Gameliner

In the end, The Mortuary Assistant: Definitive Edition, two years after its original release, still accomplishes what it was made for: causing dirty underwear. The atmosphere is still incredibly intense, and when it comes to building suspense, The Mortuary Assistant in 2024 is unbeatable. DarkStone Digital almost turns it into an art form, keeping your brain diligently occupied with serious detective work while constantly distracting you with paranormal activity, so it doesn’t need to rely on predictable jump scares. In that regard, the developer deserves a lot of kudos. Unfortunately, I have to burn some of those kudos due to bugs, glitches, graphical errors, and clumsy controls. But still, I like it nonetheless.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

F1 Manager 2024 introduces some fun new features that add a bit more depth compared to F1 Manager 23. The Build-A-Team mode is the most prominent addition, but don't be mistaken—there’s a lot going on under the hood as well. Mechanical issues bring new challenges, and monitoring the moods of your team members adds a bit more to the management experience. Is that enough reason to buy the new version if you're satisfied with the previous one? That depends on your preferences. This edition doesn't feel completely new, but it’s just a bit better than the last. F1 Manager 2024 is definitely a must-have for anyone who claims they can do better than Horner, Wolff, or Vasseur!

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Sometimes, it's nice to be proven wrong, and with Nobody Wants To Die—a game that I seriously wondered might just be another case of overhyped fluff—Polish developer Critical Hit Games shows that "what you see is what you get" still exists. Stunning graphics, a strong dose of futuristic noir ambiance, and a gritty detective story make Nobody Wants To Die a game worth dying for, though you'll need to overlook a few criticisms to fully enjoy it. But if you’re not deterred by some audio issues and potential graphical glitches, Nobody Wants To Die is definitely a game worth checking out.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is the perfect party game to challenge yourself, friends, or family to become the fastest. The game offers a lot of variety with different challenge packs in party mode or online with the World Championships and survival mode. The downside is that the game doesn't control very well in handheld mode, and the price is a bit high for what it offers. However, if you're a big fan of classic retro games or looking for a game to play together, this one is definitely worth recommending.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

College Football 25 is a pleasant introduction to the exciting sport of American football. The game looks visually stunning, and it's impressive how many licenses it has. The atmosphere is completely different from Madden. However, the game also shares many similarities. The gameplay is relatively the same, which makes sense given that it's the same sport. Unfortunately, the game doesn't offer much depth. Road to Glory is simply boring, and we're all too familiar with Ultimate Team by now. Additionally, the UI could use some work. Menus are cluttered, the music gets tiresome after a while, and on-field indicators are nearly unreadable from a distance. That being said, College Football 25 has enormous potential, and it's worth waiting for the next iteration, which will likely take a big step forward.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

The incredibly atmospheric CONSCRIPT once again demonstrates that even small teams with limited budgets can come up with surprisingly strong passion projects. If you’re looking for a WW1 game that immerses you in a fitting sense of despair, then CONSCRIPT comes highly recommended, unless the mention of Resident Evil-like gameplay triggers spontaneous feelings of desertion. The frequent backtracking, minimal inventory, sparse management, and occasionally awkward controls are things you'll have to accept, along with the digital footprints left in your ankles.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is an entertaining souls-lite game where exploring the world is well worth the effort. The story is fairly straightforward but provides enough to keep you engaged until the end. The NPC side quests are rewarding but don’t offer much insight into their characters. I had to get used to the controls, but after a short while, I fell into the rhythm of the game. The combat is challenging yet manageable, and the use of your flintlock is a great addition that really helps in defeating enemies. Enki is also a valuable aid during the adventure with his double jump, air dash, and attacks in combat. I was initially a bit skeptical, but I ended up enjoying Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn quite a lot and am eager to further explore The Lands of Kain. It might not be as well-developed as its bigger brothers, but I wouldn’t call it a poor imitation by any means.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Dungeons of Hinterberg is a relaxing adventure RPG for gamers who don’t mind taking their time on an adventure and don’t require complex combat. The game looks great and has a fitting soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere. The only downside is that the dungeons can be quite short, and you’re then required to end the day immediately afterward. The NPCs you spend time with in the evening don’t have the most in-depth dialogues, but the bonuses you receive are a nice bonus.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a game that’s difficult to review. Its blend of various genres and exotic appearance quickly captures interest, but it can also be a bit off-putting. Fortunately, there’s no real identity crisis, but you do notice that not every aspect of the game is equally well-developed. For example, the management part can soon feel like repetitive busy work, and the combat occasionally lacks some excitement. However, when you consider the strengths of this title, you see that there’s plenty to enjoy. The action-packed and strategic gameplay has a solid core. It’s a pleasure to command a group of Japanese warriors and take down demons, while also racing across the battlefield with a knife between your teeth. Capcom keeps the pace up, constantly presenting interesting and varied levels with satisfying conclusions. Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is exactly what Capcom is known for: distinctive, unique, but also of high quality.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Shift 87 is a solid observation game in the vein of The Exit 8, but it thankfully takes a slightly different approach to avoid being a direct copy of the quirky Japanese metro walking sim. By incorporating multiple environments, Shift 87 attempts to break the inevitable repetitive nature of its obvious inspiration, though it doesn’t fully succeed. Nonetheless, Shift 87 is an excellent game for those who enjoy testing their cognitive skills, though I believe spotting the anomalies doesn’t require a great deal of brainpower, with a few exceptions. Ultimately, the price will also determine whether you want to spend an additional two hours in the Pixelsplits REVEIL universe, something that has yet to be disclosed. Let’s hope that the price tag doesn’t contain any anomalies at launch.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Darkest Dungeon II is not an easy game, and making progress requires a significant time investment. This means you'll often find yourself falling short in the beginning and having to start over. Once you start investing in the Candles of Hope, it becomes easier to advance, but at first, it’s hard to determine which upgrades should be prioritized. The characters' backstories are interesting, but their skills are the main reasons to get to know them and assemble a balanced team. The turn-based battles are challenging and sometimes very thrilling as you narrowly avoid disaster. It is a shame that these battles can be lengthy since you can't speed up the enemies' actions. My first experience with Darkest Dungeon II was very positive and has made me curious about the first installment. At first glance, Darkest Dungeon II might seem like a simple roulette game where luck plays a major role, but once you understand how everything works and the characters are a bit stronger, it becomes more like a game of poker where skill, not just luck, is crucial.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

The theme of this review is clear. SCHiM is a simple game, which makes it not only enjoyable to play but also accessible to everyone. You jump from shadow to shadow with your Schim, meaning you need to make good use of your environment. For example, you can be transported to different places via animals and people. The color schemes are beautifully chosen, ensuring everything is immediately clear. As a Dutch person, you'll also recognize some environments since the game is set in our own country. Not all levels are the same length, as they are tied to the story, which has a nice ending. If you want more of a challenge, after completing the game, you can tackle the extra difficulty options or try to collect all the collectibles in a level. These relate to the story within the world, and helping the little Schimmen feels good. It’s a small moment of joy before you continue playing. However, the lack of a free camera can make it difficult to find them at times.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Anger Foot knocks the opposition flat out. At a breakneck pace, you get introduced to the punishing combat, and you keep coming back for more. The arsenal is finely tuned, the enemies you chop up are fun to fight, and the soundtrack is proof that "hardcore never dies." Free Lives presents a unique gameplay system in a distinctive setting. With over sixty levels, players can experience the intense fury of Anger Foot while unlocking new sneakers for the most bizarre gameplay variations. Despite some performance issues due to the unruly physics and somewhat disappointing boss battles, Anger Foot is a fast-paced and humorous first-person shooter that will have me tapping my feet with joy. Are we witnessing the birth of a new subgenre in the first-person shooter landscape? One thing is certain: Anger Foot reigns supreme in this Nouveau Riche. Ready to stomp? Let’s go!

Review in Dutch | Read full review

The First Descendant offers an engaging blend of story, gameplay, and audiovisual splendor. The detailed world of Ingris ensures there's always something new to discover. The tactical combat and strategic boss fights keep the tension high and require smart decisions. Visually and audibly, it's also spot on. The presence of 'pay2win' elements might affect the experience for some players, which is a downside. Nevertheless, the game remains appealing due to the promise of future updates and content. If you're a fan of looter-shooters like Destiny and Warframe, then The First Descendant is definitely worth trying. You really have no good reason to skip the game since it's free! But if you're not into these types of games, then The First Descendant may not be your cup of tea.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

MiHoYo did it again! Zenless Zone Zero is an exceptionally entertaining game that has everything to keep you engaged for days, if not weeks. Zenless Zone Zero is considerably more compact compared to something like Genshin Impact, but that doesn’t diminish the fun. In fact, we see it as a positive aspect since the game offers much more structure than the massive world of Genshin Impact. The combat is solid (though somewhat simplistic), and the world-building is excellently crafted. That said, the labyrinth and HDD issues take up too much time and are quite dull compared to the rest of the game. However, they serve as a mechanism for the combat, which is enjoyable thanks to the diverse cast of quirky characters. Naturally, this is a live service game, but we can conclude that you can complete it without spending a single cent. Of course, you're regularly reminded that the game is even more fun if you spend some money, but that is entirely optional. Now, we’re waiting to see what the future holds for Zenless Zone Zero, but as of writing, it looks promising!

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Can we conclude in this Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble review that it's a fun game? Absolutely! The game retains the timeless charm that has kept the franchise alive for years. That said, it’s essentially more Monkey Ball. This is no punishment, but it’s a recipe we’ve seen before. Online play is remarkably simple, a notable achievement for a game on the Nintendo Switch. However, this also brings its own issues, especially considering we can go online with sixteen players. This leads to serious framerate issues that somewhat undermine the game. Additionally, the camera sometimes causes problems. Nevertheless, in solo mode, it’s a fantastic experience, and if you’re not too concerned about the details, local multiplayer is definitely worth trying. Don’t be fooled by the game’s cute appearance, though. Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble will push you to your limits if you want to see everything the game has to offer, and that’s exactly how we like these kinds of games!

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Nintendo has clearly polished Luigi's Mansion 2 HD and as a result, the levels look sharp. However, not much else has changed, so the game still feels outdated. It’s nice to control Luigi and the Poltergust with two thumbsticks, but the controls could be more precise. Additionally, there are no checkpoints, meaning you have to complete a level once you start it. The mission structure in Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is theoretically fine, but the professor causes too many interruptions, and you are automatically teleported back to the bunker. This frequently disrupts your flow, and since Elvin Glad tends to talk a lot, these interruptions sometimes feel longer than the gameplay sessions themselves. It’s a shame they didn’t reduce this. If you already own the game for the 3DS, the price for this version is quite high. It would have been better if they had included Luigi's Mansion as well. The gameplay is solid, and it's a fun introduction for newcomers. The various mansions and ghosts provide diverse levels with plenty to collect. You should expect to spend at least fifteen hours with Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, offering a nice and humorous single-player experience. Overall, it's a good remaster, but Nintendo could have done more with it.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

For those who enjoy seemingly pointless wandering and endlessly searching for something that helps, Myst developer Cyan's Riven remake in 2024 is worth a look. Fans of the original from 1997 will be treated to a stunning and familiar surreal world, once again filled with obscure puzzles that, unfortunately, cannot be solved by digging into your traumatic core memories from back then. Myst and Riven enthusiasts will definitely have their work cut out for them, especially if they're used to solutions being within easy reach and the game almost pointing them out with fluorescent arrows. While I thoroughly enjoyed the new Riven, I anticipate that different groups will have varying grievances. Newcomers will likely struggle with the lack of a helpful hand, veterans will miss the FMV characters, and VR players will need an excellent memory. Riven is no easy feat—it's just a bit odd, but still quite enjoyable.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

The Chinese Room has repeatedly proven itself as masters of the walking sim genre, and with Still Wakes The Deep, it delivers another magnum opus. If you can look past the fact that walking sims are generally quite "boor-ing," you can prepare for several hours of Glaswegian-flavored, The Thing-like scenes on a crumbling drilling platform in the North Sea. Pro tip: sip on a strong Lagavulin while playing Still Wakes The Deep to enhance the atmosphere. Not only will you better understand the accent over time, but with a bit of luck, your glass will be empty by the time the credits roll.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game is, in my opinion, a breath of fresh air for the asymmetrical horror genre. It introduces a lot of new elements, such as the ability for survivors to fight back and the fact that players who are dead can still contribute to their teammates. Additionally, the community, at least at the moment, isn’t too competitive. This gives the game a light-hearted atmosphere that perfectly matches the theme. There are still a few small improvements that could be made, such as a tutorial for beginners and better combat controls, but overall, I think the game has set a new standard for its genre.

Review in Dutch | Read full review