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One final thing worth noting is that the music sometimes cuts out, leaving only the sound effects to fill the awkwardly empty void. This definitely feels like a bug and only occurred a handful of times, but it is still worth mentioning because the phenomenal soundtrack is relaxing, driving, and perfect for the game's aesthetic. When those songs were cut short, it felt like an integral part of the experience was missing. Thankfully, those moments were sparse and when the did happen, it could be quickly resolved. Overall, Tanuki Sunset is a wonderful game, especially for those looking for a simple, stylish game to play at the end of a long day.
If nothing else, Modern Warfare 2 and its return to the revamped gunplay of its predecessor is an assurance that Call of Duty is firmly within a new era. The relaunch of Warzone will undoubtedly only benefit the already solid package, one which deftly navigates the burgeoning crossplay scene with a slew of network features. Alongside such implementations, though, is a platform primed for its inevitable deep dive into live service monetization, which looks to begin in earnest upon the release date of Warzone 2 and the start of Season 1. The game will surely evolve over the next year or more, but at launch, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is a well-made entry in one of gaming's largest franchises, where innovation isn't necessarily expected, but would have certainly been welcome.
Overall, Ghost Song is a very enjoyable addition to the Metroidvania subgenre. It maybe lacks a little bit of originality to help it stand out from its contemporaries in a rather crowded market, but the game does provide a very enjoyable experience. With an atmosphere and story that are haunting and interesting to explore, there are plenty of reasons to delve into the dangerous world of Ghost Song.
The synthwave soundtrack by Jules Reves is also an engaging accompaniment to the combat, though it does drain enthusiasm after 12 hours on repeat. That estimation can be used to describe the wider game as well; Nitro Kid lacks the just-one-more-run qualities of other roguelites, whether it be a range of exciting progressive unlocks or a surprising gameplay curveball. The runs just quickly begin to bleed into one another. Nitro Kid’s foundational systems are definitely smart, but its emergent delights are slim, making it a tough recommendation when there’s so many fantastic, empowering deckbuilders to play.
Ultimately, Saturnalia is hard to call a must-play horror game, as it's likely to be polarizing both in terms of its presentation and its mechanics. A slower pace, somewhat minimalist gameplay, and mystery-laden narrative style will keep it from being everyone's cup of tea. Yet fans of exploration looking for a beautiful, atmospheric mystery (with just a handful of things that lurk in the dark) will find that Saturnalia is a wholly unique adventure that's well worth taking.
On the whole, Star Ocean: The Divine Force may be the most solid entry to date. For anyone concerned the series lost its way in Integrity and Faithlessness, those doubts can be put to rest. The only issues - some lackluster characters and a bit too much backtracking - are really ones found throughout the entire series and don't detract much from what makes The Divine Force work so well (great combat, environments that are fun to explore, and entertaining character dynamics). It remains to be seen if Star Ocean: The Divine Force will serve as a watershed moment for the series - but for what it's worth, it's a heck of a good time and one of the best JRPGs to release this year.
Bayonetta 3 takes the incredible action gameplay of its predecessors and supercharges it, resulting in one of the Switch's best action games.
Much like NieR: Automata's storytelling, Signalis heavily focuses on philosophy and requires multiple playthroughs to get the true experience. While some may not resonate with ambiguous storytelling, the only true flaw is the inclusion of Lovecraft's mythos. The story is initiated when players find a copy of "The Yellow King," a powerful god of malevolence in Lovecraftian lore. This inclusion is not only distracting due to the anticipation of if/when he'll appear, but it gives the impression that the story isn't confident in its own identity. Cosmic horror doesn't require Lovecraft to succeed, and developers Barbara Wittman and Yuri Stern prove that through the unique story, world, and gameplay that define Signalis and make it a must-play 2022 release.
Dragonball: The Breakers is fun to play in short bursts, but might be somewhat lacking for players looking for a tense experience like Dead By Daylight. Hardcore fans of the franchise may have some fun trying to evade iconic villains like Frieza or obliterate entire sections of the map as Majin Buu, but anyone else should probably look elsewhere for a genuinely chilling asymmetrical survival title.
New Tales From The Borderlands does right by its predecessor, telling a heartfelt, hilarious story within Borderlands' rambunctious, irreverent world.
Despite the cumbersome gear system and its repetitive combat elements, Gotham Knights largely succeeds as a unique, story-driven adventure that sells the vigilante experience.
Overall The Jackbox Party Pack 9 is an excellent addition to the series. There is definitely more good than bad in this edition and fans will be pleased. The only real missing piece is a strong drawing game; there is a round of drawing in Nonsensory, but it's not the focus and definitely doesn't hold a candle to past games like Tee K.O. or Jackbox 8's Drawful: Animate.
The merging of the Raving Rabbids and Super Mario Bros. franchise was also a strange one and turning the finished product into a tactical RPG was stranger still. Sparks of Hope manages to bypass the oddness of its concept. Its bizarre worlds and weird characters help lay the foundation for a fantastic tactical RPG that is on par with the likes of XCOM 2's excellent gameplay depth. Sparks of Hope has completely surpassed Kingdom Battle and has taken an idea that was once seen as an oddball crossover and turned it into a Nintendo franchise with a genuinely exciting future.
For those who have somehow missed Persona 5 Royal and are still interested in trying the game, it's debatable whether the title's Switch debut is the right platform - there are better options depending on which qualities a player desires. For anyone who wants to be able to return to the beautiful, compelling, and introspective world of Persona 5 Royal at their leisure, however, there's no doubt that P5R on Switch is the best way to do so. Ease of access thanks to the Switch's handheld mode and a lovely port that leaves very little wanting make Persona 5 Royal on Switch an easy recommendation.
A Plague Tale: Requiem is a fantastic game, expanding its framework in the right places through intricate themes and horror elements, weaving into what worked about the original while maintaining a voice of its own. It sometimes may feel a little too ambitious within the tight confines of its framework, but the emotional weight of its premise and story will keep players going to the end.
All of this is good, but NHL 23 is simply that - good. It's a fine effort in a fine series that has continuously failed to successfully capture the feeling of ice hockey in a way that is as satisfying as soccer simulators, but it's not going to move the needle for anyone who wasn't already interested. It feels like NHL 23 is about as far as EA can go with the current system of gameplay modes and mechanics - it might be good for the sport's video games if some from-the-ground-up rebuilds were attempted, much in the same vein as teams that tanked for Shane Wright last year.
Both its asymmetrical multiplayer gameplay and story are so enjoyable and well-constructed that big fans of either will find a lot to enjoy in Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed. It's not perfect, but it is an earnest and succesful attempt to bring the spirit of the movie's best qualities into a video game, and it just so happens the game is also strong enough to create some satisfying feedback loops, too.
Overall, PGA Tour 2K23 is bound to find its fans, thanks to its clear love of the sport and strong gameplay. Whether or not 2K will be able to keep hold of the market after the release of EA Sports PGA Tour next year remains to be seen, but in the meantime PGA Tour 2K23 will certainly entertain its players.
For situations where players have exhausted all their available options and brainpower, The Case of the Golden Idol also offers a fantastic in-game hint system. It doesn't overreach and offer solutions blatantly, but instead uses phrases like "consider the food on the dinner table, and everyone's personal eating habits" to point confused players in the right direction. None of the puzzles presented in the game are impossibly difficult (except for one late game chapter which suddenly threw maths in, but that could be my own personal shortcomings) and the story it tells about the golden idol itself is delightfully weird and fleshed out despite the game's short runtime. For anyone looking for 3-6 hours of cryptic crossword-like murder mysteries, The Case of the Golden Idol is a solid choice.
What truly fuels investment is the game's beauty, music, and message. Thanks to Playplay Studios' use of Unreal Engine, the environments look stunning and lifelike. Whether its leaves, rocks, or rain, the world of this game feels vibrant and tactile; even the lighting effects feel like ray tracing. The music and sound effects are calming and appropriate for each environment. Finally, the message at the heart of Big Earth is as important as always. While the gameplay still needs work, it's clear that the developers mostly wanted to show off what makes Earth so special, and they absolutely succeed in doing so.