Ali Arkani
IXION is a game packed with good ideas and great execution which is a rare combo these days. The gameplay is rather innovative for a city-building title and the story is no short of a well-made Sci-Fi movie. IXION is a must-play for city-building lovers!
With a critical view of modern spiritual cults and quite a few good jump scares, The Chant's story-driven adventure is a remnant from the old days when AA survival horror games such as Alone in the Dark and Fatal Frame were not forgotten. The game definitely has its flaws, but it has the potential to turn into a modern AA horror franchise.
Cult of the Lamb will be remembered and loved!
As a person who played all the Spider-Man games since Sega Genesis' Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin, Insomniac's version of the New-York city's wall crawler is the best Spider-Man game ever released. The game holds up pretty well both in visuals and gameplay mechanics. Though there are some drawbacks and shortcomings, they are not game-breaking or in any way stop the players from enjoying the title. To make a long story short, Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered is a diamond in the rough.
The Tale of Bistun is not perfect, but it is original. The romantic story with masterfully incorporated symbolism and plot twists along with the exotic art style makes the game a sensational experience; it is short and does not overstay its welcome as well.
Dominion Biosyn Expansion is not perfect. It adds some new quality of life features such as hyperloop while taking away some well-placed challenges like the guests. The campaign length and new dinosaurs also make it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy being around 60 million years old dragons; especially if you are a paleontologist turned video game critic like me!
Hardspace Shipbreaker is not just a game, it is a call to action to put an end to the tyranny of mega-corporations and every gamer who is interested in such an idea will enjoy it.
Eternal Threads is unfortunately a nightmare of potential
Trek to Yomi is Flying Wild Hog's best game. Unlike Shadow Warrior 3, the studio's first title in 2022 that was a huge step backward, Trek to Yomi is aimed at a niche audience. It's short, violent, and poetic. The one-hit kill Kensei mode that's unlocked after finishing the game for the first time also adds more replay value for the game while creating the potential for attracting hardcore gamers and speedrunners. The game can be enjoyed by many, but a very small group of people will hold on to it for a very long time. That's why Trek to Yomi has the chance to become a cult title.