Checkpoint Gaming
HomepageCheckpoint Gaming's Reviews
Urban fantasy which mixes fantastical elements with a recognisable and familiar setting is one of my favourite genres, and Reynatis' premise definitely ticks a lot of those boxes. However, despite a generally rather fun combat system and memorable soundtrack, Reynatis breaks down as it progresses, with dull environments, forced backtracking, poor technical performance and lengthy boss fights. If you can look past these issues, there is some fun to be had, but it is a highly tentative recommendation at best.
A perfectly-paced, delightful twist on the classic 2D Zelda formula, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom takes everything Nintendo has learned from the Switch era and condenses it into a tight adventure jam-packed with heart. Through its wonderfully magical Echoes mechanic, satisfyingly diverse dungeon design, and unique blend of modern and classic design elements, this is both a celebration of the franchise's history and a bold first offering for Zelda as protagonist. Performance issues aside, Echoes of Wisdom is impossible not to love for newcomers and series veterans alike.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a fresh coat of paint for the twisted take on Disney's forgotten edges, yet it falls short of being a masterpiece. As remakes go, the game breathes new life into the graphics, even adding extra gameplay moves and other quality-of-life improvements. However, a tedious objective system and a lack of voiced dialogue feels like a missed opportunity for Mickey's return. Despite this, the title shines in its preservation of a unique chapter in Disney's gaming legacy and offers hope that we might just see more from Mickey and Oswald yet!
Funko Fusion does a good job of recreating worlds with a Funko brand twist. You actually feel like a character from a series participating in significant events. However, take away the Funko Pop! vinyl brand and you're left with a platformer that doesn't stand out from other games on the market. It's also difficult for non-fans to start on new worlds they are unfamiliar with without feeling like a slog. Funko Fusion does some things well but otherwise relies entirely on its brand name for differentiation.
Despite some small grievances, I do think that Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Reforged is the best way to play the game. It makes plenty of quality-of-life improvements to the gameplay and even adds a story mode for those daunted by old-fashioned point-and-clicks. The visual nit-picks I have aren't enough to ruin the experience, and the moments that have been fully updated are beautifully animated and full of character. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go figure out what to do with this dirty tissue I found in the sewer.
Satisfactory's full release has been long overdue and thankfully it's well worth the wait. It's at the tippy top of the automation genre and this is thanks to the hard work Coffee Stain Studios has been implementing over the years, implementing many a quality of life and following player advice. What it's resulted in is some of the most satisfying automation and resource pipeline mechanics and gameplay I've ever experienced in games. It's as deep as you want it for the hardcore players or as accessible and palatable as you need for the newbies. Additionally, its deliberately bespoke alien world is breathtaking in design and visuals, filled with many bite-sized adventures to be had no matter how few steps you take from your camp. Satisfactory is the final frontier for co-operative crafting and exploration games for me. Give it a chance and it might just be yours too.
Enotria: The Last Song is a compelling little soulslike which has enough of its own identity to be worth a recommendation, even if not all of its elements individually work as well. The emphasis on the game's melee combat leaves its magic system a little clunky, and despite an impressive amount of flexibility in the game's RPG mechanics, the ability to swap between different loadouts mid-combat wasn't all that useful. Despite these minor drawbacks, the challenging boss fights, gorgeous art direction and fun exploration make this a worthwhile addition to any soulslike fan's library.
All in all, Frostpunk 2 dishes up engaging strategy challenges that will have you balancing multiple resources, faction demands, and production all throughout a playthrough. While it may be challenging for first-time players for this reason, the game also makes it worth your while with an impressive level of overall depth. Frostpunk 2 feels like it's suffused with story in every possible way, and it's clear that the developers have made the effort to create an authentic world that comes with difficult and impactful choices. If you're a seasoned strategy buff with a penchant for story and you're not put off by difficult decisions in a dystopian world, Frostpunk 2 is sure to be a worthy addition to your library.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is a great time largely thanks to the simple fact that the original game is so solid and timeless. It's still to this day a riotous schlockfest drenched in shopping mall Americana as you raid gun stores, run over psychos with a shopping cart or suplex a zombie. This all makes for some of the best and most joyful arcadey zombie-killing gameplay we've had to date, made better by a healthy dose of quality-of-life additions in NPC AI improvements and third-person handling. Though not all of the mall's residents fare the absolute best in their HD upscaling it is worth it for how gorgeously bloody and grisly the halls of that shopping district are. It's so damn good to be back as Frank West and this scoop is one well worth investigating.
The Plucky Squire may be one of the most exceptionally presented video games in recent memory. In moving from the 2D space to the 3D space, a sense of wonder is created that's unrivalled by the vast majority of other releases. That sense of wonderment is captured in the storytelling as well, which leans on the charm of children's fiction. Perhaps a little too scared to create complex depth to the puzzles or gameplay, more mature audiences may find the game lacking in some regard. However, that doesn't stop the title from being widely appealing and an absolute delight from prologue to epilogue.
Copycat shoots for the stars with its narrative ambitions, delivering an emotional, introspective experience that will have you reflecting on your relationship to the animals and people in your life. It goes to some truly unexpected places, some of which are questionable, but all of which are compelling. Despite the pieces not quite coming together in perfect harmony, this is an experience that will stick with you for a long time.
I Am Your Beast delivers an adrenaline injection of action with style. The game's intense, fast-paced gameplay is driven by its pulse-pounding soundtrack and engaging story. While a few rough edges in parkour mechanics and mission design prevent it from achieving mastery, its thrills and aesthetic make it an ultra-violence power fantasy. This is a game where every second counts and every kill is a testament to skill.
Wild Bastards is more dastardly delicious gaming to come from right here in Australia. Blue Manchu Games have done some building upon their Bastards universe to create a thoroughly fun and explosive experience. Though the game can go on a little too long and be a bit one-note, I could never accuse it of not being some of the best FPS and roguelike fusion we've had for a while. What awaits is a weird and creatively designed cast with varied playstyles, quality strategic roguelike thinking and build potential that'll more than satiate you. It's well worth going on your journey across the stars and finding yourself some weird alien outlaw friends. Family found.
Demon's Mirror is a hell of a good time. The way it combines deckbuilding and the grid battle system had me hooked from my very first run and it's so easy to learn. With an array of different cards to discover and modify, its inclusion of three characters with three different playstyles creates alot opportunity to play how you want. Even though the enemies can be repetitive and I found runs super quick to complete, Demon's Mirror may just be one of 2024's moore exciting new deckbuilders.
As the Entity looms overhead, The Casting Of Frank Stone is a cinematic run at an IP begging for further exploration. But with a strong set-up, the film reel birth of a killer lacks the flesh of a real rampage let alone multiverse caper. Thankfully though, this is still a decent game that is able to stand on its own. The Cutting Room Floor is a welcome addition to the Supermassive cinematic horror formula that needs to return in their other games. This is a love letter to Dead By Daylight fans but those outside the game's grasp might be a little bit harder to hook. I strongly believe we'll be seeing more from this partnership in due time.
Age of Mythology: Retold has made significant upgrades to its RTS formula. Expanding on pantheons by using the power of the gods more often lets you experience the true force. Improvements to accessibility means learning the basics is easier for newcomers to the series. While the experience stumbles with more advanced concepts and is perhaps too reliant on faith for victory, you can still learn as you go. Age of Mythology: Retold has never looked better for fans new and old.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 doesn't hold back in showing you what it's like to be a Space Marine. Combat is gruelling, intense, and punishing even in the best of times. It's also not easy to understand the importance of the Space Marines if you aren't familiar with the lore. But if you are willing to give the game a chance, it provides some of the best hack-and-slash shooter experiences and immersive settings. It's never been more enjoyable to be a Space Marine and understand the horrors of fighting in never-ending conflicts.
Squirrel with a Gun has a janky charm, from its crazy attack animations to occasionally ridiculous physics-based challenges. The concept of a platformer where the player character is so tiny that their gun is used to propel them into the air is a clever one that I wish was used in a more enjoyable game. However, despite some occasionally fun challenges and crazy cutscenes, Squirrel with a Gun feels overstretched across its roughly eight-hour playtime, with an overall lack of technical polish that goes beyond funny and becomes frustrating to play. It isn't bad overall and certainly has its fun moments (particularly the boss fights), but the bugs and general jankiness of the experience hold it back from reaching its full potential.
For a first-time developer, Janbeh Games has created such a lovely and cute time for fans of the cosy/wholesome genre. While a short game, it can be replayed multiple times just to find out the different couples and what each of their stories are like. Love, Ghostie is a pretty simple plot, and the art style is adorable, with each of the 12 characters' aesthetics really shining through. The music embodies the mood, awkward dates sound … awkward, and when your ghost is tired the music sounds deeper. It's really creative and helps evoke those feelings. Love, Ghostie is a tonne of fun and adorable. If Janbeh Games keeps up with this quality in future games, they'll certainly be one to keep your eye on.
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection delivers some incredible experiences for fans of the series, with memorable characters, intriguing mysteries, twists and turns that you won't see coming, and gorgeous remastered visuals. While the second game is undoubtedly stronger than the first, both deliver some excellent adventures. Ace Attorney fans rejoice, for Miles Edgeworth's finest cases have finally made their way here.