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Age of Mythology: Retold is a faithful and visually stunning recreation of the classic RTS. Veteran players will undoubtedly find themselves transported back to an earlier time, reliving epic battles, using godly powers, and managing their booming mythological empires. Newcomers to the series will find a well-polished and accessible strategy game steeped in rich mythology. However, the lack of significant new content and the focus on nostalgia might leave some players yearning for more. Age of Mythology: Retold is no fable, it really serves as a reminder it shouldn’t have never been forgotten.
Ara: History Untold takes strides in pushing the boundaries of the 4X genre to new and exciting places. While it stumbles in its execution, it offers glimpses of an exciting future for the genre. If you’re a patient strategist willing to grapple with its systems, there’s an enjoyable game here. Though it’s going to take additional updates and DLCs to right the ship, as the mid-to-late game needs support. Like many civilizations in history, Ara: History Untold is on the cusp of greatness before it falls due to its own hubris.
Overall, Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines is an impressive platformer with engaging mechanics, a charming cast of characters, and plenty of challenges to keep you hooked. The lighthearted tone and challenging gameplay make it stand out among other platformers and should be up there with Mario and Sonic. If you loved the first game, you’ll feel right at home, and if you’re new to the series, this sequel is a perfect place to start. It’s safe to say that Grapple Dogs continues to be a very good dog, and this latest adventure deserves all the head rubs.
Despite some minor stumbles, Parcel Corps is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, though the price of admission is a little steep. It’s a game that revels in its own silliness, offering a nostalgic blend of fast-paced action, exploration, and laugh-out-loud humor. If you’re looking for a game that will test your reflexes, tickle your funny bone, and keep you coming back for more, Parcel Corps is a more complex Crazy Taxi, and ride worth taking.
Ultimately, G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra borrows heavily from the arcade beat ’em up playbook, but almost to its detriment. Fans of the franchise will likely enjoy some moments of nostalgic fun, especially in co-op mode, but the game suffers from overly long levels, repetitive combat, and a lackluster story. I found myself wanting to like it more than I did, but it just didn’t have enough spark to keep me hooked. If you have a buddy to join in for co-op, it can elevate the experience slightly, but as a solo adventure, it’s a bit of a slog. There was so much potential here for a great nostalgia trip, but in the end, Wrath of Cobra is just another run-of-the-mill beat ’em up.
Frostpunk 2 builds upon the original by throwing everything out and starting over. The stakes are high with Frostpunk 2, and it’s not afraid to kill you. Though you do learn from this in order to retry and do better until you get that “a-ha moment” for the satisfaction of overcoming the odds for success. Unlike the inhabitants of my colonies, we’re eating good with the release of Frostpunk 2, as it’s an excellent survival game that despite its weather, has no chill.
While the campaign ends on a cliffhanger, there’s going to be continuity in all the endgame activities until what will likely be another expansion. In a lot of ways, this feels like a whole new game; as this expansion brings so many new and different things with it, from revamping the difficulties to adding co-op dungeons, a new class, and even a new season. There’s so much to do and see, Diablo IV is going to take over your life once again. I love the ride that Vessel of Hatred goes on, as it continues from where Diablo IV left off, only to build and improve on itself for a hellishly good time.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster does a lot of heavy lifting thanks to the RE Engine. It’s a gorgeous engine, and a very fitting one for the zombie carnage that unfolds in the course of three in-game days. CAPCOM doesn’t reinvent Dead Rising with this deluxe remaster, but it does reintroduce it to those who’ve never played it. Returning players will find enough here to satisfy nostalgia while enjoying a whole new experience. The Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster shows how ahead of its time it was, and still is – it’s a charming and gruesome adventure worth revisiting.
CarX Street is undoubtedly fun, and has the potential to be an excellent open-world racing game, as it's only pretty good now. The core gameplay loop of racing and customization is solid, and the open world itself offers a decent playground to explore. However, the relentless grind for cash, the lack of meaningful activities outside of racing, and the technical issues all hold the game back. Despite its shortcomings, CarX Street on PC is a worthy contender to its triple A competitors.
For $50, Khaos Reigns expansion does not live up to the standards set by Mortal Kombat 1. The game as a whole is the best its ever been, and if you haven’t played MK1 yet, now’s a great time to jump in with a complete story. As an epilogue to the MK1 story, it does not stand on its own, and after the credits roll there’s only Invasions mode to compete in. Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns ends the story in an abrupt way that’s rather unsatisfying for what came before it.
The minimalist nature of this management sim offers more depth than a game that’s maximalist. It’s a game that is mesmerizing and nail biting as you have to stand by and watch events unfold. Golden Lap is another special game from Funselektor, and one not to be missed. Golden Lap is infinitely replayable as you embark on a quest to beat the best, and to be the best.
The Plucky Squire can be a bit hand holdy, but it’s something that’s also great for kids. It’s ultimately an adventure I want more of, even after the credits rolled. It leans well on childhood nostalgia and putting your imagination to good use. It’s a shame that the bugs detract from what would otherwise be a better experience. Where art and words comes together beautifully is a a page turner for some well-earned surprises, and The Plucky Squire is a delightful journey.
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a remarkable achievement that perfectly captures the spirit of the original game while introducing modern enhancements that elevate the experience. This is not a long game, and neither was the original, but even with the additional stage it’ll be over quickly. The controls can be imprecise at times, but it doesn’t detract from the fun it brings. Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a must-play for fans of the original game and anyone looking for a fun and challenging retro-style experience.
Parking Garage Rally Circuit does feel like a game plucked out of the SEGA Saturn or PlayStation 1 era. It’s a straightforward game where its ideas are all executed well, but I’d like to see the game grow and expand beyond what it is. While it’s not a long game, there’s lots of reasons for you to return to it, like to get all gold trophies, beat rivals, or participate in the multiplayer. Parking Garage Rally Circuit is a bite-sized game that I’ll always keep installed and revisit often, as it slides right into your heart.
While I’m not the kind of person to believe in destiny or feeling nostalgic for certain aspects of gaming, I do believe there’s a time and place for everything. If we lived in an alternate reality in which the industry went hard into third person shooters during the PlayStation 4 era instead of the open world craze, “Space Marine 2” would be just another game in my library. As of 2024, it’s fresh, it’s a great comeback to an era that I didn’t know I sorely missed. You don’t see games like these, with this kind of polish and attention to detail and packing so much stuff in its launch. I don’t want it to become the norm, quite the contrary, I want the industry to innovate more as the years go by. But, much like “Advanced Warfighter” — a game that pleasantly surprised me on how it played out on consoles and how much I missed it its style — sometimes it’s good to go back to the drawing board, pick a subgenre that was a big hit during a certain period and improve upon. Saber did that masterfully.
Tiny Glade is simply fantastic, it offers a peaceful escapism in all the right ways. The graphics are beautiful, the gameplay is engaging, and the game’s ability to promote relaxation is an unexpected perk. While this isn’t a game in the traditional sense, maybe it’s time we reconsider a traditional game. As it stands, I’d much rather be cozy than stressing over completing a battle pass in time. If you’re looking for a serene and immersive virtual experience, Tiny Glade is definitely worth the price, because you’re buying joy in its purest form.
Wild Bastards feels scaled back and lacks the immersion that its predecessor excelled at. Being a “spiritual successor to the award-winning game Void Bastards” sounds great, but tends to feel like an out-of-body experience. Thankfully, the new mechanics and systems are great to interact with, and assembling a varied and diverse crew of thirteen outlaws gives you a lot of wiggle room for experimentation. Add in the personality layer, and needing to manage relationships is a welcome addition. Wild Bastards is about strategizing and optimizing your not-so-merry band of outlaws for a tactical first-person experience that’s more style over substance.
After the six hours it took for me to complete Caravan SandWitch (many of which were spent trying to find a single door that I kept missing), I can confidently say I’m not in a rush to go back, even if in the final moment of the game I was presented with an unexpected potentially story-altering choice. Though I am glad such a story exists in such a well presented package, I just hope it finds its audience who can see past the awkward driving and repetitive puzzles.
The Jackbox Naughty Pack is a fine bundle of games. There are only three, so it is light on the variety, but it is just a fun little morsel to tide you over till the eventual Jackbox Party Pack 11. It is an M-rated game, and the prompts and artwork really nail that M-rating. If you have kids or usually play these games with kids, maybe skip this one. But you know your kids best, though, so if you’re ok with them playing Jackbox with these sexual tones in the prompts, then by all means, have a blast with them! Think of this as a few Jackbox games with the tone of Cards Against Humanity. There are hours of fun to be had with this Naughty Pack, which I would recommend adding to your game night rotations.
I Am Your Beast twists the formula of the prey becoming the predator, you’ll never tire of the “he’s-in-the-walls” reactions from enemies. The short runtime works in its favor to not overstay its welcome, but a healthy amount of replayability will keep you coming back for that next “S” rank. The game’s soundtrack will get your blood pumping as also you empty it from your enemies. I Am Your Beast is a blissful mix of speed and brutality that will make you a bogeyman among men.