Gameffine's Reviews
Mullet Madjack is a breakneck action package that never ceases to impress. Despite being quite challenging, it never stoops to the point of being unfair or frustrating. I would have loved to see more levels, more upgrades and more boss fights, but what’s on offer here is extremely captivating. Plus, the regional pricing is pretty reasonable as well.
The Rogue Prince of Persia drops our beloved Prince in the roguelike setting, bringing the familiar gameplay synonymous with the series to a bite-sized replayable experience. Currently, in early access, the game misses some bells and whistles but has a fun gameplay loop to bring you back. With the first big content update set to launch soon, we see nothing but greatness in the game’s future.
F1 24 is a top of the line game for the Formula 1 franchise. It does a brilliant job in being the first choice simulator experience for F1 races as well as F2. The game however doesn't do more than just the races itself and thus fails to deliver more to the people than the previous year release of the same game.
While Sony's poor regional pricing and its decision to delist the game from countries without a PSN presence warrant criticism, the excellent work done by Nixxes on Ghost of Tsushima's PC port should not be neglected. Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut is a great port of an entertaining open-world title.
Pool Party is chaotic, well-polished, and easy to get into a party game. Making this game a good entry point for people who have not picked up a controller their entire lives. The mixture of game modes will keep you hooked through a session, but plain design will soon start boring you. Overall, the game does well for itself but is slightly higher priced for the bang it offers.
Truth be told, Saviorless will appeal to those who are willing to look beyond the simpleness of its gameplay and at the heart of gold buried within. However, for a majority of the gamers, it might be a slogfest with no appreciable outcome. If you’re into niche indie titles like GRIS, then Saviorless might be your cup of tea. That said, I do wish for this game to become a stepping stone for its development team so that they can produce better titles in the future.
Indika is a bold take on a memorable story that feels original to its core. Via unconventional story elements, it challenges players to question faith, authority, and the nature of good and evil. However, it struggles in gameplay due to uninspired puzzles which are partly redeemed by its sweet yet short 8-bit platformer sequences.
Ereban Shadow Legacy ambitiously attempts to juggle multiple elements and succeeds in most areas, yet it is ultimately hindered by its lack of refinement. With its prominent features, it leans more toward a 3D platformer rather than a game rooted in the Stealth genre. Nonetheless, its emphasis on level design and a variety of unique gameplay mechanics, despite a lackluster plot, renders it an enjoyable experience.
Stellar Blade is not just a great hack-and-slash game, it's a culmination of a great fashion designer's wardrobe and a 'souls-like' veteran's wildest fantasies. Thanks to its satisfying combat, varied enemy designs, and stellar presentation, it really lives up to its name despite some occasional hiccups involving lackluster platforming and repetitive side requests.
Phantom Fury needed more time in the oven. It’s certainly not that raw, but it’s not well-cooked either. Even if Slipgate Ironworks ‘irons out’ all the bugs, the game would still be an above-average FPS in a market dominated by nu-Boomer Shooters. Certainly not the sequel Voidpoint’s Shelly deserved.
Bulwark Falconeer Chronicles is a city-building game slightly different than the other ones of its genre. It tries to carve its own niche with in-depth world-building and a post-apocalyptic theme that blends very well with its various elements (like graphics and sound). Tomas Sala has created another masterpiece – one that deserves to be played by most people who are into strategy and/or simulation games.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth outshines its predecessor in every aspect by providing a vast world to explore, numerous mini-games to master, and an expansive story free of filler content. However, it falls short of replicating the emotional resonance of the original’s pivotal climax. Nevertheless, it excels in developing relationships, delving deeper into character exploration, and introducing new, unforgettable story elements.
I won’t deny that my anticipation for Broken Roads has affected my opinion of the finished product in one way or another. The idea of Broken Roads propagated by the mainstream press is a far cry from the game I played to completion. The game’s witty Aussie charm and gorgeous visuals are let down by its underwhelming narrative, static game world, and barebones combat mechanics. But, if you’re a newcomer to CRPGs, then Broken Roads may satiate your urge. Even then, my suggestion is to wait for the developers to clean up the remaining bugs.
Highwater might be a bit rougher around the edges, but it does have a heart with the way it portrays humanity surviving in a watery wasteland via its simplistic blocky art style, minimalist surroundings, and moody yet calming European indie music. The gameplay loop ‘might’ become frustrating in the later stages when the frequency of battle increases, but they offer enough challenge to make you think tactically. In short, Highwater is a decent game if you’re in for the summer vibe and can’t visit a beach.
The hours I spent in Dragon’s Dogma 2 were filled with spectacular highs and frustrating lows. When the game gets going, it really gets going, before suddenly coming to a screeching halt. While I still look back to the 5 days I spent with the game with fondness and admiration towards Itsunos’ craft, the game’s poor performance coupled with Capcom’s less-than-ideal monetization practices and the underwhelming endgame tarnished my experience to a degree. Let’s just hope that Dragon’s Dogma 2’s upcoming expansion rectifies its many shortcomings. May it prove to be another Dark Arisen.
Regardless of how different Outcast: A New Beginning might have tuned out; it’d never have upped the original classic. That’s not necessarily a bad thing considering how far video games have come since Cutter Slade initially graced our screens. A New Beginning fully embraces its B-movie vibes to deliver a fun if somewhat basic gameplay loop devoid of many of the modern open-world bloat. However, THQ Nordic dropped the ball when it came to the pricing of the game. Slash the price by 20 dollars and there’s a pretty fun experience to be had here.
Rise of Ronin is a mindblowing action-adventure open-world RPG set at the end of the Shogun Era. While the game may have soul-like elements, not the difficulty, allowing more people to enjoy the game. Inspired by many mechanics from Nioh titles, the game boasts to have a compelling story with the freedom of shaping your future under your control. Rise of Ronin also excels with fluid combat and amazing sights but slightly lacks in matching the current generation graphics.
Let’s School is a fun and engaging video game that allows players to experience the joys and challenges of running a school. However, given limitations and the given genre, it may not live up to most people’s expectations. Still, considering its fair pricing model and a free demo, it is worth trying out.
‘Alone in the Dark is an impressive reimagining of the original 1992 game, enhancing the premise in every conceivable way. It boasts a stellar cast, whose performances bring the story’s beats to life. The unlockable secret endings significantly enhance its replayability. Its highly customizable difficulty settings make it accessible to a broad mainstream audience. Minor issues such as clunky gunplay and movement can be easily overlooked given its superb atmospheric immersion and ambient soundscapes.
The Thaumaturge is a curious experiment with an unexplored setting and a unique take on the classic turn-based combat. Fool's Theory has struck gold on the former thanks to an interesting story, rich worldbuilding, and a colorful cast of characters. However, the combat system is severely underutilized and left me wanting more. The same can be said for the investigative part of the gameplay as well. That being said, It'd be a lie if I said I didn't have fun within the said constraints. As a purveyor of Eurojank, there is a certain allure to the game that I couldn't resist. That doesn't mean you'll enjoy the game as much as I did. The Thaumaturge could have easily been one of the best RPGs of the year if it had more to offer in the gameplay department.