The Punished Backlog
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Turnip Boy Robs a Bank was an absolute joy to play, and I’m thankful it made its way to Xbox Game Pass. It runs incredibly well, aside from some minor lagging during a boss fight. The game may only be on a few platforms right now, but if it’s anything like its predecessor, it will be on nearly every device soon enough. My total playtime was around five hours each session, with the second time reaching 100% completion. If you enjoyed Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion, you’ll enjoy Turnip Boy Robs a Bank. Or, like me, you may even like its sequel much more than the original, due to its genre change-up and updated gameplay mechanics. I had an amazing time playing Turnip Boy Robs a Bank and it is likely to end up on my 2024 Game of The Year list in December. Heck, I may even play it a few more times by then.
For a franchise that’s been around for nearly 40 years, Super Mario Bros. still has a number of new tricks up its sleeve, and even after beating every single level, I keep finding new pockets of joy and excitement at every turn. I don’t know precisely where I’d rank Super Mario Bros. Wonder in comparison to the older titles, but I can say for sure it’s one of the best 2D platformers I’ve played in a long time, and without a doubt a worthy contender for the top five of 2D Mario games. It convinced me there’s still so much more Nintendo can accomplish with its greatest mascot.
"Boyfriend Dungeon innovates in the realm of story and character, rather than with its gameplay systems, and I think it’s to the game’s benefit. Not every action game needs to reinvent the wheel in terms of mechanics. The experience is straightforward, and allows the spotlight to be on the fun characters and energizing gameplay. [...] I hope you try it out, and when you do, tell me who your fave sword is, and I’ll tell you mine."
Dave the Diver is a magical, mesmerizing, unforgettable gem. Mintrocket’s debut game isn’t just one of the best indie games of the year—it’s also quickly become one of my favorite games of the last decade. Its world is beautiful, tantalizing, and surprisingly dangerous. Dave and the cast are well-written and meticulously animated. The sushi makes me hungry every time I play. Dave the Diver more than delivers on its promise as a fun maritime adventure and role-playing game. Part salt-water exploration game, part sushi restaurant management sim, the game becomes so much more than the ocean blue aesthetic that initially meets the eye.
If you’re a fan of 2D Metroidvania and Souls-like games, Blasphemous 2 is a must-play. It has the best of both worlds while crafting a unique identity that expands and improves on the original Blasphemous in every way. If you just want a damn good side-scrolling action game, it’s a must-play. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy, Spanish art and architecture, religious commentary, or anything macabre… it’s also a must-play. I’ll keep this simple: It’s a must-play.
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is a fantastic story-driven game with beautiful art and delightful gameplay. There’s something here for anyone, whether it’s your first cozy game or your thirtieth. You don’t need to be femme or a tarot-lover to enjoy what this lovely game has to say about being alive, loving yourself and others, and our power to shape the world around us. If you need a palette cleanser between this fall's major releases, I hope you’ll consider this gem.
The first Alan Wake could have been a Stephen King story. Alan Wake 2 doesn’t shy away from some of this influence, but this is firmly Remedy’s story—both their postmodern detective thriller and their writer’s nightmare. Alan Wake 2 is a horror story with every jump scare and unnerving moment. But it’s not just a horror story. This sequel is also an experimental narrative that challenges not only how we think about video games but stories and the fictions we tell ourselves about how they are created. Alan Wake 2 is poetic. Developer Remedy Entertainment has crafted not only an excellent sequel to a now 13-year-old game, but the best horror game in nearly a decade.
Somehow, despite shouldering almost impossible expectations, Rebirth is a wonder: a marvel of a game that merges the old and nostalgic with the ever-increasing burdens of modern gaming sensibilities and technical prowess. The combat is incredible, fine-tuned to a sharp edge, and a noticeable improvement over its predecessor. Rebirth also justifies its shift toward open-world gameplay with a breadth and depth of content that ranges from simple tasks to deeply involved side quests. Despite a turbulent ending that almost feels more tailor-made to invite speculation than to provide a coherent narrative, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a high watermark of the genre. Its true legacy, however, will ultimately be determined by the final part of this exciting trilogy.
The Lost Crown isn't a perfect game. Quests can be buggy, graphical errors pop up now and then, and you may find yourself fighting to jump in the right direction. Overall, however, it's a magnificent package that's well worth your time. Sargon’s journey was a joy to experience, and I will long remember the elation from nailing a hard puzzle. What could have been a simple odd project from Ubisoft is instead both a love letter to a beloved genre and a wonderful next step for Prince of Persia. My only hope is that you can love the exploration and journey as much as I did.
I’m surprised a mobile game can be this good, without reaching for the wallet. I have concerns about the battle pass, but those can wait for another day. Marvel Snap is out now, and the reality is, it’s stellar. Play it on iOS or Android, or try an early access version for PC via Steam (widescreen support is coming soon). Thanos might be bad, but this snap is damn good.
Street Fighter 6 introduces a versatile fighting game system that brilliantly refines mechanics introduced in previous iterations. With its innovative story mode and modern control options, it stands out from its predecessors as the most accessible Street Fighter game ever made. Add in its unique style and solid online gameplay options, and Street Fighter 6 shines bright for the series while setting the bar high for future fighting games.
Sea of Stars brought me in with its clever gameplay, pretty worlds, and exciting battle system, but the vibes made me want to stay. The vibes compelled me to seek out secret treasures. The vibes made me seek out every possible fight with aplomb. The vibes even allowed me to overlook some of the wonkiness of the plot (and the writing). Most of all, the vibes made Sea of Stars truly stand out in an especially difficult year to do so.
What else I can say about Smushi Come Home without spoiling its finer moments? Its characters are charming, its gameplay is soothing, and it has a great sense of style. (Just listen to that feel-good soundtrack from composer Failpositive.) And while the experience is a bit on the short side, it’s one that hardly feels undercooked. If you’re looking for a breather between AAA epics or simply searching for a wonderful indie, Smushi Come Home has enough charm to make you blush. Come for the adorable mushroom; stay for the tender narrative and cozy vibes. This is one homecoming you don’t want to miss.
I’m embarrassed to say that I love Disney Dreamlight Valley. It is certainly the least cool new game I’ll play all year, but it’s a delight nonetheless, partially because it’s easy to play, and easy to enjoy.
SEASON: A Letter to the Future is an unforgettable story about the power of memories—how joyful it can be to make them, and how painful it can be to lose them. It has rough edges. The story asks more than it answers, and the game feels too short for a journey of its magnitude, but these flaws only confirm what I already believe—that I wish there was more of this brilliant game. Whether you’re a lover of adventure games or simply looking to lose yourself on a mystical journey, SEASON has plenty it’s willing to show you.
Venba is not only an excellent video game, but a powerful sociocultural message. At one point, characters discuss how a piece of art had the potential to make a stronger impact with an audience in the way than a protest or traditional statement. Venba meets this potential, and then some. I'm hungry for more.
My first playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3 was a marvel: beautiful, enthralling, and bursting with content. Larian Studios has successfully created a CRPG that welcomes players who are not already part of the genre’s existing fold. An 80+ hour experience that’s gripping from start to finish, Baldur’s Gate 3 fills a vacancy that has not been truly filled since The Witcher 3. Those who are deeply familiar with D&D 5th Edition may have a heightened sensitivity to some of its shortcomings, but make no mistake: Baldur’s Gate 3 is a triumph and any fan of RPGs would do well to give it a roll.
WrestleQuest is a love letter to professional wrestling and everything it represents, from the smallest details to the biggest. The respect for the greats of the past and what they mean to the present and future is evident, and the way in which Mega Cat Studios matches that with some excellent RPG gameplay is commendable. This is a fully fleshed-out RPG experience and one I believe needs to be experienced regardless of your affinity for wrestling. It’s just flat-out a great game.
Mail Time is one of the sweetest and most comforting experiences I’ve had in a long time. Despite its relatively short five-hour runtime, Mail Time doesn’t feel small. It’s a great example of quality over quantity. If you are remotely interested in cute forest animals and/or the mail, you’ll want to add Mail Time to your gaming route.
Despite some story misgivings, Episode INTERmission makes for an exceptional piece of DLC. It adds thrilling combat, a fun new character in Sonon, and Final Fantasy VII Remake’s best mini-game to date. It also includes a few bonus scenes that—without giving anything away—fans of the base game will want to watch. At $20, Episode INTERmission isn’t the cheapest proposition, but it’s certainly a worthwhile one. If you’re lucky enough to have a PlayStation 5, do yourself a favor and give it a go. Yuffie fans, rejoice!