Twinfinite
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As I pulled myself away from Tekken 7 to write this review, I was left torn. It gets so many things right, with its combat that feels like a substantial improvement over its predecessors and a solid roster that includes Akuma, one of my favorite fighting game characters of all time.
There is a lot for you to do in Portal Knights. Exploring the well-designed and colorful worlds while taking on groups of challenging and unique enemies is consistently fun but the shallow and repetitive quests and almost unnecessary crafting system make the game frequently tedious to play.
Rime has the potential to be so much more than it actually is. It's got stunning presentation, an intriguing world, and some neat ideas. However, all of this is overshadowed by the more mundane puzzles and glaring technical issues that come with it. While Rime may well have looked to some of the modern greats for inspiration, it'll struggle to be remembered for half as long.
By the time the credits rolled on A New Frontier's finale, I was satisfied with the way my Javi had evolved. The outcomes of the decisions I made (regardless of how extreme they were) felt natural and progressive, and the consequences of seemingly insignificant conversations felt meaningful.
It's only fair to note that Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception is still a story worth exploring. While Haku himself feels flat and unexciting, his journey doesn't even come close to fitting that same description.
Disgaea 5 Complete is a fantastic strategy RPG with plenty of deep systems to learn and an engrossing cast of characters that help drive the fairly simple narrative along. Its combat is by far its strongest element, and thankfully it's also the part of the game that receives the most attention.
All in all, Injustice 2 is one seriously impressive package. NetherRealm has never shied away from packing their fighting games with lots of content for players to sink their teeth into and this latest installment is no different.
It's hard to say if the changes made in Echoes will be for everyone, especially fans that may have started with the more recent entries. Even so, it's refreshing to have a Fire Emblem game that feels so different, even though it's actually a remake of a 25 year old game. The spirit and backbone of Fire Emblem is still present, and it's an experience that only gets better the more you play.
Cooking Mama: Sweet Shop simply adds another title to the Cooking Mama formula without really making an effort to improve on an already rather lackluster series. The gameplay involves little more than simply swiping and tapping as you're told and how well you manage to do that has no actual impact on your experience within the game.
The Surge is a game you'll play for its innovative targeting system and fun combat. If you're still mourning the end of the Dark Souls series and are yearning for more punishing, action-heavy games, this should help to alleviate some of that pain.
NBA Playgrounds scratches that arcade basketball itch we've had since NBA Jam. The gameplay and progression are simple and fun to mess around with but unbalanced power-ups and a shallow online multiplayer offering keep it from being as consistently fun as the classics.
The tediousness of exploration, battle, and menus really bog down Operation Babel, in spite of what the game does well. Abysses can be fun and interesting to explore, and the mechanics of the game certainly get easier and deeper as the title goes on.
Despite its noticeable technical shortcomings, Prey still has some significant redeeming qualities. Its environment is one of the most enjoyable to explore and the way it weaves its overarching story into side quests only helps to accentuate the freedom you're given as a player.
Despite the sometimes clumsy controls, though, Birthdays is still an incredibly easy-to-play game that serves as a great go-to for a quick bit of gaming. My entire family was intensely interested, and it became something that we got to explore together.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe may be based off of a three year old game, but it feels fresh on Nintendo's hybrid console. Being able to take the excellent experience on the go is a huge draw, and there's a decent amount of new content at the same time.
Suffice it to say, Herald's narrative focus and somewhat dark themes may not be everyone's cup of tea. Having said that, I really can't stress enough how well-done the game is within this scope.
Although What Remains of Edith Finch is a short experience, Giant Sparrow's second game tells a beautiful and emotional anthology of stories, woven together by the titular characters equally touching tale. The allegories are unique and convey just what is possible from video games, in terms of storytelling and design.
I find myself waiting for the finale with mixed feelings. Episode four's finale has me eager to jump into the finale and face what comes Javi and the group's way, but I really hope Telltale nails down the pacing for episode five.
Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom is a rare gem that captures the feeling of early PS2-era RPGs such as Dark Cloud and Grandia II while bringing it's own brand of modern to the table. The game certainly isn't perfect and the technical cracks most definitely show, but the things it tries to do well, it succeeds.
Puyo Puyo Tetris is a great crossover with a fun story and enough modes to keep things fresh for quite some time. The only downside is that it is exactly what it advertises itself as, a mix of Puyo Puyo and Tetris. If that doesn't appeal to you, then you won't find much value in this package.