From beginning to end, Skate Story is a fantastic experience. The great narrative premise, a charming list of characters, beautiful visuals, a brilliant soundtrack, and addictive gameplay strike the right balance between style and substance. While I wish there was more content to experience once the credits roll, I will never forget the time I spent with Sam Eng's near-masterpiece.
UNBEATABLE is a frustrating mess. While there's a great gameplay and narrative premise, it's often undermined by frequent glitches, strange writing, and a focus on random minigames, exploration, and platforming instead of the core rhythm sections. Even if all the bugs are fixed, I struggle to recommend this game for other players
ROUTINE is a perfect example of how experimenting with the horror genre can pay off fantastically. While the lack of a map and a proper pause screen can be frustrating, the difficulty makes each gameplay set piece feel far more uneasy. Additionally, the subtle approach to storytelling helps to enhance the atmosphere and aesthetic, creating a truly memorable experience despite the short run time. If you're a fan of unique horror games, then ROUTINE is a must-play.
After years of waiting and a divisive fan reception, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is finally here, and I couldn't be happier with the finished product. While there are some issues with the overabundance of dialogue and certain elements of exploration, the overall approach to gameplay and the narrative does a great job of evolving the series while staying true to what made it special in the first place. As someone whose wanted to get into the series for years, I am pleased to say that Prime 4 has finally succeeded at making me a proper Metroid fan.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion continues Marvel Games' effort to experiment with the beloved IP. The use of fan-service and both obscure and iconic characters in the narrative is so well done, the gameplay mechanics are extremely fun to play around with, and the art style is a treat to look at. While there are problems with the game's difficulty spikes, limited replayability, short runtime, and lacking soundtrack, the strengths of the overall experience far outweigh its weaknesses.
Kirby Air Riders is absurdly challenging to get into. The controls are complicated, and the process of unlocking things is a mess. But when you eventually understand the gameplay mechanics, the sheer amount of content, the thrilling races, and the modes like City Trial and Road Trip, will keep you engaged no matter how long you play. Masahiro Sakurai has done it again!
Goodnight Universe is a fantastic take on the "interactive story" genre. It features a beautiful story, a great cast of characters, and a beautiful art style. Even if the gameplay is limited, the few segments that are present only add to the strength of the narrative, as you get to step into the world of a psychically-powered baby and all that entails. At such a small price and with a short runtime, Goodnight Universe is great if you're looking to immerse yourself in a science-fiction look at the wonder of childhood.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is a mixed bag. On the one hand, the story and moment-to-moment platforming are a lot of fun, and it's always great to see the cast of the SpongeBob TV series return for a cartoon-styled adventure. On the other hand, the lack of innovation after The Cosmic Shake, the lackluster side quests, and boring levels put a dampener on the entire experience. If you're just starting out with the 3D platformer genre and love SpongeBob, this is the game for you. Otherwise, you may be better off waiting for a discount.
MotionRec is a game that lives and dies on its gameplay mechanics. The concept of being able to record and replay your movements never gets old, partly thanks to the introduction of new gimmicks you encounter throughout your journey. While the game lacks a recognizable soundtrack, memorable levels, and an intriguing narrative, the charming visual style and exciting gameplay more than make up for it. If you're looking for a charming and short puzzle platformer, then MotionRec is definitely worth your time.
Dispatch takes the foundation built by Telltale Games and runs with it, creating one of the best games in the genre and one of the best titles released this year. The incredible cast of characters, brought to life by great writing, a beautiful art style, and a fantastic team of voice actors, is so charming and lovable. Even if the gameplay is kind of lacking, the dispatching mini-games and emphasis on player and dialogue choice are so much fun to engage with. In a time when the superhero genre is more oversaturated than ever, Dispatch manages to go above and beyond, delivering an unforgettable experience.
BALL x PIT is a fantastic reinvention of Breakout with a new twist. The game combines concepts from the roguelite genre, farming simulators, and shoot-em-ups. In theory, this blending of elements shouldn't work, but the game is fantastically addictive thanks to a fun gameplay loop. Even though the game can often get repetitive, the presentation and balanced difficulty help to navigate through any monotony. If you're a fan of Breakout or the roguelite genre, then BALL x PIT is a must-buy.
PowerWash Simulator 2 is a complicated release. On the one hand, the new features and additions to the formula make for a game that is charmingly satisfying, regardless of what console you play it on. On the other hand, the updates to the overall experience add very little new material compared to the original game, making it feel more like a remake of PowerWash Simulator rather than a brand new game.
Borderlands 4 is a fantastic return to form for the divisive franchise. The narrative is a great change of pace from previous entries, immediately separating itself with a far darker tone, higher stakes, and a great cast of both new and familiar characters. Furthermore, the gameplay represents a significant evolution from what one'd expect from the franchise, offering new customization options, features, and a balance of fun both solo and with a friend. While there are some issues, such as bugs and the game's monotonous traversal, I look forward to seeing how Gearbox continues to develop the franchise in the future.
The Outer Worlds 2 is a fantastic modern RPG. The emphasis on player choice and customization, the great dialogue and characters, exceptional worldbuilding, and fun gameplay mechanics make it one of Obsidian's best games in years. However, that excitement is hindered by frustrating navigation mechanics, constant glitches, and characters that lack depth due to the absence of romances and natural speech options. While this is a great return to form for the genre, you may be better off waiting for all of the issues to be fixed in a post-launch update before buying.
Ghost of Yōtei is a great evolution by the foundation that Sucker Punch built with Ghost of Tsushima. While the story feels like a retread of every other revenge story of the past few years, complete with the same frustrating pitfalls, the characters, new gameplay mechanics, and extra content make for a game that will hook you from beginning to end. I can't wait to see how Sucker Punch continues to expand the game and the franchise in new and exciting ways.
Hades II is a benchmark for the genre. The story, characters, writing, and art direction exceed the expectations set by the original Hades. Further, the new gameplay mechanics and the addition of a second area make for a game that can keep you occupied for dozens of hours without ever getting boring. While the ending is extremely disappointing, I can confidently recommend Hades II to everyone, regardless of whether you've played other entries in the genre or not.
Silent Hill f is a beautiful horror tale. The story, from Ryukishi07, is told wonderfully and manages to convey its themes with the right amount of care, thanks to some great writing and the arc of its protagonist, Shimizu Hinako. Further, the combat-focused gameplay turned out to be surprisingly addictive, while still managing to be tense thanks to some great monster designs. While I had some problems with the monster variety and exploration gameplay, I can confidently say that the future of the Silent Hill franchise is in great hands.
Donkey Kong Bananza's DLC, DK Island & Emerald Rush, is a complicated package. On the one hand, it is an utter treat being able to revisit DK Island and observe all the hidden details. On the other hand, the new addition lacks any substance, plus the Emerald Rush mode isn't particularly enjoyable. Considering the price of $20, it's hard to recommend the DLC for anyone other than a die-hard fan of both DK Bananza and the roguelite genre.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Order of Giants is another Indiana Jones adventure, at a cost. While the new exploration and puzzles are fun to go through, plus the narrative and central mystery of the titular order of giants is deeply compelling, the overall package lacks any meaningful substance. The DLC lasts only four hours, there are no new shake-ups to combat, and once you complete the quest, you get nothing for your efforts. Considering the $20 price point, it's hard to justify purchasing the DLC unless you're truly desperate for more Indiana Jones action.
Cronos: The New Dawn is filled to the brim with potential, which ultimately falls short in how it executes all of its concepts. While there is a great story foundation and some interesting mechanics, the lackluster conclusion to the narrative, combined with irritating combat, frequent glitches, poor pacing of traversal, and repetitive gameplay scenarios, makes for a product that fails to capture the quality of other entries in the genre.