Saving Content
HomepageSaving Content's Reviews
All-in-all, I had a blast with Pupperazi; it has a welcoming and fun charm to it, it’s creative, and it asks you to be creative. It’s only $20 so it’s well worth the price to admission, in fact on Xbox it’ll be a part of Gamepass so if you’re a subscriber, there’s no reason not to get your paws wet and dive right in. It’s cliché to say, but Pupperazi is the very essence of “fun for the whole family.” Now, shoot for the moon and em-bark on your own Pupperazi adventure!
Nobody Saves the World is reminiscent of other games in the genre, yet not at all like them. It quickly becomes clear that Nobody Saves the World is out to do its own thing its own way, and that’s refreshing what you’d expect from DrinkBox. Over the course of the 20-hour journey, I was ready to see it end, thanks in no part to its grindy element. I do wish it was a bit more focused, but exploring the map, opening up pathways, and finding its secrets are something I enjoyed. This is incredibly inspired, ambitious, and full of that humor that DrinkBox Studios is known for, making Nobody Saves the World an instant classic.
I have said for nearly a year now that Monster Hunter Rise is the Monster Hunter game to enter the series on. While that was previously true of World, World was still cumbersome for newcomers owing to a steep enough learning curve and some outdated systems that added unnecessary friction. Rise eschews all of that and the only friction left in the game’s design is the good stuff that adds challenge and depth to the experience. It’s an absolutely stellar game that is engaging, fun, and rewarding to play. If you have ever been wanting to get into Monster Hunter, this is easily the best way in, and it’s the best version of the game to boot.
Epic Chef’s writing is quite funny, and because of that and its fun cooking gameplay, I’m willing to wave off any serious issues I have with it. Does it mean it’s a perfect experience though, no. But I enjoyed my time with it and think it’s a great game to hop into, especially if you’re into the crafting, farming, or cooking genres.
Solar Ash is a fun, fresh adventure that’s perfect for players who love getting lost in strange new worlds and being rewarded for exploring their every nook and cranny. Its tale is engaging enough to keep you moving forward (and backward, and up and down and every which way), and the final reveal is both well earned and well executed. It might not be the best game you play this year, but diving into the Ultravoid to explore it’s vast impossibilities and unearth it’s deepest secrets is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Overall, the game is quite fun, but the game feels very light with minimal narrative and dating-sim aspects. The bowling is good enough to have you play for a few matches or with other people, but the bowling fun only takes it so far. With that said, at $9.99 it hits that perfect sweet spot where even though it feels light, you’re not breaking the bank. I mean, it’s cheaper than bowling alley pizza and will leave you feeling more satisfied.
While it’s not a SteamWorld game, it still has that Image & Form charm we know so well with Thunderful Development. It took me 3.5 hours to see the end of the game, got 14 out of 16 upgrades, and am missing only 5 achievements. It’s very fun to just navigate and explore this world, taking in the sights and sounds It may be short-lived, but it's a highly enjoyable adventure I want more of. The Gunk establishes itself as a unique and memorable journey worth taking.
Firegirl: Hack ’n Splash Rescue is a gorgeous game, as the 2D sprites against 3D backdrops go really well together. The core gameplay of putting out fires and combating the various monsters is really fun, as is engaging with the metagame that drives the upgrades. But the repetition and lack of variety in the levels is very draining and tiresome. Future content patches could address these concerns, but until then I advise caution. Firegirl: Hack ’n Splash Rescue has a solid foundation, but the over-reliance on repetition and grinding is not as enjoyable as it should be.
Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is pure fun, whether it be bumping enemies into oblivion or performing a palette swap costume change back at camp. This hybrid of genres is never frustrating or repetitive thanks to its variety and overall good nature. With accessibility and difficulty options, there’s a level of customization that makes this approachable by anyone. The gameplay loop is dare I say addictive, very rewarding as gems are never lost, and you’re always making progress towards a full run with any given character. It may take you over a dozen hours just to see the ending, and that’s with just a single character. Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is every bit blissful as it is unique and satisfying, where every ending is a new beginning.
What we’re left with in Into The Pit is a really great set of ingredients. The art direction and visuals are excellent, the music is perfect, and the core mechanics are really well designed. It is absolutely fun to play, no question about it. However, due to a lack of variety and challenge, the magic quickly fades, and I found myself wondering what this game could have been rather than being able to fully enjoy what’s on offer. In many ways it feels like not-quite-final draft that needs more fleshing out, and ironically what Into The Pit needs most is more depth. It’s a great set of ideas on paper, it’s a good romp for a few hours at least, and I like a lot of what’s going on with it, but Into The Pit leaves just a little bit too much on the table for me to feel completely satisfied.
Alan Wake is a game that’s easy to get caught up in, featuring an atmosphere that’s rich and enticing, writing that is equally campy, charming, and exciting, and characters who are interesting and memorable, even in cases where they may be a little too directly related to their sources of inspiration. It truly is a thrilling experience, and while the game certainly still shows its age at times, it’s absolutely delightful to play through and this is easily the definitive way to do so.
Lost Judgment has so much going on in it, it’s kind of hard to paint a complete picture of what’s available. This is a full-fat experience, building on the promise of the first game and feeling like a much more well-realized iteration of the concept’s vision. In most ways, I think Lost Judgment is successful in proving it’s capable of carrying itself, though it has the double-edged fortune of both standing on the shoulders of last year’s epic Yakuza: Like a Dragon while also trying to escape its shadow. It’s a worthy follow-up that feels like it’s building up to something great, and while the narrative doesn’t conclude with quite the same impact as its forbear, it’s still a well-told story with depth, heart, and insight. The fact that the rest of the game is so rich and that the characters are so well written make Lost Judgment an easy recommendation, and its an adventure you won’t soon forget.
The Jackbox Party Pack 8 is a heck of a bundle and honestly one of the strongest they’ve had as a package; it is the most consistent pack Jackbox Games Inc. has created yet. There are hours of fun and hilarity to be had with Party Pack 8, and this game gives no reason why it can’t be in your library of games.
Regardless, TOEM is a delightfully cute adventure and it’s a great way to spend a few hours getting lost in an idealized, zero risk adventure. It’s a perfect palette cleanser between games or at the end of a session of otherwise more action packed titles, or just a great way to chill out for an hour or two. I’d wager it also makes a great introduction to gaming for younger kids, and has the makings of something families can enjoy together, which definitely earns bonus points if you’ve got kids, family members, or partners who like to help find things or solve puzzles without being the one in control. Don’t let the simplicity of TOEM fool you, though; it’s a rich and entertaining experience that’s worth dipping into.
This standalone expansion is only a taste of the incredible gameplay, and should encourage anyone to go get the main game, or even replay it. Aiko’s Choice offers enough to bring new players in at a smaller price point and satiate the fans it has made the last five years – and that’s worth celebrating. The gameplay doesn’t stray from the expected, but it is extremely polished and engaging all the way through. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun – Aiko’s Choice is an exceptional stealth tactics game, and one of the best expansions to exist.
Chorus has exceptional gameplay and a vast expanse to explore within the confines of its planetary system. It unfortunately suffers from a technical issues that hold it back from greatness. And while it may not have the best voice acting or story, it more than makes up for it with its space combat and freedom to explore through its design. Deep Silver Fishlabs have made gameplay the focal point, and it shows. Chorus is the kind of game you can’t get enough of, and have to experience everything as it’s so rich and engaging.
If you’re looking for something chill to play in between the stressful first-person shooters this holiday season, you can’t go wrong with this calm puzzle game, one that doesn’t overstay its welcome either, lasting only a few hours max. At the end of the day, Unpacking unpacks, a captivating story through its use of the stuff we collect in our lives.
Minor shortcomings aside, Psychonauts 2 is the rare sequel that succeeds in living up to the hype and delivering on the promise set up by its predecessor and many years of anticipation. It is such a treat to spend more time in this world, and I will still staunchly argue that Psychonauts is the best stuff Doublefine has ever created. I love that this exists, I love that a whole new generation of gamers are getting the chance to experience this magnificent world for the first time, and it is so refreshing to see a game with so much creativity get the time, attention, and budget it deserves. Psychonauts 2 is a heartfelt, joyous adventure that ups the ante in every way, and I think it’s a must play experience for anybody who loves a good adventure.
With the modest price and low time commitment it asks of you, Exo One is worth everything that you give it. I’d like to see the developer do more in this universe, but I have no idea what that would even look like. So maybe less is more. The solitude of playing the game is persistent, giving a sense of dread even when you have no attachment to the character or events in the game. All that you feel is the desire to go home, and to be safe and sound in a familiar place again. Exo One is cryptic, experimental, and all-around enchanting.
It’s clear that DICE have some work to do, but this is an incredibly ambitious and auspicious game. The specialists are my least favorite part of the game, especially with their end-of-round quips, but hopefully they’ll find their place in time. Battlefield 2042 delivers on the core gameplay, and the promise of 128-player combat zones in All-Out Warfare. Hazard Zone is off to a favorable and suspenseful start, but it needs more to draw me back regularly. And with Portal, the most memorable mode, Battlefield 2042 protects its future by preserving its past. This is a triple threat offering of multiplayer mastery DICE is known for, and Battlefield 2042 is only getting started.