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There are nice ideas and a plentiful amount of passion put into replicating the look and feel of classic first-person, dungeon-crawling in Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk. If one were to approach this with the intent of short, couple-hour bursts with little aim other than the acquiring of more loot or leveling up one's disposable units, the game services those eager on that aspect of dungeon-crawling.
Donut County presents a simple concept to players: collect objects to make a hole larger until the entire stage is clear. Done poorly, no one would remember the experience whatsoever. Developer Ben Esposito turns something mechanically simplistic into a joy via smart design. The adorable world inhabited by colorful characters is something we desperately need more of in games. Donut County might not be a long experience, but it's one that players can't help but cherish.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider's prioritization of exploration and stealth coupled with a more reflective plot ends Lara's origin story on a more human note, which is strengthened by the remarkable presentation.
Clash of Carrots had the potential to be a real diamond in the rough, but it quickly becomes apparent that it's not when its novelty begins to fade.
Konami will be able to appease the PES fanbase with PES 2019.
Insomniac Games has created the single greatest Spider-Man game and one of the best based on a comic book.
Even as a relative newcomer to the sim game space, I found myself enjoying my time with Two Point Hospital. Minor bugs and functionality wishes aside, one can do pretty much everything they need to in order to succeed here.
Planet Alpha creates an amazing atmosphere thanks to its visual and audio design.
Morphies Law is the rare multiplayer game these days where the offline mode is the vastly superior option.
It may have been a long wait, but it was well worth it.
Strange Brigade is one of those difficult games to review, the one where for every positive thing you have to say about it, there's a downside related to or accompanying it in some way or another.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is simply one of the best entries the series has to offer.
Truth be told, these are but brief and minor gripes in what is a twenty hour quest (should you aim for a full 100% completion) chock full of charm, wit and some of the most mechanically-sound and cleverly-designed platforming you're likely to find this side of 2018.
Much credit should be given to HB Studios for what it has done with The Golf Club franchise.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the best remake yet for the series and the absolute best way to enjoy the franchise's second entry.
Shenmue I and II isn't a perfect collection, but it is the best overall way to experience two remarkable games.
While there are clearly some efforts to distinguish from other platformers of an allotted, check-list fashion on a visual/world-building sense, the inevitable blurring-together of seen-before sparse storytelling and relative simplicity in appearance mean that The King's Bird doesn't quite excel as a complete package.
Little Dragons Café first appears as though it requires constant attention to every little detail, but actually makes for a relaxing time.
Guacamelee! 2 is exactly the kind of game a sequel should be in terms of its gameplay.
Done Running is proof that Telltale still has plenty of ideas to innovate and reinvigorate the adventure genre, where even small changes including new camera perspectives and an improved presentation can go a long way, even if the story hasn't quite found its footing yet.