Evilgamerz

The concept of this game is certainly interesting; making difficult choices puts you to the test, but the consequences are vague. Sometimes levels are unlocked no matter what choice you make, and sometimes that is not the case. Consequently, it is unclear at times what is smart or not, and what constitutes a significant choice. Furthermore, unlocking tickets that appear on screen doesn't add much. Had your choices been made a bit more weighty, this game could certainly have been one that relies heavily on your morale. As a result, the game remains quite superficial, although it remains interesting to play. You can also finish it fairly quickly in an hour, so for a nice price, this is a fun diversion that certainly shouldn't be skipped, but won't be anything special either.

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I generally try not to be too harsh on indie developers, because they often make the most unique games. 'RIN: The Last Child', on the other hand, is simply not a good game. The idea of ​​the spells is fun initially, but everything surrounding it just doesn't work and only causes frustration. The floaty gameplay can be fixed to some extent with a few patches, but that map is going to be a lot harder.

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EA Sports FC 27 hasn't introduced much new in recent years, and that is actually the case here as well. Under the hood, the gameplay has been slightly improved, graphics have been stepped up a notch, and the game modes have been expanded somewhat here and there. The Grounds is cool but focuses too much on online, something not everyone will appreciate.

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As a puzzle game, 'Monowave' actually doesn't do very much wrong. Some levels are a bit tiring, but the game isn't particularly long and is ideal for shorter play sessions. The worlds are very nicely put together, and graphically it is something we haven't seen very often. This is a very successful puzzle game that both fans of the genre and platform fans can enjoy.

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STAR WARS Zero Company is a game that really surprised me. Even if you have no interest in STAR WARS, this is a turn-based action game that appeals to everyone. Whether or not the setting appeals to you doesn't really matter. The gameplay is satisfying yet accessible, although the options regarding upgrades and team composition might be a bit over-the-top and could be overwhelming at first. With many dozens of hours of gameplay, the game also keeps you occupied for a very long time, and the developer deserves praise for that, as they could have simply made a game that lasted just 8 hours. A great deal of effort and time has truly been put into it, and it shows. Fans of the STAR WARS franchise, in particular, will appreciate the many details and undoubtedly have even more fun assembling their crew, weapons, and alliances. So, if you love this genre, this is a must-play that you can't get your hands on soon enough, even in these busy times ahead.

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This new Serious Sam offers a side of the franchise we haven't seen before. I seriously doubt whether that is the right direction. You’ve seen the environments at some point, the enemies become very recognizable after a while, and the gameplay is too much of the same to become truly addictive. After quite a few loops, you’ve seen it all pretty quickly. The progression you make slowly but surely is the most attractive aspect of the game, but it is too slow. Co-op is where the game is most fun, and it is practically mandatory to play it. In that regard, however, I would rather see the good old campaign return instead of this roguelite approach that has now been chosen.

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With a total of nine chapters, this game is far from short. The puzzles are quite challenging and certainly not always easy, and the progression is very well structured. Only when you get a shotgun can you blast down a door. Only when you have found a specific item can you save to a save room and store inventory, and there are many lockables that you unlock slowly. In this way, the game world unfolds gradually. However, the time pressure has to suit you a bit, and even a watch showing how long you have left to survive might be a bit too much. It makes you constantly feel pressure to act and search quickly. In total, the game will take you at least ten hours to complete, and you will have to replay quite a few sections, considering you will likely die on the lower difficulty levels as well. Whether you feel like doing that and want to take the time is up to you, but if you do, that little bit of gold hidden somewhere at the bottom will slowly appear.

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The Blood of Dawnwalker does a lot of things we've seen before. The influence of other major RPGs is frequently noticeable, and comparisons to The Witcher, in particular, are easily made. Yet, Rebel Wolves has added enough of its own ideas to ensure that Dawnwalker doesn't feel like a copy. The time system, in particular, makes a big difference.

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The Sinking City 2 is mysterious, strange, clear, and beautiful all at once. The game has its flaws here and there, but is certainly not below average. Locations and many other elements are reminiscent of other franchises in the survival horror genre. Although I didn't encounter any game-breaking bugs or glitches, the game does have some technical, graphical, and audiovisual flaws. The puzzles are complex and complicated at times, which can occasionally lead to frustration. Otherwise, the game offers a nicely balanced horror element, and the changes in the world are well-developed as you progress through the story. Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and The Last of Us 2, all three to a reasonable degree, have gained a little brother. The direction is good, the camerawork excellent, and the story sometimes very surprising and mysterious, yet nowhere do those last elements feel out of place. Only the polish sometimes leaves something to be desired.

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Ground Zero Hero certainly brings unique elements to this genre, but it also fails to innovate intensely. You quickly get tired of the day-night cycle, and the mutations you have and can level up throughout the run aren't unique anymore after a short time. However, by unlocking new maps and mutations, it somehow remains addictive to keep playing. It took me about 5 hours to reach level four, the red Alien planet, and then there is still a final planet to go. Fortunately, the bosses are fairly easy, and when you can no longer upgrade, you can top up your health, candy, and money. After a few hours, I quickly lost track of time, considering a run only lasts about ten to fifteen minutes. Ground Zero Hero is therefore a title that really appealed to me, and is one of the best Bullet Heaven titles at the moment.

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Cost of Hope then adds another good reason to return. The new areas are interesting, the conflict between Duty and Freedom fits well within the series, and there is enough new content to spend quite a few hours in the Zone again. It is just a shame that the quests still so often require walking huge distances without always offering enough in return. All in all, this is a clear improvement over STALKER 2 at release. Not groundbreaking, not suddenly a completely different game, but a much more stable and beautiful version with a substantial expansion. Those who liked the original will find just enough new reasons here to return.

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When everything works, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is a beautiful hardcore shooter. Good teamwork can lead to fantastic moments that you don't often encounter in other shooters. But on the PlayStation 5, the technical issues mean you spend more time getting frustrated than enjoying yourself. The 60 fps is not reached too often, flickering shadows make opponents, which are already hard to see, even harder to recognize, and the audio had major issues at release. The worst part is the crashes. Losing two matches of over an hour, including all earned XP, is more than just a minor annoyance, especially when you need to level up classes to unlock new gear. Beneath all the problems lies an excellent hardcore shooter that can be fantastic with good players and communication. If the developers manage to fix the framerate, crashes, and graphical issues, this could be a title you can enjoy for many hours, but at this moment, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is not yet able to unlock its full potential.

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No More Room in Hell 2 has found an interesting combination of a cooperative zombie survival game and the tension of an extraction shooter. The extensive maps, scarce resources, permadeath, and the necessity to work together make for a cool experience. With seven other players actually communicating, the game can deliver fantastic moments, especially when a plan goes wrong and you have to improvise together to reach the exit alive. Visually, the whole package is solid and atmospheric. At the same time, the PS5 version makes things unnecessarily difficult for itself. The controls demand quite a bit from the player, and the interface in particular feels very cumbersome for a game where you frequently have to make quick decisions.

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It should be clear that 'Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls' is a successful tag team fighter. Casuals can hold spectacular battles perfectly well with auto combos, and the Tony Starks can go wild with all the bizarrely named mechanics. The game looks great, sounds good, feels good, and plays wonderfully. Fortunately, developer Arc System Works is not averse to supporting games for a long time, so there will likely be enough unique characters to make the current roster of “only” 21 even stronger.

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Although this game seems to have an intriguing plot, the polish on the Switch unfortunately doesn't quite live up to it. The characters also have a lively character, partly due to their excellent art style. However, the gameplay really fell short in too many ways, making the whole thing unfortunately feel rather questionable. An update might help, if only to give our protagonist a small health bar so that you don't have to start all over again at the slightest "hit." The controls on PC might be slightly smoother, but I still think the Switch version could use a more decent control update. With an update, this might be worth considering for fans of top-down shooters.

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Finding Polka is a cute, cozy walking game that impresses primarily with its beautiful hand-drawn black-and-white style. The gameplay is intentionally simple and offers little challenge or depth, but that isn't always necessary. The strength of this game lies entirely in the atmosphere, the creative details, and the unique world that you can discover at your own pace. Thanks to the compact playtime, the whole experience remains fresh and feels just long enough. If you are looking for a quiet, cozy game where relaxed strolling is more important than spectacular gameplay, then Finding Polka is highly recommended.

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BOKURA proves that you don't need a large budget to create an excellent co-op game. The combination of clever puzzles, constant communication, and the original way both players receive different information makes this a super interesting co-op experience. The narrative choices, in particular, add something I have rarely encountered in comparable puzzle games. This game is not recommended without a good co-op partner and voice chat. Additionally, it remains a shame that both players require their own copy and an online subscription. That makes purchasing a bit more difficult, but fortunately, the low price makes up for a lot.

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I have rarely played a game as intense as Turnip Mountain. The game is exhausting, and after playing just one level, I feel completely worn out and have developed a partial mouse arm. The controls are quite unique, mind you, and actually unprecedented, but for me, it became truly exhausting at a certain point, and after playing a few levels, it only got worse. It was just hard to get used to, although it does get easier after playing for a while. Turning to stretch your beet, jumping, swinging on chains—it all works, but at a certain point, it becomes quite grueling. All in all, the gameplay is quite unique and fun to experience. If you are a real die-hard, this game will undoubtedly suit you well and present a tremendous challenge.

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Helix: Descent N Ascent is a game that many people will undoubtedly pass over because they have never heard of it, but this game certainly deserves attention. The unique graphics exude a certain quality that I haven't seen very often, and the game's puzzles and gameplay also score remarkably well with me. You will be finished in just under ten hours, and the limitations lie mainly in the thinking required for some of the slightly more difficult puzzles. The game offers some challenge here and there, but never becomes too difficult, and the constantly expanding environments you play in, which open up via unlockable abilities, certainly have their charm. This puzzle game is therefore a must-have for every enthusiast.

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Heave Ho 2 knows exactly where its strength lies. The simple controls, creative co-op levels, and constant stream of hilarious situations make this an excellent party game for four players. Especially for a price of around ten euros, you are served a huge amount of content, with dozens of levels and enough optional challenges to ensure you get a lot of enjoyment out of the game for a long time. However, it is a shame that the developers opted so emphatically for multiplayer and that playing solo has even become impossible. Fans of the first game who enjoyed playing alone feel somewhat forgotten as a result. The battle mode is also a bit disappointing and clearly falls short of the fantastic co-op experience. However, if you are looking for a chaotic multiplayer game where communication, cooperation, and above all, lots of laughter take center stage, then Heave Ho 2 is absolutely recommended.

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