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Karma: The Dark World exhibits impressive world design with an unrivalled Orwellian setting that is layered with intrigue. It explores the darker machinations of a totalitarian regime with an iron grip on a helplessly captive society. However, Karma: The Dark World disappointingly fails to deliver on its initial premise and potential by neglecting to expand upon the engrossing themes, setting, and narrative showcased during its opening hours. The unnerving world and atmosphere that Pollard Studio has created in Karma serve as the backdrop for an artistic masterpiece that never fully forms on the canvas, as Karma inexplicably elects to all but abandon any dystopian focus during its second half, instead replacing its ostensibly marvellous setup with new characters and narrative threads that squander the game’s incipient masterclass in world-building and sowing intrigue. While Karma easily could have been a masterpiece, as evidenced by all of the chilling artistry of its opening act, it results in a mess of a game that lacks sufficient design cohesion or narrative focus. Karma: The Dark World is ultimately an amalgamation of richly intriguing and uncannily evocative ideas that never mesh together in a cohesive narrative or consummate gameplay experience.
Rebellion has built a superb open world and filled it with interesting, layered characters. The freedom you have to tackle things how you see fit is refreshing and kept me gripped throughout my twenty-two hour playtime. Combat could have been more in depth but it services everything else that the game excels in. If you are looking for an intriguing open world that offers you real freedom, I highly recommend checking out Atomfall.
Marvel Rivals improves upon the multiplayer hero shooter formula to deliver an impressive package. A diverse cast of fun and recognizable characters, a distinct but recognizable aesthetic identity, fun and frenetic gameplay, an addicting competitive scene, and minimal predatory "gotcha" mechanics culminate in a gene-leading experience that prioritizes player fun while being completely free-to-play.
The Smurfs: Dreams is a delightful and heart warming game that successfully captures the magic of the Smurfs franchise. Its vibrant visuals, whimsical soundtrack and fun gameplay all combine to make the best Smurfs game to date in my opinion. Whether solo or with a friend, jump into the dream worlds, and embark on a magical journey. It’s a dream come true for any Smurf enthusiast!
Star Wars Outlaws is a remarkable romp through wretched hives of scum and villainy that will surely bring joy to any Star Wars fan. A smidgin of game design pitfalls notably hold the game back, but swashbuckling adventures, numerous enjoyable diversions, and the realization of beloved Star Wars worlds and characters make Star Wars Outlaws an undeniably good time.
There is so much that the First Descendant does right, as is evidenced by how visually striking and mechanically engaging the online looter-shooter can be. The descendants’ varying personalities and capabilities provide a unique flourish to a somewhat played-out genre.
Broken Roads is a commendable addition to the AA RPG space. Combat enjoyment may vary from gamer to gamer, but with a thought-provoking narrative and standout morality system, it offers a unique experience that stands out in the crowded RPG market. While it may have its flaws, the game’s strengths make it a journey worth taking in my opinion.
NHL 24 is undoubtedly the best way to play hockey in video game form. That fact makes its obvious blemishes and lackluster improvements even more disappointing. If you’re looking for a good time playing hockey, NHL 24 can offer that in spades, but so can NHL 22 & 23. Here’s hoping that EA Sports can do more to excite the crowd in their next entry – presumably coming later this year – even though the franchise maybe would benefit from temporarily going on ice.
Harold Halibut offers a captivating journey into a retro-futuristic world brimming with charm and intrigue. While its gameplay mechanics may not appeal to all tastes, those who appreciate rich storytelling and immersive atmospheres will find much to love in this heartfelt exploration of friendship and the quest for meaning.
The King of Iron Fist has returned to claim its crown in 2024, and has done so by boasting a grandiose story mode, groundbreaking AI, and the graphical fidelity that comes with the upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.
The core game on offer with Taxi Life is decent if not great and the game undoubtedly has potential to improve. It’s just really not there yet and could have benefitted with more time in the oven rather than releasing in a poor state and patching it after the fact.
It’s safe to say that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an incredible adaptation of the original game, made by people who really understood the essence of the original game on the PlayStation. With its captivating storyline, refined gameplay mechanics, and impressive attention to detail, it's a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike (who started with Remake). While it's not without its flaws, such as lengthy side quests and one too many systems, the overall experience is nothing short of remarkable. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is not a game you will regret sinking 100+ hours into. It is a very welcome addition into the Final Fantasy VII franchise as it is not just a game; it's an unforgettable journey that will leave you craving more.
Highwater remains a commendable addition to Demagog Studios’ repertoire, offering a captivating narrative set within a visually stunning world. While not without its shortcomings, the game successfully captures the essence of its predecessors while carving out its own identity within the post-apocalyptic genre.
Overall, The Thaumaturge delivers with its captivating visuals, immersive audio, and compelling narrative. Mileage on its combat system may vary, but the intricate storytelling provides a unique gaming experience, blending supernatural elements seamlessly into a historical backdrop of societal turmoil and unrest.
Pacific Drive is about laboring towards something and enjoying the results – feeling the sense of progress, along with the satisfaction and motivation such tangible progress brings with it. There are undoubtedly hours upon hours of gameplay to be had for those possessing unrelenting patience, those true warriors of attrition that would see Pacific Drive’s systems through to their ultimate culmination.
This game ended with me placing down the controller and reflecting over what had transpired. Something that has excelled in its narrative goals and left me excited for what comes next. For newcomers, both this game and the predecessor Like A Dragon are excellent jumping on points for the series.
Lil Guardsman is a point-and-click adventure where you interview people, almost always resulting in funny situations and dialogue. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you may not enjoy the game. But if you have ever enjoyed a game in a similar vein to this I highly recommend checking it out. Hilltop Studios has created a fun, endearing and funny adventure that I won’t soon forget.
It’s a short experience and while the content is satisfying, a longer gameplay experience could have allowed for a more in-depth exploration of the narrative and character development. That said, the game’s positive aspects contribute to a satisfying and thoughtful gaming experience and I look forward to seeing what the developer does next.
Despite a few hitches in terms of character models and longer than expected load times, Assassin’s Creed Nexus manages to deliver exactly what it set out to do: provide an authentic Assassin’s Creed game in VR. It won’t be for everyone and there is plenty of quieter moments in amongst the action, but this is one adventure AC fans won’t want to miss.
While it was absolutely great to have a traditional Yakuza game again and I really enjoyed it, I don’t feel Gaiden actually adds all that much to the canon. However, I certainly hope we see more releases of this scale.