CBR's Reviews
Human Within does an outstanding job with its message of AI technology becoming corrupted by the worst people possible. While some players will make the inevitable comparisons between this game and Black Mirror, this should be taken as a compliment. The future seen in the game is one that may seem barely out of reach, yet close enough. The game is an inspired and creative take on VR gaming, especially whenever it lets players assume control of Lyla's actions during the tech link sections. At worst, the algorithm puzzles were a bit of trouble, as getting a specific moment to trigger something can be more annoying than fun thanks to iffy controls. With the game clocking in at just around three hours, Human Within gives players a short and sweet, thrilling experience.
Behemoth is a truly exceptional VR experience. Its brilliant combat mechanics and immersive gameplay deliver a sense of scale and excitement rarely seen in virtual reality. Despite the shortcomings in its narrative and dialogue, the game's stunning environments, unique boss battles, and thrilling Behemoth encounters more than make up for it. It's an epic journey perfect for seasoned VR players or someone considering stepping into the world of virtual reality for the first time. Behemoth is an unforgettable journey that proves just how powerful and exhilarating VR gaming can be, and is a step forward that other developers should study for the next venture into the world of VR gaming.
It's a real shame that The Oath in Felghana just isn't the kind of game Falcom makes anymore, but the fact it's gotten a modern re-release at least gives me hope that Memoire releases of Ys I & II, The Ark of Napishtim, and SEVEN are right around the corner. Ys doesn't have the same magic it used to anymore, but as long as the older games remain accessible on modern consoles, we'll always be able to go back to the classics. Whether you're a JRPG fantatic looking for something new to play, an Ys fan clamoring for the old days, or just someone looking to take a chance on a new game, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a must-play and already a strong contender for best RPG of 2025.
Despite any downfalls that Turok 2 may have, it's still the best entry in the series. The addictive and fast-paced combat mixed with an impressive armory makes each level feel exciting to take on and the different environments keep it from ever becoming repetitive. While the original Turok created the foundation of what the series represents, the sequel fully realized this vision and turned it into one of the best first-person shooters of the Nintendo 64 era. Anyone looking for a retro game that'll keep them hooked from beginning to end, and doesn't take too long to finish, should look no further than Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. Just remember that there's a good chance that the lack of direction on where to go could make the experience less enjoyable, depending on the player's skill level.
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune offers a great preview of what future Uncharted games will provide. Nathan is such a fantastic protagonist that he rightfully became one of the PlayStation's flagship characters. Experiencing his adventure of trying to find Sir Francis Drake’s treasure is a great time, both from a gameplay and narrative standpoint. The game might show its age when it comes to annoying platforming that lacks today's polish and when its graphics erroneously prioritize photorealism over function, but these aren't enough to deter gamers to the point of skipping one of the best franchise debuts of the 2000s. If someone hasn’t played any Uncharted games, Drake’s Fortune is a tremendous start.
But in general, Alien: Rogue Incursion is a great addition to the VR library and Alien franchise. The amount of interactivity with the game's environments is superb, keeping the player engaged and giving a great sense of actually being in the Xenomorph-infested facility. On top of that, the gunplay is some of the best the VR market has seen in years (when it's working properly). Alien: Rogue Incursion is definitely worth being experienced by VR enthusiasts and Alien fans, even if it's a bumpy experience.
Despite certain but glaring shortcomings in its design and production, Vivid Knight is an infinitely replayable dungeon crawler that will have players sinking hours into the game. The fun artwork and sounds keep gamers in the difficult labyrinth even when they feel tempted to rage-quit after losing to a boss for the umpteenth time on the final dungeon floor. As the first game out of Asobism, fans can eagerly expect to play their upcoming releases in the near future.
As cute and fun as this game may be, it should not be recommended to anyone above the age of 10 or more serious players who have a lot of gaming experience.
There's something to love here for almost any type of gamer, including horror fans, Metroidvania enthusiasts, and even platformer lovers. While the combat can grow stale and tedious due to its lack of innovation, it's still good enough to keep the player engaged for hours on end as they traverse Deadside on their journey to save the world. The story of Shadow Man is really where it shines, though, with excellent voice acting and a dark tone that was arguably ahead of its time at its initial release. The lack of a traditional map may be offputting for modern players, but the removal of easy solutions does the game favors, as there's an incredible sense of accomplishment figuring it out on your own. Shadow Man was a fantastic game in the 90s, and now it's even more so with the remastered version.
The mobs are plain funny, and good for a laughing scream that has players swimming away. Players may even find themselves receiving a message from a Skeleton asking if they dropped a collarbone, not sure what that's about. This game will have players laughing, even if it will also sometimes have players annoyed and plain enraged by creatures and their poor stamina. Murky Divers is the type of game players should expect some rage-quits from, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't come back. The game has hours of fun to offer with friends, even if what's going on isn't quite clear, and even if the games can make a player want to throw their entire desktop out of the window in a fit of rage. It's a chaotic, funny, slightly-terrifying time, and a great addition to the survival horror co-op genre. With 1.0 now available, there's plenty more dismembered feet, nightmarish creatures and rage-quits to come.
Castlevania Dominus Collection sets a new standard for classic game re-releases. When Nintendo still struggles to make its classic gaming library legally accessible, Konami unintentionally provided the perfect history lesson on the Nintendo DS through this amazing handheld trilogy. The collection puts equally nostalgic but much lazier cash grabs to shame with how much it offers to both franchise veterans and newcomers at such an affordable price. Until Dracula is resurrected yet again in the next official Castlevania game, this collection and other retro Castlevania sets like it will provide plenty of whip-cracking fun to pass the time until that fateful day comes. Or, at the very least, until a new season of Castlevania: Nocturne is ready to stream.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game finds success by incorporating the most popular characters and references to SpongeBob SquarePants to create a uniquely physics-centered game set in Bikini Bottom. The plethora of minigames and areas to explore will likely have most players overlooking the game's flaws and repetitiveness, making it a worthwhile addition to SpongeBob SquarePants' already massive video game lineup. Despite the present challenges in game design and mechanics, the game provides at least five hours of fun and wacky game play that can be enjoyed by players of all ages.
River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next is both a solid role-playing game and a great beat-em-up brawler that is not afraid to challenge the player's fighting skill.
Ballionaire isn't lacking in potential or variety, or well-executed animation and art style; it can manage to hit the mark sometimes. It just needs an extra push. The lack of reliance on strategy for a player is a huge part; a roguelike is something that should be mostly skill. It's what makes the grind fun, challenging, and engaging. When players find themselves starting to go through the motions, watching another ball drop and hit none of the triggers they set in place, they'll stop caring. Their eyes glaze over, and five minutes later, they're closing the game and moving on to something else. For what it's offering, Ballionaire is so close to achieving what it's trying to do. It can provide short bursts of fun and something to idly participate in while having something on in the background. It's not a bad game by any means, but it has all the right stuff going for it to be better.
While Europa lacks depth and replayability, the game's $15 price point still makes it well worth the cost. Despite the linear landscapes and limited game play, players can expect to get at least four hours of entertainment out of the main storyline. Given its focus on visuals, music, and storytelling, Europa is most ideal for those looking for an easy and relaxing gaming experience.
Backyard Soccer '98 is another success for the Backyard Sports franchise's revival. The charm of the series (both the original and this relaunch) lies with the players and their quirks. Everyone gets a moment to shine, which helps build a team into a fun strategy. League Play and Practice offer tons of variety in gameplay and player choice. However, the lack of tutorials feels off, considering that not as many American kids know about the sport as they do about football or basketball. Despite this missed opportunity, Backyard Soccer '98 is still an excellent time for any soccer fan who wants to jump back into their '90s nostalgia, or experience something new.
Gamers looking for a true escape to a whimsical and adorable world are in for a treat with Critter Café. This is a refreshing take on the cozy game genre that eliminates the usual grind of endlessly gathering resources and constantly keeping critters happy and energized. The amount of free time that the game gives back to players rewards them with cuteness every step of the way. Whether it's filling late orders or rescuing critters, Critter Café provides simple yet fun challenges and instant gratification that allows the real world to gladly slip away.
Guilty Gear Strive is a great fighting game that fits right at home in the genre, and that doesn't change with the Blazing Edition. However, this "definitive" version seems rather pointless for most players, both old and new.
The announcement of Horizon Zero Dawn getting its own Lego title came out of left field, but playing Lego Horizon Adventures is all one needs to put any doubts and concerns to rest. Making Horizon's world much lighter and kid-friendly through the lens of Lego was a most unexpected but welcome surprise, not some cynical spin-off. Burch and the rest of the cast seemed to have a lot of fun portraying their characters in a more comedic tone. At its worst, the gameplay wasn't perfect; it needed additions from both the Lego and Horizon worlds to balance each other out. But even so, it doesn't matter if players are newcomers or established Horizon fans; everyone should play Lego Horizon Adventures.
Players will be invested in Black Ops 6 as much as they want to and participate in something that delivers precisely what it's supposed to. Fast-paced action, farcical storytelling, and access to a world of people who want to curse you out on a microphone -- that's what Black Ops 6, the Call of Duty series and most modern video games are all about.