The Game Fanatics
HomepageWolfenstein: Youngblood is a mediocre spin-off. There's some charm and fun to be had, but it is not worth suffering through the tedium.
Rage 2's Gameplay is incredibly fun and fluid. The vehicle combat and story are the biggest let down, as well as an empty open world.
Whenever it's fully embracing its detective murder mystery identity, Judgment is a fantastic gritty action experience that takes Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios' formula into a refreshing new direction. The characters are likeable, the central mystery is intriguing, and even when it leans back on its own established formula, the gameplay remains satisfying and fun.
Devil May Cry 5 is the perfect distillation of what has made the series great. Satisfying combat, gorgeous visuals, cutting edge speed and fluidity, and a bold, brazen and completely devil-may-care attitude towards seriousness or self-consciousness.
Dead or Alive 6 has some of the most polished gameplay in the series, but is let down by poorly implemented half-measures with its other content.
Darksiders III still has some entertainment hidden behind all of its cut corners, but it is buried under the obvious signs of a strained and troubled production.
Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight is the dance party I never knew I needed in my life. The soundtrack is incredible, the presentation is as cool as it was in Persona 5, and the characters are entertaining to watch during their performances. Although the story/Social Events do not really bring much as far as in depth character progression, I'll take what I can get if it means more time with the Phantom Thieves.
If you've been waiting for a return to glory for Swery65, The Missing is definitely worth your time. It might be the most conventional experience carrying his name in recent memory, but even then it will stick in your head. Whether it will be from the audacity of figuring out how to chop yourself in half to avoid some twirling death machine, or from the surreal nature of the unraveling narrative, it's a truly unique experience worth your time.
Call of Cthulhu is a case of the whole being better than the sum of its parts.
Fast Strikers is a title that is fun to play once or twice but doesn't have longevity or content to enjoy much longer than that.
LEGO DC Super-Villains doesn't really build on the formula (no pun intended). The shining beacon of this title is definitely the story and the cast of Super-Villains that create funny and memorable moments.
While the overarching plot isn't exactly high drama and the gameplay can feel limited by artificial busywork, Starlink: Battle For Atlas is the kind of game I've been craving for a while.
I'm not sure if D1 Complete functions as the best go to for newcomers, as it's more heavy handed in dealing out punishment with the steep learning curve and shows limitations at times. Nevertheless, I believe Disgaea fans will jump at the opportunity to dig back in.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey has taken everything that made Origins one of the great games of 2017 and only expanded on it in good ways.
It doesn't reinvent the wheel for the action adventure genre but it is an amazing example of polish and pedigree. If you appreciate the treasure hunting and high-octane action that these types of games offer, then this is a must play.
Guacamelee! 2 contains everything I loved from the first iteration and builds upon the foundation. DrinkBox Studios kept the elements that worked so well in the game, like platforming, combat, visuals, and great music.
While the main story can get too melodramatic for its own good and Majima's side story doesn't amount to much, I can recommend Yakuza Kiwami 2 on its level of presentation alone. The twists and turns of the plot kept me wanting to see what would happen next, the gorgeous production provided by the Dragon Engine left me wandering the streets just taking in the sites, and the combat is as satisfying as hitting someone you don't like with a bicycle. While I can't say that Yakuza 2 still holds up under a modern lens, I can say that this remake kept my attention to the end. And in that regard, the developers should give themselves a round of applause.
With rumors flying around about Mega Man X9 on the horizon, now may be a good time to invest in X and Zero's journey.
Shining Resonance Refrain isn't a great game but it isn't a bad one either. I love the combat despite the repetition and the story and characters are both worth paying attention to, but it's rough around the edges. Whether it's the dated presentation, the several wholly unnecessary systems, or traversing the same areas ad nauseum, there are simply too many roadblocks for me to give it a resounding recommendation.
Overall, Jurassic World Evolution really excels in some places but gets wrapped up in trying to replicate movie-type arcs.