CBR's Reviews
Tape 1 of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is immersive, delicately crafted to feel as close to real life as a video game can get, and bursting with supernatural mystery.
Be prepared to laugh, die a ton, and spend a couple of minutes here and there petting the good dog that stays by your side throughout its 20-hour story. Just remember, though: this game is not meant for kids.
Avowed is a terrific game from Obsidian Entertainment and is their best outing since Fallout: New Vegas. The world is rich with exploitable zones and characters to interact with.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a thrilling visual novel that uses its gameplay to the fullest effect.
The overhaul of graphics, the addition of a map and photo mode, and a plethora of bonus content make this remaster the definitive way to play the original and its sequel.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a phenomenal RPG that players will love spending countless hours on. Bohemia is prosperous and thriving, with a lot of natural interactions that can lead players on quests that feel like an adventure.
The PC port of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a fantastic upgrade to an already superb game. Everything is highly customizable for the player and will make any doubter turn their head.
Ninja Gaiden 2: Black is the definitive way to play Ninja Gaiden 2. It's a reminder that the Ninja Gaiden series was ahead of its time when it first hit the shelves, with it still having some of the best combat of any game in the genre.
It's a masterpiece that has some questionable design choices and glaring issues but still remains worthy of anyone's time who's a fan of the genre.
Faced with saving her family’s eatery and armed with nothing but her trusty spatula, Pom must explore the dangerous world to discover the ingredients she’ll need to cook up delicious recipes that will keep customers coming back for more.
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is a phenomenal game that new and old fans will love. It features gorgeous animation that's similar to childhood classics like Watership Down or The Secret of NIMH.
Slitterhead is a unique game with interesting ideas, but it doesn't completely stick the landing. The story of an evil entity infesting the minds of innocent civilians in a city is frightening and could have been great if the game had gone in a different direction.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a fun time for any platformer fan. The levels are creative and will leave gamers with their jaws on the floor with how imaginative it gets.
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.