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It’s tricky to enjoy the main gameplay loop of a game like Hyperwired, but I struggled to find it consistently. There is a lot to dig into here, and I enjoyed quite a bit; it was just bogged down by a few too many systems. The game looks cool, sounds great, and has some fun ideas. I only wish they all came together in a stronger package overall.
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game includes all the elements for a standout experience within the Avatar universe — excellent mechanics, a good roster, a solid roster, and attention to detail.
Most of what Halo: Campaign Evolved does on a technical level is refine, not replace. And while the core gameplay is great, most of that already existed back in 2001.
K-Pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut is a disjointed and buggy experience that doesn't reward you for your choices, instead grounding everything in RNG.
Splatoon Raiders is a genuinely great twist on the Splatoon formula. Going in, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but as I left the tutorial, I knew this was a game that I find far and above more my preference than the mainline games. It might not have the deepest story, but what Splatoon Raiders does have is a sense of adventure, and the island hopping in search of treasure does just enough with its story and characters to keep you entertained through to the credits.
Denshattack! simply rules, with imaginative and creative levels and bombastic bosses. It looks and sounds fantastic, plays great on Deck, and is something entirely new.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic does a great job bringing two wonderful adventures to more players. It has a beautiful world and story with puzzles and action that are always rewarding.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is like discovering a lost treasure. So much could have gone wrong in bringing this behemoth back from the depths, but Ubisoft does so with tremendous care and respect.
Echoes of Aincrad fails to leave a lasting impression, but for the hours you put into this Sword Art Online adventure, it satisfies the need for more games like this one.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink — Endless Ragnarok is more of what I wanted from Cygames, and its expansion is meaty with tons of thoughtful decisions made that make sense. Whether I'm exploring the Sky Realm while learning six new characters or entering The Conflux to grind out new materials and gear, I'm consistently having a blast with this game. Even if the main story isn't up to par with the base game, it warrants a return because the gameplay really is that good and even now, 100-plus hours later, there's something new to discover. And thankfully, all the new bosses provide a real and hard-hitting challenge — which will have you itching to get back into the fight with every loss.
Rhythm Heaven Groove has a lot going on, with over 80 minigames, tons of bizarre moments, and a whole lot of heart. The series itself feels like it hasn't changed much, but that's exactly why I find it so endearing; it's basically the same sort of experience that permeates through the Nintendo ecosystem, and one that I feel rightfully celebrates the return of Rhythm Heaven. The series is timeless and remains a franchise that fans often clamour over online. Thankfully, this entry is diverse and memorable, with so many fun minigames to keep you busy despite a couple of frustrating additions that do not exude the same joy as the rest of the game offers.
Star Fox feels like it’s on the cusp of relevance again with this masterfully done remake of an iconic classic. The same familiar action from the original is wonderfully realized on the Switch 2, adding more nuance, fleshed-out cutscenes, and all the wonderfully weird secrets fans can expect to uncover. However, it's time to move past the Lylat Wars and onto something else entirely new. For a new generation, this game is a great entry into the series that's been sidelined for far too long.
The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time attempts to balance being a love letter to the RPGs and FMVs of generations past. The result is an experience you'll either love or hate, but it's well worth your attempt.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales could've been the next big action RPG, but instead, it feels like a lesser version of a game you've played before.
Phonopolis really is like nothing I’ve seen before. If you think back to the days of Pixar and Toy Story, Jurassic Park, and early stop-motion films, the wonder and amazement the public had over those accomplishments should be seen here as well. The pure creativity and craft at work is the real draw. The gameplay isn’t anything too unique and isn’t all that complex most of the time, but it is still a good time. I came for the presentation and artistry, and stayed for what they brought to the table. Phonopolis is a perfect, shorter, and charming adventure I can easily recommend.
Voidling Bound provides lots of opportunities for fresh RPG mechanics that I had a fantastic time learning and mastering as I ungraded and customized my crew of unique creatures.
IO Interactive's 007 First Light is easily the best Bond game we've seen. Rare's GoldenEye 007 was momentous when it launched, and it's stuck around the zeitgeist because it was a portal into Ian Fleming's world of shaken martinis and spy thrills we'd never seen before. What 007 First Light feels like is a playable, limited spy series that transports the player into a gripping and memorable espionage story.
Mina the Hollower proves that time, effort, and attention to detail go a long way. Mina is a great new hero who controls incredibly well in a difficult but rewarding 2D adventure.
It may not be the deepest and most complex deck builder and RPG out there, but Echo Generation 2 has a ton to offer. The game's story is a fantastic sci-fi epic that lands nearly all of its themes and ideas, and the core gameplay loop is a lot of fun.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is everything a Batman fan would want. It honours the character, his rogue gallery, allies, and world with success. Whatever your favourite iteration of the Caped Crusader is, you can play as them. As a LEGO game, it is easily the most advanced and impressive we've seen yet. I haven't had this much fun with a LEGO game in a long, long time, and here I am, over the moon, elated by how coherent and fleshed-out Legacy of the Dark Knight is.