UnGeek's Reviews
Gungrave G.O.R.E Ultimate Enhanced Edition takes me back from the simple action games from the PS2 era. It has simple gameplay accompanied by a very linear navigation, while trying to innovate with its own mechanics making it nice Nintendo Switch handheld port. Unfortunately, despite being a better updated port, some may still find the gameplay too repetitive and lackluster.
Skull and Bones should've just been a dedicated singleplayer pirate RPG. Instead, it's a live-service product that I don't see surviving past a handful of seasonal updates. Unless a massive tidal wave is coming that gives everything a proper shakeup, it's lost at sea for me with this one.
Valkyrie Elysium feels like it should’ve been released more than two console generations ago. The flashy combat system barely uplifts the experience from bland characters, uninteresting story, and outdated level design that borderline on feeling like it could’ve just belonged to a mobile game.
MX vs. ATV Legends feels outdated, out-polished, and outran by some of its competitors in the motocross genre. There are tidbits of fun to be had in the experience but it feels more frustrating to play with the number of technical flaws present.
Digimon Survive felt like a game that wasn’t supposed to be one in the first place. The glimpses of brilliance being presented in the narrative are tainted by a tactics-based combat system that felt like it belonged to a forgettable mobile game rather than a release that was meant to celebrate 25 years of a long recognizable brand.
Soulstice’s excellent combat system singlehandedly saves the game from its own mundane presentation, technical problems, and uninteresting narrative. If you’re looking for an old-school action-adventure game, this might be worth a pickup.
Rainbow Six Extraction has a solid concept and fun underlying gameplay, but there are flaws in that the levels can feel same-y and the experience when playing with random players is not the best. But if you're a Rainbow Six Siege fan and are looking for something to play with friends, Extraction is worth considering.
Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin offers a counterintuitive experience that has terrible presentation and an unintentionally hilarious narrative. It’s slightly saved by a fairly enjoyable combat and job system. Take both of those away, and this game will feel more like a parody of the legendary franchise.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League tries to be what Rocksteady is best at, being a fantastic singleplayer that handles its IP characters well, while also being what Rocksteady was never equipped for, an ongoing live game. It fails in more aspects that it succeeds in. The potential is there but none of it is ever fully realized.
What Sonic Frontiers has in potential in everything it introduces to the long-standing franchise is immediately lost in the way it’s all executed. Poor environments and a less-than-stellar gameplay loop derail the entire experience to a crawl.
Edge of Eternity is a passion project by those people who really love JRPGs putting together. While it is a bit rough around the edges, there are great ideas here and some things to love, including a fair battle system and beautiful crafted world.
Elex 2 does not give a good initial experience due to technical issues. But if you stick with it and grind out its systems, you’ll be rewarded with a great time. The game may have received a 6/10, but if I were to review it based on just how many times I’ve laughed at something, it’s a solid 9/10.
More of what you liked, and what you didn't about the main game, Final Fantasy XVI Echoes of the Fallen is a fairly enjoyable extra adventure that plays it a bit too safe with what it has to offer.
Demon Slayer: Sweep the Board adds some twists to the party board game formula, though its main mechanics could've been made more engaging by making them more competitive. Its mini-games could also be better as they're fairly easy. Still, the game should offer a good time for Demon Slayer fans, especially for in-person get-togethers.
Where Nobody Wants to Die succeeds in presentation and sound, it fails in narrative strength and player engagement. It's a great looking movie, but a less than stellar plot to hold it all together.
In many ways, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: ISEKAI Chronicles is a fun game as its combo-focused 2D sidescrolling combat is fun, and it’s supplemented by a nice city-building mechanic that makes for a compelling gameplay loop. This game is far from perfect though as the core loop can instead feel dull for some players. Some issues with the fairly simplistic combat and city-building mechanic also get in the way of the experience. Still, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: ISEKAI Chronicles can be an engaging experience, though it’s one that we can only really recommend to existing Slime Isekai fans. For those who aren’t fans of the franchise yet, it would be better to give the anime a watch before trying this game out.
Rise of the Ronin is an unfortunate example of what happens when the chase for mainstream appeal goes in the way of creative identity. While it's still a fairly enjoyable action game when it allows itself to be, it's ultimately bogged down by half-baked mechanics that make the world feel emptier than it looks.
The Devil In Me is a highly enjoyable thrill ride down a madman’s castle of horrors with impressive-looking visuals that elevates the subtle yet effective atmosphere. If you can tolerate a lackluster cast and a choppy first act, this is one horror experience that’s worth having.
Modern Warfare 2’s campaign looks, feels, and sounds fantastic with the IW 9.0 engine flexing its capabilities with much success. Characters feel a bit more fleshed out with added personalities that help the player connect and believe in their relationships with each other. However, the narrative is bogged down by tedious mission design, technical bugs, and an overreliance on sequel-baiting that doesn’t feel earned at all.
The Saints Row reboot really brings the franchise back to when it was just a street gang trying to rise up the ranks. While the story does have its moments with a large variety of fun activities to do alone or with a friend, it’s unfortunately bogged down by outdated gameplay mechanics and technical issues.