On the most basic level, there is an appeal to Bleak Faith. The enemies have creepy, science-fiction-inspired designs, the world is intriguing, and some truly inspired ideas from Archangel Studios support the whole thing. But every element feels half-baked or borderline broken. Movement and combat are floaty and clunky, exploration is unsatisfying, the visuals are hit or miss, music tracks repeat too often, and the story is indecipherable.
Wanted Dead is a hard game to recommend: it is truly bad in most areas, but it also has the opportunity to click with you depending on your tolerance for jank and of old-school character action games. If you really need a dose of nostalgia, or you love movies like The Room, Wanted Dead could be a hit.
Atomic Heart has flashes of brilliance but generally disappoints regarding the basics. Combat is occasionally satisfying but incredibly repetitive, and the balance of encounters is all over the place. The story is predictable and slog to work through, especially because of the terrible dialogue. While the visuals stand out, they never really are anything more than set dressing, and as you progress into the open world, the poor shadow quality can destroy the look of the game. Even visually, Atomic Heart is as uneven as it is with its story and gameplay.
Clash pulls much inspiration from the 2018 God of War. The basic premise of protecting The Boy as Pseudo and some of the significant beats mirror Sony’s Epic, so some character progression and twists felt predictable. To Clash’s credit, I was still invested, and the world is so weird and the characters are so much fun that I quickly forgot the world of Kratos and got lost in Zenozoik all over again.
Wild Hearts is a blast from beginning to end, and the combination of Karakuri with streamlined, snappy combat, makes it a joy to pick up and play. Newcomers to the genre or those who have always been intimidated by Monster Hunter should start here. But there is a very real possibility you may just stick with Wild Hearts for its unique aesthetic and streamlined mechanics, on top of the incredible Karakuri system.
Company of Heroes 3 is a fantastic strategy game regarding the basics. Playing with friends and mining the mechanics will be where most will spend their time, but it is a huge disappointment to see the campaigns fall so flat. The Italian campaign was the place where I expected huge innovations from Relic, but it feels like a paper tiger.
Wo Long is fun, fast, and fluid, with satisfying combat that empowers and challenges you equally. There is style in spades, and while the story is nothing to write home about, you’ll remember the flashy moves and monstrous bosses long after the credits roll. This is a great starting point for many looking to get into the impenetrable genre that is souls-likes, and if the pitch-perfect timing of Sekiro turned you off, Wo Long is here to offer something more approachable.
Metroid Prime Remastered is Metroid Prime, for better or for worse. It still is an example of top-tier level design, even if it can get labyrinthian and combat feels simple by today’s standards. But the incredible visuals, the satisfying string of upgrades, and the one-of-a-kind atmosphere make it as memorable as ever.
EA’s remake of the 2008 title Dead Space provides the closest thing to a conclusive answer as to what a remake should be by adding incredible visuals, smart story changes, and modern gameplay updates—all while retaining the soul of the original.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania may not break new ground, but it is a lovingly made ode to an iconic series that has long remained dormant. The new biomes, bosses, weapons, enemies, and story content are all the highest quality, and Dead Cells remains an essential roguelike that still stands among its peers at the top of the genre.
There are so many things wrong with Redfall; every element feels plagued by poor decision-making. The visuals are dated and buggy, the story is paper-thin and filled with annoying archetypes, and the gameplay is floaty, unsatisfying, and generic. Don’t even get me started on the atrocious AI, which can’t even make its way around basic objects. If Redfall was truly developed by the Arkane Studios I love so much; it must have been under difficult circumstances. Rarely do games like this exist without low budgets, tons of studio interference, and short development cycles. I don’t blame Arkane, and nobody should, but Microsoft needs to rethink their entire strategy if this is what we can expect from their AAA exclusives going forward. Keep the casket closed for this one.
Dredge is an unmissable game for fans of Lovecraftian stories and procedural horror experiences. The open world is unique and memorable, the fishing and exploration are fun and intuitive, and the gameplay loop of risking your life and limb for another great catch is surprisingly addicting. Dredge is a light in the fog amongst a saturated genre; we need more dedicated horror fishing sims.
Ghostwire Tokyo: Spider’s Thread may be a free update, but it is integral to taking a good game towards something truly great. The few additions to combat genuinely help the game flow, and new missions and a roguelite mode are just the icing on the cake. Tango Gameworks is dedicated to making Ghostwire a worthwhile game, and it won’t be long before it sits in a similar cult classic spot as The Evil Within 2. I hope that Ghostwire gets a sequel one day because it is one of many titles on the cusp of something extraordinary, but it just needs a little more room to grow.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
Live A Live delivers where a remaster should. The visuals feel like a modern but faithful reinterpretation of classic pixel art, the music is as essential as ever, and the combat still holds weight. Elements of the storytelling and presentation are dated, and I would have liked to have seen some new content or bonus behind-the-scenes features, but despite all that, Live A Live remains a fun JRPG that is essential for fans of the old classics and their retro trappings.