Hey Poor Player
HomepageHey Poor Player's Reviews
It’s not a stretch to say that Shin Megami Tensei V has set a new standard for JRPGs. It’s amazing to see how far along this series has come since the initial inception of Megami Tensei, and the fact that ATLUS can continue to improve the series without compromising its core features. Shin Megami Tensei V has been a long time coming, but the wait has absolutely been worth it—and I’m more excited than ever to watch the SMT franchise continue to grow.
While there’s very little wrong with Age of Empires IV, this is a game that could definitely have been used to take more risks. A part of me wondered what a modern Age of Empires game would feel like. It turns out, like more Age of Empires. You may at some point wonder why you didn’t just go back and play the series’ earlier titles. Excellent production values help to make the case, however, and there’s just so much to do. I fear I’ll pour far too many hours of my life into this game in the coming years. Fans who have been waiting for more Age of Empires or a good RTS that doesn’t feel like it had to be developed on a shoestring budget will find what they’re looking for in Age of Empires IV.
All in all, would I recommend this robot-fueled time travel adventure? Absolutely! Even though the story serves as yet another example of why one shouldn’t trifle with time travel, the fun involved makes turning the clock back to 1995 seem pretty enticing. From solid physics to flawlessly detailed environments, Time Loader takes the player on a wild ride through the past, and launches the neglected 2D puzzle-platformer genre into the future like a speeding DeLorean leaving flame trails in its wake.
It is a devilish delight to navigate Dusk’s hellish environments and labyrinth-like levels, all whilst laying waste to its army of twisted enemies with its second to none gunplay. Not only is this title a fitting tribute to the games that inspired it, but it’s also something that manages to feel entirely relevant to the modern era due to its impeccable gameplay and emphasis on providing a simple but intriguing story. So if you are in any way nostalgic for retro FPS experiences, or for that matter, just a lover of FPS games in general, then do yourself a favor and check out Dusk on the Switch.
Sheepo does almost everything right, and only frustrated me because it was over so soon. But if you enjoy Metroidvanias and want to try something delightfully different, you really need to check this one out.
Once you get through the tutorial Riders Republic opens up into a sandbox only limited by your imagination. There’s enough to do to keep players busy for a long time and enough variety to keep things fresh. So grab your board, hop on your bike, it’s time to ride.
There’s just not a lot to criticize about Undernauts. Experience has taken their standard formula and improved upon it once again. Exploration is engaging and addicting, there’s tons of customization options for your team, challenging quests and enemies, and a flair for the creepy and disturbing. If you need a solid dungeon RPG, look no further.
Lacuna is not your average pixel noir. Its incredibly complex backstory and rich world-building will shock players expecting the standard murder mystery fare. There's an extremely brilliant and complicated story here, and although it's only a 4 - 5 hour experience, it's not a game one can breeze through easily. If you're looking for something that breaks the mold in subtle but genius ways, Lacuna – A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure should be at the top of your list.
The Good Life can be summed up as one of the more polished SWERY experiences. For some, that explains all they need to know; for everyone else, it’s like a fun, repetitive, sweet and sour mixture between Little Dragons Cafe, Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon, Pokemon Snap, No More Heroes III, and Katamari Damacy. So few games leave me at a loss for words like The Good Life did, yet this is somehow one of my longest articles. As a gamedev and reviewer, I’m confused. As a gamer, I’m content.
While this remaster has its share of Kodak moments, unfortunately, the negatives are simply too much to ignore. With Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water’s disposable cast of characters and underdeveloped episodes that start to blur together like like an old Polaroid, survival horror fans are better off turning their focus elsewhere to get their fix this Halloween.
Growbot is a genuine delight that will reawaken the joy of children’s storybooks within you. Featuring stunningly magical hand-drawn illustrations and an incredibly imaginative biopunk setting, Growbot takes players on a journey filled with vibrant color, verdant beauty, dazzling light, and warm characters. If you’re looking for a cozy new world to snuggle deeply into, Growbot is ready when you are.
Having finally experienced the macabre world of Corpse Party, and crept through the cursed halls of Heavenly Host Elementary, I can honestly say that Corpse Party (2021) ranks up there with my favorite horror games of all time. The trial and error gameplay may frustrate some. However, the incredible writing and rewarding exploration make this a must-play for horror fans this Halloween.
Hell Architect makes the macabre somehow a bit more palatable with its devilishly cute art style and relatively lighthearted dark humor. Although fans of similar titles like Oxygen Not Included will likely have their interest piqued, the selling point of Hell Architect isn’t in its gameplay, but in its theme. Players hoping to take their sadistic tendencies out on poor, unfortunate souls — and some deserving familiar faces — will have a gruesomely good time with this one; those looking for a deeper, complex layer of hell to call their own will have to wait for an update or two.
Despite some issues with bugs and shooting that could use a little more weight behind it, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy tells a fantastic story that kept me glued to my seat until the very end. An excellent voice cast, killer 80s soundtrack, and strategic combat sweetened the deal. Anyone looking for a fun action game should consider checking it out, and for fans of the Guardians, this is an absolute must-play.
Tales of the Black Death inserts players directly into the cruel world of 14th century Europe and challenges them to ward off death in its many brutal forms. Featuring beautifully hand drawn characters and environments juxtaposed to an atmospheric soundtrack and, of course, the horrific subject matter, Tales of the Black Death soberly puts into perspective just how lucky we are to live in a world with modern medicine and current creature comforts (with respect to everything that’s happened these past two years). If you’re looking for a historical fiction visual novel where choices really, really matter, Tales of the Black Death awaits those with a curious mind and a strong stomach.
Nostalgic and engaging from start to finish, The Lightbringer is a solid puzzle platformer with a lot of heart that’s easy to recommend. It’s not perfect—the combat element needs a bit of work—but it’s easier to overlook its weaker elements when everything else is so smartly designed. While The Lightbringer ends sooner than I would have liked, it also feels like the prelude to something grander. After all, is the darkness ever truly vanquished?
For fans of the source material or just arena fighters in general, Demon Slayer’s incredible combat and substantial story mode make this a must-play. Sure, the exploration sections may disrupt the pacing somewhat, and the online functionality could use some patching, but these issues don’t detract too much from the stellar foundation which CyberConnect2 has put in place.
At its best, Back 4 Blood offers a ton of variety to keep you and your friends interested for a long time. Even returning to levels you’ve already played gets interesting thanks to different cards, which can make major differences in how things play out. If you have three friends to play the whole game with, I highly recommend it. That its available as a Game Pass title is awesome because you can get a group of friends together without them all having to buy the game. If you don’t have that group though, a poorly balanced solo mode and issues with matchmaking will sink this one for most.
First impressions matter: from the people you meet, the look and feel of a restaurant, or the state of that used car you’re buying. Unplugged delivers that spark, that flutter in your chest, those hairs on the back of your neck that stand up, as you fire up the game and crunch your way through its 20-ish tracks. After a few drinks at a gig, the air guitar inevitably comes out, as I’m screaming lyrics to some of my favourite tunes. Now, I can do this in the comfort of my own home, without inflicting this misery on other people – and so can you!
I Expect You To Die 2 is a fantastic VR escape room experience that plays up the thrilling spy movie genre in the best possible ways. With an incredible voice cast, a show-stopping 360° intro sequence, and exciting puzzles that will really make you feel like a big screen secret agent, I Expect You To Die 2 belongs in every VR library. So, what are you waiting for, Agent? Stop Zoraxis’ evil plan for world domination — we’re counting on you!