The Callisto Protocol is definitely not going to be for everyone. It’s a game with a more rigid combat system that requires mastery to play the game, but it has a good story with a good redemption arc toward the end. I do have my fair share of complaints with the game, particularly with how healing is handled, the lack of an objective marker, and learning the near unforgiving combat mechanics of the game, but overall, the game is worth the journey if you are willing to put up with these minor gripes. With a strong visual and auditory presentation, the title is one that I won’t forget anytime soon.
Dread Templar is a game for hardcore FPS fans looking to return to the pinnacle of fast-paced shooters. It's a treat for old and new fans alike, with tons of variety in weapons, enemies, and environments. The story is a bit lacking, but the game makes up for it with practically everything else.
Monster Hunter Rise is a breath of fresh air that elevates the series with its faster traversal, improved combat, and added depth. It looks and runs exceptionally well on modern consoles and is a delight to spend hundreds of hours in.
I had a fantastic time with Like a Dragon: Ishin, and it’s a worthy addition to the Yakuza series lineup. Like other modern Yakuza titles, this release is filled to the brim with enjoyable content, memorable characters, and an addictive combat system with tons of variety. The character work is fantastic, and the series’ invaluable skill to switch between serious and hilarious tones is present here as well, with some of the best moments in the franchise.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a forgotten title that is getting a second chance at life by coming to the West for the first time in 15 years. The title offers a classic survival horror experience that few modern-day games are able to deliver and with improved visuals paired with quality of life changes, it is easily the best Fatal Frame entry you can play on consoles currently.
Resident Evil 4 Remake comfortably sits atop every other release this year with its excellent action, memorable characters, ridiculous replayability, and insane one-liners. RE Engine continues to look phenomenal, and Leon and Ashley have never been better. The remake does a brilliant job of becoming a modern example of improving upon perfection.
Decieve Inc is a game I really wanted to like, but it comes into the camp of either love at first sight or a game you buy and forget and play with friends once in a while. My time with the game was enjoyable when it worked, but long matchmaking times, uneven and perplexing gunplay and unexplainable lag marred the enjoyment for me.
Coffee Talk Episode 2 is a relaxing, and absorbing title with an engaging gameplay loop, memorable characters, and excellent writing. It's a great game to play when you to unwind, and immerse yourself in a cozy well realized world with a cast of characters that will stay with you after you've finished your cup of hot brew.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a fantastic sequel that improves upon basically every aspect of the original. Its excellent cast of characters, improved combat, expanded world design, and plot tie into one of the most satisfying Star Wars experiences we've ever had only held back by performance issues on every platform.
Killer Frequency is a fun title that you should get if you are really into puzzles, enjoy the 80's atmosphere, or enjoy games with multiple endings. With a decent cast of characters, the game is one you don't want to change stations on.
With average horror elements that have their moments and a somewhat interesting story that unfolds as you descend into a rabbit hole of madness, Layers of Fear does enough to keep players engaged, but not enough to push the series forward in a meaningful way.
With a great visual setting, well written and memorable townspeople to interact with Fall of Porcupine tries to do something new. However a few crucial omissions keep the game from being great - with no manual save, and the lack of ability to skip puzzles in a casual game like this severely ruin the experience. Add in a lackluster ending, the game has a lot of good but equally bad aspects.
Maquette is a brilliant yet short adventure that is well worth a visit if you have Game Pass. Great story through strong visuals, great voice acting, music, and some good puzzle mechanics delivers a great package of emotions.
Venba is a beautiful cooking game that emphasizes the meaning of family, culture, and tradition. It's a game that will hit home for many who had to make the difficult choice of moving away from home, and one where you might shed a tear at the end.
Stray Gods does stray from the path of its competitors by doing a lot of new and unique things and it does so with pride. With a great cast of voice actors, a memorable story, and a unique dialogue system, the game truly stands out in the genre. However, the lack of ability for players to explore the world on their own outside of a static scene feels awkward at times, particularly when the world looks stunning.
Moving Out 2 is a fleshed-out party game that packs a lot of heart and spirit into what a sequel should be. It offers a lot of engaging features and mechanics to test your "moving" ability and improves upon an already great game even further. If you have any friends who enjoy cooperative games, this is a must-buy, but it's hard to recommend if you want to go it alone.
Kentucky Route Zero is a fantastic story that took 7 years to tell, 12 hours to play, and will forever be one of my favorite point-and-click adventure games for a long while. It's rare for a game like this to captivate players with its deep characters, and excellent presentation and it does so brilliantly.
Party Animals is a lot of fun, and it innovates in multiple unique ways to stand out and keep the genre fresh. There are tons of game modes to try out, and the superb presentation and customization keep things fresh. While it can be played alone, the real fun comes with friends.
Detective Pikachu Returns is a fun game that is brimming with personality, a memorable cast of characters, and a familiar setting that is somehow new again. Unfortunately, it's held back by a menial playtime with no replay value and a very predictable plot, but that doesn't take away from enjoying the world of Detective Pikachu Returns.
Sonic Superstars is a fantastic return to the 2D Sonic series and offers a wealth of content and playable characters, all wrapped up in a pristine package that's easy on the eyes, wonderful to play with enough replayability to last you a while.