Shaun Cichacki
All in all, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers surprised me quite a bit. While I’ve been a fan of other rogue-like games, such as Dead Cells and The Rogue: Prince of Persia, I didn’t expect this silly little deck builder to quickly climb the ladder of my favorites. There are some rough patches through and through, but they’re charming in a way.
WWE 2K24 continues to build upon the incredibly solid and strong foundation of its previous iterations while adding some extra flair to keep returning fans excited about what's coming down the line.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a game all about heart. A main character with a heart of gold, a story full of heart-warming and heart-wrenching moments, and a world that showcases the heartbeat of what makes the Like A Dragon franchise as special as it is.
Even after the original gripes we had, it slowly became apparent that House Flipper 2 is just as much fun, if not more so, than its original form.
If you’re a fan of Persona, then it’s something you should at least consider giving a try, even if it may be time for the Phantom Thieves to retire into a quieter life altogether, finally.
WarioWare Move It! is a delight in its purest form. For those hungry to relive their childhood, to those who have been craving the madcap antics of Wario and friends over the span of some less-than-stellar titles, this is the return to form we've been waiting for.
While Assassin’s Creed Mirage may not have hit every mark that I hoped it would, with cumbersome combat and a general feeling of lost identity leading the pack, I can still happily recommend Assassin’s Creed Mirage to anyone hoping to spark the enjoyment of a franchise they once fell in love with.
Forza Motorsport is not only a massive step forward in quality for the franchise but for racing games in general. It's a new benchmark for other games to strive toward, both graphically and gameplay-wise, and the team at Turn 10 should be proud of what they brought to the table this time around.
From the exquisitely designed stages that morph and meld as the combat reaches the highest points of the action to the revamped characters that you’ll find within this new version of the world, Mortal Kombat 1 may be my new personal favorite Mortal Kombat experience.
Its internal parts are crafted with PlayStation 2-era design, brought together in an oven that can push out some of the most delicious Mech combat that I've experienced in a very long time. Its story is engaging enough to keep you pushing forward, and its variety of missions and boss battles can evoke a range of emotions from any player.
Technical issues aside, I find myself being drawn back into the grips of the Sawyer family more often than I would like to admit. Whether you choose to side with the cruel and sadistic Family, or you decide to step into the shoes of the Victims that they've ruthlessly captured, you're in for a multiplayer experience unlike anything else on the market.
While not perfect, I loved every moment that I spent in the world of My Friendly Neighborhood, and can't wait to jump into it once again to revisit my new friends.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is an essential play for anyone that loves the idea of a good murder-mystery game. The story that unfolds is unlike anything else in the medium, and damn near everything about it is perfect.
Lego 2K Drive is a near-perfect arcade racer that will have nostalgic fans, such as myself, finding it nearly impossible to tear themselves away from the screen.
No matter if this is your first foray into the world of Advance Wars, or if you’re a veteran of the franchise, this is easily the best version of the original games. If you even slightly enjoy strategy games and own a Nintendo Switch, this is a no-brainer to snag as soon as you can.
Teslagrad 2 takes what made the first game a unique puzzle platformer and expands on almost every front of it. While there is a bit of room for improvement in the overall control scheme and physics engine, it stands out in a flooded genre.
Watching the rise of John Cena was electrifying, and the general gameplay improvements have made this the most competent Wrestling game to come out in decades. With an almost overwhelming amount of content in this entry, it's going to be hard to find time for many other games coming out this year.
Monster Energy Supercross 6 feels like a victory lap for the series. It's a podium finish without a doubt, but they're going to need to raise the bar for the next race to ensure they take home the championship instead of a second-place trophy.
While One Piece Odyssey is an entirely original story that retreads some not-so-original grounds, the sum of its parts equals up to a good game and a great time all around. Does it do enough to carve out a spot in the hearts of JRPG lovers around the world? Not entirely, but those that love One Piece will find a competent and beautiful RPG that is crafted with care.
The excitement of tabletop gaming is typically not translated well in video games, but Demeo: PC Edition hits a wonderful middle ground of electronic and physical gaming. While it may not be the perfect attempt, it lands a critical hit more often than it misses, giving gamers one of the best recreations of the medium in digital form.