GameCrate's Reviews
That’s the fascinating thing about games like Diablo IV. There’s so much of it, and so much context, I can see so many ways it can be meaningful for players. It’s because of that near-perfect mixture of agency, progression, social texture and depth. The fidelity and polish afforded by Diablo being… Diablo is crucial as well. Diablo IV is a tremendous game in scale and scope, but it still feels authored and managed instead of bloated and frivolous. That it was put together amid so much external and internal strife and holds together as well as it does is a mind-blowing accomplishment. I’m beyond stoked to start it for real soon.
While those puzzles may not have been immensely challenging and quick time events will always make me sigh, there’s so much that Wishfully Studios gets right with Planet of Lana that it’s an easy game to recommend. The amount of artistry that was poured into the game’s stellar animation, hand-painted environments, detailed sound design, and sweeping music is worth the price of admission alone. It’s all made even more impressive by the fact that this is the studio’s debut release, and it means that their next title is definitely one that I’ll be eagerly anticipating.
Tears of the Kingdom is the game that everyone made BOTW out to be and then some. The NES was released in 1983 in Japan, and since then, Nintendo has been a standard-setter in the gaming industry, and Tears of the Kingdom shows that even forty years later, nobody can do it better.
Honkai Star Rail is already one of the most exciting RPGs in years even before its first major content update. While the grind may eventually chase you away, its excellent writing and original combat system make Honkai Star Rail well worth diving into, especially with no upfront cost.
Live A Live delivers where a remaster should. The visuals feel like a modern but faithful reinterpretation of classic pixel art, the music is as essential as ever, and the combat still holds weight. Elements of the storytelling and presentation are dated, and I would have liked to have seen some new content or bonus behind-the-scenes features, but despite all that, Live A Live remains a fun JRPG that is essential for fans of the old classics and their retro trappings.
There are so many things wrong with Redfall; every element feels plagued by poor decision-making. The visuals are dated and buggy, the story is paper-thin and filled with annoying archetypes, and the gameplay is floaty, unsatisfying, and generic. Don’t even get me started on the atrocious AI, which can’t even make its way around basic objects. If Redfall was truly developed by the Arkane Studios I love so much; it must have been under difficult circumstances. Rarely do games like this exist without low budgets, tons of studio interference, and short development cycles. I don’t blame Arkane, and nobody should, but Microsoft needs to rethink their entire strategy if this is what we can expect from their AAA exclusives going forward. Keep the casket closed for this one.
Wartales surprised me. It is a rare game that lets you play without getting in the way. Within minutes you will be out in the world, building your party and writing your story. That is something to be cherished in a world full of games that hold your hand to a painful degree or RPGs that take ten to twenty hours just to get to the meat of things. Wartales knows how to let players explore and have fun and doesn’t actively try to stop you from doing so, which is, unfortunately, all too rare these days. If you want a game that respects your time, look no further than Wartales.
Outside of technical issues, Jedi: Survivor is an astounding accomplishment. A tour de force of game design and passion for Star Wars with phenomenal combat, superb sound, a memorable and loveable cast of characters, all topped off with great visuals. Every element feels lovingly crafted, and every corner is stuffed with detail, from the animations to the world-building.
While overpriced and a bit content-light, Forge of the Chaos Dwarfs is still an essential addition, adding one of the most diverse and fun factions Total War has seen in a long time. The new economy mechanics are something I would love to see translated to more factions, as it makes the campaign gameplay far more engaging, something Creative Assembly has seemingly struggled with throughout the franchise. This DLC is a step in the right direction; I just wish it didn’t have to be such a costly one.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful piece of archival gaming, and an example of how older titles should be ported and collected for future generations. Games are an art form like any other, and while they grow increasingly nebulous and online, a push for archiving games, old and new, must be made for the medium’s sake. This collection is a small but significant step on that road, and I hope other publishers take note.
NotGames has managed to create a propaganda simulator that touches on some incredibly dark and distressing content in a way that can still be enjoyable to interact with. The world can be cruel, and the road to hell is often paved in good intentions. There are still bright moments, however, and we can find distractions and humor in those bright spots that help make the bitter bits go down a little better. You can have high risk, intense narratives while still having a game that is fun to play.
Unwording only has an approximate run time of about 2 hours, and while the game does offer both an easy and normal difficulty there’s really very little difference with the exception of the availability of hints. The solutions to the puzzles are often pretty transparent and straightforward. It’s easily a one and done type of experience, unless you unintentionally miss a few of the interactions and want to see them on a subsequent playthrough or are trying to mop up missed achievement.
Dredge is an unmissable game for fans of Lovecraftian stories and procedural horror experiences. The open world is unique and memorable, the fishing and exploration are fun and intuitive, and the gameplay loop of risking your life and limb for another great catch is surprisingly addicting. Dredge is a light in the fog amongst a saturated genre; we need more dedicated horror fishing sims.
Company of Heroes 3 is a fantastic strategy game regarding the basics. Playing with friends and mining the mechanics will be where most will spend their time, but it is a huge disappointment to see the campaigns fall so flat. The Italian campaign was the place where I expected huge innovations from Relic, but it feels like a paper tiger.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania may not break new ground, but it is a lovingly made ode to an iconic series that has long remained dormant. The new biomes, bosses, weapons, enemies, and story content are all the highest quality, and Dead Cells remains an essential roguelike that still stands among its peers at the top of the genre.