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I really wanted to like Ever Forward. And, in some ways, I did. Its surreal beauty is mesmerizing, and its story is both tragic and heart-warming. But scenery and stories a puzzle game does not make. You’ve got to have puzzles for that to work out. Or, more specifically, good puzzles. And, while Ever Forward has the forward, I found it to be lacking in the latter. I’m not telling you not to get this game—because there is certainly enjoyment to be found within it—I’m just telling you to brace yourself several bouts of frustration if you do.
Online woes aside, Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection is an excellent addition to any fighting game fan’s library. Each of the games featured in the compilation is worth experiencing. And many of them are just as enjoyable to play now as they were in the series’ heyday. With seven great games and a treasure trove of bonus content, what’s not to love? If you’re a fan of SNK or retro fighters in general, don’t hesitate to take a stab at Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection.
As enjoyable as this game was for an outsider like me, there’s no denying Fairy Tail‘s true nature as a game aimed at its pre-installed fanbase. It’s the kind of game that you excitedly dive into because you’ve been a fan of the series for so long and want to experience its story like never before. Playing it with the mindset that it’s “just another JRPG” might leave you wanting more at the end of it all, but I know for a fact that, had I already been familiar with Fairy Tail, I would have eaten everything up faster than Natsu himself.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that The Revenant Prince is too ambitious for its own good in some places. It’s a game that tries to do a lot and meets with varying degrees of success along the way. If you’re looking for a perfectly streamlined RPG, this isn’t it. However, if you’re open to a unique experience and are willing to take everything in stride, then The Revenant Prince might be what you’re looking for.
Love spiders or hate them, Kill It With Fire is bound to please even the most terrified arachnophobe. With a literal arsenal at your disposal and a clear objective, Kill It With Fire is a cathartic experience that is perfect for streaming or just unwinding after a long day. Whether you be a casual player or hardcore perfectionist, this game has something for everyone, building upon concepts taught in levels prior until complete mastery of the extermination arts.
Despite any hangups mentioned, Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town aimed for a Monkey Island-shaped moon and landed among the stars in the immediate vicinity. In terms of puzzles, the Bone Town level is bar none one of the best point-and-click designs I’ve played in modern memory, and the storyline is straight outta pirate-filled nostalgia. It’s held back by some design choices and perhaps the length, but the game itself is certainly a solid experience to be proud of.
Despite any hangups I experienced during my time with Aeolis Tournament, I will say it accomplished all its goals. It’s accessible — I can see kids as young as four getting the swing of this. It’s replayable — quick burst rounds give off that “one more go” gameplay. It features a focus on multiplayer — as there is no mode available with fewer than two characters on the field, you’ll always be playing against someone, even if it’s the AI.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout was the surprise hit that no one — especially not the developers — saw coming in terms of its resounding popularity and success. A slightly bumpy launch will not knock this game down, however, as the dev team is working day and night to get it back up and working to its full potential. If you want to play a quick round (or 10) of addicting eye candy that’s fun for all ages, be sure to pick up Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout as soon as possible.
I really didn’t want this non-game to end, and I bet that you won’t either. Be sure to pick up There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension as soon as you can — I can’t promise you there will be a game, but I can promise you’ll absolutely enjoy the experience.
Tiny Racer isn’t the equivalent of you having a grand ol’ time driving your toy cars into one another as it the equivalent of you trying to race said cars down a toy track, only for your little brother to run in, yell “mom said it’s my turn,” despite it not actually being his turn, and start picking the cars on your track and chucking them at each other. It’s frustrating, unfair, and it’s really not something that you want to deal with.
The time in which all indies were inherently exciting and mysterious may have already passed on by us, but Skully shows that indies can be just as magical as they’ve ever been if you know where to look.
The fact that 90’s shooters are as popular as ever is a testament to their sound design philosophy. Of course, the catalogue is as extensive as ever, what with a steady stream of retro-styled shooters gracing our screens on a nigh-regular basis. Hellbound is another such title, now a full-fledged game, which has emerged from languishing in Steam’s Early Access. And does it hold up against its peers? To put a fine point to it: oh, Hell yeah.
While some of the game’s mechanics, such as your limited defensive options, come across as a little half-baked, the oppressive atmosphere and genuine chills Infliction: Extended Cut delivers make it a standout survival horror title on a system that’s somewhat starved of them. Though many players will probably burn through the game’s five-hour story in just a few sittings, the New Game Plus Mode also does a good job of adding replay value with its revamped puzzles and more challenging gameplay.
Though it’s a fleeting experience, Saint Kotar: The Yellow Mask gives us faith that Red Martyr Entertainment is on a righteous path.
An instant mood-booster with a lot of love to give, Sayonara Wild Hearts is absolutely anyone’s game. Music fans, retro gaming fans, gamers young and old, casual and hardcore, or those simply looking for something new will find at least one level that blows their mind, walking away from the experience impressed and uplifted.
I know it sounds like I’ve been hard on What Happened, but that’s because I feel like it had so much potential. With its outstanding artistic direction, creepy atmosphere, and unique premise, I had high hopes for the game. And while it occasionally managed to pull me into its world of drug-fueled hysteria and desperation, its repetitive gameplay and painful writing had me eager to reach the finale. My playthrough of the game took me just over five hours, but I feel like the story could have reached its conclusion in half that time without taking anything away from the game’s experience.
Maid of Sker is overall a stand-up immersive horror experience that I would recommend to anyone looking for that sort of thing.
If you’ve yet to experience Crypto’s origins story, there’s no better time than the present to embark on this anal-probing, body-snatching quest for revenge.
In terms of gameplay, I’m left wanting a little more (those in-between portions weren’t my favorite), but the stories and emotional connections conveyed are bar-none the strongest I’ve read all year.
I could have forgiven We should talk.’s narrative if it weren’t for the length. I could have forgiven We should talk.’s length if it weren’t for the narrative. The game could be short. The game could push a specific philosophy in relationships. But it couldn’t be both and still get high marks unless you absolutely already 100% agree with the developer’s stance on relationships.