep playing and getting familiar with the rest of the roster of agents. If you can look past the cash shop and are okay with buying a product on the basis that it serves as a strong foundation for something that could become pretty special, then Deceive Inc. might just be worth your time.
Ghostwire Tokyo’s Xbox release is a triumph. Not content to rest on their laurels, the hardworking developers over at Tango Gameworks have taken a year to evaluate what didn’t work with the original release, and in turn, have done a commendable job that not only adds a substantial amount of new content but also fixes a lot of the issues that dragged the 2022 release down. Ghostwire: Tokyo may still suffer from a couple of legacy issues with regards to the pacing and overall movement, but they’re small blemishes on an otherwise impeccable re-release that’s absolutely worth investing in, regardless of whether you’re stepping into Akito’s shoes for the first time, or intending on making a return trip to the demonic streets of Tokyo.
Despite releasing in 2023, playing Lunark feels like opening a perfectly preserved time capsule. It’s unashamedly old-school in its approach and attempts to recreate an experience that we just don’t see enough of these days, and for that reason, I absolutely adore what Canari Games has created here. The art style may be a little too busy at times, which can actually be gameplay-impacting, but it’s easy to forgive when it looks this good, especially when given a chance to shine on the Switch OLED. Lunark is absolutely a game that won’t be for everyone, but it doesn’t need to be. Canari Games’ mission was clearly never to create something that appeals to a huge audience. The mission statement was obviously to deliver a passion project that speaks to fans of cinematic platformers, and Flashback more specifically. On that front, they can consider this a job very well done.
Despite the shallow narrative and somewhat redundant progression systems giving rise to doubts about the overall mass-market appeal, there’s no denying that Behaviour Interactive Inc. has absolutely stuck the landing here with Meet Your Maker. The tension fuelled raiding, accessible base building, and a steady stream of new content coming in via the user-generated levels result in a package that’s fiendishly addictive and incredibly difficult to put down. If you aren’t someone who needs a constantly dangling carrot on a stick to chase, and, like myself, still find gameplay to be king, then this is one trip to the wastelands you certainly won’t want to miss.
In all my years of gaming, I struggle to think of ever feeling a sense of disappointment as profound as I do when playing Redfall. Sure, you can increase the fun factor by adding a few buddies into the equation, the varied classes lending themselves well to group play, and there are glimpses of something great when you’re afforded the opportunity to slow down in one of the more tightly scripted missions, but these positives merely serve as momentary distractions from the multitude of issues that plague Arkane Austin’s latest effort. Between the half-baked gameplay loops, repetitive open-world busy work, and shockingly poor optimization, Redfall feels like a title that’s still in alpha, never mind a product that’s supposed to represent a flagship release for Microsoft’s premium subscription service.
Despite my many gripes, I think there is still an audience out there for Curse of the Sea Rats. Sure, it’s packed to the rafters with frustrating design choices that should have been made to walk the plank, but it’s also a title that has clearly had a ton of love and passion poured into its development. That I felt compelled to stick with Curse of the Sea Rats despite the uneven gameplay is a testament to the art direction and light-hearted narrative, both of which instantly brought me back to a happy place; sitting in front of the TV on a Saturday morning, feasting on whatever sugar-laced cereal was trendy at the time, all while enjoying my favorite cartoons. While it’s not an easy sell due to its gameplay fumbles, I do still think Curse of the Sea Rats is worth a playthrough for anyone who can look past its flaws and focus on the product as a whole, which ends up being a serviceable videogame, elevated greatly by a wonderful sense of style and charm.
Overall, The Last Spell is an incredibly fresh and satisfying entry to the strategy RPG genre. Its learning curve may be brutal, but that’s part of its charm as you slowly chip away at its many progression systems and start catching glimpses of light at the end of the demon-infested tunnel. If you can learn to live with the clunky controls and don’t mind a slow grind that rewards the patient, you’ll uncover some of the best, most frantic combat to grace the genre in some time, and it’s a sandbox of satisfying systems and enemy density that will have you returning over and over again. If you’re looking for something a little different and don’t mind being repeatedly humbled, then The Last Spell is totally worth your time.