Gaming Nexus
HomepageDOOM Eternal is gorgeous to behold, a technological tour-de-force and an exciting new chapter in the Doom narrative, but it's not quite as fun to play as DOOM 2016. The problem is not that DOOM Eternal is too hard, rather it is too hard unless you play by its specific rules, which, for all its mechanical complexity, makes its combat chess less freeform and satisfying than its predecessors.
I had such an incredible time going back into the Half-Life universe, and in VR. It's outstanding. The story is full of surprises as you can expect from a Half-Life game. A true AAA experience in VR, Half-Life: Alyx is a triumphant return for Valve—even if you aren't playing as Gordon Freeman.
It's rude, it's crude, and until Rockstar decides to port something better than LA Noire over or Sucker Punch stops being a Sony studio, it is the most fun you're going to have in an open world crime or mayhem type game on the Switch.
Part point-and-click radio play, part adventure game audiobook, Kentucky route Zero is as much of a journey in sound as it is a meditation on surrealism. I'd nominate it for the Booker Prize in literature before I'd hand it a Keighley statue at the Video Game Awards.
Sketchbook Games' narrative platform/puzzler is appropriate for all ages, but that doesn't stop it from going to some surprisingly dark places. Though the platforming and light puzzle solving are enjoyable (if none too challenging), the story and artwork are the stars of the show. Impatient players might want to stay away, but for those interested in a life affirming story about overcoming obstacles and learning to deal with regrets, Lost Words is a beautiful experience.
Zen Studios new dungeon crawler takes the tropes of an oft neglected genre, and updates them with wit and style. Operencia: The Stolen Sun oozes charm, with the perfect balance of combat, exploration, puzzles, and funny bantering characters. This game is a complete winner, and any fan of dungeon crawlers shouldn't hesitate to pick it up.
To no one's surprise, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is visually and audibly beautiful. Once you get the hang of Ori's abilities, the platforming is fluid and satisfying, the combat is cool, and the game rewards your exploration even when said exploration is a result of getting lost. Through it all lingers a feeling of accomplishment that makes it so easy to keep playing, even through the frustrating parts.
You can't really go wrong with this collection. You get two fantastic games that still hold up today at a fantastic price. If you are a fan of Platinum Games now, you owe it to yourself to check out these older titles. The only shame is that Bayonetta 2 is a Nintendo exclusive and Vanquish never got the sequel it deserved.
Highly recommended for folks that enjoy cooperative play, or as a way to introduce a friend to basic stealth gaming mechanics. Covert delivers a lot of gameplay for two players—one on PS VR and the other on the companion mobile app. The heists remain fun and engaging without ever becoming too difficult, ensuring that everyone has a good time. Can't ask for much more than that.
BE-A-Walker is the first game I can recall that opens with a difficulty spike. The message is clear: get onboard with the game's many anxiety-inducing mechanics or get out now. Beyond that, you will find a moderately entertaining AT-ST simulator. Be ready to juggle a variety of frustrating systems, as nothing in this game comes easy.