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Because so much of Growing Together centers around expanding existing in-game mechanics and interpersonal minutiae instead of entirely new experiences, it's easy for the EP to come off as shallow at first glance. This DLC will undoubtedly be divisive simply due to the many different ways fans of the franchise like to play. However, the boundless narrative potential and amount of new content and depth for all age ranges makes The Sims 4 Growing Together a perfect fit for family-oriented Simmers.
There is a lot to enjoy in this year's WWE2K23, and the amount of new content should please those who've already put so many hours into the last installment. There are still some bugs within the actual gameplay elements that have plagued the series for years, but with much fewer mistakes than WWE 2K22. The increased Creation options, the addicting blind packs and new online multiplayer of MyFACTION, and even the separate storylines added into MyRISE for women and men wrestlers. There is a lot going on this year and WWE2K23 is a great version for veterans and new players alike.
Ultimately, however, these shortcomings don't make for a bad game. In fact, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is quite good - great, even, when it's firing on all cylinders. It's definitely one to check out for fans of the franchise even with the dramatic shift in gameplay style, and those unfamiliar may still find something to love in its storybook presentation and deft attention to slick detail.
For people who have been playing Dead Cells routinely since launch, Return to Castlevania offers a cathartic experience akin to your favorite author reading you their favorite book. For new players who love games like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night but haven't yet tried Dead Cells, there has never been a better time.
The Nioh series has already contended with some or all of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty’s quibbles, so veterans may not be the least bit dissuaded at the similar missteps made here. They’ll find tons of items to pore through and bosses to tangle with over a 35-hour campaign, with additional side quests and some fun 1-on-1 duels to dive back into after the credits scroll. If another Team Ninja Soulslike focused on parrying and inventory management sounds like a great time, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty will certainly deliver, but a lack of mechanical polish and an inflated inconsistent campaign may be a hard sell to the uninitiated.
Depending on how long each puzzle takes players, Lucy Dreaming will run about eight to ten hours, and although the game's eventual conclusion falls a bit short, this time spent still mostly feels worthwhile. Despite this lackluster final plot beat and occasional elements of tedium, Lucy Dreaming overall comes off incredibly charming thanks to its fun pixel style, entertaining and fully-voiced characters, and creative puzzle mechanics. For any fan of the classic point-and-click adventure genre, Lucy Dreaming is much more of a dream than a nightmare.
For a weaker game, dealing with even minor issues might be a deal-breaker, but The Pale Beyond offers more than enough to overcome these quirks. The difficulty is well-honed, forcing players to stay on their toes without verging on frustrating, and the unanswered questions that arise in the story remain engaging until the final revelations. Although the interpersonal component isn't dialed up to draw out tears, solid character writing makes tough choices and failures fall heavy. The Pale Beyond's expedition might encounter a few rough seas, but players willing to brave them can find a journey that is abundantly worthwhile.
Overall, Kirby's Return To Dream Land Deluxe is absolutely wonderful. It might not be a game that changes the world, but it's some of the most fun available on the Nintendo Switch, particularly with other people. And at the end of the day, what's more successful from a Kirby game than that?
To be fair, anyone who loved the original should love this one, too - but it may not win over any newcomers because of how outdated everything feels. Tales of Symphonia Remastered brings a great JRPG to modern hardware, and that’s certainly a cause for celebration. Unfortunately, it never feels like this remaster really rises to the occasion.
Ultimately, Like a Dragon: Ishin! feels like it delivers on the promise of a well-timed remake for an underappreciated title in RGG's catalog. It's a refreshing adventure that's identity is both intrinsically tied to the usual crime drama RGG is known for and yet distinctly separate from the modern trappings of those concerns. Like a Dragon: Ishin! is another quality game in the Yakuza universe, and it's one well-worth exploring for anyone with even a slight interest in its stylish delivery.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is, however, an excellent game in its own right. As a showcase piece for the early days of PlayStation VR 2, Sony probably couldn't have asked for a better launch title. Call of the Mountain's intensely beautiful visuals and well-developed main gameplay systems make it a meaty virtual reality experience that's absolutely a must-own for anyone who picks up PSVR 2. While its price feels a little steep, especially in conjunction with the hardware that supports it, anyone willing to make that leap will be just as satisfied as they will inevitably be by Ryas' adrenaline-pumping feats of strength hundreds of feet in the air on a mountainside.
Wild Hearts should thrive in its post-launch life as new updates accrue, while players devise and trade loadout strategies and boss techniques. Additionally, Koei Tecmo has stated that no microtransactions are planned, with new karakuri, weapons, kemono, and quests expected in the coming months. Our review encompassed single player only, and the game is a completely reasonable and satisfying challenge in offline mode, with an engaging story that builds to some gratifying peaks. Wild Hearts is a class act and an impressive first step at a franchise that feels entirely original, in spite of its direct Monster Hunter competition looming large.
Much like the rest of the game, Dust & Neon’s bosses pretend that they’re interesting, but are absent of charm or character. Then there are the final bosses who require an arbitrary number of level-ups to reach, forcing players to chew through repetitive missions and farm XP, a task which only brings the game’s flaws more readily to the surface. In its finest moments, Dust & Neon presents serviceable roguelite gameplay with responsive controls, but there are better options available with way less meaningless grind required.
Quibbles aside, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is exactly what it's selling - a celebration of 35 years' worth of Final Fantasy music that's packed with nostalgia and rhythm game mechanics. With songs from other Square Enix IPs available as bonus content, there's still plenty to keep players busy even after the ending. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is an enjoyable, whimsical rhythm game that should appeal to Final Fantasy fans, no matter where they started with the series. As celebrations go, this one's a winner.
After Metroid Prime 4's development was restarted in 2019, Metroid Dread and now Metroid Prime Remastered are reminders that Retro Studios and Nintendo have an iconic, evocative, and gripping sci-fi series that unfortunately now sees only sporadic releases. Luckily, the brilliance of Metroid Prime now has a chance to reach a much larger audience. The original 2002 release impressed with its bold new direction for the series, and now the definitive version of the classic has arrived in Metroid Prime Remastered.
Hogwarts Legacy is a wonderful game filled to the brim with adventures to be had, activities to engage in, and secrets to be found. The school and the surrounding areas have been recreated beautifully, and players will easily lose hours lost in the whimsical splendor of this wizarding world.
With any roguelike game, the biggest problem is repetition. Hitman: Freelancer is in a strange place when it comes to this; the core gameplay loop and these levels have, in some cases, been around since 2016, and repetition is built into the game's framework. If someone has yet to play the recent entries, and with all three previous games wrapped up in one package, Hitman: World of Assassination is an incredible deal. As a free update for players who already own Hitman 3, it's absolutely worth jumping back into.
Like its predecessor, Tails: The Backbone Preludes tells an unconventional and surreal story with confidence, resulting in narratives that are sincere, vulnerable, complicated, and heart-breaking. The only downside to this branching narrative style of storytelling is that it's easy to accidentally take the short route and leave the experience feeling like something is missing. Ultimately, Tails: The Backbone Preludes tells four phenomenal stories that either deepens the characters that players know and love, or introduces them to new players entering this stunning world for the first time.
All these things come together to tell a story about change and how one processes and works through the fear that comes with it. Overall, Backfirewall_ is a wonderful experience filled with heart, wit, emotional intelligence, and respect for the player. It's a high recommendation for anyone as a result - even if puzzles aren't appealing, the uniqueness of its story and the deft skill with which it's told make for an excellent experience all the same.
Hi-Fi RUSH is an absolute delight. A simple idea that could have been extremely difficult to correctly develop, Hi-Fi RUSH is a real joy to play. Here's hoping that there are many more brilliant surprises to come this year, as Hi-Fi RUSH sets a high bar.