Nicholas Baker
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth blends nostalgia with innovation, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers. The game impresses with its enhanced visuals and storytelling, setting a high bar for the adventure ahead, and it impresses with its satisfying combat mechanics, abundance of mini-games, and memorable soundtrack. While it navigates through some questionable story changes and occasional clunky exploration, Rebirth offers a rich and immersive experience. It skillfully tells a great story, making it a compelling play as it gears up for the trilogy's conclusion.
Cuisineer provides a unique backdrop for a roguelite game, with hours of playtime required to help the family restaurant. While it can be a little tedious at times, the gameplay loop is mostly enjoyable, especially the restaurant elements. Despite its occasional shortcomings, Cuisineer is a promising indie title and one that is worth checking out.
Lord of the Rings: Gollum disappointingly incorporates outdated mechanics and falls short of its potential. The game's linear approach guides players through levels, with decisions that don't significantly impact the storyline. Furthermore, the platforming mechanics prove to be a significant letdown, and the low-quality graphics and inconsistent music further detract from the overall experience.
Tin Hearts is a puzzle game, with impressive artistic environments, superb voice acting, and a captivating storyline. It is easy to learn and navigate, making it suitable for all ages and skill levels. The game has some challenging levels that require planning and is a must-play for those who enjoyed Lemmings.
Joon Shining features stunning worlds with unique obstacles, power-ups, and challenges. The learning curve is small, making it easy for anyone to learn to play quickly. The game places emphasis on fostering a tranquil atmosphere, and players can restart at any point during the level to try again. However, some levels can be cluttered, and some players may struggle with the WASD keyboard controls and the difficulty.