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There is some promise in Scars Above. The game presents solid foundations to build upon, and the fact that this is the maiden title from Mad Head Games is an achievement on its own. On the visual side, the game is a looker and performed admirably on PC. However it is hard to overlook its game design and technical shortcomings. While its use of repeated sci-fi tropes doesn’t do it any favors. Perhaps Scars Above will be the necessary learning experience that will likely enhance the studio’s future projects.
Quake II brings a classic sci-fi shooter to modern consoles. In a package that was carefully crafted and filled with classic levels, as well as an all-new adventure from Machine Games. It creates a great place for new fans to jump into one of the best shooters of the late 90s. While also being a lethal dose of nostalgia for returning fans.
Despite its technical and QoL shortcomings, Atlas Fallen has me excited. The game is a testament to how far AA development has come in recent years. The game does take tired open-world tropes but adds that extra creative and unique layer that AA developers are known for. Atlas Fallen delivers a fascinating, albeit undercooked, world with solid combat and build mechanics. Undoubtedly, Atlas Fallen is another feather in Deck13’s cap.
Exoprimal is a strong title, despite what you might see on the surface. The story is good but never reaches any heights of other Capcom titles. But considering how the story is delivered and how interwoven it is with the gameplay and game modes. I thought it served its purpose while offering some pretty unique twists. The game mode and dinosaur variety are very excellent, and the exosuits all felt awesome to play. I just wished there were more options to experience the ten-player activities or scripted missions when I felt like it. But as the game stands, I do heavily recommend Exoprimal. It is gorgeous, it is fun, and delivered a multiplayer experience I was not expecting to love.
The Bookwalker especially has some lofty intentions. As a narrative explicitly about the creation and exploitation of stories, it naturally has a lot of pressure on it to say something. But it doesn’t, beyond a milquetoast message of “be nice to people.” I could look past that if it wasn’t for the creative setting or if the gameplay was better. But as it is, it all seems hollow. Despite all this, I still really like The Bookwalker. It may not live up to its potential, but it’s a fascinating concept executed competently. The puzzles are good, even if the RPG and crafting systems seem like little more than an afterthought. The story is sufficient to pull you through, even if it doesn’t have much to say.
When I’m not playing Dave the Diver, I’m thinking about it. The game came out of nowhere and is an incredible maiden title from developers MINTROCKET. Its charming mix of pixel and 3D graphics creates a unique aesthetic. The game successfully bridges action, roguelike, RPG, and restaurant sim management mechanics into one cohesive package. Don’t be afraid to dive into one of the best and most relaxing games of the year.
Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes Definitive Edition is pretty much everything you want in a Definitive Edition and more. The team reworked multiple things in the game and provided refreshes of characters. They took the time to rebalance multiplayer by banning certain artifacts. The visuals, animations, and graphics seem leagues better than the previous game. I wish I could have gotten into some online multiplayer, but even without that, you can see how much work they put into improving different aspects. Battles are always great with multiple depths of strategy that always provides unique experience. I would of like to see 1 or 2 more modes, especially having the campaign "Battle Puzzles" in a separate mode.
It has been over a month since launch and most of the player base continues to have a wonderful time, myself included. The game contains a huge factor of fun amplified by its new, modern take on hip-hop style. The music and redesign of characters echo the nature of the fighting game community (FGC) and the spirit found in tournaments whether local or professional. The FGC is a niche group. However, one that relies on the heart and the camaraderie of a chosen family. If you are looking to join that family, Street Fighter 6 is a great point of entry.
Ultimately the shift to real-time combat was a difficult transition that the game was unable to effectively make. For me, the simplistic systems do too little to provide longevity or replayability. However, if you have wanted to get into XCOM but couldn’t because you hate turn-based combat, this may be the game for you. The story, too, is worth your time, but as for me, my time with Aliens: Dark Descent is over.
Square Enix deserves kudos for not being afraid to make such big changes. That being said, for all of its grand spectacle and bombastic Eikon battles, Final Fantasy XVI turns its back on many of the themes and mechanics that brought it to the table in the first place. Whether this decision was right or wrong is debatable. Fans who have grown up with the series are entitled to feel more than a little disappointed though. Ultimately, much of what many love about this series has been mercilessly swept aside in Square Enix’s attempt to attract a bigger audience.
Gylt is a very interesting game. The setting, the gameplay, the exploration, and the puzzles are very impressive. But it falls very short when it comes to the story. It felt as though the game was trying to tell two different stories in one setting. But the game just was not able to execute it as I would have wanted considering the subject matter it does touch on. But when collectibles and environmental details do that job significantly better, I cannot help feeling let down. Outside of this though, Gylt is an easy recommendation at its price and short length of nearly seven hours to encourage multiple playthroughs for its multiple endings.
So we have a rough game with fantastic turn-based combat with a unique twist. The setting is well-painted, but the smaller brushstrokes are messy. I love this game and am going back to finish all the side missions, but I have to dock it some points for failing to live up to its premise.
I enjoyed this game and would recommend it to adventure game fans, especially for anyone who, like me, never played the original. But I wish they had either gone all in with the preservation and just added the audio-visual updates or gone for it and revamped the whole thing. Instead, we are left with a half-measure that does not live up to the fans’ hopes nor presents something new players will want to engage with. That said, I still hope to see more from the Williams. I remain a massive fan of their work and will always be grateful for their impact on me as a child.
Link’s latest adventure hasn’t even been out for a month, yet I’m well over 100 hours in (75 in the first ten days). I kept playing because the game earned and invested in my attention. When I wanted to freely explore Hyrule, I got handsomely rewarded. Shrines and Temples challenged my brain in new and unusual ways. Zonai Devices let me build what I wanted for whatever I needed. Say what you want about the framerate slowdowns, but they are far from ruining the game. I’ve never wanted to recommend a game as much as Tears of the Kingdom because this has redefined what I previously thought the limits of a video game were.
Planet of Lana is a game I had no idea what to expect from it. Just when I thought it would be a simple side-scroller, it subverted my expectations and turned into a highly engaging puzzler with emotional story moments. The sheer scale of the game and what it achieves is nothing short of incredible. Despite never knowing much of Lana, Elo, or Mui. The journey was one that I could never have expected and is an easy recommendation.
Lego 2K Drive is a solid offering. It takes the best parts of Mario Kart, adds some vehicle transformations from Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, and borrows open-world game design from Forza Horizon, but with a Lego twist. Driving is enjoyable and the game’s performance is well-optimized. The mini-games are all sorts of fun and quite challenging as well. Lego 2K Drive is a solid foundation for a potential new franchise.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox is a frustrating experience. On one hand, the game has a beautiful art style and graphics, an intriguing plot coupled with serviceable combat, and fun puzzle mechanics. But its technical issues and unguided Metroidvania design choices let it down immensely. The only mystery left to solve is what could have been had the game had better-streamlined design choices
Somewhere deep inside Redfall, there’s a great game with interesting concepts. However, a multitude of technical issues from dodgy AI to texture pop-in and FPS drops are keeping it from its potential. Despite these glaring issues, I did manage to find enjoyable moments in the New England town, and the game made use of the power fantasy that many looter games provide. However, the more I ventured into Redfall, the more fatigued I grew. The lack of stealth kill/knockout options also feels like a major misstep that diluted Arkane Austin’s signature immersive sim foundations. No doubt, Redfall will remain a blemish for the studio, and I hope they find their footing once again.
Respawn Entertainment took most of the right lessons from Fallen Order’s reception for this release. It delivered another excellent story, expanded upon an already great combat system, and made necessary improvements to world exploration. As an open world game, the game also entices the player to explore with engaging tactics, side quests, and side characters. Technical issues do dampen the total experience a lot. While EA and Respawn have been patching the game, waiting for more patches is understandable. However, once those patches are in, every Star Wars fan must play this game because it succinctly shows the path to the Dark Side.
Horizon routinely plays like a great open-world game, and Burning Shores fits that mold. A short but sweet narrative sets up a stunning finale. After that, there’s not as much to do in Los Angeles. Horizon fans should definitely check this DLC out, and expect to put in at least ten to fifteen hours. With all of that said, however, it feels whelming at best.