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God of War Ragnarok makes use of cinematic techniques and skilled actors to tell its story of holding on and letting go. But it doesn't feel beholden to cinematic trappings. It's proud of its history and medium and plays sublimely as a result. With a focus on fun and flow, God of War Ragnarok's bloody and beautiful pieces fit together swimmingly.
A great remaster that improves everything, leaving nary a reason to go back. Some of the ancient PSP dust does show up due to an outdated skeleton and presentation. The story and characters are still great in my eyes and even holds a firm candle to FINAL FANTASY VII Remake. I’m grateful for this Reunion and cherished my time with it as I did the original.
Fire Emblem Engage is a fantastic entry in the long-running strategy RPG series, offering a fun and enjoyable story with some of the best gameplay the series has to offer. New and old fans alike have a spectacular title in front of them that will be fondly looked upon for years to come. Engage is a celebration of the past and the worlds we’ve seen, while also celebrating the strong future this franchise holds.
Dead Space rigorously reanimates gaming's best sci-fi horror game. It's clear EA Motive looked at the original title both through the lens of adoring fans as well as talented developers. They keep what worked, morph what didn't, and unlike the game's protagonist, cut off almost nothing. The USG Ishimura has never been more immersive. Only minor missteps keep it from perfection, but not from being an absolutely stunning makeover, and a must-play experience.
Metroid Prime Remastered is a genuinely stunning remaster of the beloved GameCube Classic. Retro Studios have gone above and beyond in recreating the assets and implementing superb twin-stick gameplay. Prime Remastered only improves on its original release and acts as the definitive way to experience the 2002 classic.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is another incredible action game produced by SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Sakamoto Ryoma's journey is emotional and action-packed, hitting all of the right chords for an excellent Yakuza / Like a Dragon title. This game is welcoming to newcomers while rewarding longtime fans for their continued support of the long-running series.
Theatrhytm Final Bar Line is a fun time with amazing music and thoughtful options. The accessibility in the game truly allows Final Bar Line to excel above its predecessors. Final Bar Line is a celebration of the grand Final Fantasy series, with hundreds of songs to relive the dozens of adventures throughout the series. If you're looking for a content-filled rhythm game, look no further than this fantastic title!
The story may be somewhat forgettable, and the voice acting is questionable, but Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a fantastic hardcore action RPG that might qualify as game-of-the-year material. I would experience it all again in a heartbeat. This is an easy recommendation for fans of hardcore action RPGs. A tight pace and superb combat make sure the game doesn't feel dull at nearly any point.
Atelier Ryza 3 takes everything that makes the prior games great and attempts to improve, and improve it does! The new elements mix with the old to make an addicting and refined concoction. Everything from Exploration to Combat to Synthesis has been polished to a mirror sheen. Atelier Ryza 3 looks back respectfully while taking a confident step forward.
Cereza and the Lost Demon is true Bayonetta at its core. The fresh take on the beloved series was a true joy to experience from beginning to end. With the series having yet to do much in a while, it might be precisely what the series needed to bring in new fans and bring back old ones.
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is an amazing game. It has the mechanical soundness you’d expect from a long-running series while offering S-Rank quality updates to a classic title. What really makes this game sing and come together is the union of the time-proven gameplay and some truly heartfelt themes. Themes of life echo throughout this game. You must nurture your crops, your relationships, your child, and your own self as you journey down the tumultuous yet rewarding road of life. Everything changes. Sometimes those changes are bittersweet. However, if you work hard and open your heart, everything will be alright.
Final Fantasy XVI is bold, brilliant, and everything a Final Fantasy should be. Despite from some shortcomings due to the sheer ambition of the title, XVI is a masterful work that is a must-play experience for any RPG or action game fan. Clive Rosfield's story is one that will surely be talked about for years to come.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is an exceptional turn-based RPG that beautifully ties up loose ends from previous Trails games while hinting toward the franchise's future. Players are greeted by a memorable cast of characters that are playable across three main story paths. These story paths converge into an excellent experience with a slew of side content and much more to discover. This is an absolute must-buy for Trails fans.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.