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Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake on Nintendo Switch is an utter joy to play and it's great to know Nintendo hasn't forgotten about this beloved series. The spruced-up presentation and bountiful quality-of-life improvements make this wonderful adventure even better than the top-notch original.
This is a sequel done right with an expanded roster of playable characters, much more game content to enjoy, and the introduction of two-player co-op for the entire campaign. Any pony with kids in the house should check out this game.
Hellblade 2 delivers as promised: an immersive narrative experience that continues Senua's story while delivering top-notch visuals, impressive binaural 3D audio, and among the best mocap ever in gaming. It's a compact, focused tale that trims the fat and pushes you forward at a brisk pace—exactly what I think fans of the original game will be looking for.
The System Shock remake is exceptionally well built featuring bright and beautiful retro-style graphics, lots of welcome game optimizations and redesigned controls to support the PS5 gamepad. The immersive world-building drew me in, but it was the high-stakes combat and deep exploration that kept me hooked over the game's surprisingly long 20+ hours.
Dementium: The Ward is a classic FPS survival horror game that all fans of the genre need to experience. From its eerie psych ward environments to its superb 3D audio, it's a genuinely creepy and intense adventure. The new 4K visuals, 60 frames per second and 28 new trophies are nice additions that make this cult classic feel modernized, and the retro option is great for those who prefer old-school horror.
Princess Peach: Showtime! is a cute, colourful and creative adventure befitting of one of Nintendo's most iconic characters. It's incredible that Peach finally has a game series to call her own, and what a fantastic start it's off to. The transformations are awesome, but it's the varied and compelling gameplay that really steals the show.
Rise of the Ronin may not push the boundaries of the open-world genre, but it’s an enjoyable game with superb combat, deep mechanics and a great cast of characters. Highly recommend it if you enjoy samurai games like Ghost of Tsushima or past Team Ninja games like Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty.
Contra: Operation Galuga is a polished experience that gave me exactly what I want when playing a Contra game: cool weapons, cool bosses and loads of eye-candy action. With three modes (plus an unlockable Speedrun mode), nine playable characters and a bunch of great perks to unlock, this is a run-and-gun action game offering a sizable amount of content.
Alone in the Dark offers a compelling world filled with interesting characters and engaging puzzles, brought together with its great ambiance and immersive audio. Combat is sloppy and could use refinements, although it wasn't enough to deter me from thoroughly enjoying this eight-hour descent into madness.
My family had a blast playing PJ Masks Power Heroes: Mighty Alliance. From the accessible gameplay for kids to the superb voice-acting and presentation to the large variety of mission types, this is the dream PJ Masks video game this popular franchise deserves.
Outcast: A New Beginning is silly and entertaining—such a refreshing relief from the usual serious open-world fare. It's been a while since I've laughed this much playing a game, whether it's the satirical hero Cutter Slade or the ridiculous personalities of the Talan. When combined with the many fun open-world activities and joyful weapon modification system, this game gets an easy recommendation.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake takes you on an unforgettable journey that simply should not be missed. The enhancements, including the new local co-op option, the revamped graphics and the re-recorded orchestral soundtrack make this already exceptional indie masterpiece even better.
I've been thoroughly enjoying my time with Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons and it's an easy recommendation for anyone who's enjoyed Nintendo's Picross series or is a fan of Story of Seasons. Virtually anyone can enjoy this game given the myriad of accessibility options that lets you customize the challenge exactly to your likely.
Berserk Boy is an easy recommendation for action-platforming fans with its smooth mix of pinpoint platforming and acquisition of new powers, bolstered by excellent anime-style graphics and a bouncy soundtrack. It's an action-packed adventure with nostalgic charm that's already a standout indie title of 2024.
Ultros is a gorgeous hallucinatory escapade that dazzles visually as much as it impresses gameplay-wise. From the mesmerizing alien ship backdrop to the methodical combat to the taxing-yet-rewarding gardening mechanic, this game is full of surprises. If you're looking for a wholly original Metroidvania game with innovative new roguelite elements, Ultros is quite the trip.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong is an excellent remake that enhances everything from the visuals to adding new worlds to the inclusion of two-player co-op. The bite-sized levels are perfect for short play sessions and especially well-suited for kids.
In an era of derivative games offering similar experiences, Cocoon is a much-needed breath of fresh air. The mind-bending worlds within worlds concept is something I've never experienced before and racked my brain—with the payoff being worth the effort. It's a beautiful game with new ideas and I loved every minute of it.
Helldivers 2 has single-handedly reinvigorated my love for live service games. The lighthearted yet intense gameplay feels like a throwback to multiplayer games from the PS3/360 era where the focus was on fun first and monetization second. Everything is on point with this game, from the immersive environment aesthetics to the great arsenal of weapons to the diverse enemy factions to yes, even the friendly-fire hilarity.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a game about conflict but the game itself seems conflicted about what it wants to be. There's an excellent story to be had with the motion capture and voice acting among the strongest I've ever seen. Gameplay, while thrilling in some aspects has a few wrinkles that dampen the experience. Overall, I had a good amount of fun playing the campaign, but so far the live services component lacks in several key ways.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown with surely satisfy longtime fans while welcoming newcomers to the series with its superb blend of action and adventure. The gameplay is fast and precise, the graphics are attractive and crisp, the map is huge and chock full of secrets, and the excellent story is the icing on the cake. 2024 is off to an incredible start all thanks to Ubisoft and The Lost Crown.