All games build on or look back at what’s come before. The Alters makes a delicious stew out of familiar ingredients, both from other 11 bit studios games and popular genres. Taking survival and building mechanics and adding a complex layer of social simulation isn’t entirely foreign to this developer, but The Alters feels genuinely original, and that’s a bit miraculous in an industry full of sequels and remakes. Ironically, while the game might be about clones, The Alters is anything but a copy of something else.
Overture might not be a proper sequel, but it is a great reminder about what makes Lies of P such a fantastic Soulslike.
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die isn’t literally a sequel, of course. It’s an interesting switch to a new genre, and a gamble that pays off. With its fast, challenging, colorful action and a unique setting, Lost in Random: The Eternal Die puts a compelling spin on familiar roguelike mechanics. Both fans of the genre and the first Lost in Random game should find plenty to enjoy.
If you think DLC should offer a literal game-changing experience or massive amount of new content, Wicked Isle will disappoint you. In all ways, it is of a piece with the main game. It expands the world with a relatively large new zone. It deepens or adds a new wrinkle to the base game’s lore. There are some new weapons, a handful of new enemy types and a small cast of new NPCs. If you love Atomfall’s world, fiction and mechanics, Wicked Isle is more of that, and included with the Deluxe Edition. If you were on the fence about Atomfall, Wicked Isle isn’t going to turn you into a fervent believer. Wicked Isle doesn’t do anything to hurt the main Atomfall experience, but it doesn’t do much to change or improve it, either.
I won’t say that Dragon is Dead isn’t sometimes a good time. Its system of upgrades and progression mechanics can lead to powerful characters. At the same time, rarely are repetitive runs through the same areas memorable. I think ultimately Dragon is Dead would have been a more enjoyable game framed as a traditional hack-and-slash Souslike ARPG, where its combat and character building could shine. In its present form, the roguelite elements, repetitive runs, generic setting and dull writing overshadow the genuinely enjoyable elements.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine was more than just a game that spawned a remarkable sequel. It was a thoroughly entertaining third-person shooter that perfectly translated Games Workshop’s brutal IP into digital form. Dusting off 14 years of cobwebs and creakiness, the Master Crafted Edition makes the 2011 original look, sound, and play as close as possible to brand new. I don’t think those with the original or Anniversary Edition will regret picking it up, and it’s an absolute no-brainer for anyone who doesn’t already own the game.
There’s no denying that to a T has an affecting message about the struggles of being different, but it’s cloaked in an amusing story and illustrated with appealing visuals and music. Undemanding younger players might not notice the disappointing mechanics, but older gamers probably will and feel the need for more substance. There’s a lot to enjoy about to a T, it’s just a shame the gameplay can’t quite match the warm-hearted quality of the writing and quirky ideas.
Despite its lack of refinement, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is entertaining and addictive. It has a sprawling story and world to explore with dozens of hours of content. Its combat is more effective and engaging than you might expect. It’s a bit messy to be sure, but fans of classic RPGs are almost certain to enjoy Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon’s take on Arthurian mythology and old-school roleplaying games.
Nightreign has a few limitations, like a somewhat unrewarding solo mode, no AI party members, and no duos. Still, while it may be a game that few Souls fans thought to consider essential, Nightreign is an unexpected gift that will no doubt be a new addiction for many.
I can’t say Brushes with Death is essential, but it does add an entertaining new side-story and character to an already richly imagined world. For its modest price, new players get even more KCD2 to discover. Returning players get an excuse to revisit Henry and his world, like playing catch-up with an old friend for a few hours. Brushes with Death definitely makes an already excellent game just a little more interesting.
Thanks to playing with others, it can easily be a nice little alternate reality that’s almost entirely free of conflict and violence, and that sounds pretty inviting. Palia might not be incredibly original, but it’s definitely worth checking out for fans of the genre.
With a haunting open world to explore, a substantial narrative and excellent combat, Days Gone Remastered is a solid action adventure and easy to recommend for fans of the genre.
Someone coming to the remaster of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered unaware of its history would no doubt think it was a retro-tribute to a long-ago age of RPGs. They’d think they were playing a good looking game with old-school level design, fantastic music, an interesting story and somewhat janky combat. They’d be drawn in by the world and its possibilities just as the original’s players were. That aspect of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion didn’t really need much improvement.
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree doesn’t veer off well-traveled paths, but that doesn’t mean its familiar combination of mechanics isn’t fun. Though it doesn’t necessarily stand out in any one area, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is still a substantial, visually impressive and generally engaging experience.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a strong debut title for Sandfall Interactive, with compelling characters and an original, unsettling story that’s part allegory, part surreal fantasy. Its turn-based/real-time hybrid combat is well thought out and grows more interesting as the game progresses. Some narrative pacing issues and repetitive enemy encounters pull Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from the brink of greatness. Still, it remains a unique and engaging take on both fantasy storytelling and JRPGs.
1999’s Amerzone was technically a product of its times, but it told a still-interesting and layered story, set in a fantastical world. Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy is a true remake, keeping the skeleton intact while bringing the graphics, sound, puzzle mechanics, and exploration up to contemporary standards. Players of the original will find Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy both a respectful and exciting new experience. Adventure puzzle game fans who missed it the first time are in for a treat.
Gorn 2 offers substantially more gameplay than the original Gorn. The arenas, enemies, and environments offer enhanced opportunities for creative mayhem. The first game’s way-over-the-top stylized violence and gore transfer intact, along with its goofy sense of satire. I
Tempest Rising comes at a great time, with few classic-type RTS games making an appearance. Tempest Rising easily recreates the fun of those early games and their addictive mechanics. At the same time, it looks and runs like a current title. Two impressive campaigns and the potential for endless enjoyment via skirmishes equals an impressive and exciting return to a regretfully absent genre.
The new version adds some quality-of-life features, new content, and an editor in concert with beautifully updated graphics. Enough time has passed to firmly assert that The Talos Principal is a genre classic, and The Talos Principal: Reawakened is simply the definitive version to own.
Unfortunately, South of Midnight is saddled with frustrating, unpolished combat and action sequences that become repetitive long before the game’s midpoint. Even with its glaring faults, South of Midnight is mostly worth playing just for the orc-free story and uniquely American characters.