GameCrate's Reviews
Godfall could scratch that action game itch if you don't mind how lackluster it is in other areas. A paid expansion is coming out in 2021, so I'm curious to see if that'll address any of my concerns about the campaign.
I want to recognize how ambitious and fun this game is while simultaneously warning people about how incomplete and sloppy it is. Whether or not this is a worthwhile purchase will be entirely up to whether or not you want to brave the bugs, glitches, and general half-baked feel in order to get to the core roleplaying game underneath.
Twin Mirror is the inferior Dontnod offering of 2020, and probably one of their most disappointing games yet. It is mediocre in every sense, failing to live up to the potential of its concept and the reputation of its developer.
This is not BOTW2, but it's still a very fun game that is worth your time. It's fanfiction with an awesome hybrid action-RPG with BOTW mechanics attached. Just don't get too wrapped up in the non-canon Ganon and you'll be fine.
The Pathless is as majestic as it is haunting. It's ruminative and captivating. Above all, it's one of the most incredible meditative adventures ever created.
Bugsnax is a truly weird game that is worth trying just for the concept. As the theme song goes "Everyone's talkin' bout Bugsnax." Well not everyone, but maybe they should be.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War brings the series back to the start in a much-needed way. Treyarch proves yet again that it is the king of multiplayer, providing exceptional, genre-defining gameplay along with a decent mix of new maps and modes that help with the lack of Zombies content. And Raven Software takes the single player campaign in a different direction that stumbles a bit in execution but lays the foundation for games to come.
If you are a die-hard Kingdom Hearts fan that loves the music and needs to play every game, then yeah, this game is for you. However, it just feels sloppy for a full-priced game. There are better rhythm games out there, and better Kingdom Hearts games out there, so unless you really need a combination of the two, you can safely pass this one up.
Miles Morales' biggest problem is by far its length which will turn some people off. But honestly, there's room for more short form experiences, even as major console release titles. Miles Morales doesn't waste any time with padding and instead keeps pushing high quality Spider-Man gameplay at you, which in my opinion is a strength, and not a weakness.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is worth your time. While you might not like it if you were a fan of the older Yakuza titles, or if you are looking for something dark and serious, anyone who just wants to explore Japan while having some fun and beating some gangster's faces in old school JRPG style will love this title.
Like all great racing games, Pacer is about repetition and mastery. The more you play, the better you'll become at speeding through all the sharp turns and wild loops. It's not as polished as the Wipeout games were, but it's still a pretty good deal if you don't care much about multiplayer.
Fuser is a great little program that serves as an introduction to the art of DJing. It's just not much of a game. So think about this as purchasing entry-level DJ software, and as entry-level DJ software, it's pretty good. It's never going to be as powerful as dedicated DJ software, but if you just want to have a bit of a DJ fantasy then Fuser will give you just that.
If Assassin's Creed Valhalla is an indication of the direction the series is going in from here, I'm all in. Valhalla sheds light on the Viking era in a distinctly hopeful way with fantastically written characters and story arcs that feel like you're bingeing an excellent show. The gameplay is at its finest, too, brilliantly balancing stealth and combat in equal measure. If it weren't for an overwhelming number of frustrating bugs and the lack of quality side content, this could have been the best Assassin's Creed yet.
The latest Dark Pictures Anthology installment takes narrative risks and refines mechanical gameplay. While I still take issue with photorealistic graphics, Little Hope is still worth visiting.
Ghostrunner is an all-around great action game. The first-person parkour mechanics will make you feel like a badass, as will chopping up bad guys. The game doesn't always control perfectly, but everything still comes together to create an awesome, action-packed cyberpunk experience.
Watch Dogs: Legion is an interesting game with an innovative system and a compelling story. It's not a blockbuster hit and it probably won't make the running for GOTY this year, but its experimental systems and socially resonant plot make it worth checking out.
Orangeblood offers a unique spin on the offbeat RPG formula that was popularized by EarthBound. This is very much a quirky turn-based game, but its foul language, hip hop music, '90s-inspired tone, and adult themes make it a weird, enjoyable curveball. Performance is stunted slightly compared to the PC version, but the game is still a good time.
Cloudpunk succeeds in delivering a worthwhile open-world adventure. The story isn't perfect, but the characters are extremely well-written. The audiovisual design also drives the game forward, presenting a world that's dark, futuristic, and mysterious. You might struggle with the camera and controls at times, but don't let that detract from what is an otherwise awesome character-driven game.
Lucifer Within Us has more than a few flaws and is unmistakably indie, especially with its short length, but it's still one of the better mystery games I have played in recent times.
9 Monkeys of Shaolin is the type of game you pick up and play over the course of a weekend or after a long day at work. The martial arts movie style works well and wears its grindhouse love on its sleeve. Combat is entertaining and challenging, and like a proper beat 'em up, you can have a friend join you for the ride. It's over after about five hours, but in that time you're treated to a really good time.