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Elden Ring feels like the culmination of everything FromSoftware has been building upon with each of their games. Unfortunately, some severe performance issues hamper what’s easily one of their best games yet.
Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires isn’t ground-breaking, but it is pretty dang fun. Obliterating hordes of foes is always a joy, and the strategic nation-building gameplay is a pleasant change of pace that gives you a bit of a power trip to boot. If you’re a fan of Musou games but want to mix it up a bit, Empires may be your game. Just know that it’s largely another Warriors game, and it may get old after a while.
The video game equivalent of being picked up in a 2000 F-250 by a guy blasting Skynyrd and yelling HELL YEAH BROTHER at everything you say.
Dusk ‘82 isn’t the most complex or longest game, but it’s a neat and fun bite-sized puzzle game that Dusk fans will get a kick out of. Even if you’re just nostalgic about old puzzle games, or want a snazzy new demade version of the Dusk soundtrack, this is a decent option.
The King of Fighters XV is, as the name implies, the King of Fighters. It looks good, plays incredibly, and has silky smooth online play. I wouldn’t be opposed to more single player content, but there’s so much to love about KOF XV that I don’t even mind. If you want a fighter to sink your teeth into, look no further.
Sifu puts you in control of your own kung-fu film, with an exhilarating combat system and style galore.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is best described as two steps forward, one step back. The new catching mechanics and open-world concept are perfect for the Pokémon franchise, and I never got tired of them. On the other hand, the game is pretty ugly, and has a few confusing issues when it comes to exploration and performance. If Game Freak can fix these issues while keeping the catching and open world ideas, we could get the best Pokémon game ever made. For now, though, it’s just a cool next step.
OlliOlli World is a phenomenal follow-up that takes everything Roll7 learned in the previous games, and perfects it.
Dying Light 2 might be more of the same, but that doesn’t stop it from being heaps of fun.
The Disney Classic Games Collection brings some true classics back into the spotlight with useful new features and excellent bonus content. This is the best way to play these nostalgic titles, and while some have aged better than others, I’m glad to be able to play them again.
It’s hard to believe that Windjammers 2 is finally here and delivers on all the hype. I only wish there were more of it to chew on.
SNK vs Capcom: Card Fighters’ Clash is an excellent card fighting RPG that combines the handy features of previous NEO GEO Pocket Color releases with the exciting and addictive card-collecting of the original game.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Rush Duel: Dawn of the Battle Royale!! is a fresh and fun Yu-Gi-Oh! game that mixes up the common formula to provide players with an exciting introduction to Rush Duels.
I’m glad that Monster Rancher 1&2 DX came out because it gives curious players and myself a chance to check out a cult-classic monster series.
Worth buying if you have a VR crew, but don’t buy a headset for it unless you want to die alone like me.
There’s a lot to love with Battlefield 2042; on its surface it still delivers on those “Battlefield moments” and the new Portal mode is phenomenal. However, the changes to the main competitive mode just feel like they shatter the core of what makes Battlefield tick.
Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space is another classic comedic caper for Steve Purcell’s iconic detective duo. Some of the goofs are a tad dated, but the rather consistent hilarity and one-of-a-kind tone make it one of the crown jewels of TellTale’s catalogue.
Happy’s Humble Burger Farm is weird, creepy, creative, and strange. It’s a great little horror game for anyone with a thirst for spooks and lore in equal measure, and I hope its small problems get ironed out over time. It’s one of the most interesting games I’ve played recently, and it’s absolutely worth checking out.
Pokémon Shining Pearl may not be the perfect remake, but it does a pretty good job of bringing the Sinnoh region to a new generation. The variety of content and postgame experience go a long way in making this feel like a fully-fleshed out game, even with the missing content. Whether you’re new to Sinnoh or a returning Trainer, I’d say you shouldn’t hesitate to check out Shining Pearl.
While the original Blue Reflection had some notable flaws, I always hoped it would someday get a sequel, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Blue Reflection: Second Light might not be as unique in some respects, but it’s a much stronger game overall and an excellent addition to this series.