Wccftech's Reviews
The praise heaped upon The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time back when it first released was not misplaced. It still stands as one of the best games of all time, the pinnacle of the Zelda franchise, and this gorgeous, technically impeccable, thoughtfully updated version of the game will allow a new generation to fully appreciate Link's greatest adventure. This is the new high-water mark for video game remakes and a note-perfect confirmation that some songs never fade.
Football Manager 2027 marks a strong return to previous highs, following the stumbles last year, with the standout feature being the impressive and engaging changes to the tactics system, enhanced by greater control and noticeable feedback. Fans of the series should, and will, enjoy it, and it will make a good move forward for those who have been sticking with FM24.
Phantom Blade Zero is a genre-defining game that stands as one of the best current-generation titles to date. Effortlessly marrying the fluidity of a combat system that masterfully balances offense and defense with tight world design, staggering weapon variety, and some of the most memorable boss fights in recent memory, S-Game has delivered a masterpiece with its first major PC and console release that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the absolute peak of the genre.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is a solid greatest-hits package, offering a collection of the best events and features from this series’ past, along with a surprising amount of single-player content. Unfortunately, it doesn't deliver much that's truly new or innovative either. If you're just looking to kick back with some motion-controlled favs, this is a worthwhile getaway, but those looking for something a bit more novel may want to book elsewhere.
Final Fantasy Resonance marks a triumphant return to the series' turn-based roots. Blending classic storytelling and charming characters with a solid combat system, a deep character customization system, and the best HD-2D visuals to date, the game delivers an engaging RPG experience that honors the series' legacy and would have every right to be a new beginning for the entire franchise.
Stupid Never Dies is an eccentric, punk-rock action roguelite that combines a wild story with fast-paced gameplay. While it takes a while for the experience to come into its own, as the first five-to-seven hours feel clunky and overly restrictive, pushing past the slow onboarding reveals a gameplay loop that stays fun for its 20 hours duration, although some design choices will inevitably put some people off.
Valor Mortis starts strong with responsive first-person combat and a fascinating Napoleonic setting, but loses steam past the midpoint, only reecovering towards the endgame. Level design not fully taking into account first-person combat, limited enemy variety and character customization options, and technical issues on PC hold it back from greatness, though it remains a solid and somewhat ambitious soulslike that many will like for trying something different within the genre.
Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen is a meaningful improvement over the base game. The narrative is structured much better, the characters are more likable, the region is vast and full of content, and the Relic gameplay loop is quite addictive. That said, the combat remains a chaotic, unorganized mess that feels fun but also lacks any tactical element.
An upgraded arsenal and variety of targets make Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 a more engaging shooting gallery than its predecessor, but the weaponry still feels like you've been sent out to deal with an alien queen with Nerf guns and a dream.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is a fast-paced arcade racing game that truly captures the feel of racing in the Star Wars universe. Supported by roguelike elements to keep you coming back for more, there is a lot to like here, with very few pitfalls.
Gears of War: E-Day has been promoted as the most ambitious game ever made by The Coalition, but to be honest, it feels like a step back from Gears 5 in several ways. The narrative is a lot less memorable, and the side content is forgettable. Its saving grace is that the third-person shooter gameplay is better than ever, thanks to improved movement and fluidity, making combat encounters generally a lot of fun. Still, it's not the kind of masterpiece that sells a console like the original did.
Silent Hill: Townfall will get your heart-pumping at times and delivers plenty of the atmosphere this series is famous for, but that familiarity is also to the game's detriment as its narrative and world don’t offer many surprises. Meanwhile, clunky stealth and occasional design missteps result in a game that's often more frustrating than frightening. Silent Hill: Townfall has its moments, but those expecting the game to live up to this series' recent high standards may want to look for real estate elsewhere.
Remedy bet everything on risky changes with CONTROL Resonant: a new genre, a new protagonist, and even a new environment. Most of them work, making this sequel well worth purchasing for fans of the studio and the IP, but it's also clear that Remedy is not quite an expert at making open world action RPGs, as most shortcomings fall squarely in that category. Unfortunately, despite the ambition, this is unlikely to be the big breakthrough they were hoping for.
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is an excellent remake that successfully modernizes Falcom's classic JRPG without compromising its stellar narrative. By integrating the snappy hybrid combat mechanics from Trails through Daybreak, a seamless world structure, and quality-of-life additions like High Speed Mode, the game eliminates virtually all dated gameplay friction, making it a must-play for every fan of the genre, even with its slow-paced nature.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is a towering monument of a game, mixing every flavor of Fire Emblem gameplay from the franchise's 30+ year history with a hugely ambitious three-part, multi-protagonist storyline. While there are a few uneven story moments and people will enjoy some aspects of the game more than others, developer Intelligent Systems have done a pretty admirable job of wrangling this unwieldy colossus of a game while giving players the ability to choose their own path through its epic campaign. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave will almost certainly burn long and bright as one of the Switch 2's signature experiences.
Marvel's Wolverine is a very different game from Insomniac's Spider-Man adaptations, but it shows the developer really understands this hero, too. The combat took a while to grab me, and I wish some maps were larger, but eventually I really felt like the ultimate killing machine Wolverine is supposed. Meanwhile, the story kept me glued to the screen from start to finish.
Twisted Tower is a quick-paced and strong old-school shooter, taking inspiration from some 'classics', and Bioshock. It doesn't overstay its welcome, keeps you progressing and has a story that may surprise you at the end. While it doesn't surpass games like Bioshock, for a tiny (mostly solo) developer, it does everything it wants to as good as it can, and well worth picking up for that reason alone.
After a two-decade hiatus, Onimusha: Way of the Sword delivers a great modernization of the classic series' formulas without losing its identity to the Soulslike trend. While the semi-open Kyoto and narrative aren't memorable, its sharp combat system, excellent enemy design and difficulty balance make the game a triumphant comeback for returning fans and newcomers alike.
The Blood of the Dawnwalker is the rare game created by a studio of decorated ex-AAA veterans that actually gets very near to its original inspiration. With an intriguing setting, a one-of-a-kind narrative sandbox approach, fantastic writing, and solid combat, this may well be the first installment in an epic saga that will accompany gamers for decades to come.
Star Wars Zero Company is a strong real-time tactics title, set in the Star Wars universe. With deep tactical combat, a base system giving you upgradable elements and allowing you to interact with your team, there's a reasonable amount to see in what is a focused entry and, arguably, one of the better Star Wars titles to have been released in recent years.