Kakuchopurei
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[...] Cuisineer is a casual and relaxing take on the action-savvy roguelite genre mixed in with some breezy-if-simplistic-and-slow management gameplay. Even if you feel like you have to manage your expectations a tad, you'll do fine in Battlebrew Productions' latest, especially with the isometric attack-savvy bits where you let a cat girl go hog wild with a flame-powered spatula and grenade egg timers against fire elemental yaks and sentient potatoes tossing projectiles.
If you're itching for more potential Dohalim x Kisara ship material and a jaunt into Tales of Arise' combat all over again in a "new" setting, you can't go wrong with this decent-sized expansion that at least learned some lessons from overblown and too-long-for-their-own-good Tales Of sequels. In fact, if you want a solid Tales Of Arise experience, get the base game and expansion for a fun JRPG time. Otherwise, it's not required viewing unless the price goes down.
Ebenezer and The Invisible World shows promise as a Metroidvania game, offering fans and players a chance to revisit a classic story, much like the recent Lies of P. However, it ultimately disappoints in several areas, resulting in a lacklustre and frustrating Christmas gaming experience.
Coupled with an inviting HD-2D look that combines pixel art and 3D graphics that really invites you to play/replay it for copious amounts of time, this Star Ocean remake is worth diving into. If you crave 90s JRPG action with a lot of unlockables and power-up options, optional party members with backstories to uncover, and fast-paced combat, Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a no-brainer that will get you into its scifi hooks.
While not exactly as action-packed and detailed as the last two Riot Forge games, Song of Nunu deserves some accolade for being a little different in its 3D platforming and all-ages approach. Familiar? Yes, but not unwelcome in the slightest. Even the most icy of hearts will start melting and feel warm and fuzzy inside if they persevere in this affordable and solidly put-together adventure starring a boy and his magic four-armed yeti.
Alan Wake 2 is not for everyone, but for fans of the Remedy Connected Universe since 2010's Alan Wake, it's exactly the game that we've been waiting for. While the game still follows conventional Resident Evil-like survival horror elements, there are enough unique mechanics here and blend atmospheric visuals and trippy live-action sequences to make this a genuine Remedy Entertainment experience that only the Finnish developers could deliver. It's also one of 2023's best games and a definite contender for GOTY, even in a year filled to the brim with phenomenal games.
Don't expect a huge leap in innovation and surprises, but a boatload of fun for both your friends and family. This Mario entry is basically comfort food that barely sates, but doesn't enthrall, inspire, or enervate.
Ghostrunner 2 is tough, and aggravatingly so by design. But it's never unfair. [...] Even with some of its unnecessary extras, it doesn't pollute the entire experience and still excels at what it delivers: parkour ninja action in the first-person degree.
I can't fault Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged too much. It's like an arcade racer straight out of your childhood dreams. It nails that feeling of being a kid and creating wild racecourses for your toy cars. Plus, the customisation options are off the charts. The quick races and the variety of modes keep things from getting stale, and before you know it, you're boosting your way to glory. I might not be a hardcore Hot Wheels fan, but the sheer imagination, speed, and customisation in this game totally reeled me in.
Endless Dungeon however is a very surprising mix of genres that works pretty damn well as a whole. At times, it can be a bit frustrating when the random elements seem to conspire against you entirely. But damn does it feel good when you destroy a bunch of baddies your way and finish a level. Endless Dungeon boasts an impressive lineup of heroes, a diverse array of monsters, and outstanding co-op play. It's a bold fusion that makes every door worth opening.
Sonic Superstars retains the same 2D nostalgic joy thanks to its fun levels and challenges, though we advise playing the game solo if you actually want to finish it. You'll still find a lot to love from the game's levels, though they aren't as strongly designed as the ones in Sonic Mania. Sonic Superstars does enough and a bit more with its charm, especially for completionists. Though I could do without Knuckles' recovery frame when he sticks onto ledges, or Tails' flying method being the way it is (sins of past games and adherence to tradition for ill), the overall game is a solid 2D jaunt for all ages. The co-op really needs work though and is nothing more than a party favour.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is as close to perfect as a Spider-Man game can be. It has emotion and heart; as well as inspiring me to be a better person just like the best superhero stories do. The gameplay in this game is undeniably the best of any Spider-Man game ever made to date. This marks a new gold standard for superhero and comic book games in this current generation, just like Activision's Spider-Man 2 did in 2004 and Rocksteady's Batman Arkham Asylum did in 2009.
Ultimately, Assassin's Creed Mirage feels like a return to form for the franchise. If you've hated the action RPG leanings of the franchise for the past few years and have been hankering for the good old days, this game just might do it for you. Assassin's Creed Mirage isn't revolutionary in any way, and it has some issues, but it's a good enough stealth jaunt.
After many years of fixing, it's great to see the trials of V and his/her adventure in Night City -seediness & all- now in its final Super Saiyan God form. The Phantom Liberty expansion is a helluva adventure as well featuring the best talent for its narrative, lovely structure and levels, and all-around captivating spy motif and cloak-and-dagger who-can-we-trust package.
Mortal Kombat 1 is a solid 2d fighting game offering with lovely assist-based Kameo gameplay that allows for fun competitive expression and kreativity. While it's not up to snuff to past titles like MKX and MK11 in terms of packed single-player kontent, it could have been much more paltry and barebones.
All in all, EA FC 24 is more than 'just a FIFA 24 name change'; it's an evolution of a long-standing franchise which is attempting to appeal to new, returning and current players alike. Have they done a good job? From what we've gathered from our time reviewing it, yes. Yes, they have. Do we wish for more substantial improvements to really differentiate itself from the FIFA franchise EA Sports has been associated with throughout the years? Definitely. But will it satiate the present-day needs of having a football sim which closely reflects the current climate of the game? Sure.
I was really left wanting more of Gunbrella's levels and gameplay, to the point where I feel that 6 hours wasn't enough. Perhaps it could benefit from more stages that mix challenge and creativity. As it stands, it is still a great indie action platformer to pick up. Gunbrella really delivers where it counts: an action-packed 2D run-and-gun search action offering with a quirky-yet-serious presentation and a badass weapon.
Goodbye Volcano High just feels like a very tryhard Life Is Strange with furries and full of hodge-podge maudlin writing. I'm very sure this game will satiate its niche audience, but I can't say this is going to change anybody else's mind about visual novels made by Western developers.
Immortals of Aveum feels like a bunch of different ideas all smushed up together to make one game; none of it feels cohesive or even forms a standout experience. The storyline is something you see coming, although it does it in a way that still makes you want to play it out to see it actually happen, despite the horrible combat and puzzles you have to go through to get there. Despite all of its drawbacks, which is quite an enormous amount, I did somehow find myself enjoying little parts of the game. But just a fraction; not enough to recommend it to people in good faith.
Ultimately, Starfield not only marks the beginning of a new Bethesda universe but also stands as a testament to the studio's ability to adapt its RPG mastery to a spacefaring epic. As players traverse the cosmos and uncover the mysteries it holds, Starfield promises to provide countless hours of immersive gameplay, solidifying its place among Bethesda's iconic RPG titles. It truly delivers on all fronts.