Enshrouded is par for the course with most survival games released in early access. There are promising foundations and underwhelming systems in equal measure, but it gets key things right in the form of an engaging build system, a sense of adventure in exploration, and some great quality of life features. Probably more fun in co-op with friends, there’s enough here for most survival veterans to enjoy so long as their expectations are suitably adjusted for early access titles.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is the perfect example of what a talented, passionate team who takes the time to listen to community feedback is capable of doing in gaming. They made all the right choices where it counted by getting the right people for the job, from the storytellers, actors, technical developers, and more. What we’re left with is a memorable gaming experience that provides more value than many games which had a lot more money thrown at them, and the community has almost universally shown their appreciation for that. There isn’t much more to say other than more of the same, please.
Final Fantasy XVI represents a step forward for the franchise in terms of enhancing gameplay elements, but it falls short of being a truly engaging combat experience, with the otherwise fun Eikon ability system being let down by a lack of difficulty. The game thrives as a story-driven experience, with consistently spectacular scenes made more immersive by the outstanding voice acting and fine attention to detail in graphical design. Some players may find themselves wanting more from the sound design, but when the music is on point it truly shines. If rich storytelling, extensive lore, and enticing worldbuilding are your thing, you’re unlikely to be disappointed here.
The Resident Evil series has been esteemed by fans for many years, so any attempt at a remake for one of its most beloved titles will inevitably be met with high expectations and near-febrile anticipation. The remake of RE2 set a high bar, and by most accounts, the RE3R fell far below it. We’re happy to report that the remake of Resident Evil 4 represents a return to form, and even sets a gold standard for any remake of a classic game.
There are some games that you play primarily for the story, others more for the action and sense of adventure. GoW Ragnarok is one of those rare games that does it all incredibly well, and there are perhaps no other games that can match the ways in which it effortlessly blends storytelling with gameplay mechanics. Although I wished for a more satisfying end to the story, I can’t fault the developers for their continued commitment to small details in both graphic and sound design, and there are countless aspects of the narrative which are as well-crafted and memorable as any from the previous game. The core mechanics are expanded in constructive ways, and you can do more than ever with different combat options. In short, GoW Ragnarok is a fitting sequel that is well worth your time.