But Why Tho?
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It’s a well-crafted game within its own scale with a great story and emotionally resonant characters, but in the grand scheme of what a big open-world RPG could provide, Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t maximize its potential.
MLB The Show 25 hits a home run by building on its past and making minor improvements that make a world of difference.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is an enthralling experience that pushes the Atelier franchise into a new era. There is so much to see and do while uncovering new mysteries that affect the world and its inhabitants on a profoundly personal level.
Ivy Road has made a game that has impact and one that doesn’t change its protagonist, but you, the player, too. Wanderstop is monumental because it provides comfort by simply giving us all permission to slow down.
The most impressive element of Split Fiction is how well it ties everything together. Its disparate locales and subplots all share a beautiful, unified art style with a story that melds perfectly with its gameplay.
Compared to its predecessor, with a well-defined motif, Everhood 2 will give you whiplash from how often the story changes directions. That indecisiveness is ultimately its downfall, leaving you scratching your head and wondering, “Is that really how it ends?”
Warriors Abyss has its heart in the right place and some interesting ideas, but its particular blend of musou and roguelike doesn’t feel like it’s fully realized. A novel blueprint for something down the line, but as-is, it’s hard to justify for anyone but the biggest fans of the Warriors series.
PGA Tour 2K25 is not a perfect game, but it does a solid job of bringing golf to life for new and experienced fans. Some new game modes and more improved visuals and performance would make the next installment a true classic, but PGA Tour 2K25 is a good step forward.
Two Point Museum is a fantastic addition to the Two Point management sim title list. It lives up to the studios’ past games but never feels derivative. Everything about the game feels special, providing a blended experience that is accessible to new players at first before it begins to layer new systems into the game, building depth for the more seasoned management sim fan.
While Waiting turns the most boring parts of a person’s life into an equally reverent and irreverent look at life itself. The 100 minigames offer plenty of variety – even if some of them add to the boredom rather than disperse it – and the overarching story will tug at your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone.
Monster Hunter Wilds starts with big hunts and breathtaking action scenes. By the end of the story and beyond, you’ll be hunting even larger monsters with impossibly larger attacks, harvesting materials from their bodies to make stronger weapons and tougher armor.
Despite these issues, the power of Afterlove EP‘s story manages to shine through. It is an incredibly touching slice-of-life story that explores the forms and layers of grief with the variety and depth perfect for a video game.
When Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is strong, it’s strong. But without the Tape 2 Rage, I’m unfortunately left with too much gap to close, not enough life lived, and not enough of a tactile experience to immerse me in Swann’s life and Velvet Cove.
Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is one of the best Like a Dragon/Yakuza spin-offs, joining the likes of Judgment and Like A Dragon: Ishin. It’s a fast and frenetic pirate adventure that constantly calls the player back to its high seas, and it’s an adventure you won’t want to miss.
Avowed marks another triumph for the folks at Obsidian. Through its gorgeous world, memorable characters, frenzied combat, and intuitive yet deep customization system, it highlights player agency. Everywhere in its gameplay and narrative, ensuring that each playthrough offers something new. More importantly, it does so while never compromising the strength of its core story.
Besides the abysmal UI, Civilization 7‘s simplifying changes come down to personal taste. For newcomers or fans hungry for a more pared-back or guided experience, there is a lot to love in them. More experienced players or those who value self-driven strategy will find more friction despite some changes being more universally beneficial.
While the narrative has its share of tedious moments and some repetitive missions, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is still a great sequel. It delivers a compelling, immersive story and exhilarating combat, improving upon its predecessor in many ways while upholding the series’ JRPG excellence.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure is your new favorite cozy exploration game. While it looks similar to others in the genre, once you start playing, the truth is that there is nothing like Hello Kitty Island Adventure when it comes to exploration.
Like the pieces that make up the whole, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector’s story feels made up of the threads you gather through your campaign.
The Stone of Madness delivers a puzzling experience that forces players to be creative and quick. Its gameplay elements largely succeed at providing a unique challenge, while its world and characters are easily forgotten.