The Castlevania franchise has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years with the success of the two animated series on Netflix and various older games being made available on modern platforms, so it’s exciting to see what’s in store in its future. Rose Belmont is a solid new protagonist, and Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is an epic new entry in Konami’s long-running series.
The original Ghost of Yōtei was already a big epic adventure filled with emotion and a strong sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. At just $22.95 AUD, this DLC offers an immense amount of fresh content for an already packed game, making it an essential purchase. While the future of PlayStation’s physical media remains uncertain, Ghost of Yōtei is a compelling reason to own a PlayStation 5, and this new expansion completely seals the deal.
This beat ’em up adaptation of The Walking Dead franchise had all the ingredients for a fun game, but it falls short in many ways. While The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival brings a fresh survival-horror twist to the beat ’em up genre, its core gameplay falls short. Frustrating combat mechanics and a disappointing lack of multiplayer overshadow its innovative genre-blending approach.
RIN: The Last Child has potential and elements that should make it stand out more, but also too much is holding it back. It’s not a terrible game at all, just an ok game. Players looking for a not-too-challenging game to relax and unwind with will find it here, but fans of Metroidvania-style games will likely lose interest after the first boss fight, and there are many better alternatives out there.
The latest Fire Emblem game is an incredibly rewarding experience, and the series has been very consistent with that since the beginning. Everything is meticulously thought out, from the combat mechanics and strategising to the adapting and the separate character stories that come together.
Flying Shark and Fire Shark are two arcade classics now available to play on modern platforms. The extras give players ways to improve their experience and their skills in these brutally difficult, unforgiving games. Unfortunately, the console versions and a bonus are locked behind a paywall. Still, the two main games make this compilation a worthy purchase for longtime fans, retro game collectors, or newcomers interested in games from decades past. It’s time to fight and blast your enemies in Toaplan Arcade Garage: Flying Fire Shark.
Fight School Simulator is an interesting concept with some fun ideas, but it has so much going against it. Graphics are outdated, animations are bland, voice acting is uninspiring, it misrepresents Asian cultures, and the overuse of generative AI just drags down the experience. Fight School Simulator feels like it gives up on itself too early and ends up being a McDojo looking to make a quick buck.
It’s been a long time coming for Wolverine’s latest solo adventure from the same studio that made the highly successful Spider-Man games, but it has finally arrived. It may not be a Game of the Year contender, but it is still an action-packed adventure with a gripping and emotional story. The claws are finally out, and they are thirsty for blood in Marvel’s Wolverine!
Devil May Cry 5 is the game fans have been begging for, and they finally got it in 2019. Since then, the game has received ports to modern consoles and lots of additional content that longtime fans appreciate. The Switch 2 version may be missing a few things, but it still has so much put into Nintendo’s hybrid console. Currently, there’s no word on a new Devil May Cry game, but diehard fans sure are hopeful, and there is potential for new stories to be told. For players wanting an action-packed, stylish and gloriously violent game at home or on the go, Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition is where it’s at.
Even though the series did reach its conclusion and Hideo Kojima is long gone from Konami, we believe the Metal Gear franchise still has more to offer. It feels great to be a Metal Gear fan, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds. Until then, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is another solid compilation of classic era-defining games that can now be relived on modern consoles.
The previous two Hot Wheels games felt closer to being toys, with tracks set up in bedrooms, offices and other locations, but the latest game drifts away from that theme and presents it as being in its own world. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but many fans will prefer the feel of racing accurately sized Hot Wheels cars, which set them apart from many other racing games. Of course, everything is up to personal preference, and Hot Wheels Infinite Rush has a lot to offer to the racing genre.
Capcom’s Marvel games will always be all-time classics, but Arc System Works and Marvel have made something truly special with the first-ever 4v4 tag fighter and more characters soon to join the fray. MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls has finally arrived and is ready to rock this universe!
The original Panzer Knights was a fun game with an interesting concept that had its fair share of issues that, unfortunately, persist in this re-released version. For those interested in an arcade-style tank simulation game, Girls und Panzer: Dream Tank Match is the superior game, with smoother gameplay, far fewer bugs and issues, and a basis in a popular anime series. Panzer Knights: Commander’s Edition is a nice re-release that packs in all previous DLC content and additional bonus content, but still has a lot of work to do before rising through the ranks of tank simulation games.
Star Ocean: The Second Story has one of the best stories in any JRPG series, and the most recent remake adds even more to the already emotional rollercoaster. The added content provides even more hours to a game that already takes more than 20 hours total to complete. Star Ocean: The Second Story R brings one of the best stories in the series to modern platforms.
It may not be a casual-friendly game, but it sure is a hardcore-friendly game. Truxton Extreme certainly lives up to its name, as it’s a bullet hell game that will push you to your limits and reward you when you succeed.
This may not be the first K-pop management simulation game and doesn’t do anything overly groundbreaking, but it manages to stand out on its own. There’s a lot to be mindful of in the game, but once players find their rhythm, it becomes an enjoyable experience with various stories to discover. Treating your group well feels rewarding, and they show their appreciation. K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut may not live up to its full potential, but it still has a lot of content to make managing an up-and-coming K-pop group a fun and pleasant experience.
Denshattack! is a game unlike any other, something that needs to be experienced. The arcade-style approach helps players get straight into the game, but the mass variety it offers, simple, punishing gameplay and the addiction it creates will keep players coming back for more. Every aspect of the game carries style and personality, and the music by various gaming musicians and composers is a welcome addition to the vibrant, dynamic aesthetics. It’s time to board the Denshattack! hype train because it’s about to take off at breakneck speeds with no signs of slowing down.
It’s been a long time since the last Rhythm Paradise game, but the wait has been worth it. With so many challenging and addictive rhythm-based minigames for solo play or multiplayer fun, players will have hours upon hours of fun at their fingertips. Players will be moving and grooving in Rhythm Paradise Groove.
Sonic Frontiers allowed fans to really step into the shoes of the blue hedgehog. Even though it’s a little rough around the edges, Sonic Frontiers was a huge step in the right direction and the Definitive Edition, with every update and new content included, shows what a modern Sonic game is capable of. The feeling it gives you is unlike anything that’s come before it. It has to be played to be believed.
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round may not have been the upgrade we were hoping for. In its current state, not much has changed, aside from slightly improved graphics and faster load times. It plays the same and is still more of a casual game than a competitive fighter. It’s not a terrible game, but there’s a lot of room for needed improvement. Things could change with patch updates, but only time will tell.