Carrie Lambertsen
Even with these negatives, however, this is a game that I truly loved playing. The story, fun abilities and skills, the citizens of Concordia, and more all came together to make this a really fun experience. Mario and Luigi are both perfectly portrayed, with Luigi having more of a chance to be a hero than he often gets, and Princess Peach is as much a symbol of charm and heroism as ever. I truly hope that Mario & Luigi: Brothership will serve to usher in many more games in this series in the future.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a beautiful RPG.
Overall, the game is incredibly fun and beautiful, and I found myself enjoying every moment I had in it. For anyone looking for a fairly light platformer with a cheerful atmosphere and puzzles, or who may be a fan of The Smurfs, this is an adventure worthy of embarking on. Just be aware that it is not very long or complex, but The Smurfs: Dreams is absolutely a game that will put a smile on my face every time I think of it.
Though the controls could be difficult for young children due to the physics involved, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game is designed to be fun for everyone, and it would certainly be hard to be depressed while in this bright world.
Ultimately, however, Vessel of Hatred adds so much to the quality of the game. The story is deep and engaging, and offers many satisfying twists and emotional growth of characters; the Spiritborn class is my new favorite. I am eager to try out other combinations of skills with the Spiritborn and see what else Diablo 4 has to offer in the future.
Anyone who has played a Hidden Through Time game and enjoyed it will love Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery, as it truly is just more of the same. While it could have been sold as an expansion or DLC to Myths & Magic, it still has a lot of content for a decent price, coming in at around $10, especially when you take into consideration that these maps are hand-drawn. The relaxing experience of searching for hidden items in the whimsical maps with aliens and monsters provides a cozy experience. Having more of the same isn't a bad thing, and not every game has to be fantastically updated or changed, although it still confuses me why Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery isn't an expansion.
The story itself is not long, only lasting 10–15 hours for the main game. Once the game is over, players can also try it in New Game+ Mode or the upcoming "Mew Game" Mode, which will provide challenges such as not allowing players to equip anything or preventing them from leveling up higher than level one. Providing many more hours of enjoyable gameplay for Cat Quest 3 even after the main story is over.
To sum it up, SteamWorld Heist 2 is fun, pure and simple. The silliness combined with game mechanics make it a true gem that is a must-play for anyone with a sense of humor.
While microtransactions can be tempting, and often viewed as a negative in today's gaming culture, it is important to remember that this is a free-to-play game and these microtransactions can help support the developers, while also providing fun cosmetics and things to purchase for the pets. This program would feel like a full, enjoyable game even if it did not have the ability to bring your little friend onto the desktop and enjoy the various productivity features. In short, Weyrdlets is a special blend of relaxation and productivity all wrapped up in an adorable package.
Overall, Vampire Therapy can be a fantastic tool for those wishing to learn more about cognitive distortions and how to better control their own thoughts. The ideas are never presented in a harsh manner, with a gentle tone always being held by Andromachos. Players need to be wary of their own personal triggers that the game can hit upon, and pay attention to how they are feeling throughout their time with Sam, and not be afraid to step away and have some quiet introspection when needed. Truthfully, the game would benefit from a subtle warning appearing before certain themes are presented, and perhaps the opportunity to skip past them.
Ultimately, this game is an exceptionally charming and cute look at the life of a little girl and her family, and can tug at the heartstrings. The immense variety in minigames is fun, and there are so many little challenges to accomplish throughout the game that there is always something to work towards. There is a large selection of cosmetics as well, which provides an extra little boost of joy through getting to dress up Anya and do her hair, as well as other family members. Whether or not someone knows Spy x Family well, Spy x Anya: Operation Memories is a true joy to play for a relaxing, cozy experience.
Fruit Mountain is addictive, fun, and relaxing, but it hurts itself in being a bit too limited in gameplay and design. Even small, simple features such as unlocking outfits for the painter would have provided a little more to do. As it is, however, the game is good, with no glitches or problems, and presents a fun puzzle game for all ages to enjoy.
Other than a few issues with the camera, which were able to be adjusted in the options, Banana Rumble provides a nearly endless amount of fun. The laughter of playing in split screen with a friend is perfection, and the challenge levels of the game itself are well-balanced. I was impressed at how in-depth the Adventure Mode can be, as well as the different assistance features and motion-sickness-reducing options. Whether someone has played a Super Monkey Ball game in the past or not, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is absolutely one that should not be overlooked by anyone looking for a cheerful, fun time.
The gameplay is solid, and everything feels as though it is polished and fun, but without much to truly capture the attention of the community, there is a concern that after the initial hype dies off, the matches could begin to struggle with maintaining an active player base. That said, this game does have a lot to offer, particularly for Star Wars fans, being a well-crafted entry into the genre of competitive arena combat battles. Especially being free-to-play, Star Wars: Hunters is a fun game that is absolutely worth a try.
Each round lasts exactly the right amount of time, and each MultiVersus character has a distinctive enough set of skills that many players will find one they connect with. MultiVersus is definitely a game worth checking out, even if it wasn't free-to-play, and it's accessibility makes it an even bigger recommendation.
Overall, Endless Ocean Luminous is an incredibly beautiful and immersive aquatic game. Slow loading screens and some monotonous tasks can take away from the immersion some, but for a cozy simulation of underwater exploration, it is a tranquil and fun experience.
Any lover of intricate puzzles and unique game mechanics would be able to appreciate the clever approach that The Lullaby of Life takes for stimulating the brain. Its peaceful tranquility make it a wonderful form of cozy relaxation, with the only caveat being for people with severe depression to be mindful of their mental health in portions. The story, colors, puzzles, and, of course, the music in The Lullaby of Life are excellent in their craft and deserve to be appreciated.
Overall, the game is engaging and fun, and with it taking less than five hours for 100% completion, it also offers a great choice for those looking to get a quick PlayStation Platinum trophy. It can leave players with a pensive feeling at the games end, pondering many of the questions that are left unanswered at the conclusion of A Tale of Paper, but not necessarily in a negative way - other than, perhaps, the need to reevaluate having a Roomba.
The Planet Crafter truly captures the roleplay feeling of terraforming a strange new planet and offers a rewarding and immersive terraforming experience. It is well-paced, and multiplayer makes it an even better experience, with groups of friends being able to work on solo projects side by side or enjoy focusing together on completing goals. Though it would be nice to be able to have more direct interactions with other players and a chance to customize looks to distinguish one another, the multiplayer is well done in its execution of being able to feel like a team working on common goals.
Freedom Planet 2 is fun chaos at every turn.