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A calm yet uneven treasure-hunting experience.
Godstrike is a punishingly difficult shooter game.
Despite the update, its mechanics feel dated.
SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off is fun, but has strange oversights.
Returnal is a brutally difficult roguelite shooter.
Lack of content ruins a good progression system.
New Pokémon Snap feels like seeing Pokémon for the first time and takes trainers on a beautiful and exciting journey through the Lental region.
The main takeaway from Star Wars: Republic Commando's rerelease is that this game is a great addition to Switch in spite of its flaws. Even players who don't consider themselves Star Wars fans will find a lot to like in this sci-fi war story. The squad gameplay was ahead of its time and still excels today alongside the excellent AI. The most obvious element that's aged about this game is its graphics, and that annoyance fades quickly once the lasers start flying. Republic Commando was one of the best Star Wars games of its time when it arrived in 2005, and despite over 16 years passing since then, it remains a captivating and engaging title in 2021.
Say No! More is a game with simple mechanics that delivers an emotional and thought provoking story. The characters are wacky, but full of heart and charm, and the story is no different. Its focus on themes like power of self-advocacy, helping those around you, and breaking cycles of abuse will resonate and inform a lot of how a prospective player feels about the short game. With only a 2 hour run time, Say No! More manages to navigate humor and heart with grace and is well worth picking up for those interested in a compelling narrative experience.
What The Dub?! is an enjoyable party game that is great for giving everyone a chance to show off their comedic chops. The game wears its inspiration on its sleeve, but that doesn't matter, as there is plenty of room for titles with fresh ideas. The lack of variety is an issue, but that's offset by its low price. What The Dub?! is a great game to break out with friends to have a few laughs, even when playing online.
Terminator: Resistance Enhanced still isn't for everyone, since it's far from the smooth experience that FPS fans have come to expect even with the technical updates for its PS5 release. Nonetheless, it's a game that understands the Terminator franchise, and the heart behind its creation shines through in spite of its limitations.
Narita Boy is a curious and risky 2D adventure that isn’t always what it seems. Issues with some game mechanics shouldn’t deter anyone from playing through the story, and its soundtrack’s passionate synthwave-leaning collection of themes somehow stands out amidst a sea of new titles which share these sonic leanings. Narita Boy will be more impactful and absorbing to those who fully immerse in its narrative, and what may first appear as hastily written nonsense informs a lyrical and consistent fictional universe. Give in to its mysteries and enjoy.
Telling too much of ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos’ story would compromise what it’s really trying to do, but this isn’t to imply that it’s reliant on some sort of obligatory Shyamalan twist. No, like the best visual novels, it remains focused on its character growth, and unveils its secrets and motives with time. For someone with even a light taste for anime who may not normally take to visual novels, ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos should make them a believer.
Maskmaker isn't a bad game by any means, but it is generic and restrictive in what it allows players to do. Making masks and exploring the world can be immensely enjoyable at times, but the game seems intent on stopping the player from interacting with those elements with any regularity. What's here is a strong foundation for future pursuits, but in its current form, Maskmaker feels a little too lackluster to recommend to anyone who isn't a dedicated VR aficionado looking for their next title amongst the genre's somewhat limited options.
For what it is, Quantum League is a solid novelty that provides quick but demanding sessions that test conventional thoughts on multiplayer shooters. Nimble Giant's unique ideas make it worth the attention of anyone interested in seeing the boundaries of the multiplayer FPS pushed past its limits, but the difficulty curve and lack of content will likely cause many to bounce off an otherwise compelling new concept.
Ultimately, it's not surprising to see Trials of Fire emerge out of Early Access as a strong deckbuilding contender. That time spent listening to player feedback was used wisely, and balancing, tone, and innovation have all been tweaked with a deft hand. While some of its elements shine more brightly than others, and the more involved nature of the game means it's a tougher sell for players looking to rapid-fire their way through its learning curve and combinations, Trials of Fire leaves Early Access as yet another strong, captivating deckbuilding game that borrows from tabletop roleplaying games and roguelites to carve out a name for itself.
Ultimately, however, Judgment on PS5 is the best version of a great game, with no hiccups in the transition to current-gen consoles and a few exceptional benefits for players to enjoy. Judgment remains, like a crucial discovery in Yagami's case, strong evidence that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio knows its way around compelling crime narratives in a way few other developers can aspire towards. Like its setting, it's not perfect in any sense, but also like Kamurocho, the flaws are another reason to get drawn in, and Judgment on PS5 is a must-play for anyone who enjoys a good detective story.
Ultimately, Pac-Man 99 doesn't stand up to the instant fun of Tetris 99, but it's better than Super Mario 35 and serves as a worthy addition to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The paid modes will be great when the game inevitably goes offline, but feel superfluous in the now. Those looking to expand their game will likely find more use out of grabbing a few skins individually than grabbing the whole bundle, but the free-to-play option will be the best deal for most players.
It's hard to fully recommend Don't Give Up: A Cynical Tale. There is an interesting story here and fun characters to chat with, but overall the game comes up short. With its linear paths and lack of interactivity for the player, Don't Give Up ends up feeling more like a visual novel with a battle system than an actual RPG adventure.
NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... isn't just a comprehensive remake that makes some startling updates - it's also a proof of concept for the series moving forward. The story holds up, the refined combat is engaging, and its charm and melancholy both resonate with a player long after they've put the controller down. In revisiting NieR's past, it becomes clear just how bright its future is. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... is something worth playing in 2021 and beyond, and a one-of-a-kind JRPG that continues to challenge convention even a decade after it first began to do so.