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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.
Halo Studios has proved that you can still teach an old dog new tricks with Halo Campaign Evolved. It faithfully expands the story, all while staying true to what made it special in the first place. But the lack of competitive multiplayer and Firefight makes the game feel a bit empty once you’ve completed the story.
ReStory is a relaxing game that combines the laid-back sense of accomplishment from repairing things with a well-designed gameplay loop that keeps you coming back for more. It’s almost hard to believe that scrubbing down metal frames and twisting screws could be such a pleasant activity, but I can’t stop doing it to unwind. If you’re in the market for a chill game that scratches your brain in a totally unique way, you cannot miss ReStory.
Ambrosia Sky Act Two is a fitting conclusion that introduces enough new twists to set it apart from the first act. There are a couple of navigational issues, but the oddly relaxing sensation of spraying down fungus combined with the many mechanics surrounding that central conceit are certainly worth experiencing. If you want to power wash some dangerous growths in a melancholy sci-fi world, I think Ambrosia Sky: Act Two will be right up your alley.
Beast of Reincarnation is a serviceable action RPG, with a ton of depth in its abilities and skill trees. Its post-apocalyptic narrative plays a few too many familiar notes, and it's all delivered in a tone that would make it perfect for falling asleep to. I wasn't completely uninterested in Emma and Koo's adventures and relationships, but the sleepy tone and predictable story beats all make for a fine, if forgettable experience.
Splatoon Raiders tries something new with one of Nintendo’s somewhat more recent long-running series, to largely great success. Though a bit more variety in terms of missions and character customization options would have been ideal, the numerous weapon and gadget combinations and unique approach to Splatoon’s core gameplay craft an exciting spin-off that’s worth your time.
As much as I wanted to like Truck-kun is Supporting Me from Another World, the experience didn’t deliver on the premise’s fun. Shallow gameplay that doesn’t evolve paired with a bland narrative makes even this short experience feel like a drag. It’s not actively offensive, nor is the gameplay awful, but it simply doesn’t have enough to support its already simple premise.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok brings more of what’s in the base game, and not much else for new or returning players. As a co-op experience, I could see Endless Ragnarok as a group of up to four friends game of choice, especially with crossplay implemented, but the generic fantasy characters, repetition to a fault, and lack of any clear guidance make this hard to recommend. The accessibility features still put the responsibility in the player’s hands, making me question why this is even offered beyond as a tool for players looking to learn bosses. I don’t consider binging CBS’s Cold Case while keeping a hand on the controller to grind for hundreds of hours a peak gaming experience anymore, but maybe you need a new podcast game, and Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok might be a good fit.