MachineGames understood really well the base material to make Indiana Jones and the Great Circle not only a great game by itself, but also an extra chapter that complements the franchise history. I believe this is a very welcome entrypoint for those who don't know the doctor's escapades, and who can get its influences while experiencing a gameplay worth of the best Wolfenstein titles by the developer.
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In the end, Divine Dynamo Flamefrit is a complementary experience that doesn't aim for the big spotlights in the indie scene, but hits the mark in what it proposes. With a beautiful visual filled with 1990's charm, it's a field day for anime and classic tokusatsu fans. The boss battles are the highlight (except for the last one), and the combat, while simple, manages to fulfill its mission.
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Although it lacks greater inspiration as a platform game, Symphonia is a visual delight that impresses with its art direction and the creative use of musical themes in building its world and narrative. It's like watching an orchestra perform in a theatrical play, where every visual and sound element contributes to enriching the experience. In the end, it stands out as an interesting title, deserving at least a chance if you enjoy this type of game.
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Sorry We're Closed is a pleasant surprise this year, just like TEVI was in the previous one. I was expecting only an unusual visual mix in a horror game but ended up enjoying the drama of the angels in love with demons, trying to get rid of a curse, and comprehend every one's view on "love". Even with some mechanic issues, I ended up satisfied with the experience and I'll be watching closely what à la mode games comes up with in the future.
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Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is the perfect introduction to those who wish to adventure through the unique world of Japanese drums. With a robust music selection in the base game that already means a lot of fun — and can be expanded —, the game has a ton of content to unlock. Easy to learn and accessible, it's ideal to play casually and de-stress or to liven up a party with many beats.
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Sonic X Shadow Generations is more than just a collection of games. By revisiting the franchise's past with ideas from a different era, the title also offers a glimpse into Sonic Team's future, showing that the studio is more capable than ever of delivering great games. It seems that Sega is giving the team more time and money to polish their projects, and the result is evident in Shadow Generations: one of the best titles in the franchise.
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Despite bringing three more characters and a new story, the high cost of the expansion, combined with the fixes and new features that have been arriving in dribs and drabs since the incomplete release of the base game, puts the current entry in the series in a delicate position. The reward system remains unchanged, the Invasions mode remains slow and boring, and the absence of the Krypt still weighs on the single-player content. Kaos definitely hasn't found its anarchy.
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Parking Garage Rally Circuit doesn't have much content and is best suited for enthusiasts not only of the racing genre, but also of the 3D style of the 1990s that the game tries to revive. In this aspect, it is undoubtedly successful. Mastering drifts to get the best time is as fun as it is frustrating, as the slightest mistake can be quite punishing. If you like this type of experience, it is an ideal option, especially for playing online with friends.
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Yars Rising doesn't intend to revolutionize or stand out in the genre, but the approach of adapting an Atari classic into a metroidvania, even with the creative liberties adopted, resulted in something, at the very least, interesting, although it needed more inspiration. I had fun in sporadic sessions, solving minigames and destroying repeated robots while listening to an incredible playlist, but, in the end, it's not something that stands out.
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I've already reviewed some Konami collections in the past months and I can attest that Castlevania Dominus Collection is one of the best works in their catalog. M2 made a wonderful work once again on the package, not only preserving three inaccessible classics but also revitalizing one of the most ignored works in the franchise.
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Concord is an expensive game that offers little to justify its price tag, lacking in charisma and, worse still, lacking in audience support. As a GaaS, it exemplifies how destructive this business model can be when poorly planned. Unfortunately, the game met its fate, with servers scheduled to be temporarily suspended on September 6, 2024, less than a month after launch. Firewalk Studios’ first venture shows competence, but it is destined to be remembered as the biggest failure of 2024 and, possibly, of the PlayStation brand itself.
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CYGNI: All Guns Blazing may bring new players to the genre due to its appealing presentation but it's underwhelming in design for the experienced fans of shoot'em ups. The idea of risk and reward from converting shields to missiles is interesting but it quickly becomes repetitive due to the lack of variation in the shots, making it only a way to deal with tough bullet patterns.
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Despite some outdated decisions, especially in the credits system, Abathor is an ideal choice for those who miss a new adventure with the spirit of the old games. The varied theme, with a diverse bestiary, fun bosses to face and the various replayability options, complement an excellent homage to a more pixelated era.
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MARS 2120, despite its mishaps, is a valid first try for the Brazilian studio, even if it's too close to classic works of the past. Though there are traces of inexperience in animation and limited budget to make the environments more unique, the level design and exploration keep the campaign at least engaging. It's far from being a highlight in our country's productions, which has been in a very interesting high moment in recent years, but it shows the potential of a promising team.
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Fallen Leaf isn't a game that revolutionizes the platforming genre, but it's a solid and fun adventure. Though the quantity of stages may lead to tiring progression and the difficulty peaks may be stressful, it's admirable that this title is developed by only three people and presents such polish and variety.
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#BLUD is an extremely beautiful adventure, which delights the eyes with its creative art direction, oozing personality and technical quality. The artists' dedication to delivering an adventure worthy of the best cartoons of the 90s and 2000s is evident, and the story also reflects these efforts. Unfortunately, beauty alone doesn't support dull gameplay, making Becky's Quest just another indie from 2024. One of the prettiest, for sure.
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Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked! is a basic collection but it's valid as a way to make these games accessible on modern systems. When we consider that, Limited Run Games is doing a good job, and it's excellent to know that the charismatic opossum knight isn't completely forgotten.
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Astor: Blade of the Monolith suffers from a scope that seems too large for the team's capabilities. Although the combat is diversified due to the improvements and weapons acquired, and the setting is eye-catching, the campaign becomes increasingly uninteresting and prolonged, without presenting enough variety to keep the player engaged. The result is an empty game that, despite not being exactly bad, doesn't bring anything special.
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Crow Country gets it right by incorporating the customs of old survival horror titles in a new guise, both attracting those nostalgic for classic horror and becoming accessible to those looking for another “ugly horror” to enjoy. Despite the ease of combat, the puzzles are creative and the environment, with the use of pre-rendered aesthetics, highlights it as a great option in the genre.
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Another Crab’s Treasure is a pleasant surprise in a game style that may be a little overused nowadays. The title stands out for its dynamic battles, well-planned level design and a focus on platforming, besides a story that, while not deep, is compelling due to its characters. Accessibility choices expand the title's potential beyond the audience already familiar with From Software's formula and may fuel discussions about an "easy mode" in this kind of game. Even with technical issues, I already consider it one of the best of the year.
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