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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 delivers solid multiplayer and a decent Zombies mode, but its campaign is a messy, Warzone-influenced experiment that fails to land. Despite some attempts to innovate, the game lacks meaningful change and feels almost identical to Black Ops 6. Overall, this year's entry feels creatively stagnant, despite its large amount of content, and I find it hard to recommend it for that reason.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion continues Marvel Games' effort to experiment with the beloved IP. The use of fan-service and both obscure and iconic characters in the narrative is so well done, the gameplay mechanics are extremely fun to play around with, and the art style is a treat to look at. While there are problems with the game's difficulty spikes, limited replayability, short runtime, and lacking soundtrack, the strengths of the overall experience far outweigh its weaknesses.
The Nintendo Switch 2 port of Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a great first showing for the Dragon Engine on Nintendo's hybrid system. Despite the game's frame rate being locked to 30 FPS, Yakuza Kiwami 2 looks impressive in both handheld and docked modes with very little signs of compromise. Yakuza Kiwami 2's Switch 2 port isn't perfect, but it's fully playable and enjoyable from start to finish, and it shows that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has room to make more optimizations.
Kirby Air Riders is absurdly challenging to get into. The controls are complicated, and the process of unlocking things is a mess. But when you eventually understand the gameplay mechanics, the sheer amount of content, the thrilling races, and the modes like City Trial and Road Trip, will keep you engaged no matter how long you play. Masahiro Sakurai has done it again!
Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE is an action-packed, character-driven RPG that tells the story of Sung Jinwoo as he evolves into a legendary hunter. There are many improvements across the board, including major gameplay tweaks and additions, a more immersive story mode structure, and the removal of gacha mechanics. Fans who have been waiting for a single-player Solo Leveling game finally got it with Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE, despite some of the quality-related flaws that came with the original ARISE.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO comes to Nintendo Switch 2 with a roster of over 180 characters, an in-depth Episode Battle mode covering the beloved story arcs of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, optional motion controls, and much more. Although there's more to be desired from the overall performance at 1080p at 30 FPS in docked and 810p in portable mode, the Switch 2 version is a very solid addition to the growing library. Bandai Namco will need to play catch-up with the other versions to ensure parity with updates, however.
Kingdoms of the Dump is a wonderful RPG held back by some glaring technical issues. Despite this, it still stands tall among other indie RPG throwbacks over the last decade, deserving the attention of anyone looking for a cozy game to envelop themselves in this Winter.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is a mixed bag. On the one hand, the story and moment-to-moment platforming are a lot of fun, and it's always great to see the cast of the SpongeBob TV series return for a cartoon-styled adventure. On the other hand, the lack of innovation after The Cosmic Shake, the lackluster side quests, and boring levels put a dampener on the entire experience. If you're just starting out with the 3D platformer genre and love SpongeBob, this is the game for you. Otherwise, you may be better off waiting for a discount.
MotionRec is a game that lives and dies on its gameplay mechanics. The concept of being able to record and replay your movements never gets old, partly thanks to the introduction of new gimmicks you encounter throughout your journey. While the game lacks a recognizable soundtrack, memorable levels, and an intriguing narrative, the charming visual style and exciting gameplay more than make up for it. If you're looking for a charming and short puzzle platformer, then MotionRec is definitely worth your time.
Dispatch takes the foundation built by Telltale Games and runs with it, creating one of the best games in the genre and one of the best titles released this year. The incredible cast of characters, brought to life by great writing, a beautiful art style, and a fantastic team of voice actors, is so charming and lovable. Even if the gameplay is kind of lacking, the dispatching mini-games and emphasis on player and dialogue choice are so much fun to engage with. In a time when the superhero genre is more oversaturated than ever, Dispatch manages to go above and beyond, delivering an unforgettable experience.
Atelier Ryza is an amazing trilogy within Gust’s Atelier series. Even still, this repackaging isn’t something you should rush to get unless you’re a fan or newcomer, as the new content, much like previous DX versions of Atelier games, doesn’t bring much that’s new to the table. There are just some nice extras that I wouldn’t consider integral to the overall experience.
Lumines Arise is a radiant revival that perfectly captures the rhythm and emotion the series is known for. The experience is simultaneously soothing and challenging, offering a unique game that both longtime fans and newcomers will appreciate. While the VR mode leaves a bit to be desired, Lumines Arise is an absolute joy that should be experienced without hesitation.
Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition attempts to emulate the success of its predecessors, but so many issues hold it back, including flimsy controls and an unimaginative world. There is hardly any new content added for the special edition, so there isn't much for returning players to check out either.
Tales of Xillia Remastered successfully brings the original title to modern consoles while maintaining its charm and warts. It won't change anyone's opinion who played it over a decade ago, but it is the best option for those who want to experience this title in the beloved Tales series for the first time.
BALL x PIT is a fantastic reinvention of Breakout with a new twist. The game combines concepts from the roguelite genre, farming simulators, and shoot-em-ups. In theory, this blending of elements shouldn't work, but the game is fantastically addictive thanks to a fun gameplay loop. Even though the game can often get repetitive, the presentation and balanced difficulty help to navigate through any monotony. If you're a fan of Breakout or the roguelite genre, then BALL x PIT is a must-buy.
PowerWash Simulator 2 is a complicated release. On the one hand, the new features and additions to the formula make for a game that is charmingly satisfying, regardless of what console you play it on. On the other hand, the updates to the overall experience add very little new material compared to the original game, making it feel more like a remake of PowerWash Simulator rather than a brand new game.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage upgrades Virtua Fighter 5's single-player offers with the fun and rewarding World Stage mode and implements cross-play to keep players engaged in one large player pool. Despite some matchmaking issues, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage brings a compelling suite of online features, including Ranked matches, to keep players engaged with another avenue of fighting game content.
Painkiller reimagines the cult classic as a three-player co-op raid shooter, blending its breakneck gunplay with modern progression and a fresh take on heaven and hell’s eternal war. It doesn’t quite reach its full potential due to a short length, awkward mechanics, and limited content, but when the action hits, the promise of a great game is here.
Borderlands 4 is a fantastic return to form for the divisive franchise. The narrative is a great change of pace from previous entries, immediately separating itself with a far darker tone, higher stakes, and a great cast of both new and familiar characters. Furthermore, the gameplay represents a significant evolution from what one'd expect from the franchise, offering new customization options, features, and a balance of fun both solo and with a friend. While there are some issues, such as bugs and the game's monotonous traversal, I look forward to seeing how Gearbox continues to develop the franchise in the future.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake masterfully modernizes two timeless RPGs with the gorgeous HD-2D art style. Significant story changes, wonderful quality-of-life improvements, and flawless performance on Nintendo Switch 2 make this a must-play game for any fan of the genre. Without a doubt, this is the definitive way to experience the Erdrick Trilogy for both newcomers and longtime fans alike.