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You know the old question 'if you were stranded on a deserted island and could bring one game with you, what would you bring'? If that choice was posed to me today, I'd likely respond with Diablo IV. This is a game I feel like I could easily sink 500 hours into without ever getting tired of the rewarding gameplay loop.
Street Fighter 6 has completely reinvigorated my interest in the Street Fighter series and fighting games in general. I can easily see myself hitting 60 or 70 hours in the World Tour mode alone, and that's on top of already putting dozens of hours into Fighting Ground and Battle Hub. This is the most feature-complete fighting game I've ever played and sets a new high bar for Capcom's legendary series.
Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! is a worthy new addition to this venerable series, offering a plethora of modes and a well-rounded package. From a lengthy Story mode to robust Versus modes to lots of bonus content, there's something here for everyone. Bub and Bob are back and better than ever, and as a longtime fan, I couldn't be happier.
Live A Live is an incredibly fun turn-based RPG that holds up well after nearly three decades. The Octopath Traveler type HD-2D graphics look superb, but it's the eight heroes with different mechanics that really hooked me. Whether on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch or PC, anyone with even a cursory interest in RPGs needs to check out this game.
While not the showpiece for Xbox Series X fans were likely hoping for, it's a nice Game Pass addition that I've happily plunked 20+ hours into and will definitely continue playing to secure the 1000/1000 Achievements.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is essential gaming for all fans of the series. This game is such a classic, and now looks, sounds and plays much more like a modern RPG. Going back to re-experience the timeless original game that spawned a global mega-franchise was just the dose of nostalgia I needed before Final Fantasy XVI hits this summer.
From the very first suplex all the way to the explosive boss-gauntlet final stage, I had a blast playing Cannon Dancer - Osman. It's such an amazing game and I have no idea how this game slipped past me in the arcades in the '90s, but I'm glad I got to experience this gem on my PS5.
Cosmic Chaos' high quality hit me like a batarang out of nowhere. I was expecting a modestly fun, competent action-adventure game for kids but instead, we got a thrilling and engaging superhero romp that DC comic book fans of all ages need to play. Easily one of the 2023's biggest surprise hits so far.
Peppa Pig: World Adventures is an easy recommendation for parents that have kids into this popular series. Its wonderful presentation will have your young ones thinking they're playing an interactive TV show featuring their favourite loveable pig family.
The Resident Evil 4 remake is a phenomenal experience that simply has to be played by everyone that has a PlayStation, Xbox or PC. Quality is through the roof, whether it's the snappy gameplay, gorgeous graphics, smartly remixed campaign or the many quality-of-life improvements. The game sits next to the original RE4 as the two greatest entries of this storied franchise.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a glorious mash-up of two incredible franchises and it's simply sublime. Whether you're a long-time fan of Dead Cells or a newcomer like me, this is a meaty Castlevania expansion you can really sink your teeth into.
Scars Above really embraces its sci-fi and soulslike themes, offering an atmospheric game with a good balance between exploration, puzzle-solving and battles. It's a bit janky but palatable when you consider the game comes at a budget price. If you're looking for something different than the mainstream cooker cutter offering, Scars Above is worth the time and effort.
Following Team Ninja's excellent Nioh games, the studio once again proves its unmatched mastery of the action-RPG genre with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. It offers rock-solid gameplay and excellent accessibility while still providing a good challenge.
Go! Go! PogoGirl is a fantastic homage to classic platformers that fans of Sonic the Hedgehog or DuckTales will surely love. It offers top-notch level design, a charming aesthetic and a nice mix of platforming challenges and puzzle-solving to get through each stage. It's the perfect length, too, and encourages replayability.
Wanted: Dead is a hard game to review considering nearly every aspect has positives and flaws. The gameplay can be extremely satisfying when you get into a good rhythm, but the limited enemy variety and spongy health make every mission feel the same. The story and characters have wacky charm, at times being incredibly funny yet far too frequently becoming a head-scratcher. The cutscene voice acting is bad, but the anime flashbacks are superb. I could go on and on but the bottom line is this game is unique—for better or for worse—and probably just as many people will love it as those who don't.
Metroid Prime Remastered is an exceptional upgraded version of one of Nintendo's greatest games ever. Anyone that enjoyed Metroid Dread or plays action-adventure games in general needs to get this title which stands tall among the Switch's crowded library of triple-A first-party bangers. Gaming doesn't get much better than this.
For a game based on such a non-exciting task, PowerWash Simulator is way, way more fun than it ought to be. That mainly comes to down the game embracing its silliness, putting you the perpetually dirty Muckingham and tasking you with washing ridiculous places like a giant shoe home or a washroom with decades of baked-on piss stains. Once you settle into the game's zen-cleaning state, you'll easily melt the hours away obsessively cleaning objects until they look brand spanking new.
Dead Space remake pays full tribute to the original game and adds exciting new features and improvements, making it a brilliant and terrifying survival horror experience. EA Motive clearly saw what Capcom was doing with their Resident Evil remakes and managed to hit a quality bar on par with those efforts.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake delivers exactly what I'd hope for: a fun-filled new SpongeBob adventure that takes the gameplay, graphics and vibe of Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated to the next level.
Season - A Letter to the Future is a joyous experience unlike any I've played in recent memory. It's a calming, cathartic game where you'll end up learning just as much about yourself as you do this interesting and unusual world. The scope narrows in the second half of the game, which was a slight disappointment, but the overall journey was still rewarding making it an easy recommendation.