Turbo Overkill, despite its great visuals and gameplay loop, is constantly stuck in the shadow of the media that inspired it. The story is unremarkable, the references to other entries in the genre become distracting after a bit, and there are several issues with the sound, pacing, and visuals, alongside frequent crashes. As a result, you may find yourself asking why you aren't playing another boomer shooter instead, despite the game's few exciting moments.
The Stone of Madness is one of the most frustrating games I've ever played. Despite its beautiful art style, great characters, compelling narrative, and unique gameplay, the obtuse puzzles, absurd difficulty, lack of accessibility, and numerous technical glitches make this experience absolutely not worth it unless you want to feel as stressed and insane as the game's characters.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a fantastic experience set in one of the most beloved media franchises ever. The story is worthy of the series, plus the performances, especially from Troy Baker, are great. Further, the moment-to-moment gameplay of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat is unique, varied, and fun. Plus, the use of a first-person perspective is a great choice. I hope that MachineGames does more with the franchise in the future.
Marvel Rivals is one of the best multiplayer games I've played in a really long time. Thanks to varied and unique characters from one of the most beloved franchises in history, the roster is fantastic so far and filled with potential. Further, the moment-to-moment gameplay and unique approach to balance is a great change of place compared to other hero shooters. Hopefully the game manages to build on its momentum in the coming months.
Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a fantastic remaster that manages to resurrect a cult classic in a way that is respectful of the source material while updating it for modern audiences. The story is still great even after fourteen years. Plus, the visuals and gameplay have been tuned to near-perfection. While you can't help but wish for more additions to the story and world, the quality-of-life changes to gameplay and replayability make this the perfect way to play this underrated platformer.
While Among Ashes has a great premise and takes advantage of it through interesting gameplay choices, the bland story, excessive puzzles, and numerous glitches make for a flawed experience that I wouldn’t recommend spending money on until some of the issues are fixed.
Antonblast is an incredibly fun time. The premise is unique, the gameplay is incredibly addicting, and the visuals are beautiful. Further, the inspirations that led to its creation are honored respectfully and are used, not to create a cheap nostalgic response, but to create an experience fun for all players. While the game has some bugs, difficulty spikes, and control issues, I highly recommend it, regardless of whether or not you're a fan of the genre.
While Threshold doesn't do too much to justify its short runtime, has a misleading genre label, and has a few bugs and glitches that may break your immersion, the overall experience is fantastic. The unique premise, addicting gameplay loop, and dreamlike visuals will have you hooked from beginning to end. Plus, thanks to its multiple endings, you'll likely be going back to Threshold over and over again to find out everything it has to offer.
The remake of Silent Hill 2 is a genuine masterpiece. While there are some technical issues here and there, Bloober Team did an exceptional job with the resurrected title's story, voice acting, gameplay, and visuals. Additionally, the attention to detail on display throughout the entire experience makes it a must-play for both returning fans as well as those who are playing Silent Hill 2 for the first time.
Super Mario Party Jamboree is the ultimate return to form for the Mario Party franchise. While there's some stuttering while playing online and the process of unlocking boards may seem a bit tedious, the game is incredibly fun to play, especially with friends and family. The boards are the best they've been since Mario Party 8, the minigames are incredibly fun and addicting, and the variety of different modes will keep you hooked if you're looking for a new experience.
Alan Wake 2: The Lake House highlights the best parts of the base game. While there are some frustrating choices with certain enemies and weapons, the gameplay loop, narrative, and visual design are all brilliant. Further, the fantastic thesis statement at the heart of the DLC, as well as the numerous allusions to what the developers have planned next, will keep many fans hooked from beginning to end.
Fear The Spotlight is a great first showing for Blumhouse Games and Cozy Game Pals. While the horror elements never quite create a feeling of long-term suspense and dread, the great narrative, endearing characters, and challenging puzzles more than justify the 20 dollar price point and the six-hour runtime.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed is a broken mess. The story lacks the depth of most other entries in the franchise and the gameplay constantly stutters leading to a nauseating experience. Further, the loading screens are egregiously long and because of the lag, the game became completely unplayable. All this combined with a rough visual style makes Mutants Unleashed is an experience that is impossible to recommend.
Apartment Story is a game that falls short of any and all expectations. There is a lack of any true tension in this horror game due to an uninteresting antagonist and lackluster resolutions, the gameplay is glitchy and gives the player no room to experiment, and the story is uninteresting due to a short runtime and a lack of any character development for its characters. As such, it is unable to fulfill its potential as a thrilling narrative experience.
Persona 3 Reload Episode Aigis -The Answer- is a complicated expansion pack. The narrative is brilliant and continues the series' fantastic character writing. However, the gameplay loop of the DLC is far more monotonous than the original release. Further, it's price of $35 is hard to justify compared to other examples in both the medium and the series. As such, it may not be worth it for many players unless the price drops or they're a hardcore Persona fan.
Mouthwashing is a magnificent horror game that accomplishes so much in spite of the limited resources. Despite its short runtime and few gameplay sequences, the sequences that are there create so much tension and add great depth to its main characters. Further, its visual style is filled with surprises that will constantly keep players at the edge of their seats. Mouthwashing is a must-play for any fans of the horror genre.
Hollowbody is a brilliant tribute to horror games released over the past thirty years. Despite some small glitches, a short runtime, and a gameplay/story that doesn't quite reach its full potential, the game manages to create a modernized spin on the survival horror genre with smooth gameplay, a horrifying atmosphere, and a premise that is likely to draw any longtime horror fans into its rich and terrifying world.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II is a fantastic PvE shooter with a great story, brilliant level design, and multiplayer options that will keep you engrossed long after you beat the main campaign. The customization options are intricate and incredibly detailed and the game serves as a great jumping off point, regardless of how much you know about the broader Warhammer 40k universe.
Gundam Breaker 4 has a really frustrating gameplay loop, a wide variety of bugs, and a story that often feels cliched and predictable. While the characters are interesting and the customization options are brilliant, the entire experience feels far too monotonous and clunky to be worth paying $59.99 for.
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure is an addicting and fun title with a beautiful art style and a near flawless performance, regardless if you're playing on docked mode or handheld mode. Despite the short runtime, a lack of any content for completionists, and puzzles that often feel obtuse, Arranger is bound to at least put a smile on your face, even if you're just a casual fan of the puzzle genre.