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It might be easy to say that Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is simply a pair of remastered games that can't compare to more modern platformers, but that's only half-true. Although their relatively low sales and cult status meant that the formula wasn't really given the chance to evolve, almost anyone can still jump into these games and have a good time. The lack of meaningful new content on par with Klonoa's Wii remake from 2008 is disappointing, but the content that is here is still worthwhile. Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is a nice offering to underserviced fans, and can also be a good package for newcomers - or even people who are picking up a platformer for the first time.
Overall, Spellforce 3 Reforced is a fun RTS/RPG hybrid with a very compelling story. The individual gameplay components work well, although more narrative fluidity when focusing on RTS moments could have made Spellforce 3 Reforced a must-play. Nonetheless, fans of both RTS and RPG genres will find something to love here.
Without spoiling the finer details, the game's final sequence is filled with tension and emotion as Peter recollects the final moments of the past that lead up to his trip to Antarctica. In it, the game reflects on the key decisions made along the way and rather than respect them, seemed to ignore the work put in by players in a way that made it seem like some of the choices didn't actually matter. It may be possible that this was meant to be a narrative twist on how Peter remembers the past versus how it was, but it's entirely unclear if that's the case, which makes it all the more confusing when it happens. Despite this, the ending sequence of South of the Circle is still packed with emotional catharsis and an ambiguous ending the leaves the player wanting more, and that alone makes this game a must-play for narrative-driven players.
Despite this handful of shortcomings, Bear & Breakfast offers exactly the experience most players will be looking for with the title: the ability to play as a cute bear managing quaint bed and breakfast establishments in the woods. Players can continue to complete challenges for their resorts outside of direct story progression to earn rewards like clothes for Hank that add hours of additional gameplay to the title, and can spend as much time as they like making their resorts the perfect experience for guests. Bear & Breakfast is an incredibly cozy game that manages to capture the best strategic elements from the management simulation game genre while still staying true to its intended tone.
The Sims 4 High School Years truly excels when it comes to building personalities for teen Sims, and wonderfully captures teen moments like asking your crush to prom or starting drama online. Although somewhat dampened by its large amount of useless set pieces, the world of Copperdale is quite beautiful and the perfect setting for high school. The lack of depth and functionality in some elements of The Sims 4 High School Years Expansion Pack is particularly disappointing because of how deep other features of the game go, but the title does an excellent job overall of encapsulating most of the key parts of adolescence.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 collects, iterates, and perfects JRPG mechanics.
Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels is a wonderful bit of additional content for the core game, with absolutely thrilling racing for fans of the toy line.
The Trials of the Dragon King DLC for Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is lazy and locks its content behind punishing difficulty.
The Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle may not be a total home run, but it is another solid installment to the MMORPG despite its weak story. High Isle itself is a gorgeously realized location that feels more alive than other settings have thanks to the incredible attention to detail by the art team, and the gameplay is a lot of fun where it matters most. The inclusion of Tales of Tribute works wonderfully, and the game itself was clearly well-designed and executed. However, it could have been even stronger as a base game feature that all players could enjoy.
Live A Live aims to tell nine different stories, with very different protagonists and settings, all within a short period of time. The jack of all trades approach means that some chapters are fantastic and others can drag. It tries to do a lot of things at once, some of which work and some that don't. Luckily, the good parts outweigh the bad, and Live A Live is a great pick for fans of classic JRPGs, so long as they expect an occasionally bumpy ride.
There are a few challenging boss fights in Moss: Book 2, as well as some difficult puzzles to solve. Although the game can be challenging at times, the difficulty is just enough to keep things interesting without causing any frustration. The puzzles and fights grow gradually harder at a rate that eases players into it. With more boss fights, different environments, and new weapons, Moss: Book 2 is a fantastic game, and it's a worthy follow-up to Polyarc's highly praised debut title..
The games in Sonic Origins are among the best Sonic the Hedgehog titles in existence and this package is a great way to experience these games, especially for new fans who were introduced to the franchise by the Sonic the Hedgehog movies. The people who already own these games in some other form won't find anything particularly worthy of a double-dip, as even the convenience of owning them all on a modern system is undercut by all of the original versions of the games being available on the Sega Genesis Classic collection. Those who don't already own the classic Sonic the Hedgehog games can get them in a neat package in Sonic Origins, with a few extra features to keep them interested after the credits have rolled.
The title may not be a good pick for casual gamers or those who enjoy survival narratives that are fantasy-driven, as it specifically focuses on displaying the real-world effects of habitat destruction and pollution. Despite this, Endling, Extinction is Forever is a deeply emotional and thought-evoking journey that will leave an impression on anyone who chooses to play it.
As a game full of predictable combat and only six stages, there's not a lot to Krut: The Mythic Wings. Depending on the difficulty setting, beating the game will likely only take an hour or two. The story is interesting, but it takes up more of the content than the actual gameplay. The flaws are only somewhat made up for by the unique and visually appealing environments for each stage. Overall, Krut: The Mythic Wings offers some casual fun, but it's very short and lacks combat variety.
Stray is a puzzle-platforming adventure game which offers players a one-of-a-kind feline science fiction experience that delights in every way.
As Dusk Falls is going to launch on Game Pass on day one and it feels like the perfect game for the service, and that's meant as a compliment. It's a strange experiment of a game, with an odd aesthetic and concept, that people might have otherwise overlooked. As Dusk Falls is worth checking out, especially with friends who can commit to experiencing the full story, as it's one of the few video games that have captured the feeling of controlling the story of a TV show, so long as everyone is fine with experiencing some HBO levels of dark themes, and the risk of sad endings along the way.
With the existence of massive performance issues, MX vs ATV Legends just can't compete with any of the top racing games. The best part of the game is driving around in free mode and exploring open areas with a good soundtrack playing in the background. However, actually racing is a struggle, and it's hard to enjoy coming in first place after repeating a race due to glitches. Overall, MX vs ATV Legends has frustrating, repetitive content that lacks any significantly rewarding experience.
With an interesting story, a handful of tough new bosses, and a few secrets to find, Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course exceeds expectations. The charming visuals, sound effects, and music build on the unique art style of the base game while still standing out with fun, albeit sometimes frustrating, encounters. The story conveys a new and dangerous adventure for Cuphead and Mugman who are joined by the sweet but formidable Ms. Chalice.
Arcadegeddon blends recognizable aesthetics, tight level design, satisfying gunplay, & a medley of challenges to make an awesome third-person shooter.
Capcom Fighting Collection successfully brings a wide array of classic Capcom fighting games together in a convenient package for fans.