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A gentle and meditative story which combines simple platforming puzzles and some basic steam engineering to great effect. Beautifully illustrated and scored, FAR Changing Tides is a joyful experience for patient players who are happy to jump aboard this serene cruise through a flooded but gorgeously bleak post-climate changed world.
Ultimately then, PowerSlave: Exhumed is a throwback to an earlier era - that much is true. However, while it clearly and proudly wears its retro design sensibilities on its digital sleeves, so too does its satisfying blend of frantic shooter action and Metroidvania design provide us with a bittersweet reminder that so few others have seen to follow in its largely forgotten footsteps.
Monark has many great ideas, and some of them are executed well, but the game falters when it requires you to grind for hours just to stand a chance against the next story battle. The exploration and puzzle-solving keep things exciting, and the use of the Seven Deadly Sins for character personalities is a unique way to develop your characters. All in all, though, Monark may have been a better adventure or visual novel game than an RPG.
Bolstered by the absolutely stellar and largely transformative remaster work that Nightdive Studios has put into the game, Shadow Man Remastered represents an interesting curio for those who have yet to sample its esoteric delights, while eager fans crusty enough to remember Shadow Man's third-person horror adventure escapades from the PSOne days should probably add another point or so to the review score.
In every way that it can be, Horizon Forbidden West is Horizon Zero Dawn 2.0 and while I might crave some more variety in its open-world activities, Guerrilla Games has nonetheless crafted a triumphant sequel that earns its place among the very best that PlayStation Studios has to offer.
If Dynasty Warriors 9 was the volatile reboot the series desperately needed to endure, the Empires is proof the mixture isn't quite settled yet. What Empires adds in terms of being an engrossing strategy sim, it loses in paring back its open world warfare to something that feels far too much like the series back at its worst. Persevere with its shortcomings, though, and Empires can bring you riches.
Even though it was initially difficult and with very basic combat, Infernax wooed me with its comical gore, beautiful music and simple art style. Infernax will not be everyone's cup of tea but if you have a bit of time and want to play something a little different, I can recommend it. Just beware, you initially may need to navigate a bit of a skill wall of sorts to progress.
SNK has finally delivered another King Of Fighters worthy of the modern era. Not only have they rectified past errors, they have refined the experience to be the most functional and accessible that King Of Fighters has been for years. With a polished graphical presentation, generous amount of content, and online play that works at the standard required, fans of the series can be very happy with this offering. In many ways, King Of Fighters XV is merely a tidier version of its predecessor, and whilst there's nothing wrong with that, you could still argue the series still has some ground to make up in the fighting scene. However, it is certainly a big step in the right direction, and a great Fighter for fans to sink their teeth into.
Edge of Eternity comes with more than its fair share of technical issues. That does not stop this game from offering up engaging combat and interesting stat management. Combine that with an easygoing world to explore, and you find yourself enjoying the experience and shrugging off the tech issues. Edge of Eternity won't shake the ground in its wake, but it provides more than enough for any RPG fan to enjoy.
Rise of The Third Power brings a lot to the table, streamlining the old charm by adding modern nuances to make something quite special. Invigorating combat meets intriguing writing, which makes for a perfect RPG combination. Some design choices may not sit well with everyone, but Rise of The Third Power still stands as a fantastic RPG more than worth anyone's time.
The Longest Road On Earth is no doubt a stirring yet minimalist aesthetic experience with a superb original soundtrack to accompany. Those who are artistically sensitive will certainly find the short play-through to be a meaningful one. Better yet, you will be awarded a platinum trophy just for completing the story. Unfortunately the very few actual interactive parts of The Longest Road On Earth don't arise any enjoyment. Comprised almost entirely of very slow and unchallenged walking, it's difficult to classify this title as a real video game.
Sifu has an extremely high skill ceiling and very deep gameplay, paired wonderfully with stylized visuals and great art. The gameplay is extremely refined, but Sifu's narrative just feels unfinished as a whole, and could have been the difference from Sifu being a lot more than what it is.
Maglam Lord combines a handful of genres into one package, and does it well enough to make it at least fun. However, it's the kind of fun that comes from mindlessly consuming something with little resistance. Maglam Lord works well as an in-between game, but it cannot hold up against other titles that specialize in the genres that this game combines.
OlliOlli World is an incredible reboot and the perfect evolution of the OlliOlli franchise. It's vivid and bright levels combined with the creativity in their design make for a deep gameplay meta that will keep you coming back for years. To put it simply, Roll7 did for OlliOlli in 2022 what Sony Santa Monica did for God Of War in 2018.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human has been a long time coming, and thankfully it's worth the wait. I loved the time I spent exploring Villedor; finding random events and scaling buildings took me back to the old days of Assassins Creed II. While I wish I wasn't being timed on the occasions I went into a dark building or decided to explore at night, it's a minor issue to overlook when most of the game is so brilliantly executed and fun to play.
All in all, Paper Dolls 2 does enough to keep the survival horror formula going. However, its repetitive level design, heavy puzzle solving, and weird movement speeds bring down the experience somewhat. At the same time, this makes for a good puzzle-solving exploration game. As long as you know what you're getting into, you'll have a good time.
Don't be fooled by the unassuming presentation of this indie title; Dysmantle is a monster that will have you in its grasp in no time. With an addictive destroy and craft loop, and a big open world full of intrigue and challenge, you'll be bargaining with yourself for just one last scavenger run every time. Elements such as combat, camera and graphics have obvious room for improvement, but there's no shortcoming that detract from just how involved you become with this game. Anyone looking to scratch that RPG itch with a new time sink seriously needs to consider purchasing Dysmantle soon.
Whether you're experiencing these stunning games for the first time or are returning for another playthrough, emboldened by the technical facelift that the PlayStation 5 provides, Uncharted: Legacy Of Thieves Collection brings together two absolute banner PlayStation exclusives into a delectable and unmissable package that serves as a timely reminder that Nathan Drake and company have been long missed.
Vagante is an entertaining experience, especially with friends. It may feel familiar to players who have played games like Spelunky but it does carve its own path with its build and loot system. It's initially hard but never unfair and has quite a bit of content for a game developed by such a small team. If you're a fan of the genre, it is well worth a look.
The Artful Escape takes you on a trip with Francis into the cosmos, marrying music and visuals into a beautiful gameplay experience. Small things pop up a time or two, but absolutely nothing keeps The Artful Escape from being entertainment brilliance. Place this among the top indie titles on the PlayStation platform.