Lords Of Gaming
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Make no mistake, Rematch has an incredible and unique football gameplay loop that is unlike anything I have ever tried before. There are a lot of nuances in the animations and regular duels that make the game an irresistible package. However, it is let down by initial networking hiccups and a lack of modes and content. Luckily, it seems that Slopclap is in it for the long run, which should make Rematch a footballing star in no time.
I’ve always loved Lies of P, and in a crowded market full of Souls-like, it remains my favorite. While the Overture DLC isn’t perfect, particularly with its difficulty scaling, most of my other complaints feel like nitpicks. Some areas in the new zones can feel a bit linear, but that’s easily overshadowed by the gorgeous environments and creative level design. One moment you're battling wolves on a snowy mountain, and the next you're dodging flaming pins in a twisted, dark carnival. Also, the music was excellent and complemented the new content perfectly. The game ran flawlessly on PlayStation 5 Pro using the High Frame Rate/Quality mode. I experienced zero performance issues throughout my playthrough. Not every boss stood out, but the ones that did were excellent. The final boss fight, in particular, was one of the most memorable I’ve played in a long time. If you're a fan of Souls-like, I can't recommend Lies of P: Overture enough—it’s a must-play addition to an already fantastic game.
Welcome Tour is an interesting time. On one hand, Nintendo offers us insight into their past, and the thought process behind creating the Nintendo Switch 2. And at times, it feels endearing to get a peek at the hundreds of engineering years poured into the device. On the other hand, it feels very corporate and structured. I enjoyed aspects of the Welcome Tour, but I can’t say the entire experience was enjoyable. It feels like a gamified convention demo that lacks the soul of titles like Wii Sports or Nintendo Land.
Playing Sonic X Shadow Generations, I loved the experience. However, I felt awful for Nintendo fans, who were treated to a subpar version of the latest 3D Sonic adventure. Following a bad port of Sonic Frontiers and a lackluster version of Sonic Colors Ultimate, more powerful hardware was needed to offer the ideal Sonic experience. Now we have that hardware, Nintendo fans can finally enjoy a fantastic 3D Sonic experience on the go. I cannot recommend Sonic X Shadow Generations enough if you have never experienced this high-speed adventure.
After 50 hours, I’ve barely scratched the surface of the game’s vast content. While it doesn’t excel in every area, Guardians of Azuma delivers a cozy, immersive experience that’s easy to sink hours into. This is a must-play for fans of Rune Factory or cozy life sims, as it is a step in the right direction and needs a bit more cultivating to truly flourish.
Looking back on my entire experience, it’s difficult to recommend The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered in its current state. While there were moments of magic and true RPG greatness—especially when seeing the impact of my choices on the world—those highlights are overshadowed by persistent technical issues. Frequent crashes, performance problems, and quest progression bugs severely detract from the overall experience. I hope future patches and updates will address these issues, allowing Oblivion Remastered to reach its full potential for returning fans and new players.
Id Software has outdone itself with Doom: The Dark Ages. They reinvented the game to make it feel distinct, while familiar at the same time. The Shield Saw oozes satisfaction, despite the guns taking a somewhat backseat. Introducing cinematics is a breath of fresh air, even though the story is serviceable at best. The Atlan Mech and Dragon are nice ways to change the pace. But the run-and-gun gunplay remains as frenetic and brutal as ever. Truly, the legend of the Doom Slayer emerged from the Dark Ages.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, as a new IP from a brand new studio, feels like a miracle. The game’s storytelling, character performances, visual fidelity, and art direction either match or exceed most AAA games in the space. While the combat, exploration, and customization are all deep and layered that harken to the JRPG genre titans in their heyday of yesteryear. Sandfall Interactive created a rare and stunning achievement that is worth every single penny of its price tag. It will be a legendary classic that you owe it to yourself to play, even if you are not a fan of turn-based games, its combat system and story will grab you and not let you go until you finish it.
Accepting your past and moving forward after great loss are universal messages. Those messages are the heart of the adventure Once Upon a Puppet expresses. Drev and Nieve's journey, despite having some loose threads here and there, tells a powerful story utilizing solid platforming, strong presentation, and charming characters you grow to care for.
I was surprised how easily I rolled and jumped through jungles alongside DK and his buddies. Offering amazing platforming controls, tight level design that invites exploration, impressive usage of the foreground and background, and solid presentation that holds up generations later, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a fantastic 2D platforming romp for everyone. While it doesn’t surpass the master class work Retro Studios created with its sequel, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, it’s still an adventure worth returning to.
Revenge of the Savage Planet takes everything from its predecessor and cranks it up to 11. Despite some technical rough edges here and there, the game is an absolute blast to play. Who knew that revenge is a dish best served weird.
Aside from a few gripes, I thoroughly enjoyed helping out in the land of Hyrule. The Legend of Zelda is all about the essence of adventure. It is about seeking, solving, and conquering. Putting your might and wit to the test and coming out victorious! All of that is present here in Echoes of Wisdom. Just this time around, instead of playing as the hero of time, we finally earn an adventure where we save the world as Zelda. And Echoes of Wisdom lives up to the excellent standards of the series' prior entries.
Nova Drift is a love letter to classic space shooters, modernized with rogue-lite depth and near-infinite build variety. Its tight controls, diverse enemies, robust Gear and Mod systems, and dynamic Challenge Modes—especially the game-changing Wild Metamorphosis—keep you hooked. Although the classic feel can sometimes be its downfall in some instances, with no global leaderboard curbing long-term engagement. It’s a niche game, even for a rogue-lite, but a must-play for old school fans or even gamers looking for a rogue-lite that doesn't have many comparisons. It isn't visually or sonically flashy, and it can get a bit repetitive at times, but it's a great game that knows what it wants to be and delivers a fair yet challenging experience that rewards skill and strategic build crafting.
As the PlayStation pack-in title for the PlayStation 5, Astro's Playroom is a short and masterful experience. While it was originally just a tech demo for the DualSense, it offers a colorful and expertly crafted platforming game to tie in all of that controller's features. While the two suits I did not like are minor problems, the rest of the game has more good than bad. It felt like a fun and creative new platforming endeavor that lets Astro shine as a new mascot for PlayStation. This tech demo is more than worth your time!
In the end, BLADECHIMERA stands as a testament to Team Ladybug’s evolution—a departure from their traditional Metroidvania roots that is satisfyingly unique. Sure, the early ease and lighter platforming might not fully satisfy hardcore genre purists, but it builds into an excellent experience with razor-sharp combat, pixel-perfect visuals, and a narrative that sneaks up on you with surprising depth. The neon-lit streets of its cyberpunk Osaka, drenched in Japanese occult lore, brings the experience to life, accompanied by an energetic soundtrack that encapsulates it further. Lux and Shin’s bond delightfully brings together your playthrough with rewarding gameplay and narrative beats. It’s a game that is great for a quick playthrough but further rewards you if you choose to dive deeper into its side content, leaving a lasting impression either way. For fans of the studio or anyone seeking a finely crafted action platformer, BLADECHIMERA wholeheartedly proves to be a worthy investment.
Ubisoft is no longer the same developer it was in the 2000s. I wondered whether it could deliver a refined and engaging experience set in such a beloved and highly requested period of feudal Japan. In some ways, Assassin's Creed: Shadows succeeds—it captures the atmosphere and offers moments of brilliance. But in other areas, it feels inconsistent, with mechanics and pacing that don’t always come together for a smooth gameplay experience.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a towering achievement in game design and storytelling. It's a once-in-a-generation RPG that sets a new standard for the genre. Larian Studios has delivered a game that is ambitious, heartfelt, complex, and rewarding at every level. Whether you’re a diehard D&D fan like me or a newcomer to CRPGs, Baldur’s Gate 3 offers an unforgettable journey. Trust me, it's one that you’ll carry with you long after the credits roll. In a gaming landscape often filled with live-service monotony, cash grabs, and rushed releases, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a beacon of what’s possible when artistry, time, and love for the medium take center stage. It’s a testament to what happens when passionate developers are given the time, resources, and creative freedom to bring their vision to life. In a word? Masterpiece.
South of Midnight falls short in only very few areas of the experience. But what remains between and after feels timeless. A short 10+ hour linear story-driven game with a level of addictive forward momentum that feels like a classic being born. The combat and enemy design work hand-in-hand with the dark and surprise-filled story in a unique way. Compulsion Games gave it their all almost every single step of the way. It is a soulful journey that is worth experiencing for yourself.
At the end of the day, Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is a love letter to the franchise’s past, but not a carefully crafted one. It feels like a rushed compilation rather than a polished, definitive collection, and while the nostalgia factor is high, the gameplay experience itself is uneven. For hardcore fans of old-school Yu-Gi-Oh!, there’s enough here to justify a purchase, plus if you buy the physical versions you get one of two Quarter Century Rare "Harpie Feathers Duster." For most players, this collection will feel more like an incomplete relic of the past rather than a gratifying experience.
MudRunner VR on the Meta Quest 3 offers a challenging, immersive off-road simulation but falls short in key areas. The realistic vehicle handling and terrain physics are impressive, but clunky controls, dated visuals, and movement restrictions prevent it from reaching its full potential. If you’re a hardcore fan of MudRunner or love slow-paced, realistic simulators, you might overlook the game’s flaws and enjoy what it offers. However, if you’re looking for a polished and fluid VR driving experience, you may find the awkward movement system, lack of manual interactions, and steep learning curve frustrating. For off-road sim fans, MudRunner VR could be worth checking out. For general VR players, however, you can find better driving experiences elsewhere.