Final Weapon
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Super Mario Bros. Wonder is gleaming with joy from every corner, with bright colors and expressive animations. The innovation and creativity seen in each level transcends what held back previous 2D entries, marking a new era of 2D Mario. While there's nothing here that transcends the platforming genre, Wonder is a fantastic title that any Nintendo Switch owner should grab.
Cuisineer is an adorable game. If aesthetics, side content, and difficulty were deterrents to you in other roguelikes then Cuisineer is a perfect game for you! Half of the draw of the game is running a restaurant while interacting with cute townsfolk. The roguelike elements are designed to be more forgiving and less brutal than many of its contemporaries while keeping an incredibly solid and polished combat experience. Many of these elements Cuisineer don't wholly appeal to me beyond a different flavor of this genre. However, I believe this game can attract a new audience to the Rogelike genre. Even roguelike fans should enjoy the more laid-back tone and additional sim elements. In short, Cuisineer is very 'to taste'.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name delivers an impactful story through the perspective of Kazuma Kiryu, the beloved protagonist of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series. In preparation for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Gaiden bridges an important gap in the timeline while providing additional context with new characters that enter the fold. Meanwhile, Gaiden introduces various improvements to the signature combat system and many hours of compelling content as a can't-miss entry in the series.
Alan Wake 2 is a visual and narrative marvel filled with beautiful environments and horrifying moments that had me on the edge of my seat. The game is only held back by some lacking gameplay and bugs, along with missing features and the lack of a physical version. Despite that, the game is one of the best this year, with moments that any long-time Remedy fan and newcomer alike will enjoy.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a masterfully done remake. The goal envisioned by the creators was to bring a classic game up to modern sensibilities, and they have truly outdone themselves. Star Ocean: The Second Story R takes the masterfully crafted systems of the original game, combines them with the updates from Star Ocean: Second Evolution, and wraps them up in a gorgeous and smooth package. Any qualms that can be found lie within things like the story and characters, which remain true to the original game. However, the ease of play, deep RPG elements, strong story theming, and revamped battle system more than makeup for any issues I have. Please, I implore you, to check out this absolutely astounding game.
Alien Hominid Invasion is a re-imagining on the formula of the original Alien Hominid. Taking the form of a roguelite, the title features a widely customizable gameplay system with beautifully stylized graphics. However, the lack of diversity among objectives in levels can get old quickly, especially with the roguelite style.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon marks the triumphant return of what was once FromSoftware's flagship series. Only a studio such as this could make a niche mech action game appealing to a huge audience. While I may have some nitpicks, almost everything I would want out of an Armored Core game is present here. Armored Core VI is easily one of the best action games I've had the pleasure of experiencing this year and is further proof that FromSoftware is one of the best game studios around.
Spider-Man 2 is one of the best superhero games ever, with an incredible narrative, addicting gameplay, and stunning graphics. Despite some occasional bugs, I was never bored playing Spider-Man 2 with its moment-to-moment gameplay improving on a formula that has stayed the same for twenty-five years. Only time will tell what Insomniac has planned for the franchise, but I will watch with great interest.
CRYMACHINA is an intriguing action RPG with mechanical girls that attempt to become human again in a very distant future. Although such a future is bleak, these androids make CRYMACHINA feel wholesome and hopeful. CRYMACHINA's smooth combat system, stellar Japanese voice acting, and well-rounded offering of single-player content make it a solid game.
Skull Island: Rise of Kong is a bug-filled mess that's defined by an empty world with no exciting gameplay. With no simple QoL features like a useable map, it's a pain to complete each level. For $40, there's not a chance Rise of Kong is worth your money or time.
Fate Samurai/Remnant is an excellent new take on the almost two-decade-old series. New and old fans alike have an excellent story in front of them, with dozens of hours of exciting combat through the many playable characters. This is an easy recommendation for any RPG fan in a year crowded with exceptional games.
Silent Hope is a great time. The premise is interesting despite not always delivering on it 100%. However, the gameplay loop is engaging with a good amount of depth and planning. Deliberating on how to prepare best and proceed is rewarding. Skill isn't thrown to the wayside for an over-reliance on RNG elements, which is welcome. What you end up getting a neat and fun title to enjoy at your own pace. Although, I do see some getting burned out on the gameplay loop. This game offers a solid foundation for what hopefully branches into a nice Rune Factory side series. Also, you can pet the Story of Seasons cow!
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty adds several new mechanics and features that fans have been hoping for since the game was released in 2020. Phantom Liberty is one of the best expansions I've played in years, with a brand new story, fantastic characters, and an exciting new area of Night City. It's a shame that this is the only expansion being added to the game and that we have to wait years to see what's next for the franchise.
The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails brings a vastly different experience compared to other Trails games, but it's a true Falcom title that will captivate players all the same. From an otherworldly setting with dozens of levels to a simple gameplay system that evolves with progression, Falcom presents a very fun action RPG with high replay value, and intriguing story/lore, and a pleasant cast of characters.
While Lies of P may feel quite derivative of the games that inspired it, there's no denying that a lot of care and passion went into making Lies of P. This is likely one of the best Souls-likes out there, and I'm looking forward to what these developers do next. This is an easy recommendation to anyone who is a fan of the genre.
Sea of Stars is a wonderful throwback to classic turn-based RPGs from decades ago. While the main characters and writing are okay at best, there is a level of charm through the combat system, narrative, and world that can't be ignored. Sabotage's latest is an easy recommendation for any fan of classic turn-based titles.
ANONYMOUS;CODE is a brilliant visual novel by MAGES. and Chiyomaru Studio that blends the wonders of reality and science fiction for a truly memorable experience. The stellar writing, stunning artwork and CGs, and incredible cast of characters make ANONYMOUS;CODE a standout title in 2023. This is a must-buy visual novel for Steins;Gate fans, and newcomers will be pleasantly surprised, too.
Affogato combines elements of visual novels, popular Japanese RPGs, and anime to create a compelling title. The beautifully drawn illustrations and superb Japanese voice cast make Affogato feel like a high-quality anime or visual novel production. Affogato's Persona-inspired life management systems also allow players to dive deeper into the game's colorful cast of characters as well.
Gravity Circuit is an outstanding 2D action platformer that deserves more attention. This game is an easy recommendation for fans of classic Mega Man games. It's hard to go wrong with fun stages, great bosses, a catchy soundtrack, and an awesome sense of style.
Disney Illusion Island is a game with a beautiful art style, charming characters, and fantastic audio design. Despite this, it suffers from an identity crisis, and you can never entirely be sure who the game is meant for. With tricky controls, a lack of a unified genre, and bland levels, you may find your money well spent with other 2D platformers. However, if you're a fan of Mickey Mouse and friends, Disney Illusion Island is worth a try for the visuals and nostalgia alone.