Vamers's Reviews
At the end of the day, Mario Strikers Battle League does not come without its faults. The overall gameplay experience, along with the look and feel, will undoubtedly get a little tiring. When considering the sheer depth of characterisation, however, whether through the selection of characters, the gear they can equip, or the little ways in which characters conduct themselves on the pitch; these all serve as little reminders of how the focus is absolutely on throwing as much personality at the player as possible. Gameplay is as casual as Mario games get, and the game runs as expected. The few faults it does have makes the game a little bit of a hard sell at full price, but overall it is a good title with the ability to become exceptional in time or with a sequel.
Despite its misgivings, Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong remains an enjoyable experience. Players use to visual novels and text-based adventures will find a lot to love with this game. Similarly, players who can look past truly horrendous lip synching can revel in the beauty of the unique Deus-Ex type art style. The overall totality of immersion to be found is also immense. The game is slow and deliberate, and while the story really does not touch on any World of Darkness aspects beyond the surface-level, a lot of care and effort has been made to ensure players feel like they are part of the underbelly making up The Masquerade and its many coteries, camarillas, and seedy gangs. There is no denying how rough around the edges the game is, and likely will remain. Despite this, the title knows its place and comfortably fills a gap many Vampire: The Masquerade fans may have as they patiently wait for Bloodlines 2 to divine itself into existence.
There really is no argument of whether The Quarry is a must-play title or not. At its worst, it is a significant upgrade from what Until Dawn offers gamers. At its best, The Quarry delivers an emotional and tense story with some of the best cinematography and visual fidelity the video gaming horror genre has yet seen. The exceptional narrative, awesome characters, and gut-wrenching gameplay are facets every horror game should have, and more. It is, simply put, one of the best horror titles of the current console generation, and will be extremely challenging to beat.
Kao the Kangaroo is not flipping the platforming genre on its head or reinventing the wheel, but it most certainly comes as a breath of fresh air in a space desperate for something other than Crash, Spyro, or even Astrobot. It is a simple and fun 3D Platformer meant for easy going and fun play sessions. It is a commendable goal for a game release in 2022, and it certainly ticks all the correct boxes. Ultimately, the game does not disappoint in its endeavours and is a solid platforming title to play and enjoy with family and friends.
Despite Nintendo Switch Sports being a very average party game, it does open up more with its online mode. For the most part, it is a fun and nostalgic romp offering nicely-upgraded visuals and well-implemented motion controls, but the solo and party play leave a lot to be desired – relying on nostalgia over fun to power the game’s value. The online mode, however, does a much better job of adding value for players to enjoy. Alas, the mode lacks too many features needed to make the online portion worthy of the cost of entry. Ultimately, Nintendo Switch Sports is relegated to the realm of only being ‘sometimes relevant’ in situations of extreme boredom or when friends and family need placating. It could have been great with more content, variety, and solo options, but settles for being average in almost every sense of the word.
From the way fighters are presented, through to the incredibly nuanced and layered combat mechanics, the King of Fighters XV proves why it truly is a contender for ‘king’ of fighting games. Although improvements can be made for an even better experience, the game ultimately proves how it deserves a spot amongst the best fighting games available. It simply has it all. Newer players may be hard pressed to enter the arena, but there are so many new inclusions to the formula that the price of entry may be worth the learning curve. This latest title in the franchise has been a long time coming, and there is no doubt the inevitable sequel will finally push the bar up even further. For now, however, the game rests comfortably alongside other fighting game staples.
Old World: Heroes of the Aegean marks the game’s debut on Steam, and it rightfully earns a spot on many favourites lists. It is truly unlike most 4X games currently available, and adequately serves to raise an already high bar. While the game can do with a bit more tutorialisation, there are enough pop-ups and explanations for adventurers to being their journey. Immersion is a massive focal point and the inclusion of supremely detailed stories and scenarios truly levels up the experience beyond what even the developers may have intended. It truly is an exceptional title, one worthy of taking the title as the king of 4X games.
Gran Turismo 7 is a driving simulator at heart. As such, the game’s overall driving experience is the primary point on which it should be judged. As far as professional racing simulation goes, Gran Turismo 7 once again finishes in pole position. From the attention to detail in car design, through to how vehicles feel on track and the way the controller feels in-hand; it is all rather exceptional. However, a game must be judged on everything it encompasses, not simply its core experience. Therefore, when observing the package as a whole, there are some truly weird gameplay design decisions, which detract from the overall experience. Sifting through hundreds of dialogue pop-up and lore turns the game into a Wikipedia simulator more than anything, and sitting through a six-minute unskippable cutscene every time the game boots up is rather annoying [Editor’s note: it can be turned off within the menu, but why the extra steps when a simple ‘skip’ button would suffice?]. Furthermore, the dissatisfaction of reduced rewards in favour of a forced “need” to spend on micro-transactions; especially after having to play entire hours of practice rounds, then ensuring one can make it through the tournament without hitting too many cars, cutting too many corners, and placing first; is utterly demoralising and removes any and all enjoyment from the overall experience. What should have been a wondrous new king of the streets has been turned into a digital billboard no better than a copy/paste FIFA; and this, truly, is the worst feeling ever for such a beloved franchise. As a result the game is, simply put, not even worth the cost of entry.
With its innovative gameplay mechanics and wonderful visuals, Kirby and the Forgotten Land captivates players from start to finish. Every level is meticulously crafted, presenting new challenges and surprises at every turn. The vast and immersive environments encourage exploration, rewarding players with hidden secrets and collectibles, whilst Kirby’s adorable charm is on full display, making the entire narrative experience delightful and endearing. The game strikes a wonderful balance between accessibility and depth too, making it suitable for both casual and hardcore gamers. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a testament to the enduring appeal of the franchise, setting a new standard for platformers in terms of creativity and enjoyment, and serves as a refreshing puff of air for the adoring pink mascot.
MLB The Show 22 is, rather disappointingly, just another yearly iteration of a franchise title. While the gameplay is stellar and it truly is one of the best sports simulation video game titles currently available, it does little more to excite over the 21 release. Upgrades are minor, to say the least, and graphics remain largely unchanged. As such, and for these reasons specifically, MLB The Show 22 can simply not be regarded as a game that truly sets the bar in any meaningful way. Sure, it improves slightly on the 2021 variant of the franchise, but it largely comes across as more of a 2022 refresh and content update than offering any meaningful and progressive changes.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a work of digital art. It transcends any other LEGO title before it, and stands as a testament to what a great LEGO Star Wars game can and should be. From the way it overhauls and remakes the Prequel and Original Trilogies, through to how these additions translate to the brand-new Sequel Trilogy, is nothing short of amazing to see, enjoy and experience. It ultimately sets a very high bar for all LEGO games to come. Especially when the smaller additions, like changes to the traditional camera and level design, truly enhance the overall experience — for this alone, the game is worth picking up. The game’s exceptional quality and gameplay are a pinnacle of the LEGO franchise and platforms alike, and should be experienced by all – whether Star Wars fan, gamer, or both.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart feels wonderfully faithful to childhood memories while, at the same time, clearly belonging in 2021. The title looks and plays like a modernised version of a nostalgic memory. In this regard, it is in a league of its own and serves as a shining example of what gamers can look forward to as the new generation of consoles matures.
Dawn of Ragnarok is first and foremost, an end-game continuation of the Asgard story in the main game. Unlike Wrath of the Druids and Siege of Paris, players enter a brand-new world that is absolutely massive in scale. Similarly, gameplay additions and story attempt to reach ambitious new heights that only the likes of Norse Mythology would ever allow. With this in mind, it features a story that spans around 25 hours, and additional content to keep players busy for a good twenty thereafter. New gameplay additions like the Hugr-Rip and the Atgeir will keep fans of the base game engaged at all times too, making it a perfect expansion for players who want more of Odin. Dawn of Ragnarok is good, and will tide any fan over until the next game in the franchise comes around.
There is a lot to enjoy and like about Martha is Dead. From the way LKA skilfully draws inspiration from horror classics like Fatal Frame and Silent Hill, through to how the studio delivers an exceptional thriller narrative; it makes the game a drama unlike any other. The title hooks on the pretence of being a horror, then pulls one in on the idea that it has a sea of lore and story. It is truly wonderful in this regard. While there are one or two things it can do better, its spot-on narrative delivery, and wonderful twists and turns as the end draws near; are memorable, to say the least. Mixing these story beats with an uneasiness hardly ever felt in video games, makes the game both unique and a must-play title, and raises the bar for all thrillers to come.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus tries to do a lot of things differently, and for the most part, it succeeds. It offers a fresh and innovative take on the Pokémon formula, delivering a more open and dynamic experience; something fans have been craving for years. It takes what players adore of the older games and revolutionises them for modern audiences, allowing gamers to catch, battle, and explore with Pokémon in new and exciting ways. The end result is a more immersive and engaging world, even if somewhat bland. It is clear where Game Freak is hoping to take the franchise, as there is a lot of potential and promise on show. Despite not being a perfect game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a worthwhile experiment and experience, where the ambition and innovation on offer are welcome, but let down by the execution and over all quality. Even so, Pokémon fans who temper their expectations will find a game worthy of their time.
Over the years, many have tried to work out what exactly it is that makes games successful. Is it the art, music, mechanics, or a combination of all three? Although a definitive answer remains elusive, what is known is how games continue to stay with us, and the titles often remembered are not always the ones to win awards. Rather, they are often the kinds of games that reach into our souls and ignite an unforeseen passion. Kingdom of the Dead is a loving and thoughtful successor to a much-beloved series that birthed an entire genre, and maybe, just maybe, Kingdom of the Dead will be able to revive those same feelings of love and enjoyment once more for an entirely new generation.
It is unknown whether Grove Street Games worked on quality assurance at all or whether the studio actually bothered to patch out some bugs, but that is most certainly not how it seems. All games in the collection have lazily been ported from their mobile counterparts by a company who has seemingly never worked on other platforms before. All games have furthermore been given a remaster treatment so shockingly bad, they have somehow recessed and now look and play worse than any kind of emulated version ever would; and the entire Grand Theft Auto franchise, as masterful and great as it is, will now forever be marred by incompetence — let alone three classics forever disrgraced in such a way. There is no argument that Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is an abhorrent mess, and an incredibly disappointing one at that.
Rainbow Six Extraction might share a name with Rainbow Six Siege, but it feels like a wholly different game and it is all the better for it. For all intents and purposes, the game acts as another “game mode” and an extension to Siege, but players most definitely do not need to own or know anything about the latter title to enjoy Extraction. There is something about team-based strategic titles with persisting status effects that simply just… works, and Ubisoft definitely nailed it with this one. Whether players want to shoot tar like aliens in the face, or have some PvE fun in the “Siege-verse”, Rainbow Six Extraction is definitely the game to play. It is, wholeheartedly, a good game, and will only get better as future balancing comes into play; more of those loveable operators from Siege enter the fray; and extra exciting challenges come into circulation.
Shin Megami Tensei V truly outshines any previous main or spin-off title in the franchise. Persona 5 may have been an incredible feat, but this game simply sets a new standard. Part of the game’s allure comes from a surreal horror aspect no other franchised game has managed to successfully capture, but Shin Megami Tensei V is truly so much more. It is a classic Japanese-roleplaying game at its finest, thanks to the involved and nuanced plot, well-written characters, and unmovable resilience in terms of how it just does not fix what is not broken. It is a collection of all the best aspects of what makes a good Shin Megami game, and just like Nocturne before it, will go down as an exceptional game to beat.
After the divisive release of Sword and Shield, it comes as a surprise to learn how Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are actually really good remasters. Sword and Shield were unapologetic in their newness, with gameplay that may have been flattering for some with a new visual style featuring more faults than boons. Even so, the games still brought something new to the stagnant franchise. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, on the other hand, embrace what made the games as good as they were for their time, which ironically also means they fall to the curse of nostalgia. While returning to the Sinnoh region is a treat, and the visual upgrades are wonderful, its familiarity ultimately begets a lack of creativity. Strangely, it appears as if these remastered titles have been made to serve an audience who have yet to experience the originals or the superior Pokemon Platinum. In this sense, the games are quite good and they do manage to wonderfully capture the delight of Pokemon games from the past; but in so doing they also introduce a longing for something ‘more’ in the games to come.