DualShockers
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It's difficult to review a game like Strange Antiquities as most of the pleasure and pain it derives will depend on if you click with the style of puzzle it presents. But if you're looking for a slightly cozy, slightly dark world in which to inhabit as the nights get longer, then I'd suggest at least checking out the demo of this game to see if it works for you. If it does, there's almost no better feeling in the world than getting that eureka moment as you solve a particularly tricky puzzle.
LEGO Voyagers is quite easily my favorite LEGO game ever. It's a super short, but endlessly sweet co-op journey that will tug at your heartstrings by the end and stick with you long after the credits roll.
The sheer diversity of characters, gear, and ways to have fun is never-ending, and the open-world format is a surprisingly welcome addition to this amazing co-op FPS. Borderlands 4 is a leap in the right direction, and I can only hope that this trend continues upwards for the rest of the franchise.
Overall, while I was originally quick to put down Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game as a basic and naive attempt at a game, I was quickly won over and truly believe it’s a game which people should give a chance. It’s got scope, both in mechanics and story, for a sequel and I can’t wait to see what the studio does next.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is an incredible game, only held back by a couple questionable decisions. When the game is at its best, it's far beyond any game I've ever played, near-perfect in its design, and a masterpiece that I can't put down. The combat feels incredible, the visuals are stunning, the story is engaging, and the soundtrack is lovely. At its worst, though, it is extremely punishing, forces you into repetitive segments, and feels occasionally purposefully irritating. I love it with all my heart, but if you aren't willing to put up with intense difficulty, it may not be for you.
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion isn’t ready for launch. The performance and balance issues sour what could have been an excellent mecha experience. There are a few bright patches, interesting ideas, and a ton of potential for the game. It could be, and maybe it will be better in a few updates' time, but it’s not worth checking out at launch.
The presented modes feel bare bones, the lack of custom player creation is a bummer, and the stock characters are largely annoying. Fans of the franchise should stick to the classics, or 2017's Everybody's Golf, which is clearly superior in nearly every facet.
Despite its slow start, Quartet is a JRPG with strong gameplay concepts and a mature narrative. It'll appeal to genre afficionados, but is a hard sell if you don't like old-school vibes or lack the time to slog through the early game. To my mind, the game's undeniable strengths struggle to lift Quartet from a tedious early game. Once aloft, Quartet is elegant and enticing—the kind of flawed jewel which may well attain "niche classic" status in 10-20 years.
But, in a genre where established games rule the roost, Bloober Team has just muscled into the conversation, as Cronos is good enough to rub shoulders with the horror greats."
Unfortunately, the platforming eventually starts to feel frustrating due to bad checkpointing, questionable hitboxes, and ultimate lack of variety. Combat is frequent, repetitive, and ended up feeling like a chore. There's heart and charm here, and I think a sequel could eventually turn this into a viable franchise. As it stands, however, Hirogami isn't a must-play.
It's fun, it looks good, and the theme matters now more than ever.
It is the perfect gift for Metal Gear Solid fans, ten years after the mainline game. Despite some minor gripes specific to the PlayStation 5 integration, this game is a sign that you can, in fact, improve on perfection... if it's part of the mission.
The game’s only true disappointment is the lack of enemy variety and minimal bosses, which can result in the combat growing stale pretty quickly.
Combined with the DLC, the full game is an incredible package that I'd give a 9/10 any day of the week, but when purely analyzing what the DLC adds, it's not anywhere near a third of the content of the base game, even if that's the amount you're paying.
The gameplay is excellent, offering plenty of versatility for everyone and depth. The post-game challenges will undoubtedly please those wanting to test their hack and slash proficiency. That is, however, if they have the grit and tolerance to see the game through to the end.
I like this team's heart, and I am looking forward to seeing them grow from here. For me, The Knightling sadly just wasn't all the way there yet.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar it’s a good farming game that sucks you in with its visuals and audio, stays cozy without being childish, and keeps a steady pace to stay engaging.
My only gripe is that the story doesn't offer a grandiose message or hit as hard as I would have liked, relying more on pageantry and spectacle to get by. But, rarely does a game take me aback and thank my lucky stars that the medium of video games exists, and that's why we see this one as one of the standout performers of 2025 so far."
Discounty is the right type of cozy game that you can get completely lost inside for a few days. It thrives in the "Just one more day" zone and has an addictive loop that feels good as a distraction from the real world.
Once again, Madden NFL 26 overpromises and underdelivers. The new updates to Franchise mode and the general gameplay are nice, but let's be honest: the core issues are still there.