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Overall, Viewfinder is a unique puzzle game that both experienced problem solvers and fresh-faced novices will find enjoyment in. Filled with several hours of fun and plenty of hidden treasures to reveal, there is no doubt that Viewfinder is setting a new standard for creativity and innovation that should raise the bar of players' expectations out of games adjacent to it in the genre.
We've had a great time playing Disney Illusion Island in multiplayer as a family, and I can't help but think that's the only "right" way to play it. It would be nice if there was a bit more voice acting, since the gameplay is simple enough that even kids who can't quite read yet are able to pick it up and play mostly effortlessly, but even considering these few flaws it's still one of the best family games of 2023. It's a well-made adventure that, despite the many assistance features and lack of combat, still manages to be entertaining and enjoyable to players of varying ages. While it probably won't be everyone's favorite Metroidvania of all time, it's absolutely worth playing if you have kids.
Remnant 2 is compelling as a single-player journey, but feels much more rewarding to play with others. To that end, the game does a solid job in making that a possibility, even for those without friends interested in the title at launch. Adventure Mode allows players to join a random quest with others, providing a quick and easy way to enjoy the cooperative multiplayer experience Remnant 2 excels at. With a large variety of playstyle customizations and a seemingly endless amount of levels on vibrant alien worlds to discover, Remnant 2 is a multiplayer shooter that'll keep players blasting enemies for a while and is well-worth a look in spite of its flaws.
This latest Sims 4 DLC delivers exactly what it claims to and little more. Were this a Game Pack there would be nothing wrong with that, but with the steeper price tag of an Expansion Pack the areas that barely scratch the surface of what they could be or remain unexplored entirely are more glaring. That being said, Chestnut Ridge is beautiful and several elements of the EP are legitimately fun despite these flaws, and players who have long been clamoring for horses in the game will certainly want to pick up The Sims 4 Horse Ranch - it just may be worth waiting for a sale.
There’s no need to bury the lede; Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes – Definitive Edition never truly feels definitive, but it’s still a refreshing, one-of-a-kind puzzler hybrid with a knockout campaign. While its admirers have already purchased it multiple times by now, this version ensures that it remains in the public eye for discovery by newcomers, and hopefully inspires a proper sequel in the coming years. That’s more than enough to recommend it, especially to anyone who’s missed out on the game thus far, but longtime fans may feel shorted by this lightweight reissue.
While it's roguelite elements aren't balanced well and navigation is often an annoyance, the actual gameplay, story, and mechanics of Sea Horizon are polished and a joy to engage with. Each archetype's journey is short and scales well regarding power and abilities, which feels even better when a party can be assembled. Overall, Sea Horizon is a wonderful game that would benefit from a few tweaks, but those are by no means necessary to have a great time.
In a year with dozens of game releases of massive scale and scope, it's easy for a relatively calming game like Pikmin 4 to be overlooked. But Pikmin 4 is a fantastic reminder that sometimes, games that are simply charming, cozy, and small can still have a massive impact.
Full Void is worth playing for its best moments alone, and the artistic vision that underlies its crumbling world provides a consistently engaging visual feast. Nonetheless, it's hard not to wish that the gameplay more frequently rose above its comparatively mundane tendencies, especially considering a slight runtime that shouldn't necessitate much filler. Players looking for an exciting challenge or brain-teasers to rival the best adventure games might not be completely satisfied, but those compelled by the look of the game will no doubt find plenty to love in its beautiful artwork and atmospheric design of Full Void.
Thankfully, these weaknesses are overpowered by everything else and never become apparent until after the halfway point. From beginning to end, My Friendly Neighborhood is a wonderful game full of mystery, tension, clever design, and phenomenal performances. This is a must-play title that will hopefully gain the traction and attention it deserves.
Exoprimal is a strong game that lacks the it-factor necessary to keep players coming back for the long-term. It has incredible combat and aesthetics that are a joy to engage with but that enjoyment only lasts so long when it takes a couple of hours to experience new game modes. The story is interesting but is told in a limiting way that risks players feeling confused and, at worst, uninterested. It's hard to tell if this will be a title that really hooks players in, but with its release on Game Pass and new content coming very soon, Exoprimal is well worth jumping into and keeping up with.
Whether Ed-0: Zombie Uprising is right for someone will largely depend on their threshold for jank and clumsy design. The new v1.0 release, while feature-rich, could also be further improved with a little more bug-cleansing, items, and side quests, and some placeholder text in the UI seems to imply that additional updates are forthcoming. It's not going to make or break it for anyone still on the fence at this time, but a little more variety and chaos in character builds would do wonders to soften the game's clunkier content. Regardless, what's available is a truly one-of-a-kind, uber-violent, irreverent and addicting treat, so let this remain as a confident recommendation of Ed-0: Zombie Uprising for action-roguelite fanatics with a masochistic sense of humor.
Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg is a mostly excellent update to a classic RPG and a great game for series fans who want some quick and easy alchemy. A polished approach to modernization brings a host of improvements, with a mistuned rate of progression presenting the only notable downside. Although Atelier Marie Remake may not scratch the roleplaying itch for hardcore gamers or provide the expansive experience of the Atelier Ryza games, its unique charms help it rise to the standard of quality that the franchise is known for delivering.
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is an undeniably interesting experience limited in minor regards by the challenge of following up on its predecessor. Subtly evolved walk-and-talk gameplay and eminently human characters largely make up for the more familiar moments in the central mystery, drawing players through the story with minimal friction. Fans of the first title or of story-focused games in general can find plenty to chew on here, and the artwork alone could make the experience engaging even with a less interesting narrative. Oxenfree II may not always be operating at its highest potential, but when it is, there's still nothing quite like it.
As a casual player, Railway Empire 2 can get incredibly overwhelming quickly with the number of different things to pay attention to, such as: resources, connecting lines, what the competition is doing, and budget. This is a strange contrast to the slow-moving nature of the game and the peaceful feeling that the theme and graphics provide. For anyone who is a fan of train simulators or management games, however, Railway Empire 2 is an enjoyable experience that can provide countless hours of entertainment.
Dave the Diver is an absolute delight to play. Its core gameplay loop is wonderfully relaxing, but before too long players will be finding all the different options in its nooks and crannies. It’s surely one of the best games of the year so far, and players will love taking on the role of our goatee'd hero.
Toys For Bob set out to make a unique multiplayer experience with Crash Team Rumble that's supposed to be more of a strategic multiplayer platform brawler than a MOBA. And while they succeeded in doing so, CTR feels more like a multiplayer mode for a more feature-rich game rather than an entirely new game with a Crash Bandicoot title. With more characters and modes planned for the future, Crash Team Rumble may become a bash worth playing. Still, as it stands, it's a rumble that struggles to stay fun for long.
It's surprising to see how much Nimbus INFINITY is struggling to deliver the level of polish that Project Nimbus did nearly 6 years ago. Not only that, but it has been in Early Access for over a year and throughout that time, players pointed out the very same issues in this review. This is a team that clearly knows how to make a satisfying mech-based action game, and maybe this will turn into one with some post-launch support, but as it stands now, Nimbus INFINITY is a poorly optimized experience that wasn't ready for a full release.
Truthfully, our stay in Kanai Ward was a lot of fun, and we want to see more of the game's setting in the future. Master Detective Archive: RAIN CODE is a great narrative adventure with some truly satisfying detective work. It mostly comes down to this: approaching RAIN CODE like a visual novel with some unfortunate action elements means it's an enjoyable jaunt, and well-worth a look; expecting more from it beyond its engrossing world, charming mysteries, and charismatic cast, however, might make for a less than stellar stay in Kanai Ward for would-be master detectives.
Despite the game not having much more than its single-player and endless mode, Brotato is capable of being can't-put-down fun. Thanks to quick rounds, accessible controls, and easy upgrade options, each run has the potential to be intense and memorable. Still, Brotato's adorably violent art style and characters are begging to be more thoroughly fleshed out with lore. The game would also be a blast on handheld or mobile devices, and with a multiplayer mode where friends could join their spuds together in chaotic cooperative combat. Still, Blobfish has proven itself with Brotato, a fun action game that stars a six-weapon-wielding potato who fights alien hordes.
With an incredible score, an enthralling story, and an eccentric and electric gameplay approach, Final Fantasy 16 is, quite simply, a modern masterpiece.