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In the end Gigantosaurus Dino Kart ticks all the right boxes for a game aimed at younger players. Not only is it well presented but it plays quite well on the Xbox Series X and more importantly is a great local multiplayer experience.
Destiny 2 has been out for quite some time now and there is talk of a new title. You will be treated to a solid single player story only if you do play from the beginning however, there is so much meat on the bone of this old cow that I do think the convoluted menu systems and quests may scare away the casual gamer and overwhelm those who genuinely want to get into it. Let's see what happens down the track, but for now, I personally think that Lightfall is a run of the Mill expansion that does not do the legacy of Destiny any favours.
If you are looking for a bit of RPG detective action (and perhaps either speak Bavarian or don't mind a bit of rough sounding audio) then this might be worth looking at. If you like a bit more polish on your games though… perhaps give it a miss.
I had high expectations for Octopath Traveler II, and yet it somehow managed to meet basically all of them. It certainly doesn't deviate much from Octopath Traveler I's formula and thus will probably not convince detractors of that game, but they managed to improve upon every aspect of it while also making a beautiful self-contained experience that doesn't require any knowledge of said predecessor to be enjoyed. The battle system is expertly designed and incredibly fun, the characters and their stories are wonderful, and the presentation is top notch – there's really not much more I can ask for in a JRPG. So if you like that genre even a little bit, this game is one of the easiest recommendations I can give.
I really enjoyed Scars Above on the XSX and it was an enjoyable experience from start to finish, without the grind that are sometimes associated with third person games. Overall Scars Above delivers a strong narrative with playable gaming mechanics that is visually presented well, particularly with its alien world and its diverse denizens. So if you're looking for a healthy distraction that provides the right amount of challenges, then look to the skies with Scars Above.
Outer Worlds Spacer's Choice Edition is a good chance for all the people who missed the game when it came out to experience it. Unfortunately, the visual enhancement isn't that good and it has caused some performance issues as well, especially in the PC version of the game. But the original game along with both DLCs is still worth experiencing and you should not miss it if you want a good action RPG with amazing quest design and memorable characters.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is fast, frenetic and frustrating and makes no pretences about the kind of game that it is.
Overall Caverns of Mars: Recharged is a solid entry in the Recharged series, not as strong as Yars Revenge but better than the Asteroids or the Breakout game. Whilst the controls can be twitchy once you get a hang of that you can enjoy it. The gameplay loop aids itself to short bursts of play but it has enough in there with the score leaderboards and missions to keep you interested and coming back again and again.
A game for budding geniuses to hone their skill in rocket science. Hours of endless possibilities await.
Return to Dream Land or spend your time playing minigames... either way Kirby and pals are your ticket to fun!
A game that gives you what it says it will on the label. Powerwash simulator let's you fulfill your cleaning fantasies... if you have them.
Perhaps my biggest takeaway from Wild Hearts is that I didn't once find myself lamenting for Monster Hunter. Wild Hearts was perhaps a risky endeavour, but it's one that's paid off with impressive results. While genre newcomers can treat the land of Azuma as a gateway to monster hunting, long-standing genre fans will find plenty here to keep them happy until the next Monster Hunter adventure arrives.
Overall, Like a Dragon: Ishin is an excellent remake of an older unappreciated RPG with an impeccable historical story to tell. While the remake isn't in the best condition it could've been, especially on PS5, it is still a game that will provide players, especially Yakuza fans, lots to enjoy.
Deliver us Mars is a highly ambitious game but simply does not provide a payoff. I would only recommend playing it if you feel sentimental towards its predecessor, and even then I think currently only frustration will be waiting for you. You might say having read this that I should not have given the game the score I did, however I can see what they wanted to do with it, but also I can see what they failed to.
Returnal is a great experience for those who love bullet hell games or sci-fi roguelikes. Though the difficulty spikes and unbalanced weapons sometimes make it hard not to rage quit, sticking with Selene in her mysterious and symbolic journey is truly rewarding. With the co-op and endless modes being available at launch, Returnal's arrival on PC can be celebrated long because of its replay value.
Although some levels are too long and the hidden secret ending that is actually the only reason for going through New Game+ is even more disappointing than the original ending, that cannot stop even the most hard-to-please gamers from loving Tango Gameworks' latest marvel.
A brilliantly written story and outstanding voice acting. Perfect for a casual weekend play.
The Legend of Tianding is a great indie title. The game has the true spirit of indie gaming: it tells a story that could still be relatable considering the political climate of Taiwan, represents the cultural and social aspirations of a nation, has a unique visual identity, and knows its limitations. The Legend of Tianding is a short game, but it provides such a memorable experience that makes it difficult to wait for the next title from the team behind it.
Pushing the J.K. Rowling controversy to the side, Hogwarts Legacy is a true celebration of the magical universe that she created which perfectly transitioned to film. Her universe has equally been adapted well into this game courtesy of Avalanche Studios with its gameplay and story. Whether the story will become canon is yet to be seen but again this is as close as you can get to the core of what the extended universe of Harry Potter can be that not only plays well on the PS5 but looks fantastic.
Chained Echoes is not just a tribute, it's a fresh new take. An old school JRPG for a new school. Archaic systems and features have been cleaned up and now all the worst conventions of the genre are surprisingly manageable. Add in beautiful art direction, a rousing soundtrack, fleshed out characters and a wondrous world to explore and you have an excellent game in its own right.