Sonic X Shadow Generations delivers all the thrills you could hope for with almost none of the drawbacks. This is one of the most easily accessible and enjoyable 3D entries in the series, making it a must-play for anyone who's interested. I hope this is the standard for the series going forward.
As it stands, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a good action RPG with some thrilling monster combat. However, it could be so much more. Technical issues and some poor design choices hold back what could've been a truly fantastic game. There's still hope for it to become that, but this never should've been a concern in the first place.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a wonderfully strange experience that deserves as much recognition as Capcom's heavy hitters. An imaginitive gameplay structure, fantastic artwork, and a beautiful soundtrack combine to form a package that's well worth your time. I absolutely love it, and if it strikes your interest, you probably will too.
Banana Rumble is the first all-new Super Monkey Ball game in a long time, and it proves that the series still has more arcade thrills to provide. The new Spin Dash mechanic is an excellent addition and opens up some very neat possibilities. Unfortunately, some technical issues and a few tedious stages somewhat hurt the overall experience, but there is otherwise a lot to appreciate here.
It's entirely possible that Nine Sols might just end up being my favorite title of 2024. It's simply that good. While it may not be an incredibly innovative experience, it is an incredibly refined one. If you are an action fan, you owe it to yourself to check this one out. Nine Sols may not be perfect, but it's very close to it.
Touhou Genso Wanderer -FORESIGHT- is a dungeon crawler with very few tricks to reveal. It can be addictive at points, but the game is ultimately a barebones experience that quickly becomes tiring to play. There is potential for something better here, but the current product probably isn't worth your time.
Library of Ruina is both a fantastic and frustrating experience. A twisted narrative and complex mechanics make for what could be a cult classic. Unfortunately, the lack of a natural difficulty curve as well as some awkward UI issues will make this game significantly less appealing to some. Overall, it is worthwhile, provided you have the time to fit it into your schedule.
The Vale is perhaps one of the most unique titles I have played in recent memory. Hopefully, more developers can take some notes when it comes to making accessible games. It may be a very short adventure, but it's one I won't soon forget.
Berserk Boy provides a fast-paced and easily replayable experience for those on the lookout for a new side scroller to play. While it doesn't necessarily test the player's skills too much, the core mechanics make the game a joy to play. There's a lot of charm and passion here that ultimately makes Berserk Boy a worthwhile purchase.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered proves that there is still a lot to love about Core Design's vision of the franchise. While there are noticeable issues, these don't break what is otherwise still a fantastic experience for those who are willing to look past them. Perhaps future Tomb Raider games should take some notes.
Islands of Insight is an incredibly enjoyable and addictive open-world puzzle game. Unfortunately, the game's online features do not convince me of its need for an internet connection. As someone who lost all my in-game progress thanks to this, I can't say that Islands of Insight is a truly functional product as of writing this review. It may be wise to stay away from this one unless offline play somehow becomes an option.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon marks the triumphant return of what was once FromSoftware's flagship series. Only a studio such as this could make a niche mech action game appealing to a huge audience. While I may have some nitpicks, almost everything I would want out of an Armored Core game is present here. Armored Core VI is easily one of the best action games I've had the pleasure of experiencing this year and is further proof that FromSoftware is one of the best game studios around.
While Lies of P may feel quite derivative of the games that inspired it, there's no denying that a lot of care and passion went into making Lies of P. This is likely one of the best Souls-likes out there, and I'm looking forward to what these developers do next. This is an easy recommendation to anyone who is a fan of the genre.
Gravity Circuit is an outstanding 2D action platformer that deserves more attention. This game is an easy recommendation for fans of classic Mega Man games. It's hard to go wrong with fun stages, great bosses, a catchy soundtrack, and an awesome sense of style.
Street Fighter 6 is further proof that Capcom knows what it's doing. This is an outstanding fighting game for both casual and competitive fighting game players. Even if the genre isn't usually your cup of tea, it won't hurt to give this game a try. Don't hesitate to get your hands on Street Fighter 6 if it piques your interest at all.
Loop8: Summer of Gods is a unique and memorable game that unfortunately falls victim to some severe balancing issues. Unfortunately, an intriguing world and likable characters are not enough to make this a great experience. While it may appeal to some, JRPG fans looking for a unique challenge may want to look elsewhere.
Rally Adventure is a fun ride but doesn't bring much new to the table. If you simply want more Forza Horizon 5, this DLC will likely suffice. However, if you are looking for something that will shake up the formula a bit more, this expansion may leave you feeling underwhelmed.
The story may be somewhat forgettable, and the voice acting is questionable, but Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a fantastic hardcore action RPG that might qualify as game-of-the-year material. I would experience it all again in a heartbeat. This is an easy recommendation for fans of hardcore action RPGs. A tight pace and superb combat make sure the game doesn't feel dull at nearly any point.
While the latest entry in the Need for Speed franchise is capable of presenting some great arcade racing thrills, NFS Unbound is an uneven experience that can often leave players feeling disappointed. Some may be able to overlook its flaws and enjoy what the game does well, but it still lives in the shadows of the best entries in the series. This paints a worrying picture for a franchise that already has been struggling to reclaim its glory days for years now.
With a few translation errors and some pacing issues aside, Witch on the Holy Night serves as a great introduction to the Nasuverse. Type-Moon newcomers will find the story to be accessible, and old fans will want to support this English release as well. This is an easy recommendation for those who are fond of visual novels.