Jordan Andow's Reviews
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead might not be an action game and definitely doesn’t have the best story, but it is authentic, and as a lover of the movie universe that certainly made this a special experience. If you haven’t watched the movies then the closest game comparison is Alien: Isolation. This game left me with a tension-filled quietness even when not playing it and that’s all you can really ask for from a good horror game. As a fan of the movie series, I certainly consider this as a must play.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 is the complete package, a great single-player campaign, best in class first-person shooter gameplay, fun fast-paced multiplayer and the return of round-based zombies.
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure is a must play for any long-time fans, but it’s unlikely to interest those who haven’t enjoyed the previous entries in the series.
Europa is a beautiful adventure, that combines simple puzzles with emotion-filled music and free-flowing traversal throughout a gorgeous landscape. It truly is a Journey like experience, I just wish it had leaned into that even more.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of the best turn-based JRPGs I've played in quite some time. It’s a fantastic game, featuring breathtaking visuals and incredible sound—kudos to Atlus for that. However, I do wish the game had better pacing and a more seamless world structure.
Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a product of its time, and Purple Lamp has done a fine enough job at rebuilding its world and tending to maintain what it was, even if I truly feel it needed some more work to make it fun for today’s standards. Despite my issues with the core game still being a bit too outdated, this is easily the best version of the game as it is considerably better looking and has a far better framerate. It doesn’t bring anything new to the genre that you haven’t seen before, and despite the Paint and Thinner mechanics knocking at that door, they are far too basic to really be revolutionary or inventive, even for the time. Epic Mickey was a fine enough game 14 years ago, but now, it’s an outdated relic that is the definition of paint by number.
EA Sports FC 25 is a great game that improves where it matters the most, on the pitch. Unfortunately, you will be playing the same modes we’ve had for years with small but meaningful tweaks.
The Plucky Squire is a wonderful experience from start to finish. I just wish that the 3D sections were on par with those in 2D. Regardless, this is a title that everyone needs to play, because they won’t be disappointed.
I really enjoyed my time with NBA 2K25, with the improved gameplay and presentation standing out as major upgrades. The tweaks and additions to existing modes are a nice touch. The only thing that holds 2K25 back from being the best across the franchise is its progression balancing and over-reliance on microtransactions.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland isn’t a bad game, it is very simple while also being complicated due to the lack of tutorials. Rugrats can’t decide if it wants to be for the people that grew up with the show or young gamers just starting their journey. This meant that it is not for me, but it might be for you.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II was a blast from start to finish. Only held back by a limited accessibility offering and some technical issues.
Star Wars Outlaws stands as a testament to Ubisoft Massive’s ability to blend familiar gameplay elements with fresh, innovative ideas. From the engaging blaster combat and seamless space battles to the dynamic narrative shaped by player choices, the game offers a rich and immersive experience that captures the essence of what makes Star Wars so captivating. While it doesn’t break new ground in most aspects, the way it combines tried-and-true mechanics with unique features like Nix and the Syndicate system makes it a standout action-adventure open world. In my opinion a must play game in the year 2024, especially for Star Wars fans.
XDefiant is off to a good start, but to compete with the likes of Call of Duty or Overwatch, it still needs some tweaks and additional content.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II sets a new bar for performances and presentation. Combined with smart improvements to gameplay, it is arguably the most cinematic, immersive, story-driven experience we’ve ever seen.
Despite the lengthy absence from the previous entry and a largely different developer at the reins, TopSpin 2K25 once again delivers that near-perfect gameplay we all remember with top-class modern presentation. Hanger 13 has truly served up an ace with TopSpin 2K25, and I can’t wait to take it to the courts and power-shot my way to victory in the months to come.
I’m very conflicted on Planet Zoo: Console Edition because the core game and systems are absolutely outstanding and among the best in the genre, but I couldn’t help constantly thinking, “I bet this is a much better experience on PC.”
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a triumph in storytelling and a strong example of how to improve a game significantly from the previous entry. Interesting new characters, strong performances, the new setting of Hawaii, and gameplay improvements combined with an almost infinite amount of things to do, resulting in arguably the best game in the franchise and certainly RGG studio’s best turn-based effort to date.
Ultimately, Alan Wake 2 isn't merely a sequel; it's a multifaceted masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of gaming. The stunning visuals, impeccable audio design, innovative narrative delivery, exceptional performances, and clever use of live-action converge to create an unparalleled gaming experience. It stands as a testament to the limitless potential of video games as an art form.
Football Manager 2024 doesn’t change much from last year’s game, but the changes it does make can greatly impact how you choose to play. Ultimately, it gives you the tools to live out your fantasy more than ever, making it a must-play for series fans.
UFC 5 is a good game, but the move to a new engine isn't as revolutionary as it has been in the past for other EA franchises. Sure, it looks and sounds better, but I could never escape the feeling that I was just playing a nicer-looking UFC 4. If you have that game you don't need to buy this one, you'll enjoy your time all the same.