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Fighting hordes of monsters, saving allies, and eventually confronting the Demon Queen herself: all of this and more awaits in Spirit Mancer. With a charming art style and cool mechanic of sealing away demons, you would think the game would be a winner. However, its flaws hold the game back from being anything special.
Soul Reaver and its sequel are both perfect storms of story, voice work, soundtracks, and now they have the final pieces they needed to become classics for a new generation with revamped controls and now gorgeous graphics. While I'd like to see the execution be a touch cleaner, the sum of its parts is so damned strong that it lets you experience this incredible game all over again. I know you, Raziel. You are worthy.
Yes, the core gameplay of building rides, adjusting prices, etc is all Roller Coaster Tycoon is. But I think this is a game you can get dozens of hours of enjoyment from if you enjoy something that rewards experimentation and trying new things. There are a few issues like the pathfinding for staff can be somewhat finicky, the game does chug quite a bit when you zoom out, the controls could definitely use some work, but I think Roller Coaster Tycoon Classic is a great game that I hope leads to something more in the future.
Dark and Deep is a horror game that lives up to its name, covering some pretty macabre themes and allowing the player to dive deep into the investigation. There are layers upon layers to the game's art, sound, and gameplay, and they all tie into each other in brilliant ways.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle perfectly translates the fun of the films into video game form. It's a globetrotting adventure that'll have you brawling through deserts, sneaking across a German boat in the Himelayas, and trying not to get bitten by snakes in long forgotten temples. The story is phenomenal, but the real highlight is the gameplay. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is absolute bliss from start to finish, and would make Dr. Jones proud.
Mario & Luigi Brothership is definitely ambitious, but the structure of the game is not well suited to the sluggish feeling everything has. Despite being about half the length of some other modern RPGs, it doesn't have the depth to match. A few good gags and some touching character moments doesn't make the entire experience fulfilling. What's here is solid enough but it's death by a thousand cuts. Every cool or fascinating thing has some kind of asterisk to go with it. Battles are fun but they take forever to finish, characters are unique but dialogue is often belabored, Battle Plugs are interesting but take way too long to recharge. There's a lot to like here, but just as many things if not more to dislike, leaving the game okay but frustrating.
This is simply the best streaming microphone options on the market. Elgato has been a gold standard here, and the Wave:3 is a fantastic buy. Not only is it plug and play, but the microphone itself is S-tier, with clear comms lent to gaming and streaming alike. Between that and easy to use software, this is the Wave to ride.
If you enjoy puzzle solving at a high level, Dungeons of Dreadrock 2 is the game to play. It takes everything you learned from the first game and amps up the fun with new creative ways to solve puzzles, new abilities to master, and a fun story that connects seamlessly with the first game. The second installment of the Dreadrock Trilogy is a must play for any puzzle-maniac.
The Foundations Starter Collection is a good starting point for anyone new or returning to Magic: The Gathering. This is a unique box where you know (excluding the three Play Boosters) exactly what you're getting. Inside is good value for anyone looking to expand their collection especially if you intend to play Standard anytime soon. While I would have liked to see more full sets of cards included I do understand that this is the -> Starter <- Collection. If you're interested in expanding your Magic horizons, new and old, I can recommend the Starter Collection.
The Foundations Beginner Box succeeds at being the best way into Magic: The Gathering in 2024. For its price, you get ten half-decks that demonstrate the five colors of Magic. These ten decks let players explore Magic easily and help them determine what playstyle is for them. This, combined with the best rulebook tutorial I have seen yet, makes this a great way to jump into the game. If you've ever been curious about Magic or looking to return, the Beginner Box helps alleviate a lot of the difficulty of getting into the game.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an undoubtedly remarkable achievement in atmospheric game design. This post-apocalyptic experience offers an unmatched dynamic open world that is bound to satisfy long-time fans of the series. However, the extremely poor technical hiccups and hardcore yet niche nature of the game prevents it from getting a full recommendation. This is not a game for casuals.
If you're looking for a stealth game to try out, then Ereban: Shadow Legacy is a strong option. While the story is far from a masterpiece, it does its part and serves as a solid catalyst for the player's shadow powers and allows the player's perspective to be challenged.
LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a playful retelling of Horizon Zero Dawn, blending the iconic story of Aloy with LEGO's signature charm, humor, and style. This isometric action-adventure game simplifies the original's intense narrative, focusing on environmental themes and character relationships, providing a lighthearted, engaging experience for fans of all ages.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake comes with its share of flaws and oddities that prevent it from being the perfect version of itself, but it's still just so darn good that they're easy enough to overlook. This is a beautiful remake of an already incredible game that is very faithful to its original, with changes only attempting to enhance what was already there. It may not always succeed, but when it does it makes for a sublime experience.
This is a swan song that really isn't a swan song. Remedy ends Alan Wake 2 with a link to what comes next… kind of. If you love Alan Wake 2 as I do, you'll love this, as The Lake House is more of those stylings with an FBC filter. Agent Estevez is awesome in her starring role, along with themes in the narrative that make you look beyond the paint covered canvas.
Ys X boldly sails into uncharted waters. It's a sturdy vessel of combat, exploration, and heart, even if some of its individual parts could use further refinement. Ys X may not be my favorite Ys, but it does an excellent job of reminding me why Ys is my favorite.
Even with a handful of last minute bugs to iron out, Planet Coaster 2 lets me build the park of my dreams. More than a water park expansion, it takes everything the first game did well and makes it better. Don't wait, get your ticket now – heck, this one is even worthy of a fast pass.
Slitterhead is the perfect definition of a game that doesn't know what it wants to be. It falters in both the action combat category as well as the horror genre, resulting in a middling experience overall.
Nixxes and Guerilla Games have made an already beautiful game even better. If you haven't yet experienced the origin of Aloy's story, then do yourself a favor and play Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered!
Mario Party Jamboree harkens back to an older time for Mario Party while adding new game modes, courses, mini-games, and characters. With 110 mini-games with different types of motion controls, rhythm games, and more, you and your friends will have a great time learning all the new stuff while enjoying two re-created older courses. If you've taken a break from Mario Party for any reason in the past six years, Jamboree is the one to get you back into the party.