V3's best improvements aren't in its mini-games, the way it handles, or in high-fidelity visuals, but in the way it embraces the series' DNA and brings it to the forefront of the experience. Though there are some missteps along the way such as the almost cringeworthy hyper-sexualized dialogue revolving around Miu, or the filler ‘Free Time' segments, Killing Harmony has me desperate to see where the series goes next.
If you enjoyed the gameplay experience in Horizon Zero Dawn, you'll enjoy what's on offer in The Frozen Wilds. Its machines pose even more of a threat than some of the most intimidating beasts you came across in the main game, side quests help to flesh out the concise story experience, and the new weapons and outfits on offer are powerful additions to your arsenal. The Frozen Wilds offers a delectable slice of familiar action in a new, dangerous, yet beautiful land with plenty of lore and content to keep you exploring The Cut long after you've completed your quest.
As I write this review, I'm once again eagerly awaiting the next chapter of my Guardians of the Galaxy adventure. The series has the same essence of excellent writing and humor that Tales of the Borderlands embodied, and if it continues I may have just found my next favorite Telltale series.
There are a lot of little stories going on in Before the Storm, and each one of them has me hooked and I can't wait to see how they all come to an end in episode three. If episode one introduced us to the Rachel and Chloe's relationship, episode two cracked it wide open, showing a more vulnerable and emotionally open Rachel from the closed-off one we were initially introduced to in episode one.
Deck Nine had a pretty tall task when it came to Life Is Strange: Before the Storm. Creating a prequel that would satiate the series' fans is tough enough, and they've passed with flying colors in that regard. However, it's the way in which Deck Nine has really honed in on the identity of the original series that makes it so special.
Unravel Two may not have been at the top of players' wishlists, even those who enjoyed the first, but the addition of co-op breathes fresh air into its yarn-based platforming.
Two Point Hospital is everything that Theme Hospital fans would have been hoping for from a successor, and then some. It may still have some finicky issues, which hopefully, can be addressed with a post-launch update, but all of its charm and witty humor make managing hospitals far more entertaining than it really should be.
Honestly, discussing many of the major narrative beats, decisions, or gameplay in The Walking Dead: The Final Season would do it a disservice, particularly for those who have been following Clementine since she was rescued from the treehouse in her back yard all those years ago. However, just know that both the development teams at Telltale, and the smaller-scale one that was resurrected under Skybound didn't let Clementine down.
I'm not inclined to play back through it right away, but it'll be staying downloaded on my Switch for those lengthy flights and commutes where I want to do nothing more than slash through countless enemies in style.
It might not be perfect, but it’s certainly got enough going for it to make a solid challenge for Mario’s crown as the king of kart racers.
If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air and fancy venturing out into space for a laid back exploration and a damned good time, Outer Wilds should be your first port of call.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is the Star Wars game that fans have been crying out for years now. While it doesn’t do anything new, its clear inspirations from Dark Souls and Tomb Raider have helped to create an epic, sprawling adventure that’ll have you ready for more the moments the credits roll.
Life Is Strange 2 isn’t some pleasant walk in the park, but a perilous slog across the country, staring adversity in the face and overcoming it in search of freedom and a fresh start. It’s not always comfortable to watch, but it’s a journey well worth taking for fans of the series, and narrative-driven experiences in general.
A blend of excellent gameplay and a compelling story that feels true to the Gears universe is guaranteed to turn the COGS of series veterans and newcomers alike. Gears Tactics should be on the radar of all Gears fans, even those entirely new to the tactics genre.
The Medium isn’t perfect. Bloober Team’s most ambitious ideas aren’t realized to their full potential, but it’s a step in an exciting new direction. The pacing stumbles in the middle, but that’s where the enticing narrative picks up the slack to drive you through. The dual-reality mechanic goes just about far enough to keep its slowest gameplay moments interesting, and paired with a fantastic narrative and exceptionally eerie atmosphere, it’s an easy recommendation for fans of Bloober Team’s work in the past and the horror genre in general.
Road 96 is a special title well worth checking out for anyone with an itch for adventure.
Despite the bugs, the déjà vu I get from sneaking around an FND Base, and the filler, I still found myself having a blast in Far Cry 6, both literally and metaphorically (I’m sorry). After 40 hours in, I’m still eager to hop back in, venturing further off the beaten path, clearing out any lingering FND Bases and checking out the Insurgency post-game content to grind out additional weapons and rewards. With a solid story, an engaging cast of characters, and a plethora of enthralling side content, Far Cry 6 is an easy recommendation for FPS fans. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to head back out on the road with ma boy Chicharron.
For now, the classic Halo multiplayer offering will be more than enough to keep them playing for months on end, even if the game modes and maps offering needs some refinement, ideally sooner rather than later. This is the evolution the series needed and provides a promising foundation for the future of the series.
Hardware limitations and frustrations aside, Moss: Book II is another resounding success for Polyarc, despite a few strange missteps in finnicky weapon switching and minor quality of life tweaks that could come as part of a future update. The collectibles provide ample reason to keep playing after you’ve finished the story, and the puzzle-based environments are just as beautiful to look at as they are a satisfying enigma to crack.
The Quarry is a reminder of just how great Supermassive’s games can be when given the time and the right amount of polish.