BrokenLore: Unfollow is a short and sweet horror title all about the ills of social media and parasocial relationships. While it doesn't exactly introduce any bold new ideas and the frequency of jumpscares are a bit infuriating, the great portrayal of a theme that has been done to death, unique concepts in the narrative and gameplay, fun exploration, and replayability make it a great time for any fans of the horror genre.
Big Hops is an experience rife with frustrating flaws. While it has elements that work well, such as the gameplay mechanics and narrative premise, it is undermined by a lackluster presentation, worlds that feel barren and empty, and numerous technical glitches. Further, because of these problems, I never wanted to find any of the collectibles. At the end of the day, it pales in comparison to other 3D platformers, whether indie or AAA.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a truly generational game. It improves on all aspects of its predecessor, Breath of the Wild. The narrative balances various tones and progresses the character arcs of its major protagonists, while introducing new and compelling NPCs. Further, the gameplay only enhances one of gaming's greatest sandboxes with a new fantastic line of abilities, activities, dungeons, and boss fights. Everything about Tears of the Kingdom is perfect, and as far as I'm concerned, it's one of the best games I've ever played in my entire life.
Despelote is a great autobiographical narrative that will likely strike a chord with you if you grew up watching events such as the World Cup. While the repetitive gameplay and strange controls are frustrating, the presentation, story premise, and charming moments are more than enough to immerse you in a specific and unique era in history. Plus, with the short runtime and small price, if you like short and sweet games and have a passion for football/soccer, then this is a must-buy.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is still a masterpiece, even after eight years. While the shrines, lack of proper dungeons, frustrating difficulty with the DLCs, and odd choices with the Switch 2 version can pull players away from the immersive experience, the narrative, gameplay, extra content, and improved visuals on Switch 2 more than make up for any low points. The legacy of Breath of the Wild has persevered for nearly a decade, and for good reason. If you haven't played it for yourself, then you owe it to yourself to play a genuine contender for one of the best games of all time.
As its name implies, Milano's Odd Job Collection is an odd game. On one hand, it succeeds in its goal of localizing a game from 1999 for modern audiences. However, due to its age, certain elements of its design, such as the repetitive gameplay and a lack of variety in extra content, can often create an experience that is more tedious than fun. For only $15, though, and considering its importance in preserving an older title, these issues are somewhat negligible. If you're a fan of life sim games, you will likely get a kick out of this game.
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.