When an ambitious concept is as perfectly executed as it is here, it is imperative to celebrate the creative achievement that it truly is. Not only for the lasting emotion a superbly-told story gives but for all the artistic disciplines that coalesced to form this work of art. Harold Halibut is a feat rarely seen where a comedic sci-fi journey of self-discovery triumphs in leaving a mark that you will always treasure.
Well-documented leaks muddied initial opinions of The Last of Us Part II by now, but with the benefit of time, it is easy to see why it won so many awards four years ago, and it will stand the test of time as one of the greatest games ever made. The parallel storyline, risky payoff, immaculate soundtrack, and iconic performances, now remastered and with more meaningful content than ever, will always be there for us when we wish to relive a harrowingly told tale as old as time.
An ode to the creative spark is a direct correlation to all that is precious in our lives. Architecture, philosophy, and art are just as valuable as the nature that surrounds us, and Viewfinder urges us to look at things from a different perspective and challenge our worldview if it does not fit the task presented. Adapting and astute minds will flourish and appreciate the test that Viewfinder proposes in more ways than one.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a game that asks a lot of the player even before it begins to reap the most meaningful memory out of it. Having to create an emotional resonance with its characters by playing dozens of hours of its previous entries, patience to understand every game mechanic and grind to be appropriately leveled for each chapter, and attention to properly comprehend each story beat. But, if you are willing to go through all of it to live this epic experience, one of the most impactful stories in gaming awaits.
Metroid Prime Remastered shadow dropped out of nowhere and reminded the world why the first 3D adventure of Samus is a timeless achievement. Retro Studios showed that with a few tweaks and a visual overhaul a masterpiece will always remain so.
Just like the Frozen Wilds DLC for Horizon Zero Dawn explored new avenues and pushed the story forward with possible cliffhangers and ideas, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores up the ante with its characters, boss fights, and exploration. To finally see Aloy so sure of herself and commanding one last time before the eventual third act is inspiring to see.
Immortals of Aveum is a high-quality new AAA IP rarely seen in today's gaming landscape. Its relentless combat, strong worldbuilding, and lighthearted narrative offer a unique perspective as a First Person Magic Shooter. Although one of the most mentioned features of the game was that it was being made on Unreal Engine 5, it does not look particularly stunning or next-gen in most areas. But when it does, it has some of the most impressive-looking landscapes in modern gaming.
At the end of the day, Agatha Christie – Murder on the Orient Express shows one of the world’s greatest authors’ stories at the height of her powers. The carefully interwoven plot, the characters’ well-thought motives, and the renewed presentation of it all by the time you solve the case will undoubtedly delight any mystery-loving follower.
Although the runtime of the main narrative is relatively short, clocking in at about 20 hours or so, the replayability value of Granblue Fantasy: Relink is off the charts. Taking into account the more than 100 quests on offer, the Fate Episodes to learn more information about every character, and the online mode to set out on adventures with up to three friends is virtually an endless trove of entertainment for those looking for an Action RPG with substance.
Whether you are accomplishing a lifelong dream of playing with a train kit or are lucky enough to have a dedicated space and would just try the novel new VR game in the store, Toy Trains goes beyond what a usual offering of virtual reality does in that not only does it recreate a fun mechanic to try but in that, it also adds an original spin to establish itself as a PSVR2 title to spend a quiet afternoon in and make it a memorable one.
Working as one of the best recreations of movie IPs of all time, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora reaches the heights and callbacks from some of the most memorable scenes from the series. Long gone are the days of cheap tie-in movies for a cash grab. Ubisoft has proven with this entry that a new form of video game world inspired by blockbuster intellectual property can exist.
Season: A letter to the future is an incredible achievement as it is a risky endeavor to ask a gamer to slow down and breathe in the world they have painstakingly created, but once you let go of your preconceived notions, it will uplift you with its profound narrative.
Sherlock Holmes The Awakened explores a haunting adventure that is unsettling to live through and succeeds as a creative take. Marketed as a Lovecraft meets Sherlock Holmes original story, there are tinges of both mythologies that will satisfy any eager fan of either world.
A video game four years the making, the care put into each and every watercolor landscape and minute aspect of the game is quite notable. Discovering new things and getting out of your comfort zone can be a frightful thing. But Dordogne, by way of its carefully structured narrative, reminds us that it is worth it to live life to the fullest.
As the fanciful tale starts winding down and the end is in sight, Saltsea Chronicles’ metaphysical mysteries begin taking shape. It is a deeply moving story of love, loss, and understanding that no matter who you are or where you come from, that rooted sense of helping your fellow neighbor will always be there, and it is important to act and cause a positive change in your society.
Among the current offerings on the VR market, Horizon Call of the Mountain stands out as a PSVR2 exclusive because of its unique use of all the PlayStation ecosystem represents. A faithful representation of arguably one of its biggest IPs, standout use of its flagship Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback, and a heightened cinematic feeling throughout Ryas’ journey. If there ever was a system seller for an unproven technology, this is it.
Although the overall risks of the narrative are pretty low, and even the gameplay feels laidback, the dialogue and interactions of each character shine and are solely worth the playthrough just for that. If you are an avid follower of the series, then your enjoyment will only multiply. KONOSUBA is a very popular anime that deserves a comical and authentic video game adaptation, and that’s exactly what this game is.
To zoom out and comfily watch from the skies when there was nothing but a barren island just over an hour ago and the hustle and bustle of people going about their daily lives is a feeling like none other. Little Cities: Bigger!'s ease of use, intuitive bubble UI, and clear goals shine among other games in the genre. It succeeds in giving you a cozy gameplay loop where there are no risks, but there are plenty of rewards.
Exactly like the reality truck shows demonstrate, driving a heavy vehicle is not for the faint of heart. It requires a strong will, the courage to keep going when all else fails, and, in this case, a passion for investigating the natural sciences that compound our planet. Expeditions: A MudRunner Game took everything that made its foundation great and multiplied it exponentially into one of the most addictive gameplay loops in the modern simulators of our times.
Tchia shines at its best when you are immersed in its laidback, breezy islands with the peaceful music taking over, unwinding and relaxing while exploring the many secrets of the archipelago. All in all a solid indie adventure that gives homage to a beautiful culture, enriching and teaching you about them in the process.