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Wrath: Aeon of Ruin feels like the hardcore peak of the so-called 'boomer-shooter' subgenre. A punishing (sometimes unfairly so), yet rewarding and surprisingly innovative exercise in first-person shooter goodness, Wrath: Aeon of Ruin is recommended for anyone looking to test their genre skills within the confines of its grim design and unrelenting onslaught.
Tales Of Kenzera: ZAU is a solid debut title from Surgent Studios, with its strongest aspects coming from the art style, world design and a truly impactful story. It's gameplay however lacks the same depth, and doesn't do enough to set itself apart in a genre crowded with some of the best games ever made.
Sand Land is a fun filled game that offers players a lot of different things. Easily the best part of the game is the vehicle combat and puzzle solving, but the narrative doesn't always deliver.
2K comes out swinging with TopSpin 2K25, with this being the return to the popular tennis franchise. Presentation and gameplay meet the 2K Sports' standards that fans of the games come to expect, and TopSpin fans can feel comforted in the fact that the game still feels like it should. Controls ask you for more precision and discipline than the previous entries did, but this makes for a more satisfying experience once you nail down the control scheme. Some visual oddities, a rare gameplay simulation, and the lack of depth in setting customization ask you to forgive a few things along the way. Nonetheless, the experience far outshines any competition and leaves the door wide open for future success with a formidable foundation the franchise can firmly stand on.
Another Crab's Treasure sets out to try and create a Soulslike that trims down the complicated foundation into a new approachable format and succeeds in every regard. A variety of accessibility options mean that anybody can dive in and experience the journey of Kril and have a part to play in the hunt for his shell. While inviting newcomers, Another Crab's Treasure manages to offer an exceptionally unique approach to combat that manages to stand out among the crowd. Technical hiccups throughout sour the experience very slightly, but the game on show here is ambitious and a strong candidate for anybody's first foray into this well-beloved genre. All managing to come together under an appealing and consistently entertaining journey and cast, Another Crab's Treasure is a great time.
In a year when Sony's marquee first-party offerings seem to be almost distressingly thin, Stellar Blade's dogged pursuit of an engaging and polished single-player action adventure experience is more welcome than ever - even if much of it feels like a loving greatest hits interpretation of past genre luminaries. Nonetheless fans of gorgeously rendered, high-octane action adventures with style to spare will find much to enjoy in Shift Up's stellar PlayStation debut.
Sker Ritual has a lot of good, strong bones as a round-based horde shooter, it's very easy to be having fun while playing and to recognize the things that it does well. Despite that it still feels half-baked, due to balancing issues, sound issues, technical issues, and an overall lack of polish. But if you can see past those rough edges, and you've been a COD: Zombies fan for years, then Sker Ritual is something you shouldn't miss out on.
Ready, Steady, Ship! is a fantastic spin on the chaotic cooperative game formula, and gives players a variety of tools and a sometimes head scratching puzzle to use them on. Despite some frustrations, it's definitely worth checking out.
Though plaudits will be rightly levelled at its appearance, Harold Halibut is equally as impressive when it comes to its narrative, world-building, and how both are realised. Despite being relatively light in gameplay terms, the game packs a punch where it matters by sticking its landing and proving beyond doubt that the answer to the meaning of life may be closer to home than you think.
Open Roads often feels like a game at odds with itself, that probably would have been best served in a different genre. Whilst it starts off strong, it progressively loses what makes it good and feels more disconnected. Despite that, the two main characters have an engaging mother, daughter relationship that make the game worth playing, in no small part thanks to the excellent actresses, and their performances.
Managing to step out of the shadow of its inspirations, Freedom Planet 2 is a brilliant 2D action-platformer that balances all of its elements in a near-perfect harmony while trying plenty of new things. Painstakingly detailed visuals, an entertaining cast and toe-tapping soundtrack help to set this game out as a game that any platformer enthusiast should seek out, despite some small hiccups.
The GRANDIA HD Collection is the only way to experience these two great titles on modern platforms. Both Grandia and Grandia 2 stand the test of time with great writing and characters and a unique combat and skill upgrade system. It's just a shame that not enough was done to provide quality-of-life upgrades. The only real updates these games have received are game visuals and widescreen support.
Tomas Sala has created another great game with Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles. The ability to expand and experiment without worry makes it very accessible for those unfamiliar with the genre, as well as it being a thought provoking adventure even for genre veterans. While it may not be for everyone, there is something special here for those that connect with it.
Many pretenders and contenders have attempted to lay claim to Contra's run-and-gun throne over the years, with some glowingly successful and others failing abysmally, but Contra: Operation Galuga largely preserves its legacy with this faithful recreation of the much-loved 1980s classic. While Operation Galuga won't offer fans anything shocking or out of the ordinary, it's still a pleasing upgrade they'll be clamouring for. There's plenty in here to relish, and it's not bloated with new features and ideas that could otherwise jeopardize this renewed relic. Yes, more could've been done to reinvent the classic gameplay, but one shouldn't fix what isn't broken, and so Operation Galuga is a successful if formulaic return for one of gaming's most hardcore franchises.
A breezy and affordable South Park curiosity, South Park: Snowday! Is a delicious slice of immature humour pie that sits comfortably in the stomach. Turning to an action-RPG experience away from a turn-based one isn't an entirely successful one, as the lack of the unexpected will become noticeable throughout, but the pleasure of slashing your way through a short, affordable and gratifying South Park adventure will win out. Snowday! Is ultimately a nice and welcome treat as long as you keep your expectations in check.
With great art direction and fun, though infuriating, puzzles. The Last Case Of Benedict Fox is a fun Metroidvania with great brain teasers and entertaining combat. It just takes a while to experience the best parts of the game. Exploration is fun but suffers in places like the combat and puzzles. But it doesn't keep the game from being fun all the same.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake for the PS5 is a great way to experience this classic indie on modern consoles. With its new visuals, creative gameplay mechanics, and deeply moving narrative, it offers an unforgettable gaming experience that resonates long after the credits roll. Whether you're playing solo or with a friend, the bond between the brothers will tug at your heartstrings, reminding you of the power of love and connection. If you own a PS5, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is an essential addition to your gaming library.
Far more than a one trick pony, What the Golf? is a brilliant party sports game that manages to entertain in every way that it sets out to do. From beginning to end I found myself surprised and entertained by what new twists were thrown my way and I look forward to seeing what the team has in store next. Some technical hiccups here and there led to some small frustrations but none were enough to get me to hang up the club. Well worth a look for all who are interested!
MLB The Show 24 is a game that continues to deliver. From emotional history from Story Lines to the new amazing inclusion of Women into The Show. While this may seem like small new additions now, these ripples now have the potential to create large waves into the future. Young girls finding, or strengthening their love of baseball in this game, seeing themselves as MLB stars growing up and forcing baseball to evolve and change for the better. While I may have slight issues with the the visuals not being on the same level as the game play or game modes, it is still one of the best looking sports sims on the market and the best looking baseball game hands down. The Show 24 impresses more than disappoints and is another winning season for PlayStation and San Diego Studios.
A jack of all trades and master of some, though Rise of the Ronin feels like a melting pot of influences from other games, it is also quite the surprise of the year for me thus far as it clearly shows that Team Ninja has a confident grasp of compelling open world design in a way that many of its genre stablemates do not. Though the visual presentation might be comparatively a little rough around the edges, Rise of the Ronin nonetheless is simultaneously the most accessible and ambitious game Team Ninja has done to date and one that both hardcore action RPG fiends and open world adventure aficionados will surely embrace.