Console Creatures
HomepageConsole Creatures's Reviews
Subnautica: Below Zero is a great follow-up, improving on the formula. While this sequel won't be for everyone, the moment-to-moment survival mechanics are excellent and exploring each biome is a ton of fun.
Resident Evil Village pushes the series forward and reaches a new series high. The village setting is a fully realized place that serves as nightmare fuel and the new monsters, enemies and setting add a new layer to the lore. Where the series goes now is anyone's guess but the series is strong as ever 25 years later.
New Pokémon Snap is a wholesome reinvention of the original, bringing the best bits forward into the sequel. We’ve battled Pokémon but being able to leisurely snap photos and these creatures in their habitat is as fun as capturing them all.
Housemarque has delivered its finest title to date and while it may not be for everyone, when the clicks, it is impossible to put down. Returnal offers a satisfying loop strengthened by a sense of discovery that few games offer.
NieR Replicant is finally getting its due thanks to upgraded combat, enhanced visuals and one of the best soundtracks of all time. If you skipped out the first time or only played Automata, Replicant is where it all started and worth a visit.
With the quality of life improvements and cut content returning, diehard JRPG fans will enjoy SaGa Frontier Remastered. Finally, the series gets its due and the experience is one you won't forget.
Outriders may not excel at anything in particular but it does enough right to keep things interesting. The gunplay is good, the core loop of finding new gear is fun and exploring Enoch with friends (or solo) is a blast.
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is a marvel in storytelling, world-building, and character-building. With Disco Elysium finally on consoles, there is no excuse to skip out on one of the most interesting mysteries in years.
Feral Cat Den's Genesis Noir is a unique blend of animation, music, and innovation. While it is a simple point-and-click adventure, the story is beautifully told through its stunning presentation. Some of the puzzles might not offer many challenges but the experience is not that you won't soon forget.
It Takes Two is one of the finest co-op experiences out there and one of the best games out this year. From a gameplay standpoint, there is a consistently creative approach to how you solve challenges with your partner and there is no better game to play that uses co-op, and this highly memorable story will make you laugh and even pull at your heartstrings.
Monster Hunter Rise is the most accessible iteration of the popular series and it is easily one of the best games out this year. If you have never played Monster Hunter because of how overwhelming the games feel, this is the best entry point because of how it works. Fans of the series also get a great new entry that impresses technically and graphically on the Nintendo Switch.
Foregone excels in its boss fights, challenges and its fluid controls. And yet, it's repetitive enemy and platform types paired with a sparse and underwhelming story makes Foregone a premium-priced platformer that isn't anything special, but it's far from a bad game.
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection is a great return for the series that offers a classic challenge. Newcomers fret not, Capcom has modernized the gameplay to accommodate everyone.
Bravely Default II doesn’t shake up the formula much but the things it does shakeup, are better off for it. This is a modern take on classic Final Fantasy with a twist. The game is punishing, but also it's comfort food for fans of JRPGs but it also takes a few steps back from the previous games, it’s still fun to play but it's more tedious now, too.
Persona 5 Strikers is an exciting sequel that takes the Phantom Thieves on a cross-country tour to clear their names. With Koei Tecmo streamlining most systems and using an action battle system, the sequel succeeds on many levels.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury might include the same game that was on the Wii U but it's also a title that needs to be experienced by everyone who owns a Nintendo Switch.
Little Nightmares II improves on the first game and introduces a new character. It's up to you to piece together the events unfolding. The scares are bigger, the world is far more twisted and the gameplay is a nice reprieve from bigger AAA titles.
Destruction AllStars showcases the power of the PlayStation 5 and has good gameplay loops but the microtransactions and barebones presentation never elevate the game from good to great.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a great follow up and yet another satisfying chapter of Adol Christin's life. Playing as Adol and the supporting Monstrum proves that there is still a ton of life left for the Ys series. The darker take and the Prison City of Balduq are full of secrets and treasure and the sidequests are some of the best the series has offered.
Olija is short but it is an impactful game. It’s got some minor technical issues but the gameplay is intense, the story is impeccable and the puzzles are challenging. The atmosphere of Terraphage is as important to the game as Faraday himself and it’s thanks to the magical harpoon that Faraday wields that the gameplay is so much fun. I’d love to revisit this game but it is so short and lacking in replayability - the upside is that the time you spend with Olija won’t soon be forgotten.