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Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots is fine. It's filled with minor annoyances that on their own aren't anything massive, but when added up, detract from the experience somewhat. With that said, it's fine. By no means the worst golf game I've ever played, it's just that it isn't the best, either.
Whisper of the House is a cosy decorating sim where unpacking rooms slowly reveals hidden secrets and unsettling anomalies.
Triangle Strategy serves up plenty of treats for players. An intrigue-filled story with well-written characters and deep combat are just a few. Classic pixel-art visuals and excellent sound design definitely add to it. Is the game worth picking up? In my opinion – yes, even several years after its release.
Otherskin does have some interesting game mechanics, the core idea is indeed pretty cool. For me it was just a bit too rough around the edges and lacking polish to keep me interested. If you are after a game with a slightly different approach that adds some new ways to play and complete levels (light puzzle solving)… it might be worth your time. I would probably recommend at least waiting for a sale though.
Ultimately, Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek succeeds as a gateway horror game. It isn't designed to terrify; instead, it captures the feeling of kids pushing past their curfew, sticking their noses where they don't belong, and discovering something just a little too strange. While adults may find the gameplay easy and the scares mild, younger players (and parents looking for something spooky, but safe) will likely find it just right. With its mix of exploration, light puzzle-solving, and approachable scares, this game feels like Goosebumps brought to life in the way it always should have been. If PHL Collective gets a chance to expand on these ideas in a sequel, the future of Goosebumps games looks brighter, and creepier, than ever.
A solid glow up of the stealth action classic.
I had quite a bit of fun with Gloomy Eyes. There aren't any jump scares or frightening elements… it's all very "cutesy" "horror"… absolutely Tim Burton-esque… think The Corpse Bride or The Nightmare Before Christmas specifically. In fact I could easily imagine a line of toys of the characters and book nook versions of the dioramas… who wouldn't want a Gloomy or Nena plushie? But in all seriousness, Gloomy Eyes is a fun, low-risk game that provides a nice little bit of puzzle action with a captivating story told by a lovely voice (I believe the original narrator was Colin Farrell… I assume it is still him in the non-VR version… either way… lovely story-telling). It's certainly worth a play either for adults or children alike!
While I undoubtedly have a soft spot for the first two games, this is without question the best Borderlands experience to date. It's by far the best-looking entry into the series and one of the best-looking games of the year. Gunplay is tight, movement is responsive, and there are dozens of hours of stuff to do.
Thanks to the next iteration of ICE-Q and massively overhauled X-Factor system, NHL 26 is a better version of NHL 25 that feels more player personalized. Everything looks and executes at a higher level, but improvements are subtle.
NBA 2K26 is -hands down- the best version of 2K possibly ever. The PlayPRO engine is leaps and bounds improved from 2K25, making for a wonderfully executed game backed by stellar presentation and AI powered strategy. There's so many ways to enjoy NBA 2K26, that both veterans and newbies to the series will fall in love. Just note certain modes favor microtransactions as the lone path to true success.
Hirogami is a visually beautiful and thematically consistent platformer that embraces a slower, more deliberate style. Its folding mechanics, animal transformations, and flying sequences provide standout moments, and its papercraft aesthetic is consistently delightful. However, the game's sluggish pace, uneven level design, camera frustrations, and underwhelming dialogue prevent it from reaching its full potential. It's a game that succeeds more in presentation and concept than in execution, offering a meditative, but occasionally hollow experience. Still, for anyone seeking something brief, inventive, and unlike most platformers, Hirogami is worth checking out for its uniqueness alone.
Overall I think what I enjoyed most about my time with Chip 'n Clawz was that it is trying something different. I can tell it's not for me, and I can only imagine playing it again when I have some mates over – but I have a lot of time for games that contribute to the evolution of a genre. I would recommend giving it a go if you have ever been a fan of RTS, just to appreciate the novelty – or if you want an accessible entry into the genre. But you might need to be more familiar with MOBAs and Fortnite, and more open to the aesthetic than myself to love it.
While The Awakening could be considered a nostalgic novelty due to the classic property, it's also a genuinely solid 2D adventure that respects its source material while delivering an engaging game loop. The difficulty ramps up nicely, levels reward mastery, and Cobra's personality shines through in both cutscenes and gameplay. While some repetitive bosses, technical hiccups, and underwhelming music keep it from absolute greatness, the overall package is strong enough to earn a recommendation. Cobra's return to gaming proves that his swagger, style, and Psychogun are timeless.
There are plenty of contenders for FPS game time these days and while some may try and add new features or unique gameplay dynamics, Metal Eden takes a look back at what made the classics great and basically just combines all the best features and bundles them into a beautifully realised sci fi world in a way that feels new but also familiar. A brilliant combination of the old and the new. Well worth grabbing and having a play for those of us "Boomers" and for the younger gamers alike!
Beneath the charming pixel art lies a story full of moral complexity and underlying tension, as you navigate your aunt's ruthless ambitions and the townsfolk's simmering frustrations. It's a game that turns a mundane 9-5 routine into something strangely addictive, and one that will keep players coming back day after day. Though it shares familiar elements with well known titles, Discounty stakes its own claim, showing just how fresh and surprising a cosy life sim can be.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World is the best looking and sounding version of the 2022 Switch offering, with some fun additional content and three new copy abilities. Replaying levels remains fun, as is exploring nooks and crannies of every wonderfully designed stage. Just realize the source material is a very good but not perfect title.
For fans of Giant Squid's past works, Sword of the Sea feels essential as an expression of everything the studio has strived toward. For newcomers, it offers an accessible, memorable journey unlike much else in modern gaming. It may be brief, but its impact lingers, like the memory of waves long after they've receded. On balance, it is a work of beauty, craft, and playfulness, deserving recognition not only as a game, but as a piece of interactive art.
Managed democracy spreads to Xbox in the most explosive way possible.
Overall, Gears of War: Reloaded is great. It brings Ultimate Edition up to a slightly more modern standard and finally sees it released on Steam and PS5. Aside from the AI issues that I faced, I have no complaints about the game per se. It's still as aggressively grey/brown as it was in 2006, though there's thankfully a lot more colour around to accent things now. Its gameplay is very one-note, but everything it does, it does exceptionally well.
I enjoyed the game, especially operating my own stall at the bazaar and taking care of the animals. However, I would have preferred a deeper level of engagement (and quicker progression of relationship) between characters. It felt a bit repetitive having the same small-talk conversations each day. I wasn't really interested in getting to know anyone but felt like I had to for the game. Overall, it was charming, well-paced, and unique!