Moons of Darsalon has a lot of creative ideas but has too much going against it. The game can be fun, but constantly losing can be discouraging rather than urging you to keep trying. The controls need a lot of refining as they can dampen the experience.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is packed with content and provides about 10 hours plus many more for the completionists. Despite its negatives, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is the sequel that fans have been waiting for, which has been worth it.
The 9th game in the famous series by Koei Tecmo makes an impact the size of a Musou Attack. The new direction the game is going in is an interesting decision but does more than enough to keep you engaged and has the action-packed gameplay that diehard fans know and love.
Gimmick! 2 may not have been a game that most gamers were asking for due to its obscurity, but we are glad it’s here. Gimmick! 2 proves that even the simplest game designs can create some of the biggest, most fun and addictive challenges.
Chernobylite might feel like a small game, but it has much to offer. The story is intriguing with different outcomes and consequences depending on your choices. The replay value encourages you to play through the game more than once because even though a single playthrough already gives you enough, you will still want more for new and unique experiences each time.
The Taiko no Tatsujin series offers hours of pure taiko drumming fun. The latest game is a great entry point for newcomers, with the Improvement Support mode helping them practice every available song and get them on track to becoming a taiko drum master.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has all the ingredients to make a fantastic game. However, following the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem film will likely put it into the same pile with all the other underwhelming titles.
The Life is Strange series has always done an excellent job of drawing you in and keeping you engaged with its riveting and impactful storytelling and characters. Seeing Max Caulfield again and what she’s been up to after so long will surely please longtime fans, but newcomers can still enjoy this game without playing the original.
Sonic X Shadow Generations packs two epic games into one. Longtime fans will feel that nostalgia hit by reliving some of the best moments of Sonic and Shadow, with tons of replay value. Sonic Generations is just as good as in 2011, and Shadow Generations is the long-overdue game that Shadow fans have been screaming for.
The character designs are nicely detailed, even with the slightly pixelated look, and as players wreak havoc onscreen, the animations are smooth and action-packed. The way Shou is animated makes him look like he was taken straight from a fighting game, and he would perfectly fit into a classic Marvel vs Capcom or Guilty Gear game.
Shutting a door or window not only leads to the goal, but also shoots out projectiles going left and right, which will temporarily stun enemies if they connect and players can kick them off the stage by simply running into them, but they can respawn. Each boss battle is different from the other, offering more variety and adding to the challenge.
They each have their own ‘Turtle Power’ which players can initiate anytime the meter is full to clear out the enemies on screen or deliver extra damage to the bosses. Leonardo creates a tornado, Raphael punches the ground causing an earthquake, Donatello channels his inner Thor and shoots lightning from his staff and Michelangelo throws pizza everywhere. Even though three of those make absolutely no sense with the character’s personalities and backgrounds, the Turtle Power is still a really handy tool for when things get tough.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is truly a passion project of Abubakar Salim. Opening his own game development studio was the best idea to help make his dream a reality and make the game in his vision. African culture, history, and mythology are represented in a big way through this game, and it is only the beginning for Surgent Studio. The price tag of $26.95 AUD shouldn’t be an indication of the game’s quality, as there is so much to enjoy and discover.
Unicorn Overlord is a brand-new IP that’s already made a big impact, impressing both gamers and critics. With about 50 hours of game time to enjoy, the epic story is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression, but it’s the gameplay that will first pull you in and make sure you stay for the ride. The 2D graphics with highly detailed anime art and smooth animations, along with the orchestral soundtrack and talented voice cast, are a marvel to behold. Unicorn Overlord is an RPG game like no other, and one that should not be overlooked.
Hi-Fi Rush may not have been successful the first time, but now it’s available to even more players on PlayStation 5. First, it was only accessible via the Xbox Game Pass, but now it’s available to purchase on its own and a physical version will also finally be available thanks to Limited Run Games. The bright and colourful characters, environments, enemies, bosses and more, all playing along to the beat, make this a must-buy for any console it’s available on. Hi-Fi Rush is the perfect game for anyone ready to rock!
Ubisoft is one of the leading brands in video games today with a library of successful franchises but doesn’t seem to realise the gem and piece of gaming history they have in Prince of Persia. While we can’t say “The Prince is back” since it’s not The Prince you’re playing as, finally getting a new Prince of Persia game after 14 years is still a good feeling. Even if it’s another reboot with a different genre, the latest entry in the legendary franchise is still a fun and challenging game, packed with loads of content with over 20 hours of playtime and plenty of replay value. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an excellent way to start 2024.
It’ll be interesting to see what other beat ’em ups get the modern retro treatment, maybe ‘Golden Axe’ or ‘Final Fight’? For now though, it’s time for the Dragons to rise from the ashes and beat down the streets once again, with hours upon hours of old-school couch co-op fun and soon, online as well. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is the long overdue modern classic that fans have been waiting for.
There isn’t really anything new in the latest entry of Let’s Sing, it’s mainly the same game with different songs, and the 30 new tracks by the various popular artists definitely give the game plenty of variety, but it would be more convenient if the new songs came as a DLC pack rather than be in their own game. Overall, Let’s Sing 2023 is another fun and enjoyable karaoke game to sing your heart out as a solo or with friends and family.
Both the French and English voice cast from the show reprise their iconic roles in the game, meaning fans can choose to listen to their favourite characters in either language, and everyone sounds just like they do in the show. A lot of work was clearly put into the dialogue during the cutscenes and character conversations, and every character stays true to how they are in the show. Unfortunately, this only applied to the cutscenes, and any conversations during the game are text-based, leaving this feeling like a missed opportunity.
It’s been a long time coming for fans to really step into the shoes of the blue hedgehog. Even though it’s a little rough around the edges, Sonic Frontiers is a huge step in the right direction and is no doubt the premiere Sonic game we’ve been wanting for the longest time. The feeling it gives you is unlike anything that’s come before it. It has to be played to be believed. This game could very well be the beginning of a new age of Sonic games, as its future has never looked brighter. The possibilities are never-ending. Sonic is here, reaching far across these new Frontiers.