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Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a triumphant remake of a classic. The new visuals and sound design are beautiful and elegant, with new systems updating just enough to keep it palatable to modern audiences while still keeping systems that make this game unique. Though some elements don't hold up to scrutiny, including some parts of the voice acting and writing, and enemy behaviour, they aren't enough to detract from how enjoyable this game is, now made more accessible than ever. With similar remakes of the first two Dragon Quests on the way, fans and new players are going to have a good time. The quality of Dragon Quest HD-2D Remakes hopefully inspires a higher quality of classic remakes to come.
The Rise of the Golden Idol is a brain-breaking collection of mysteries all wrapped up in one absurd narrative and is a must-have for lovers of investigation games. While it doesn't quite replace the original game in my heart, the puzzles are bigger and better, the plot progression is more fluid, and it's all-around beefier. Golden Idol's unique take on investigation and logical progression is as engrossing as it is difficult, and keeping up with its complex mysteries makes you feel like a master detective when you finally hit that "aha!" moment. I'm waiting with bated breath for those DLCs!
LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a different take on both LEGO and Horizon as a series, with mixed results. The charm of experiencing the epic Horizon Zero Dawn story in this family-friendly brickified way is unmistakable, with strong visuals and a fully voiced cast going a long way in making things feel epic. It's a shame that the repetitive mission structure and overall short adventure stop it from becoming something truly special, not fully nailing it as either a LEGO game or a Horizon game. Still, as far as family-friendly cooperative gaming romps go, it's polished, silly and sure to generate some laughs for the more casual or younger gamers in our lives.
It becomes harder and harder as we get older to be astonished by the simple things in life. The way that Miniatures asks the player to slow down and explore four different memories, each so beautifully drawn, made me feel that sense of curiosity and awe in the worlds the game has created, a feeling that doesn't occur as naturally as it once did. Though the narrative missed an opportunity to discuss deeper themes and make each tale offer some deeper meaning to the audience, there is still a lot for players to get from this short, yet sweet, point-and-click narrative experience.
Farmagia is a very interesting concept with a lot of good ideas, great voice acting and an elaborate story. There is a lot to like, especially if you are a fan of tropey anime romps, but it has its fingers in too many pies, ending up feeling unfocused and not as polished as it could have been. There is definitely a very interesting game in Farmagia with lots of moving parts and a story that clearly had lots of effort put in, but it falls short in a few areas with disconnected farming mechanics and framerate issues. This is a shame because there is a lot of heart to be found within. Any big anime fans are likely to have a good time with the story and voice acting, but outside of that, there isn't much to grab players.
Farming Simulator 25 is a tough experience if you haven't done farming before. The tutorial is short and only introduces you to the basics of agriculture, so you'll spend most of your time making mistakes and fumbling around. But if you stay and learn, you get a comprehensive farming experience. It comes at the cost of everything being related to farming, but you'll gain a better appreciation for the work that farmers do.
Great God Grove brims with charm and originality, offering a fresh take on word puzzles and gods among people. Its offbeat humour and playful design will draw you in, but clunky mechanics and a fairly straightforward narrative may leave you wanting more cohesion and polish. With a little more divine intervention, Great God Grove's quirky moments might have ascended to a truly special adventure.
Though it's not without some technical issues and frustratingly inaccessible small font in menus you have to squint at, Metal Slug Tactics is a blast of a rogue-lite adventure. It's a quality return to a long-running franchise and one that has translated its difficulty and style well by offering enticing risk vs reward mechanics at every turn and striking pixel art and visual flourishes to boot. With plenty of experimentation in character abilities and what feels like endless upgrades and unlocks to chase, it's a rogue-lite venture that is only complimented by the more hours you put into it. You get your money's worth here. SNK and Leikir Studio have successfully completed their mission of making Metal Slug exciting and relevant once more. Job well done.
Daemon Masquerade's corkboard mechanic is so simple that I can't believe it's not a standard feature of the genre. It's implemented near flawlessly here, with a compelling narrative that'll glue your butt to your chair for its runtime. Being just a few hours long, it's a perfect bite-size mystery.
Death of the Reprobate is genuine highbrow buffoonery. With its biting satire, intuitive gameplay, and Renaissance style, Richardson has once again proven he can make profound statements about human nature while making us laugh at our own pettiness. Though it bears the common afflictions of the point-and-click genre, it nonetheless endures as a splendid finale to the Immortal John Triptych.
Extra Coin is a heartfelt little tale set over a gorgeously colourful video gamey backdrop, and offers an addicting duelling game system that you can play continuously without getting bored. The art direction is beautifully detailed and the potential of the virtual reality of the Arcade is immense, but it seems to have held back on exploring its concept past the surface level. Its small scope doesn't quite do justice to what the story and world could have been, but it's still an easy recommendation.
Black Ops 6 nicely balances an action-packed campaign, lively multiplayer, and a refreshing take on Zombies. The game combines great visuals and gameplay, proving once again why Call of Duty remains a powerhouse in the gaming industry. While some technical hiccups and issues with multiplayer suppress the fun, the sensational controls and production values make it hard to put down.
There's a decent time to be had in Slitterhead as a blood-wielding badass dealing with some dastardly demons in the striking and grungy concrete jungle of Kowlong. The game finds a satisfying balance of empowerment and challenge as you hijack body after body to topple your foes. Similarly, it's exciting to use these supernatural powers to traverse the land and uncover mysteries across the city. The game, however, is held back by an obtuse story, a frustrating lack of apt signposting in some missions, and an adventure you never really wrap your head around in its twelve-hour runtime. It may not make a huge mark on the horror action scene, but to the select few that vibe with its freakishness, it'll be an underrated gem for years to come.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is undeniably endearing, learning from other media forms to present an uplifting adventure with lovable protagonists. With too much dialogue and backtracking implemented within the game's design, it can run at a pace that feels slow, ballooning what should be a fun jaunt into an overly long adventure. There's room for further fine-tuning of ideas, meaning Brothership isn't the flawless seafaring journey we wanted. Though it's also far from a shipwreck with incredible charm and gameplay offerings carrying this title across picturesque waters.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred is a smart expansion that offers more than enough tantalising new content to bring back previous players while keeping existing fans happy. The new Spiritborn class is fun, versatile and customisable, while other additions like mercenaries, reduced level cap and new ways to tweak your build all make a lot of sense. While the story might not set the hellish world on fire, it has some memorable new environments that make playing through it still feel interesting, even if it's clearly setting up for something bigger. With new captivating endgame content, Vessel of Hatred makes diving back into the world of demons as enticing as ever.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a welcome tune-up of a modern classic. If you have never played Guerrilla Games' 2017 original, this is the definitive way to experience it. While many of the visual enhancements may be rather subtle, they are widespread, and do a lot to bring the game up to the standards of its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West. The new DualSense controller features and accessibility options are also excellent additions that serve to make Horizon Zero Dawn far more immersive and approachable. That said, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered doesn't deliver much more than that, and players wanting more improvements on the gameplay side of things may be left wanting.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a triumphant return to form for one of gaming's most loved developers. It's an epic and grandiose RPG adventure, interwoven with intimate, powerful stories about its cast of endearing and quirky companions. It has a truly stunning world to explore, with hidden secrets, alluring side quests and a literal treasure trove of lore to comb through. Its tight, in-depth combat systems and breadth of accessibility options deliver a highly personalised experience. But beyond the adventure itself, it's another shining testament to diversity and inclusivity, polished to near perfection in its presentation. Put simply, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is Dragon Age at its most captivating, a truly generational adventure that is as heartfelt as it is thrilling.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a huge fumble for an otherwise fantastic series. What began with a promising opener only really leads to a great big pile of disappointment and heartbreak. It's filled with visual and audio bugs and a mystery that turns baffling and misdirecting in abominable ways while also being downright disrespectful to its lore, canon and cast. It is a painful thing to watch my favourite franchise destroyed in front of my very own eyes. Worst of all, the game teases that follow-up ventures are only going to follow suit even more. Not even the adorable Max Caulfield and her sapphic ventures could save me from having a good time in the snowy, miserable Midwest. Like many media you can point to today; just because you can bring something back, doesn't mean you should. Like our superpowered best friend in her endless searches across timelines, I'm left wondering where the hell it all went wrong.
Ascending Inferno may have bested me and kicked my rear relentlessly, but it's still nothing short of a kickass game. Following the template of difficult climbing games but making the design, platforming and gameplay challenge more purposeful than ever before, Ascending Inferno is the best "one of those" games. I may have been tearing my hair out over my fifth straight plummet but that pain was worth it to spend some time with the incredibly cute and likable Dani and Vincent, marvelling in their sibling banter and taking in the weird and wonderful views of the underworld. It's a damn hard time but it's also a great time; with promised quality-of-life additions only later likely going to make the climb all that greater. If you're a glutton for punishment, Ascending Inferno is well worth the Sisyphean uphill battle that awaits.
The Until Dawn remake is a fantastic horror game for anyone who missed it the first time. Influencing the story through butterfly effects and seeing the consequences is horrific. The game's improved graphics really drive home the horror even if you know what is coming. But for veterans, some aspects of the game became worse with time. There's not enough to bring you back if you already played the original, but it's a good choice to recommend to newcomers.