DualShockers
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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.
OFF is dated, but in the same charming, lovely way that a big grandfather clock is dated. It's something you have to appreciate; you can enjoy the craftsmanship behind it, and it's something that inspired so many things you love nowadays.
While the main campaign is on the shorter side, and ultimately the game feels a little too easy at times, it's still a fun time and well worth checking out.
If you like action-adventure, and need a quick fix, this can scratch that itch. But, a game to rival the AAA goliaths, this is not.
As most DLCs go, Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant is recommended for the more hardcore fans of the original. It does a decent job expanding the lore of Valandis and even dropping hints of a potential sequel. But if you're looking for answers to the base game's unresolved questions, you'll be disappointed. The gameplay loop is essentially the same, and the only variation is the addition of a new party member and the Talent board. If you're not that keen on learning more about Chained Echoes' mythology, maybe you should give this DLC a pass.
Considering the ending and the fan-service elements that cater to long-time fans, this is not only the best Mafia game to date, but also one of the best modern linear action-adventure titles.
It's heartwarming, it's comforting, and, if nothing else, it reminds us to slow down, breathe deep, and always take things one page at a time.