The gameplay of Fort Solis is not the focus, which may seem backward to some as it is a video game, but the medium of a video game allows for the story of Fort Solis to be told in a manner that fits the narrative to perfection. It is simply just not for everyone. Those who enjoy it will absolutely get a nice treat out of the story, but those who don’t enjoy what is here will probably forget it in seconds or hate it.
The best elements of Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara come from its decent play time, amount of content, and attention to movement options. The game isn’t super long but offers a good amount for what the game is. To add to that, there are different goals with collectibles and goal times for each stage. Then having the option to blaze through stages with the roll jump or take things more casually with the standard run allows for different play styles for different scenarios.
Ember Knights is an addictive blast that is just a good time. Here’s hoping that there is the drive from the developers to make expansions or updates that add bonus content because this is a game that deserves to have its flame burn on for a while. But as it is, the game is still amazing and perfect for a night with friends to just grind away at some enemies and bosses.
It is pretty obvious that there is something within Inner Ashes worth talking about and discussing, especially with its narrative based around such a sensitive topic. However, as it stands, it is a game that I foresee most players walking away from this experience, being only able to make it through thanks to the story and maybe the dream world visuals or not being able to finish the game due to the lack of actual gameplay. The story here is the golden key to it all, and it shouldn’t go to waste, but either Inner Ashes should be something completely different or it needs a lot more time to be developed into something a lot more in-depth than what is here right now.
It certainly feels like the type of game built for people who love YouTubers that play horror games, as it is easily accessible and not a very difficult game to get through. It is a game built to get a reaction from the audience and not much else. Layers of Fear (2023) just doesn’t seem to scratch that itch that many will be looking for when searching for a game to play. It does do many things right in the sense that it does feel like a scary game, but it certainly isn’t for everybody.
While Breath of the Wild created a new feeling for the entire gaming world, its sequel Tears of the Kingdom, turned it up a notch and made it that much better. There are a good number of people who are disappointed that Breath of the Wild seemingly killed off what was known before as the traditional Zelda format, but with Tears of the Kingdom, they brought back so many of the elements that made those games feel wonderful.
Sunrise GP would simply be better if it had about another six months of development time, however, that doesn’t prevent it from being an overall dull experience. A lack of track variety is a large factor in this but isn’t the only problem. The lack of a spin on typical racing is another big flaw. It is so simple to picture Sunrise GP with an over-the-top drift and ramps or shortcuts because of its visual style but lacks anything of the sort.
It is an echo of the past, as a lot could be said for the original game that inspired it all, but with today’s gaming market being full of rereleases and remakes, this particular game stands out amongst the crowd. Resident Evil 4 Remake displays just how fantastic the original 2005 game was, while also building upon what the previous version had left in its path and still being its own thing.