As a newer studio with not a lot of funds to go around, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is an improvement over the first title. I was able to tell the passion they had for Resident Evil throughout while still staying true to their own vision. This game is definitely worth a playthrough for those survival horror fans looking to scratch that itch with a new IP. Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is ultimately a triumph for the small but mighty team of developers, given this is only their second game. I hope the third game can improve upon some hang-ups of their sophomore effort.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre will certainly be in the history books for faithful adaptations. It is an immensely fun experience with some unlockable content as well. When you reach a certain overall level, you can unlock concept art and behind the scenes set photos from the original movie, along with other goodies. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre gets every bloody detail just right, and the game is fairly balanced.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE isn’t shy about tearjerker moments, too. A wide array of different emotions is felt throughout the story. From laughter, sorrow, and everything in between, the story was well done. The cast of characters becomes ever more lovable as the game progresses, and It's great to see how Yuma steadily progresses into a seasoned detective. In addition, this game is chock-full of references to other gaming franchises, including Dragon Quest. A lot of parallels were certainly made to a certain famous PlayStation 2 JRPG, but I will let you figure those out, as it was fun to point out.
The graphics are also quite dated, even when playing on the latest and greatest hardware. This does not affect the score of this review in any way, as the gameplay is mostly solid. For a debut console title for AEW, there is plenty to be excited about. AEW: Fight Forever is a fun time, alone or with friends. It doesn’t take itself so seriously with its arcade-style gameplay. The price point of $59.99 is a big ask for a game with such a limited amount of content. I would consider picking this up in a sale if you want to shut your brain off and have a nostalgia-driven wrestling experience. If Yuke’s can keep up with updating AEW: Fight Forever with new content like more stages, wrestlers, and other features, they will have a real winner on their hands.
Every character can be followed through the Fulcrum Stories mode. There is a whopping number of over one thousand characters, no less! At $19.99, it is worth the price of admission. With an eye-catching art style, an ambient soundtrack, and multiple cases to solve, there is plenty of content. If playing detective is your forte, you shouldn’t overlook Crime O’Clock.
Aliens: Dark Descent is a stellar real-time strategy game that doesn’t necessarily break new ground but excels at being a good Alien game. If you are a fan of the XCOM series, you won’t want to miss out on this one. Game releases for the Alien franchise can be hit or miss, but this one won’t leave you saying, GAME OVER MAN, GAME OVER! There is plenty of fan service to sink your xenomorph shaped fangs into, so grab your biggest pulse rifle, squad up, and get ready to strategically take out some alien scum! No Hudson, this is not a standard fight but indeed a bug hunt you will want to lose some hours in. GAME ON MAN, GAME ON!
The art direction of Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is something to be applauded for, and the animated cut scenes made me wish there was more. Although you can replay a chapter as long as you didn’t finish it, the fact that you cannot replay other scenarios upon first-time game completion is a real bummer. Some pacing issues here and there made me groan through winded parts, but most of the time, I was anticipating the next part of the story.
Planet of Lana is short and sweet and never overstays its welcome. There was an onion or two cut in front of me by the time the credits rolled around. It is a remarkable debut effort from Wishfully Studios that is sure to delight with its gorgeous visuals, grand story, and brain-busting puzzles.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a tour de force of game design that managed to outdo its already impeccable predecessor by a large margin. This is the premiere Zelda experience, and I can’t wait to see how Nintendo manages to top this one because those are mighty large boots to fill. Masterpiece.
The premium price tag is well justified. Red Hook’s sophomore release showcases an excellent display of this small but mighty team’s talents. It was well worth the wait with another exceptional addition to the roguelite genre. A gorgeous yet gloomy art direction, impeccable sound design, addictive combat, and more replayability than you can shake a stick come together graciously in Darkest Dungeon II.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits truly is a title that made me feel in such a different way. It is not the best game I ever played, but it certainly makes my list for one of my favorite video games ever made. It’s hard expressing into words honestly. Traversing this lush world with its popping greenery, mystical soundtrack, lovable heroine and concise storytelling left me with a title I will remember for years to come.