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Remnant II is a best-case scenario for the genre. The anticipated follow-up sequel ups the ambition and it pulls off immensely well, providing one of the best non-FromSoftware Souls games we've had yet. It's the true complex Action RPG without any of the fuss. Co-op play is seamless with getting teammates in and out of the action. Menus are clear and concise while experimenting with builds is a rewarding and deep experience. Environments are tenfold more detailed and exciting than its predecessor, providing some of the best setpieces and boss encounters I've seen in a while. Deep too is the lore and exciting world to uncover, all well worth chipping away at. Little is holding it back bar a quality-of-life update or two. Remnant II is golden, magnificently making moves in the now crowded game space it has found itself in.
Adore is a rather good game that has a refreshing spin on the creature collection genre. The action-based isometric combat presents a unique take regarding controlling a team of creatures, and mastering when to summon them and customising a team made for a compelling experience. The gorgeous and charming art and soundtrack are also a pleasant inclusion. While the very limited variety in quest objectives starts to become an issue long before the credits roll, you can definitely still have a fun time with Adore's new interpretation of isometric dungeon crawling and creature collecting.
Venba is a love letter to many things, not just food. It beautifully depicts the story of two immigrants and their struggle to keep their culture alive in a Western society that does not seem to understand or appreciate it. Venba brings together incredible art, sound, narrative, and gameplay that is magnificently entrenched in Tamil customs, leaving the player with not only a deeper understanding but also a deeper respect for this underrepresented culture.
Disney Illusion Island may be striving to be a flashy and exciting 2D Metroidvania experience, but its depth remains one-dimensional. It starts at a snail's pace with its drip-feeding of basic and essential abilities and from there it never really picks up. This is unfortunately thanks to floaty platforming that will disinterest most along with the most uninspired Metroidvania-level design I've seen in some time. Though there are classic and picturesque Disney flourishes aplenty, it's not enough to make the game an enjoyable experience to investigate every nook and cranny for secrets. Be warned, this is an island voyage not all that worth taking.
Mega City Police is a great throwback to the retro top-down shooters of the past. There's no great story but lots of weapons and combat. You will be spending lots of time learning about each character's playstyle and what weapons work. The game isn't perfectly balanced though, as some weapons are clearly better than others. Melee playstyles are unintentionally discouraged and high rarity weapons are must-haves. But if you are willing to spend the time to learn, there's a good challenge to be had with this game.
Homeseek is a colony simulator that frequently puts you in uncomfortable situations. Just as you think everything is going well, it pulls the rug out from under you and forces you to react. You must balance short-term survival with long-term exploration to find new livable areas. Instead of building a self-sustaining civilization, you must move to greener pastures while surviving against the odds. The learning curve is steep as you are expected to make several mistakes. Not everything is explained to you either, forcing you to learn as you go. But if you are willing to stay with the game and adapt, you will find a great challenge that forces you to really think.
Despite the promising combination of dating sim and resource management mechanics, Lakeburg Legacies doesn't lean hard enough in either direction, resulting in a wishy-washy game that's charming in looks but lacking in substance. The bones of a good game are here, but it just doesn't come together into something memorable.
If you're a turn-based strategy fan, the combat in Jagged Alliance 3 is not to be missed. Thanks to the game's varied mercenary stats, it's easy to put together a team that aligns well with your preferred personal play style and the game's combat mechanics are accessible yet suspenseful, thanks to the absence of a precise percentage-to-hit chance. While the game's dialogue feels naff in places and could've been executed better overall, it's a small price to pay for the high level of entertaining battles. And if that's your thing, Jagged Alliance 3 is sure to deliver.
A curious world of delightful wonder, Pikmin will never fail to be a series that invites warmth and joy with its vibrant world and colourful companions. New gameplay ideas are plentiful with Pikmin 4, many of which work towards expanding the game in interesting new directions. Not every new mechanic lands as elegantly as others, with Night Expeditions and co-op mode being two notable disappointments. Though overall, Pikmin 4 still finds a way to bring about that same glee that has lasted within this series since its inception.
Viewfinder is an incredibly interesting game with a mechanic that is very easy to pick up and highly enjoyable throughout the entire runtime. If you are looking for something truly difficult, you aren't likely to find that here, but if you are interested in a short and comfy puzzle game, then Viewfinder will surely deliver.
A simple but endearing experience, Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg is a nostalgic adventure that does justice to the satisfying crafting mechanics that have represented the series' identity for nearly a quarter of a century. While it might lack the complexity and depth of more recent entries, and some of its "classic" elements feel a little dated, it provides a solid core gameplay loop within a charming package. It's a bite-sized nostalgic RPG romp that feels cosy as heck and never outstays its welcome.
At its core, Amnesia: The Bunker is a monster of the week horror game that dips into the Amnesia lore pool but still feels more than accessible to someone who hasn't played or watched the games before. While the controls are rigid, the game shines in its use of atmosphere and survival elements which many will find enjoyable. The Bunker will have you running for your life in a deadly game of cat and mouse, even if the ending feels a little lacklustre.
Park Beyond delivers a captivating theme park adventure with innovative concepts and stunning visual design. The engaging campaign, featuring pitch meetings and diverse themes, will keep you invested and motivated. The impossification mechanic adds a unique twist, allowing you to create mind-bending roller coasters. However, the game is marred by technical issues, including game-crashing bugs and a lack of support for set pieces and decorations. Despite these shortcomings, Park Beyond's commitment to diversity and inclusivity is commendable. With updates and improvements, it has the potential to become a standout title in the genre, offering an immersive and imaginative experience.
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code is an easy recommendation for fans of the Danganronpa series. It's got the same dark humor and an unapologetically weird premise, and it features a slightly different take on the contradiction-smashing gameplay that made the former series stand out. There's some room for improvement in what's been added, but if you can stand some stale anime tropes and imperfect graphics, Rain Code is a crazy enjoyable ride full of twists and turns.
AEW had the right idea in wanting to focus on the nostalgia of the wrestling games we played when we were kids, but at the end of the day, the seemingly low budget and lack of polish is something that should be left in the past. AEW: Fight Forever has some fine ideas and its execution of moment-to-moment gameplay and animations isn't terrible, but matches can be won with minimal effort or drama, presentation is missing key things that make wrestling special, and the story mode is repetitive, boring and self-masturbatory. Fight forever? In this game? No, thank you.
Crash Team Rumble is a solid foundation to work off of, taking what Toys for Bob built with Crash 4 and creating a new experience that can be a great deal of fun in short bursts, especially with friends, but currently lacks staying power due to a dearth of gameplay content beyond cosmetics that won't be enough to bring everyone back for more. If the game can expand in the near future and break through the live-service curse, it could very well stand as another classic Crash title, but for now it may well be another piece of lost potential waiting to happen.
SOULVARS may have been a hit when it came out on mobile in 2022, but its PC version has not made enough changes for it to feel like it is meant to be played on other gaming devices. The game had an opportunity to increase its interactivity by including more explicit instructions, adding many more narrative elements and by spicing up the game's landscape. However, as it stands, I'd be sticking to the mobile version of SOULVARS as the ported version lacks a lot of soul.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective now being playable on modern platforms is an incredibly exciting occasion worth celebrating. Its involved puzzle mechanics are as satisfying to unfold as ever as you glide between interaction points, moving that last piece to create a thrilling domino effect of a solution. Complimentary to this are the quirky character design and animations, along with the involved storyline that wraps up without any loose threads. Tying this all in a neat bow is the return of a fantastic soundtrack now with incredible rearrangements to further immerse you in the noir setting. Ghost Trick is back and the gaming world couldn't be any better for it.
Aliens: Dark Descent is an excellent addition to the Aliens canon. The Darkest Dungeon-style stress mechanics end up fitting the setting like a glove, and the RTS combat and disposable marines definitely suit the tone and style of Aliens perfectly. Although the reliance on infrequent autosaves can often prove frustrating, the game is overall easy to recommend for fans of strategy games, survival horror games, or Aliens fans hungry for something which strongly evokes James Cameron's 1986 classic while adding its own new elements.
Final Fantasy XVI is a weirdo black-sheep entry for the series. It won't be for all nor what all fans necessarily want for the franchise, but I also love it for that boldness. It's a gripping and harrowing page-turner of an epic high-fantasy story with plenty of heart the series is known for. Complex too are the characters, even if not all see their justice by the end. Valisthea is an eerily gorgeous setting, providing some of the most memorable vistas you'll have seen in a Final Fantasy game yet. Accessibility might not be at the forefront of the combat in-game but on offer is some of the most stylistic, and satisfying gameplay we've ever seen in an Action RPG. Even if you take further umbrage with its small flaws, there's no denying that Final Fantasy XVI is a special and memorable event. Through thick and thin, that franchise magic is captured once again. Frankly, you can't ask for anything better than that.