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There is just so much about this fighting title they just do right, being highly accessible to beginner fighting game players, or even having the scope to be super entertaining for seasoned pros. There is so much to do in Them’s Fightin Herds that I just hope they keep adding content along the way.
It’s been a long time coming for fans to really step into the shoes of the blue hedgehog. Even though it’s a little rough around the edges, Sonic Frontiers is a huge step in the right direction and is no doubt the premiere Sonic game we’ve been wanting for the longest time. The feeling it gives you is unlike anything that’s come before it. It has to be played to be believed. This game could very well be the beginning of a new age of Sonic games, as its future has never looked brighter. The possibilities are never-ending. Sonic is here, reaching far across these new Frontiers.
Just like all the other games in the series, Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a fantasy-themed, turn-based RPG strategy game. Gameplay-wise, it focuses purely on turn-based mechanics, so players won’t have to worry about exploring various locations and solving puzzles, and will be put straight into the action in between all the dialogue segments. The turn-based combat mechanics are deep and offer so much variety for players to really strategise and plan out their attacks against the opposing factions.
God of War Ragnarok is a prime example of how to continue a franchise and is yet again a contender for game of the year for me. Sony Santa Monica has done an outstanding job at delivering an incredible sequel with a great story, unforgettable characters, amazing visuals, and combat that I couldn’t get enough of.
Harvestella gets close but doesn’t quite strike a balance between JRPG elements and farming sim, but feels focused on having more done adequately than less done better. For players looking for a fairly casual JRPG experience, Harvestella is a palatable taster, but combat or farming fans may feel hungry for more or become bored with chores. I have enjoyed my time in the world so far, and I’m curious to see how the story continues and whether I run out of stamina in the 50 or so hours to reach the endgame.
The Chant may very well because a cult classic as the intensity starts and doesn’t stop. The overall experience could realistically be completed in one sitting. A long one at that, but with three endings to chase, a repeated playthrough is tantalisingly present, and I am getting set to go in for a pacifist run. The pitfalls may be there, but they look shallow in the rear vision mirror, and for a first-time entry from a brand-new studio, The Chant is a solid entry into the horror genre.
Listening to the old sound of Pac-Man tied in with the beautiful soundtrack on this game kept you wanting more. It was that happy music that made you want to keep playing, yet the tone would change if you encountered enemies along the way. I love turning big and hearing the old Pac-Man music and sound effects we used to hear on the arcade classic. Anyone that grew up playing Pac-Man, or even younger generations getting into Pac-Man, will find that the Re-Pac is an awesome gateway. It’s full of subtle easter eggs from the original games and features some beautifully recrafted scenery. Pac-Man World Re-Pac is a title for everyone.
Having a whole new act is great to give players more areas to explore and secrets to find. As we know from the core story of Back 4 Blood, there were many easter eggs in the levels paying respect to horror movies. I didn’t see any that jumped out at me with this expansion, but I’m sure they are there. Children of the Worm is a fun, action-packed experience, and within the first 24 hours of release, I was already rehooked into the game and finished it three times over. Sadly, my only downside was there was no big bad to fight at the end of the new act. I was hoping for an epic boss fight to wrap it up.
LEGO Brawls was initially designed as a mobile game and can be an enjoyable way to kill some time playing online matches. As a console game that doesn’t add anything new to the gameplay, it’s just a generic platform fighter with little to no excitement. This wouldn’t be a bad thing if the game was cheap or just free, but it’s shockingly priced at $60 AUD which makes it impossible to justify. There are tons of indie games out there that offer so much more at a cheaper price. Even with some interesting ideas, LEGO Brawls offers very little and is probably more fun to watch than play, but the novelty wears off really quickly. The biggest letdown overall is its generic gameplay that just isn’t much fun at all. Non-fighting game players often describe the genre as button mashers, and this game accurately fits that description and is a poor representation of the genre. Even stepping on a LEGO piece is more entertaining than this.
ANNO: Mutationem is a solid game, definitely worth trying with a good 10 or more hours’ worth of story and action-packed gameplay. While there are a few things that could’ve been done better, the things it does do well are done incredibly well. The 2D side-scrolling action platform sections balance out the interesting, but confusing story and is more than enough to keep players engaged and help Ann Flores do whatever it takes to see things through to the end.
Other than a fancy new visual makeover and a crazy amount of new accessibility options, The Last of Us Part 1 sports a ton of new features made only possible on the Playstation 5, such as faster loading times and 3D Audio, making use of the Playstation 5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, which delivers richer soundscapes and bigger explosive moment through Naughty Dogs newly upgraded audio engine drivers.
I love the look of Gundams, so being able to see many highly detailed SD variants was an amazing moment for me. Having a large range of variant mobile suits, the details put into the designs are greatly appreciated, although the level designs can feel slightly empty. They feel very small to play in, but they range from canyons to cities and space stations. Playing in different environments is great, but given the size of the suits, I wish the play zone was a bit bigger with a few more enemies.
Crypto’s arsenal of weapons and abilities make a return, from his trusty old Zap-O-Matic gun to his Psychokinesis ability allowing Crypto to throw objects and his enemies flying. This all feels even better with how tight and responsive the gunplay and combat feel in general. While the classic 3rd person-style combat is simple, it works, and using all the different weapons and abilities at your disposal can be a lot of fun.
It’s amazing to see all these classic games ported to modern consoles. The Ninja Turtles, plus all their friends, and even the villains, have always had a special place in the hearts of fans around the world. These games played a huge part in not only the Turtles’ legacy but also video game history. Reliving these classics offline and online, and going through all their history in the Turtles Lair will create one shell of a trip down memory lane. Even if Konami has been a shell of its former self in recent years, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection’ is one of the best things they’ve ever done and gives the people what they want. COWABUNGA DUDE!
Thymesia is a solid souls-like game. The story may be a tad bit lacking at parts due to its short premise but it makes up for that with amazing combat and skill systems while throwing some truly enjoyable boss fights and enemies our way to clash with. I really do hope we see more things to come for Thymesia like DLC or at least a new game plus.
The Ascent: Cyber Heist offered an exciting reason to step back into the Arcology, and even more reason to bring a few friends. With new ways to paint the walls red through melee options and challenging fights to be had, this short but sweet add-on extends what made The Ascent so satisfying to begin with.
Graphically this game is stunning, the environment you’ll spend your time hunting in has been done with such high detail and makes it feel like you are there in that moment. Though, the details in the animal’s fur could have been fine-tuned a little to make them look a little more real. I was having issues with the rendering distance where the grass was just randomly appearing or the trees got their high detail when I got closer which took away from the experience a little.
There is a big collection of arcade units to acquire in the game, ranging from games that look similar to GTA but play like PAC Man, to a Frogger-style game or something like Candy Crush. Playing the games is fun but you will need to stop quite frequently to tend to your main source of income – the washing and drying. Arcade Paradise is a working simulator after all. Sure, you could play a game the whole shift and not earn any money, but then progression is slowed right down as your only income is the coin hoppers from the arcade. Balancing gaming and working is the go-to action needed to keep a decent and steady income.
Ynglet is truly a unique game that needs to be played to experience its obscure but entrancing design, which players may not understand at first, but will find themselves drawn in and still playing long after questioning what it was to begin with. Ynglet will take you on a spiritual journey unlike anything else.
The main draw that will keep players invested and are most likely the reason most even picked up the game – collectible lewd images. Keeping with the modern pixel art style, there will be collectible images that progress the story as Sofiya discovers herself and offers herself in increasingly more provocative poses. It was innocent enough for the most part and offered tongue-in-cheek humour at the same time. The overall play time meant that you could burn through the game quickly, and if you put in a bit of exploration, you would be able to fill the galley for your viewing pleasure with ease.