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Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl is an unforgiving and uncompromising affair that's not for everybody. For its target audience, it could quite possibly be the game they've been waiting for the past decade and a half, heralding the return of this beloved cult classic. The game is tough and will beat you down if you're not attentive enough, requiring a commitment to immersion. The key to the game is to simply keep at it. The journey to get there may be painful and frustrating, and many players will certainly tune out in the process. Players who persevere will find a rewarding title and a living world filled with possibilities as time goes by, despite a number of bugs and rough patches.
In a year full of unexpected delights, LEGO Horizon Adventures stands out as a pleasant surprise. I didn’t anticipate enjoying this game as much as I did, but it has certainly earned its place among some of the titles this year. It goes above the typical family action-adventure genre, delivering an experience that is both engaging and thoroughly enjoyable. While I may not be inclined to explore other LEGO games, LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a fun, humorous, and robust adventure with solid gameplay mechanics. It’s enjoyable both solo and with friends, and the cooperative play enhances the experience as you navigate the game with iconic characters from the Horizon series.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake successfully balances the preservation of the original game while making it accessible to modern players. With features like autosave, a recall function, and difficulty selection, players can enjoy the classic game on their terms. The graphical overhaul and fully orchestrated soundtrack enhance the visual and auditory experience, allowing players to appreciate the game as it was originally intended. However, there are minor issues such as the extremely slow pace of combat and uneven difficulty settings, which can easily turn off certain players.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard isn't quite a full return to form, but it is definitely a step in the right direction for BioWare, and is a win that the studio definitely needed after a series of demoralizing releases over the years. The game, with all its positive points, always seems to trip over its own feet - fantastic environments but divisive character design, engaging story but overly cheesy dialog at times, and more. There's always a give-and-take that holds it back from being a great game.
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure incorporates many elements that made the original Life Is Strange a modern classic. On paper, it promises a winning formula with the return of Max Caulfield, an interconnected universe, and engaging cliffhangers. However, the execution falls short of elevating the overall experience. Like Life Is Strange: True Colors, I had high hopes for this game. The setup is excellent, featuring likable characters, an intriguing premise, and a fantastic soundtrack. The journey is quite enjoyable up to the midpoint, but it seems Deck Nine struggles to deliver a satisfying conclusion for Double Exposure, unlike True Colors.
Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven has transitioned beautifully from being rooted in the past. For newcomers and JRPG fans in general, the game invites careful consideration, and even if you played the original version years ago, the visual and gameplay enhancements make it a worthwhile revisit.
Sonic x Shadow Generations is a delight for Sonic fans of all kinds. Whether you’re a newcomer inspired by the films or a long-time fan from the series’ early days, this game offers a wealth of content that is sure to win you over. While completing the main story of both titles can take around 10-11 hours, countless additional hours of replayability can be had with its numerous unlockables. Sonic x Shadow Generations combines two sides of the same coin into one accessible package, promising hours of enjoyment. If you’re looking for a standout Sonic game among the many released in recent years, this is definitely the one to choose. Having not played a Sonic title in 15 years, I found this to be the perfect reintroduction to the series, and the future of the franchise is looking exciting after experiencing this outing from our beloved Hedgehogs.
Fear The Spotlight is an impressive debut title from Blumhouse Games, and I commend them for taking a chance on Cozy Game Pals’ unique premise. This game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia for 90s survival horror, and beyond that, it delivers a compelling story that kept me engaged from start to finish. While I wished it were longer, the developers told the story they wanted to tell and executed it exceptionally well.
Until Dawn Remake retains the elements that made the original a must-play narrative horror experience. However, justifying its full price is challenging when it closely mirrors the 2015 release. Despite some subtle improvements, such as enhanced control inputs, there are few new additions. Compounding this issue are the numerous performance problems and poor lighting, which detract from the immersion enjoyed in the original. While future patches may address these issues, the current state of the game does not warrant its steep price. It feels like we need to wait a bit longer to experience the game fully.
Overall, the Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred expansion is a worthwhile trek that provides players with more Diablo IV but wrapped in a package of highs and lows, with its biggest miss being the unexpectedly short story that leaves players wondering how it’s already done when the good parts were just getting started. This is quite unfortunate because the rest of the expansion hits the right notes with its additions and new features, chief of which is the new Spiritborn class that excels in providing players unparalleled versatility. With a new endgame cooperative activity, a level cap reduction, and much more, Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred is an exciting expansion that offers players more reason to grind for more loot, which, in the end, is what Diablo IV is really all about.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is a dream come true for fans of the series, bringing back the beloved Budokai Tenkaichi series in all its glory to modern platforms. Fights are flashy and fun, while its immense roster of characters is enough to satisfy players looking for a fighting game fix. It's not without its faults, and the game's story mode could have used a bit more love. While the story arcs of Dragon Ball have been replayed and retold to death, the rushed retelling of important events misses an opportunity to onboard newcomers. That said, this is the best Dragon Ball title we've had in a long time and is a definite pickup for those looking for an arena fighter that's not your typical anime offering. Akira Toriyama would have been proud.
Metaphor: ReFantazio demonstrates that the Persona system remains vibrant and versatile, extending beyond an urban high school setting. Its high fantasy environment significantly transforms the gameplay, and Studio Zero delivers a refreshing take on the popular formula. This new approach offers a breath of fresh air for Persona players seeking something different yet familiar and addictive. You could say it’s basically fantasy Persona, but that doesn’t even encompass half of what Metaphor really is. Metaphor: ReFantazio stands out as one of the best RPGs of the year, thanks to its unique concept and addictive gameplay, and something that cannot be missed if you love RPGs and fantastical settings. Let Studio Zero guide you into a world of conspiracies, mysteries, and wonder as you journey through this fantastic realm with new protagonists and a new story, all wrapped in the same quality trappings of an Atlus title.
It wasn't easy, and after facing a lot of uncertainty and criticism months before its release, Bloober Team has delivered a fantastic remake of a definite horror classic in Silent Hill 2 Remake. The pressure to overcome the odds must have been crippling, but the team has successfully captured the soul of the original and has modernized it with care, resulting in a must-play entry for the series that has been long dormant. From the stunning visuals to the haunting atmosphere and even the immersive audio design, the Silent Hill 2 Remake is a definite addition to gaming libraries everywhere, as its psychological spin on the genre is a testament to the legacy it left behind.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is a fine example of Capcom's understanding as to which aspects of a game to improve without tampering with what made it good in the first place. There are substantial improvements here, almost blurring the line of being marketed as just a remaster.
NBA 2K25 is still the premiere basketball game, which is an undeniable fact. With best-in-class gameplay and stellar visuals rooted in extremely strong foundations, basketball fans and aspiring rookies need not look elsewhere for their hoop fix. Sadly, the game’s reliance on VC is more noticeable this time around, and with MyCareer still a middling mode, players are offered a package that’s less enticing than before, despite fantastic additions like ProPlay and Signature Shots.
The Plucky Squire is a creative triumph and certainly lives up to the hype ever since it was first announced. The full experience is wonderful, often employing a change of mechanics from one level to the next, keeping players on their toes with fresh gameplay. The Plucky Squire deserves a spot on anyone's list of titles to look forward to this year. It is a refreshing game amidst the barrage of AAA titles, and certainly a reminder that falling back to depend on a creatively fun and polished experience can do no wrong.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a delightful surprise this year, offering a concise yet engaging and explosive shooter experience. The game features an immersive plot that respects your time, providing 10-12 hours of captivating dark sci-fi fantasy, perfect for a weekend binge. The game excels with its frenetic gunplay, intense action, and mysterious world, reminiscent of classic corridor shooters like Gears of War. It introduces enough variety and novelty, such as verticality and base defense objectives, to keep players constantly engaged. While the interface may initially seem basic, the relentless action ensures an appreciation for its straightforward gameplay.
PlayStation has once again worked its magic, delivering a confident GOTY contender and one of the best experiences this year. Despite its simplicity, the game is supremely fun, and perhaps the highest compliment I can give is that you’ll play through the entire game with a smile on your face. Astro Bot proves that games do not need extremely bloated budgets and development times to succeed when you are laser-focused on fun and quality.
Overall, the Castlevania Dominus Collection is an easy recommendation as it compiles three fine entries in this legendary series. While they aren’t exactly new entries, experiencing Order of Ecclesia, Portrait of Ruin, and Dawn of Sorrow in modern consoles with fantastic upgrades is an offer we would never refuse.
Black Myth: Wukong is an amazing and impressive debut effort from Game Science, and while it has a few missteps, it lives up to the hype. From the gorgeous visuals to the dynamic and intense combat system, few games can replicate the satisfying feeling of conquering a challenging boss, only to face another one a few moments later. Interestingly, the game can be played on the Steam Deck, but there are concessions you'll have to make, especially in the visual department. You're losing out on a huge chunk of the experience because the game is gorgeous, but it's better than not getting to play it on the go, which in itself is a remarkable feat.