DualShockers
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Windswept is an adorable ode to classic 1990s platformers, mostly for better, but occasionally for worse. The charming design, stellar presentation, and fluid platforming mechanics are top-notch. Assists added to the game are thoughtfully included, especially because the game gets absurdly challenging by the end of the experience. This is a case of a near-flawless first act, but a second act that will leave many setting the controller down and walking away, or abusing assists just to see the game through. I still think it's one worth checking out for retro platformer fans, but I'm a bit bummed that what felt like a certified classic initially doesn't quite stick the landing in the end.
Like Tetris Effect before it, Lumines Arise lives up to the franchise's legacy. It's slick, stylish, and as addictive as ever. Despite my complaints and critiques of the game, especially those level transitions that take you out of the rhythm you've established, I look forward to spending hundreds of hours with Lumines Arise over the next decade or so. There was nothing quite like Lumines back in the day, and even though there are similar titles available today in 2025, there's still only one Lumines. A must-own for any puzzle game fan.
There are some pacing issues with the campaign, and I have questions about the longevity of single-player modes, but that does not take away from the fact that this is an excellent city builder that tells a Roman tale with the grandeur it deserves.
But if you're a Zelda fan looking for a fix until the next mainline entry comes along, Age of Imprisonment is a worthy adventure worth undertaking.
The oddball staff members at the asylum are full of charm, and the patients are just as endearing. It struggles with some unfortunate design choices and some unusual bugs in the menus, but is overall worth a bit of your time.
The new story additions enrich its mythology and characters, while the gameplay novelties will please turn-based RPG fans. There's some unevenness here and there in both games, but nothing that detracts from the heartwarming, majestic experience of cherishing one of the most influential RPGs ever made in Japan.
If you've played the original Biped, you've played Biped 2, and I truly mean that. This is sadly one of the lowest effort sequels I've ever encountered, down to even the game's Tutorial being a direct copy/paste from the OG. There are numerous examples of blatant and unabashed rip-offs consistently throughout the experience, to the point that it feels like self-plagiarism.
ARC Raiders is an incredibly challenging extraction shooter that will push you to your limits and frustrate you, but you'll keep coming back for more. With breathtaking visuals, thoughtfully-designed maps, intense PvP, and intelligent, unpredictable AI, ARC Raiders has raised the bar incredibly high for extraction shooters and will likely inspire an entire wave of games that hope to recreate its magic.
Europa Universalis V is the thrilling next iteration of Paradox's long-running grand strategy series. If you're still playing EU IV and wondering whether the upgrade is worth it, I'm here to tell you that you absolutely need to play this game. It takes everything about the last entry from 2013 and improves on it. If you're a newcomer with an interest in complex, deeply involved grand strategy games, then now is the perfect time to jump in.
Simon The Sorcerer Origins is a game which some will love, and some will drop off of. However, in a time of re-releases with an extra 'episode' of content tacked on to the end, it's nice to get a full-blown new game in an old franchise.
The Outer Worlds 2 is an almost perfect sequel, building on the brilliance of its predecessor and addressing all the issues fans had with the original. The scope and scale of this sequel is the biggest win for fans, as there's oodles of content.
The subject matter is presented in creative, respectful, and effective ways, resulting in an ultimately cathartic experience, as challenging as it sometimes may be on a personal level.
The high-octane action, the blistering speeds, and the open-world freedom all come together to offer a format that I adore. However, I can't in good conscience attribute much of this to this game, as it's about as blatant a copy I have ever seen, lifting Burnout Paradise's mechanics, UI, race types, and progression almost note for note
Like its predecessor, Tormented Souls 2 still struggles with storytelling and character elements that just don't quite hit the mark. While it doesn't go as deep as I would like, above all else, it still serves its grandest purpose with all the passion you could ask for.
Bandai Namco really hit a home run with this latest entry in the Katamari Damacy series. It's calming, cozy, and whimsical—in other words, everything you expect from a Katamari game. The time travel theme works well, and the ability to customize your appearance based on your gameplay performance really sells it.
The Lonesome Guild isn’t a game I would really recommend to anyone, but it’s also one I can see a very specific type of player enjoying. Every aspect of the game is undercooked, such as barebones combat, a childish story that never reaches its potential, and a relationship system that feels shoved into the game just for the sake of it
Painkiller has some truly incredible weapons and powers, but not a lot to do with them. I saw everything the game had to offer in one sitting, and while there is replayability, the repetitive and boring objectives prevent me from wanting to keep going. The game looks awesome, but falls into generic territory in several ways, while also adopting a lot of that Marvel-esque vibe we're all tired of. It's reductive to say, but we already have DOOM at home.
PowerWash Simulator 2 isn’t reinventing the wheel. The game knows its audience and is happy to feed their rabid desire for more cleaning. It may not win over any people who were turned off by the original, but if you enjoy dad games and an easy activity while listening to music or videos, then this is exactly what you need in your life.
Godbreakers is awesome solo, and a blast with friends. The Roguelite structure combined with slick, kinetic, third-person action is a wonderful fit and hits a lovely flowstate often. Snappy dodge canceling makes the gameplay consistently fluid and rewarding, and enemy/boss designs are all great. I'm having a very good time running this game over and over with different modifiers, I just wish some of the quests were a bit more clear in their objectives. Still, Godbreakers is well worth checking out, regardless of if you're going it alone or with a squad.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 is without a doubt the absolute best dino park management game that has ever been made. Any of the issues or complaints I had from the first two games have either been improved on or completely eradicated. The campaign and challenge modes are worth checking out, but you'll find yourself absolutely absorbed by building and maintaining your park in the sandbox mode. It's a magnificent blend of nostalgia and contemporary game design, and is well worth dumping hours of your life into.