Star Wars Outlaws is a fresh new take on not only a Star Wars story but the Ubisoft open world formula as well. The galaxy's criminal underworld is brought to life with stunning visuals and highly engaging gameplay mechanics that had me lost in this world for hours on end.
Where Nobody Wants to Die succeeds in presentation and sound, it fails in narrative strength and player engagement. It's a great looking movie, but a less than stellar plot to hold it all together.
The blend of nostalgic charm and modern enhancements makes Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster a standout title that showcases the enduring appeal of the classic GameCube titles. Whether you’re revisiting the skies or soaring through them for the first time, this remaster is an adventure worth going on. The journey is as magical as it was years ago, and the improvements make it even more enjoyable today.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance allows the original SMT 5 to spread its wings a bit more with excellent systematic refinements that brings the former Nintendo Switch exclusive to modern systems. If the improved gameplay and visuals weren't enough, the all-new Canon of Vengeance shakes up the original campaign just enough to provide a refreshing new experience.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is an incredible experience that simply should not be missed. The game is fully committed to immersing players with fantastic world-building, top tier visual presentation, world-class audio design, and a narrative that continues to not shy away from the complex themes it combines with such dense mythology. Ninja Theory has themselves yet another all-timer with this one.
Stellar Blade is a gorgeous game that carries a lot of interesting factors in gameplay, narrative, and world building. However, it felt like SHIFT UP wasn't all that confident in truly going all out in terms of a more unique execution to tie it all together. As it stands, it's a perfectly enjoyable game on its own but it definitely could've been a lot more special.
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition on PC is the definitive way to play the game and its expansion. It was an already impressive title on the PS5 and now, it is elevated into new heights with the best-in-the-industry optimization. Incredible performance, insane visual fidelity, on top of an already phenomenal game to begin with.
Intense, engaging, and unquestionably a title that remains focused on realizing a vision that has been developed since the original, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a crowning achievement when it comes to providing an incredible hardcore RPG experience. This is a game that is not afraid to be different, and it is so much more enticing because of it.
Rise of the Ronin is an unfortunate example of what happens when the chase for mainstream appeal goes in the way of creative identity. While it's still a fairly enjoyable action game when it allows itself to be, it's ultimately bogged down by half-baked mechanics that make the world feel emptier than it looks.
Unicorn Overlord is the TRPG that I've been waiting for. It's the game that finally made me understand why the genre is as beloved as it is with highly engaging gameplay systems that doesn't sacrifice depth for simplicity. It manages to excel in both to provide one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences I've had this year.
Skull and Bones should've just been a dedicated singleplayer pirate RPG. Instead, it's a live-service product that I don't see surviving past a handful of seasonal updates. Unless a massive tidal wave is coming that gives everything a proper shakeup, it's lost at sea for me with this one.
Helldivers 2 is an absolute blast to play. This sequel combines incredible gameplay with an intense dedication to paying homage to all things classic sci-fi action. One of the best coop experiences that can be had in the market today. This is an easy cop for anyone even remotely interested by it.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League tries to be what Rocksteady is best at, being a fantastic singleplayer that handles its IP characters well, while also being what Rocksteady was never equipped for, an ongoing live game. It fails in more aspects that it succeeds in. The potential is there but none of it is ever fully realized.
Granblue Fantasy Relink is exactly the type of ARPG that you'd just want to keep playing. Great visuals, strong gameplay, and a colorful cast of characters that bring it all together from a very strong start all the way to an enjoyable endgame.
7 years after its predecessor, the King of the fighting genre makes a glorious return with Tekken 8 to remind everyone who does it best.
While the base game has always been technically impressive, The Last of Us Part II Remastered just makes all of it slightly better. There's not much you can do to improve something that's already fantastic to begin with. No Return mode and Developer Commentary track are great things to look forward to for returning players. For the ones who haven't played Part II yet, this Remastered version should be the only thing you'll consider getting.
Ubisoft starts 2024 right by releasing one of the least Ubisoft games out there. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a refreshing re-introduction of the highly missed franchise as it comes back with a beautiful world to explore alongside a great gameplay loop to tie it all up.
More of what you liked, and what you didn't about the main game, Final Fantasy XVI Echoes of the Fallen is a fairly enjoyable extra adventure that plays it a bit too safe with what it has to offer.
This is one of the most polished AAA releases we have in recent memory. I encountered no major bugs, major performance issues, or even visual pop-ins. Final Fantasy 16 feels like a game that was made the way the creators intended it to be with the utmost care. There are no compromises made here for artificial extensions or hidden profit-making agendas. Final Fantasy 16 is a complete experience from start to finish and it is one that I’d say is worth taking.
The Devil In Me is a highly enjoyable thrill ride down a madman’s castle of horrors with impressive-looking visuals that elevates the subtle yet effective atmosphere. If you can tolerate a lackluster cast and a choppy first act, this is one horror experience that’s worth having.