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WrestleQuest is a delightful game that captures the essence of wrestling in RPG form.
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is a fantastic addition to the series with some of its most satisfying combat yet.
Diablo 4 has bursts of genuine fun in its oppressively gothic world, but as well-made as the entire thing is, it just ends up feeling incredibly sanitized and safe for what’s supposed to be the grand return of the franchise.
Look, I’m a kid of the 90’s so this is a hard game to truly review without some level of taint. It looks, plays and sounds like a refinement of games of the Mega Drive. An elevation to a new level, a classic of a system it’s not even for. It’s a strange experience to explain, but an experience I don’t think you or I should explain. Instead, simply play Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider. You’ll thank me.
Gylt is a short horror game with a lot of good ideas. It doesn’t break any new ground, but it has a solid structure that provides a clear path to follow while rewarding exploration at the same time. The world has enough potential that I wouldn’t mind revisiting it in a sequel, but either way, it’s nice to see a game like this find new life now that Stadia is gone.
The vibes in Sludge Life 2 are immaculate and grimy, but like before I just wish it fleshed itself out some more.
Sonic Origins Plus may not be essential for more casual Sonic fans, but those who want to experience the Game Gear titles and play as Amy Rose are in for an all-around great time. If you want to take on the included classics with a new playstyle or see where Fang comes from before Sonic Superstars, this is the ideal upgrade to your Sonic Origins experience.
While it doesn’t have too much new to offer compared to the original, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is as much a masterpiece now as it was when it first launched ten years ago. The passage of time makes some games lose their luster, but Ghost Trick shines as brightly as ever. Its story, humor, and puzzles still stand strong, and it was a delight to revisit this game.
If you're hoping for something new with Layers of Fear, you should be aware that the majority of your time will be spent on the original Layers of Fear and Layers of Fear 2. At the same time, if you just want to replay those games, keep in mind that the new structure means it's not as simple as that. But for fans who want to experience the games in a new way or newcomers to the series trying it out for the first time, the new Layers of Fear keeps the games largely true to the originals' themes while also making some notable improvements.
STAR TREKKING ACROSS THE UNIVERSE! FINALLY A STAR TREK GAME THAT DOESN’T MAKE ME CURSE!
So if you don’t mind the fact that it’s not Darkest Dungeon But More and it’s Darkest Dungeon But Different…it’s worth caveating that the first 10 hours are so are basically just punching you in the face over and over again and normally I don’t put up with that at all before going “okay yeah but then it gets good” but I am an unemployed goth degenerate, so what else am I gonna do?
Street Fighter 6 is a grand fighting game experience that just keeps building on the series’ strong foundation. Though the World Tour mode and new characters aren’t as stand-out as they could be, the core gameplay is excellent and there’s plenty to enjoy.
While there’s some mindless fun to be had here for Warhammer enthusiasts, Warhammer 40k: Boltgun is a perfectly passable entry in the genre that maybe relies a bit too much on its IP than trying to do something new.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key offers so much and is really the ultimate game in the Ryza series. It just wasn’t for me.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has all the makings of a great game, but its performance issues and occasionally wonky story hold it back a bit. Cal and his friends are as fun to follow as ever and combat can be a blast in most scenarios – maybe just give this one a couple of months to reach its full potential.
Though Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp makes a couple odd calls, it’s primarily an enjoyable way to revisit some of the Game Boy Advance’s best tactics games. The 2D art is slick and the gameplay can devour your attention, though the lack of online matchmaking is a bummer. Regardless, if you’re itching for some tactical action with a fun setting, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a strong choice.
Frogwares really really likes doing Sherlock Holmes games and there is a deep affection for the characters woven throughout.
Tchia ended up becoming a frustrating and boring mess of a game.
Resident Evil 4 Remake is both an incredible game and a brilliant remake. Everything great about the original game is present and often expanded upon while its weaker parts have been smoothed out and improved. Once you get used to its slower pace, you’re in for a riveting and spooky thrill ride that you won’t be able to put down.
While some aspects of the gameplay and exploration disappointed me, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is an unsettling journey through a haunted island that I found much more enjoyable than Maiden of Black Water.