Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is a great sequel that is bigger and more punishing in the best way. The addition of elemental spells and a monster-hunting gameplay loop make the overall experience a huge improvement over its predecessor.
Slitterhead is a unique game with interesting ideas, but it doesn't completely stick the landing. The story of an evil entity infesting the minds of innocent civilians in a city is frightening and could have been great if the game had gone in a different direction.
Behemoth is a truly exceptional VR experience. Its brilliant combat mechanics and immersive gameplay deliver a sense of scale and excitement rarely seen in virtual reality. Despite the shortcomings in its narrative and dialogue, the game's stunning environments, unique boss battles, and thrilling Behemoth encounters more than make up for it. It's an epic journey perfect for seasoned VR players or someone considering stepping into the world of virtual reality for the first time. Behemoth is an unforgettable journey that proves just how powerful and exhilarating VR gaming can be, and is a step forward that other developers should study for the next venture into the world of VR gaming.
Despite any downfalls that Turok 2 may have, it's still the best entry in the series. The addictive and fast-paced combat mixed with an impressive armory makes each level feel exciting to take on and the different environments keep it from ever becoming repetitive. While the original Turok created the foundation of what the series represents, the sequel fully realized this vision and turned it into one of the best first-person shooters of the Nintendo 64 era. Anyone looking for a retro game that'll keep them hooked from beginning to end, and doesn't take too long to finish, should look no further than Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. Just remember that there's a good chance that the lack of direction on where to go could make the experience less enjoyable, depending on the player's skill level.
But in general, Alien: Rogue Incursion is a great addition to the VR library and Alien franchise. The amount of interactivity with the game's environments is superb, keeping the player engaged and giving a great sense of actually being in the Xenomorph-infested facility. On top of that, the gunplay is some of the best the VR market has seen in years (when it's working properly). Alien: Rogue Incursion is definitely worth being experienced by VR enthusiasts and Alien fans, even if it's a bumpy experience.
There's something to love here for almost any type of gamer, including horror fans, Metroidvania enthusiasts, and even platformer lovers. While the combat can grow stale and tedious due to its lack of innovation, it's still good enough to keep the player engaged for hours on end as they traverse Deadside on their journey to save the world. The story of Shadow Man is really where it shines, though, with excellent voice acting and a dark tone that was arguably ahead of its time at its initial release. The lack of a traditional map may be offputting for modern players, but the removal of easy solutions does the game favors, as there's an incredible sense of accomplishment figuring it out on your own. Shadow Man was a fantastic game in the 90s, and now it's even more so with the remastered version.
River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next is both a solid role-playing game and a great beat-em-up brawler that is not afraid to challenge the player's fighting skill.
Fantasian Neo Dimension is one of the best JRPGs I have played in a very long time, and that is saying a lot, considering we've had some great releases recently. It has a nostalgic feel to it that is reminiscent of the older Final Fantasy games, almost like stepping into a time machine. The trajectory system in combat is brilliant, it has an interesting story, and the difficulty is just right where it demands strategy while remaining fair throughout. The beautiful world made strictly from handmade dioramas is nothing short of extraordinary and is one of the most creative initiatives I've seen in gaming. Fantasian Neo Dimension does everything right for a turn-based JRPG, and anyone seeking their next great experience in the genre should look no further than this remarkable creation.
Guilty Gear Strive is a great fighting game that fits right at home in the genre, and that doesn't change with the Blazing Edition. However, this "definitive" version seems rather pointless for most players, both old and new.
Unless you're a parent looking to keep your kid occupied for the evening, Lego Horizon Adventures is a hard pass.
All these improvements come together to create the perfect package that any fan could only dream of. The 2002 version of Resident Evil is the epitome of what a remake should be: sticking true to its source material, while also making necessary changes in all the right places. While some will claim there are better remakes out there, no one can take away the fact that Resident Evil remains the touchstone of survival horror. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and since its easy to see Resident Evil's DNA everywhere in the industry, we can safely say that it is the best remake ever made.
Madden NFL 25 is a step in the right direction for the franchise and we hope EA keeps this momentum going to make the next entry even better.
Persona 3 Reload is a remake done right. Everything you love about the original game is improved upon, leading to a new experience that feels fresh and brand new while not forgetting its source material. Visual enhancements, inclusions of addicting combat mechanics, more enjoyable social links -- this game has it all. This is the definitive way to play the beloved JRPG, and once you get your hands on it, you won't ever want to return to the original.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a superb Metroidvania that reignites the franchise in exciting ways and only gets better the longer you play it. Meticulously crafted platforming mixed with exhilarating combat makes for a game that is nearly impossible to put down.
Persona 5 Tactica is an excellent addition to the popular franchise, bringing a heartfelt story and an addicting tactical-based combat loop. The ending part overstays it's welcome and becomes fairly repetitive, but that can be overlooked for all the positives the game brings to the table.
The best additions are the new forms of traversal, creating the most exciting missions of both the original and sequel combined. However, the time you spend with these is short-lived. Also, I can't help but feel the bosses were a missed opportunity, where only one stands out and makes a name for itself. Nevertheless, more of a good thing is always nice, and if you found yourself a fan of the first, you'll enjoy Ghostrunner 2, especially for the low 40-dollar price tag.
Most of what fans of Soulslikes want are at the maximum: masterclass-level design, unforgettable bosses, and extensive freedom toward build creation. The combat can feel rough at times, and there are way too many enemies in certain levels, but these downfalls don't negate the fact that Lords of the Fallen reaches for a spot in the highest tier among the genre's greats and finds itself right at home.
Out of all the games that have attempted to master a Soulslike, Lies of P stands in a league of its own and should be experienced by anyone who is a fan of the subgenre.
Despite all the positives and added-on fancy features, I can't recommend paying full price for Madden 24, as it feels like a slightly better version of last year's edition. But if you're a series veteran craving a Madden that promotes more player agency, EA has fine-tuned the football emulation to make it a better experience.
Remnant 2 feels like a love letter to the fans of the first, with an emphasis on replayability and brilliant new features. The different experiences that the game can generate from one person to the next are impressive, as each run feels unique. Combat feels great, and the freedom in build creation is a huge improvement over its predecessor. Still, a few issues with the game's core may leave some disappointed.