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As someone from across the world explained to me the other night as we played, they just loved that they could get the combat experience of D&D without having the full-time commitment of the entire campaign. A sentiment that a lot of us with day jobs can get behind.
As a certified #cutie game, it's hard to vote against playing Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe when it will make anyone with a heart smile.
There is an extended on-rails boat scene you can put non-gamers into to experience the headset, but as far as pushing the medium forward and being a showcase for the future of virtual reality, Horizon Call of the Mountain is just a pretty game with the core of a last-generation VR game.
Returnal is the latest of Sony's first-party games finding a new audience on PC, and it feels right at home on the platform through a solid port. The fluid and swift movement is a pleasure to control with a keyboard and mouse, and the port coming without some of the teething problems of the PS5 release makes Returnal an approachable proposition.
A quick shortlist for one of my favourite games so far in 2023, Wild Hearts is a thrilling action RPG that's bound to scratch an itch for Monster Hunter fans while providing something alternative for fans of the genre.
And no matter how good it looks, it doesn't make up for the bland characters, the annoying world design with a useless map I didn't mention, the immature and ridiculous script, the odd sexism and the sense that you're playing something you'll likely regret.
There are flashes of potential that could have elevated Wanted Dead to be greater than the sum of its parts, but these flashes are drowned out by its mission to be a throwback experience complete with jank.
Deep underneath, there's plenty of interesting lore and directions a potential sequel could go if Square Enix were to make one. However, for the 12-14 hours I played, making my way through the core missions and a handful of additional content, the combat kept me engaged amidst moments of the story, making me want to nod off.
Motive Studio has created an experience for new and returning fans of the series that goes beyond the expectations of a remake.
I was surprised at just how tightly the narrative in A Space for the Unbound grabbed me, and it's sure to be either one of the indie hits of 2023 or one of the most under-played gems.
Lone Ruin is going to scratch an itch for those who love chasing high scores and trying to one-up friends.
Overall, Goat Simulator 3 is a game aimed at chaos and fun, while not perfect, it hits those beats often. Much like its predecessor, there is a lot to discover that needs to be added to the mini-map, while the missions are fun, and there is always more to do.
Between the story sequences, the army management and tactical combat were equally as meaty and enjoyable, challenging you to defeat all comers. Overall, Tactics Ogre Reborn is a recovered gem from the past that I'm glad to have discovered.
Sonic Frontiers is great, but it could have used some polish in some areas. In saying that, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Sonic Frontiers. The game feels like almost anyone could enjoy it. Even as a lapsed fan, I could follow the story and feel for each of the characters, and most of their plights were relatable.
The story here is dumb fun, with some purposely hammy and equally terrible dialogue, but I enjoyed it for what it was, as it felt like a bad B-movie. Combat gets somewhat repetitive with the length, as eventually, you enter a pool of the same but stronger enemies and the level design is, as stated, a simple throwback.
If you aren't familiar with the franchise, you would find yourself a little lost and wondering where it all went wrong, but overall my son enjoyed playing Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx and constantly declared, "I love this game!"
The love and care that has clearly been put into this and the previous title can be felt the whole way through. I am so glad that the PC fan base can now experience the charm this game offers.
Shatter Remastered Deluxe is an excellent brick-breaking game. Considering its over ten years old, it is a testament to how good the core gameplay is that a simple visual and audio makeover could make it feel fresh again. If you're a fan of the genre, it's a must-play, especially if you never got a chance to experience it on PS3.
While there may be some who enjoy this, most who play this hoping to get another taste of what they got with Tales of the Borderlands will feel let down
A horror game that frequently treads into the action-adventure territory, The Chant had me engaged with its awkward but functional combat, interesting visual design and lore. However, it was never able to consistently build and maintain tension throughout the game.