It’s weird, it’s different, but it’s surprisingly well executed and has an upbeat cheer that straddles the line of plasticine without ever going too saccharine. It works, and I think it would work even better on PC, but still works great on Switch 2. I actually really liked hunting around to fix problems with bullets and patience, and I would definitely play some DLC if it ever came out. But man, I really gotta meditate on my position in the world after this one.
We’re already dealing with minotaurs and rolling bone wheels, might as well tear open the heavens in the process. It’s a bit dumb, but it’s such an enjoyable dumb that you can get drawn in fairly quickly. With a decent fantasy soundtrack that doesn’t feel cookie cutter and an inarguably unique art direction, Blades and Battles stands proudly to represent what I can only classify as Arthurian fanfiction.
Shapefarm has created something magnificent, if challenging, and it’s a clear invitation to fans the world over. It’s a change, but a wonderful one. As Sadie Williams said, “I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” So let’s venture into this new dark together. It’s unknown, but we have each other, and that means the whole damn universe.
Dungeon Antiqua never pretends to be something it isn’t, and the result is a short, pleasant and ultimately presentable piece. It’s got plenty of love for the era it seeks to capture, along with some novel takes on additional elements to make the replay at least somewhat enticing. If you just want to really indulge in some simple, nostalgic dungeon crawling like you did back on the NES days, then Dungeon Antiqua will fit nicely into your collection.
Horripilant is interesting, there’s no disputing that. The design is awesome, I love the graphics. I love that the avatars are all from other Black Lantern Collective titles. But this could have and should have stayed on PC. Trying to do this on a console is so bizarrely tiresome and pointless. You need hours upon hours of truly wasted time to find out what’s happening, and you could just scrub through a YouTube video to find out instead. This is for PC: it doesn’t belong on consoles.
Blood Dungeon is a fun, ridiculous cycle of enjoyable pain. The visuals and music keep your blood pumping even as it drains over the cobblestones. The weaponry is equal parts deadly and dope, and I never had a run where I was dissatisfied with the outcome. Messhof has crafted a loop that builds incrementally to a glorious crescendo of havoc, destruction and bones for everyone. There’s genuine excitement, abject stupidity and a serious sense of satisfaction when you finally get 10,000 bones for that jump enhancement.
Ground Zero Hero is fast, frantic and funny. It’s got real notes of unhinged humor, works great on Switch 2 (some minor stuttering when things get super busy) and is a great pick-up-and-play title. It doesn’t expand as much as I’d like, but the different worlds, missions and upgrades will give you hours of explosive, bonkers entertainment.
Kinki Spiritual Affairs Bureau is a message of unadulterated love and carnage. It’s unflinching in its deliberate obtuse nature, and it has all the grace of a two legged horse typing out the Unibomber’s Manifesto. It’s got the best representation of a government official since Bad Lieutenant and somehow more crass. The heavy metal soundtrack couldn’t feel more awkward if it asked you to prom during your grandmother’s funeral, but holy hell do you respect the boldness. If the characters spoke, I would expect at least one voice to be Maria Bamford. You both support and feel sorry for Shiraishi, and she will ruin your sympathy with her next breath. It’s art, and it’s comedy, and it’s how I hope my family will deal with my vengeful spirit after my passing.
If you’re waiting for the console release, Steins;Gate Re:Boot won’t be out until October, but PC fans have only another week to wait for the new version to be out. For those who’ve held torches, your long watch is nearly over. Re:Boot is the definitive edition of Steins;Gate, and is a word of love for both the characters within and the fans throughout. It’s an incredible rendition of a beloved tale, and it still feels as fresh, surprising and engrossing as it did years ago. Be ready to dive back in and take control of your future and your past: this present contains some amazing gifts.
I don’t understand the power of K-Pop, and K-Pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut did nothing to entice me down that road. It’s a complex and interesting simulation game, sure, but it feels like it’s full of broken glass and really confusing notions that you can only justify/make peace with if you’re eyeballs deep in stanning. If you really want to know what it’s like to have a group of women gradually sell their souls and pretend you’re not the Devil incarnate, then definitely pick up this game, pretend you’re one of the good ones and go make fleeting stars out of strangers you may be grooming.
Look, if you’re all in on the whole Angel Engine thing and you want to be a part of the jumpscare universe, alright, get the game. But everything in me screams to get it on PC where the mouse and keyboard controls for all these twitchy little movements probably makes more sense. The bindings on a controller are whack and the hiccups of competent gameplay make it so very, very unenjoyable. And honestly, if your kid wants to giggle while they pee their pants, there are better games that do this and have storylines that aren’t brazenly for shock value.
For me, Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights is a light read on a day off: it’s fun, not memorable, and inoffensively entertaining. Good, but not great.
I firmly believe that this is the best Splatoon title since the very first. It’s got degrees of complexity and madness that the most hardened minmaxer can appreciate, but it’s also crazy approachable in presentation, explanation and fun. It lets you focus on what you want: what weapons, how your base looks, your fashion and your burgeoning relationship with Shiver. This becomes your game. And, as such, it’s easily one of my favorites of the year.
I liked it well enough. There’s nothing about Deathbulge that would lean me towards discouraging players from enjoying the game. The music is great, the animation is brilliant, and the storyline, believe it or not, goes a lot of places that I didn’t expect in a positive way. The humor is great when it works, and it gives the player a brief moment of eyeroll when it doesn’t. It stands well enough on its own, and, I imagine, long time readers of the comic will really vibe and enjoy the references and drop ins from the rogue’s gallery.
Be Missed and Remembered: The Letter from Mayoiga is a beautiful tale of memory, longing and endurance. It reminds us of our own humanity, of the long reach of the past and what it means to the presence. It’s rather short in comparison to some mammoth titles of the day, but it’s incredibly cozy and enjoyable in a sad, sweet way.
Rhythm Heaven Groove is the sequel I waited patiently for over all these years. It’s light and fun and feeds into my nature of sometimes only having a minute to play, sometimes having twenty. Sometimes I can play alone, sometimes I can bring my kids in on the fun. Sometimes I’m hyperfocused on doing great, precise work…and sometimes I’m goofing off and bouncing puffer fish on my tennis racket. Stop into the cafe, chat a bit and learn about the game. Read the comics you’ve unlocked from perfect level completion. And just groove.
The Drifter is unflinching in its brazen pain, and it’s the player, not the developer, who might look away first. One of the best modern point and click adventures, The Drifter can ride the rails of the Nintendo Switch safely, at least until the morning comes.
It hooked me hard from the very beginning. It’s so strange, so offputting, but does so in an elegant, almost surgical manner. If you like dating sims, it’s a hot take. If you don’t like dating sims, it takes the piss in a big way. If you’re not sure, you should give it a try.
Don’t Let It Starve is a roguelike buffet of skill, chance and ghoulishly grand odds. It’s simple to understand, satisfying to accomplish, and truly challenging to succeed in.
This is not a game for animal lovers. This isn’t even a game for casual animal acquaintances. This is for people who genuinely hate dogs, humans, life and the thought of Heaven being any kind of relief. It simultaneously justifies the suffering that we have on Earth by alluding to a better hereafter while also promising that the Afterlife is also painful, dangerous and full of grief. Everything dies, baby, that’s a fact, and maybe everything that dies someday comes back, but not like this and not in this way.