Erik Hodges
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut is better than Death Stranding. Beyond that, there’s not really a lot I can say about it. If you didn’t like Death Stranding, you’ll find this game a little bit more tolerable. If you did like Death Stranding, you’ll enjoy this upgraded version; Or you won’t. Seeing as the point of Death Stranding was to struggle, maybe a less frustrating version of the game isn’t what fans want.
Strangers of Paradise is a game that feels a lot like an experiment, and it wasn’t exactly a failure. If I could give the production team at Square Enix some advice, it would be that their storytellers should return to their roots, and their gameplay developers should keep the new ideas coming.
Nightmare Reaper is an indie gem, the kind of game we don’t see very often, and it would be a shame if more people didn’t get to appreciate it. If you don’t usually play games like this and you’re contemplating giving Nightmare Reaper a try, I highly recommend giving it a shot, you might just find yourself a new favorite.
Wonderlands is an outrageous, comedy-filled adventure that manages to both return to Borderlands’ roots while also offering fresh new takes on the iconic formula of the series. It’s packed with the irreverence the series is known for, and manages to capture a lot of the heart as well.
This game is disappointing. It doesn’t commit to its story enough, and the gameplay mechanics it chooses to make vital parts of the game are lackluster or strange choices that the game would have been better without. To the game’s credit, however, it’s only disappointing because it managed to build up an expectation. If it could deliver on its own promises, it would truly be one to remember.
Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel is the best you can get from a digital version of the Yu-Gi-Oh TCG. However, the game is remarkably unfriendly to new players. If you don’t have a detailed understanding of every card in your deck, games can be a little slow. An experienced or meta-conscious player, which Master Duel has a lot of, can win a game in one turn, often after a frustratingly long series of plays that you can do nothing but watch. If this doesn’t deter you, or you’re someone who’s happy with Yu-Gi-Oh’s current competitive state, Master Duel is the game for you.
Wobbledogs is a fantastic game, and there aren’t a whole lot like it. The combination between cute pet interaction game and horrific evolution simulator makes it a niche game that both pet and simulation lovers can enjoy in equal measure. Just remember to clean up after your Wobbledogs, or your next Pupation might be a little weird.
Freedom of choice combined with a wealth of content makes for a game that can be a little intimidating to tackle, but the lack of commitment or direction frees you up to explore it at your own pace. ESO can be a very relaxing game to play, and that’s why I continue to return to it after nearly eight years of playing.
Elden Ring takes the Souls-like franchise in a new direction, much in the same way Sekiro did. It provides you with a world that’s incredibly beautiful, better than any Souls game to come before it in my opinion, and exploring it is as rewarding as it is satisfying.
Total Warhammer III has some flaws in its core gameplay loop that can make long-drawn-out campaigns feel a little tedious, and I find myself starting more new games than I do finishing them. However, what this game does for the Total Warhammer series makes it undeniably the best of the three, and the factions available to play are by far my favorite in the franchise.
I feel like I’m being a little generous with this rating, as 99% of what I enjoy in Lost Ark is the promise of what comes after the level 50 grind. Lost Ark certainly isn’t a bad experience before reaching the end-game content, there’s definitely a lot you can enjoy on your way there. It’s just hard for me to suggest a game on the merit of “Once you get 20 hours into the game, it really starts to pick up!”