Gaming Nexus
HomepageFelix the Reaper is an excellent game on paper, but its execution dooms it. While the unique concept shines—and I doubt I'll be forgetting such a lovable face of death anytime soon—the actual gameplay made it a bit of a slog.
Puzzle Quest: The Legend Returns is still the same game but that isn't a bad thing. Bundling in all the DLC and adding some new classics, this match-3 RPG hybrid is just as addictive today as it was over a decade ago.
The family that slays together, stays together. When it comes to striking a balance between raucous gameplay and dramatic discourse, Children of Morta is an absolute gem.
John Wick Hex is a fantastic game. It combines real strategy in a gameplay that feels truly unique in the RTS genre. It really captures the world of John Wick and brings the character from the silver screen faithfully onto the PC. There is a fluidity to the combat, but one that falls ever so slightly short of the effortless slickness that we've come to love about the title character. Missing that trick takes a near perfect game to just a notch below, but puts it squarely in good company as a top game of the year.
Man of Medan starts out well enough but just falls apart towards the end leading up to a pretty anti-climatic ending thanks to a twist that was given away at the very beginning of the story. It's not terrible but it's not nearly as good as Until Dawn. Still, as a fan of Until Dawn, I still enjoyed the story for what it was but I didn't really have a desire to go back and play through it again after finishing it the first time.
Warsaw is World War 2's Darkest Dungeon. Excellent narrative beats hide under the gameplay rubble, telling the story of Poland's guerrilla fighters being turned into bullet sponges for Nazis.
Concrete Genie is one of the best games of this generation—an experience that expands the parameters of what video games can be. By embracing values like artistry, empathy, and beauty, this is a title that will appeal to gamers that might be feeling a bit world-weary, bringing color to a world that has been feeling a bit gray lately. If you have ever wondered why video games have to be so violent and dehumanizing, then do the industry a favor and support this game. And lest I forget to mention: Concrete Genie is a lot of fun to play.
Whether you’re experienced with the series or if this is your first time, Trine 4 is a simple and relaxing puzzle-solving adventure that anyone can enjoy.
Borderlands 3 is a great game, but it's definitely got some technical issues with sadly brings the score down a bit. While my issues weren't as bad as others I've heard about, they're still annoying at times. However, if you can get past that you'll find a game that's more of the same as previous games (especially 2 and pre-sequel), but that's what made Borderlands great to start with. A great story, reuniting with old friends, and some pretty interesting villains ensures I'll be coming back to open any more vaults that are found on any planet Gearbox wishes to travel to.
WRC 8 is surprisingly accessible to rally newcomers, but after explaining how everything works, the game delights in throwing buckets of cold water in the player's face. This is a tough game, but a fair one, and fans of rally racers and other "difficult" genres will likely equally enjoy skidding through WRC 8's wicked twists and turns. A variety of modes flesh the experience out, but prepare to feast on the Career Mode, which is comprehensive and comprehendible. Recommended.