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Control Resonant is a top class action RPG, with some of the most mind bending imagery you've ever seen. The story isn't as strong as its predecessor, but the gameplay more than makes up for it.
Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon may have some bumpy parts that are tough to revisit all these years of iteration later, but it serves as a pleasant enough adventure and a fascinating piece of gaming history. I hope the next couple of Torneko games follow suit, as I’d love to have an excuse to see how each subsequent game builds on the last. Plus, I’ll never say no to more official releases of the past Dragon Quest games that the West missed out on.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is a great addition to the Master Collection series. It finally brings MGS4 out of its PlayStation 3 jail and brings it up to modern standards. As I played through the game, I couldn't help but get emotional. Even without multiplayer, it's still worth the experience. On top of that, Peace Walker looks as great as I remember, and it plays incredibly well.
Marvel’s Wolverine is another impressive example of just how great Insomniac Games is at adapting iconic superheroes into the video game medium. The combat isn’t especially complicated, but there’s something uncomfortably satisfying about just how fun it is to mow down foes as Marvel’s most famous mutant. I’m curious to see where this version of Logan’s story goes next, as Marvel’s Wolverine has proven that Insomniac’s take on the Marvel universe just keeps getting more intriguing.
Star Wars Zero Company is a worthy tactics experience, with a fun and exciting Star Wars theme. The exact time and place of the setting creates a unique feeling story, while also letting all of the staples of the universe be present in gameplay and presentation. The tactics offer a ton of depth and creativity, allowing you to put together some all-star squads. The main story doesn’t have the juice the way the setting and side stories do, and the technical faults are numerous, but that doesn’t stop this from being a fantastic tactics and Star Wars experience.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush is a solid racing game when on the track, but the limitations on local co-op play and the frequency of immersion-breaking load screens hold back what could’ve been a great open-world racer.
Even though Blood Dungeon occasionally stumbles when it comes to its platforming or its hub world, it’s hard to deny just how effectively it sinks its teeth into you, convincing you to do “just one more run,” even though that’s the exact same thing you said to yourself over an hour ago. The slow drip feed of new unlocks, completed quests, and bosses to conquer is more than worth the price of admission, and I don’t see myself uninstalling this one any time soon.
In short, Orbitals is another must-play for co-op lovers and those looking for a good time with a friend or significant other. While a bit too short in many areas, there’s no denying the charm and fun puzzles deliver on all fronts. It keeps you engaged and emphasizes teamwork, leading to great memories. I hope there’s more in store for Maki and Omura, as I (and Matty) are ready to explore space again at a moment’s notice.
Lord of the Rings: War In The North Legacy Edition is limited, dated, and silly. It didn’t do anything particularly well back when it was released, and the re-release doesn’t change that. However, it does provide an enjoyable co-op experience, especially in local co-op. As a Steam Deck game, it offers a good medium-length play session and runs smoothly, bar the odd hiccup. For the price, War in the North is a simple, decent (and accessible for all levels) co-op experience. Frustratingly, it still touches the edges of being something better, but never quite gets there.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is one of the most impressive games I’ve played this generation. The sprawling world and multifaceted story are wonders to behold, while the combat walks the perfect line between complexity and accessibility. Though there is a little bit of open-world jank to contend with, you’d be missing out by choosing not to play this game, as it may already be the best release in an extremely competitive September.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is easily a contender for game of the year, as it blends merciless action with skill-based combat in a near-seamless way. The story and visuals complement the ridiculously sharp gameplay extremely well, and though the camera can be a little problematic on rare occasions, that shouldn’t stop you from experiencing Capcom’s latest banger.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is an entertaining enough prequel to A Plague Tale; I just wish it had a bit more substance to match the style it exudes.
Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters is a flashy and extreme soccer game that anyone can enjoy. Though the pacing of matches in the story mode can be a little bit bumpy, the narrative itself, in addition to the satisfying gameplay and solid visuals, makes this an accessible and highly enjoyable sports title – even if you’ve never interacted with the source material.
High Times is a charming game, with many characters and story concepts keeping me going for nearly an in-game year despite gameplay being dry. When I learn about the exes, my character, or have conversations with customers, these all feel like real conversations I’d have with friends, past or present. Yangyang Mobile also made the main character fairly relatable, even if my life does not mirror theirs. Unfortunately, the game is extremely buggy and ended up serving me the same two events nearly every night for in-game months on end, and it would crash and need to be relaunched. The game doesn’t even remember your settings, presumably because of the crashing. It is a shame High Times was released like this, with voice work, characters, and a story that should be praised instead of disregarded. I would have loved to explore more of this game, but I can only repeat the same kiss so many times.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls isn’t the next MvC, and that’s okay. It’s doing its own thing, and it’s doing it pretty damn well. There’s a lot to love with what ArcSys is doing with Marvel Tokon, and I can’t wait to see how the game evolves from here.
Sister Other Paranoia might come across as edgy, especially as it pulls you into the paranoid mind of its main protagonist, but it raises interesting questions about how we see the world and perceive the people around us. Bleak at times, depressing at others, it nevertheless holds onto a spark of hope that makes it an enjoyable, albeit strange and unsettling, journey.
Feed It may not last long, but it hits hard while it lasts. The visuals and sound do a lot to make it uniquely unpleasant (in a complimentary way), while the intense themes are properly portrayed throughout the fast but harsh narrative. This is a solid little horror experience for those in the mood for something upsetting and with a couple of hours to spare.
The Sinking City 2 is a strong move into the survival horror genre for Frogwares. Although I wish it were possible to backtrack to earlier areas and found the wave battles to be too action-focused compared to the rest, I enjoyed my perilous journey through Arkham.
Duskfade was meant to be an homage to 3D platformers and PS2 classics, and I'd say it succeeded. It's a blast to play, and I loved losing myself in its levels to search for collectibles. If you're a fan of this style of game, there's a lot here for you to enjoy.
Pokémon Pokopia just keeps getting better with the release of Bubbly Basin – the first of three DLC areas that has set an exceptional standard for those yet to be released. There’s lots to explore and more charming narrative content, as well as a strong selection of Pokémon to befriend. If you enjoyed Pokémon Pokopia’s base game, you’d be missing out by passing on Bubbly Basin, and I can’t wait to see what the next area is like.