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Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth elevates the series to new heights. It takes existing ideas from the series, and adds layers of complexity, engaging content, and charm on top of it to create an unforgettable experience that walks a fine line between earnestly dramatic moments, and over-the-top hilarity. Ichiban Kasuga is one of the best protagonists in gaming, and I can't wait to see where Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio takes him next.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a return to form for the franchise, and an excellent game that takes the series back to its 2D roots wrapped in a polished Metroidvania experience that's clever, engaging, and full of meaningful content to explore. The fast-paced combat rewards skillful play and the gorgeous art direction brings Mount Qaf to life. I just hope we don't have to wait another 13 years for another Prince of Persia title.
Ultimately, The Cub is a fun, if not a bit safe, 2D platformer. The desolate world created by Demagog Studio is a joy to traverse again, and while the gameplay doesn't evolve meaningfully in its short run time, The Cub manages to pull you in with its excellent visuals, and catchy soundtrack.
Sovereign Syndicate is an engaging cRPG with a lot of heart, and a surprisingly competent first title from developer Crimson Herring Studios. Its alternative take on Victorian-era London is refreshing and doesn't fall into the trap of painting mythical creatures with their generic fantasy characteristics. It captivates you the moment you start the game with its strong characters and writing, and doesn't let go until the very end.
Cookie Cutter is a compelling yet rough Metroidvania experience that is bound to keep you entertained for hours on end. In its current state it's undeniably rough around the edges, but, with a few patches here and there it's bound to become a cult classic in no time.
Outer Wilds is a masterpiece, and it's still a masterpiece on the Nintendo Switch. The unmatched sense of exploration and discovery is preserved on the platform. The superb soundtrack and excellent art direction persist despite some aliasing concerns. There are some minor performance issues in complex scenes, but none of those detract from the overall experience.
House Flipper 2 is another great addition to the simulation genre that turns mundane busywork into relaxing and engaging gameplay. There's enough variety in tasks to keep things fresh, and the sandbox mode takes things even further with limitless freedom. The PC version has some performance issues, and you'll run into a few bugs here and there, but it's still an enjoyable experience that's both addictive and cathartic.
Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader is an astoundingly complex game that perfectly conveys the feeling of living in the 41st millennium. Its story is entrancing from the get-go, the characters are diverse and memorable and the gameplay will keep you hooked to your screen for hours on end. It's a must-play for diehard Warhammer fans and a great entry point for prospecting Warhammer fans. As far as Warhammer games are concerned, it's a definite 10, and a new benchmark for storytelling in the franchise.
Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion Remastered is a faithful remaster of the original that perfectly preserves the feel the original had while also implementing a slew of QoL improvements. For better or worse, it perfectly recreates Turok 3.
Last Train Home is a challenging survival/tactical game that will push you to your limits and back. It's a game that sells you an experience, which it unravels through its difficult yet satisfying gameplay as well as its expertly directed cutscenes. If you're someone who enjoys a real challenge, then Last Train Home is a definite must-play.
Persona 5 Tactica is a breath of fresh air for the turn-based tactics genre that feels familiar, yet challenging, and has enough depth to easily stand toe-to-toe with its peers. Despite the genre shift, it retains all the hallmarks of a Persona title and blends those aspects with dazzling polish. It's fun, challenging, a blast to play, and a must-have for any Persona fan, serving as a good entry point for strategy lovers looking to get into Persona.
Dungeons 4 is the perfect blend between Dungeon Defense and RTS, with a pinch of humor scattered here and there. It has a campaign that's memorable and captivating, which definitely earns it the title of an instant classic. The gameplay itself is enriched with a variety of content to guarantee you hours upon hours of fun. Within the RTS/Dungeon Defender genre, it's easily a must-play. A certified must-play for any strategy gamer.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 checks all the boxes of what a fighting platformer game should be. It has a wide variety of Nickelodeon characters with their unique movesets, detailed levels, and responsive controls that are easy to pick up. It's an enjoyable experience even if you only play the single-player campaign and the arcade mode. It's enough for you to get a taste of the competitive side without the need to immerse yourself in sweaty multiplayer lobbies.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a fantastic new entry to the series and bridges the gap between the most recent mainline releases. It's an absolute delight to play as Kazuma Kiryu again with his new skillset and tools. With a plethora of new additions to the franchise, this is one that fans won't want to miss out on until Infinite Wealth in 2024. It's a game packed with rich content for story enthusiasts, and fans of the known and new side activities in the series. Like a Dragon Gaiden is a great package that offers a lot of variety to different ranges of fans.
The Invincible is a story about surviving an unforgiving planet brimming with the unknown. The slow-burn takes a while to get interesting and you should be ready for a lot of exploration with minimal gameplay elements. The voice acting does a great job of keeping you immersed in the world, and the story ultimately The visuals may not be the best, but they're decent enough to set the pace for a decent story.
RoboCop: Rogue City is a fantastic title that does the IP justice. Being able to play as the titular character feels satisfying he's essentially a walking tank with weight behind every punch and throw. The RPG elements not only let you customize RoboCop's abilities but provide some narrative decision-making opportunities as well. Fighting for a crime-ridden Detroit with its fantastic visuals consistent with fims' art direction further helps with the fantasy, and this is definitely a must-play for fans of the forgotten character.
Jusant is a celebration of climbing that makes full use of its premise. It offers a relaxed experience that allows you to go at your own pace while offering enough challenge that rewards mastery of its mechanics. Its excellent art direction, paired with a soothing soundtrack elevates the climbing adventure even if the worldbuilding suffers from excessive use of text to tell stories. Jusant is a hike worth taking, that's rewarding, memorable, and full of heart.
Song of Nunu is a wholesome adventure that follows two beloved characters from the League of Legends universe as they venture through the icy lands of Freljord. Its charming presentation, excellent voice-acting, and accessible platforming mechanics add up to an adventure worth taking. Despite the mediocre combat, Song of Nunu is a wonderful experience that's immersive and expands on the League of Legends lore in a meaningful way.
Headbangers: Rhythm Royale is a fun musical take on the elimination-styled battle royale genre, and brings a host of creative mini-games that feel diverse, and make good use of its premise. While the eventual repetition does settle in, it's a fun game to play with your friends, or on stream.
Ugly is a dark yet charming story-driven platformer that is filled with challenging puzzles and a melancholic story to pull at your heartstrings. The excellent art direction and the way its narrative unfolds are very memorable, however, the occasional unintuitive level design and bland musical arrangement really take away from the otherwise engaging experience.