CBR's Reviews
Ultimately, if you've played one Just Dance game, you've played them all, as not much varies when it comes to the actual gameplay itself. However, if fans see a handful of tracks that they're interested in playing in this year's edition, Just Dance 2025 will be a welcome addition to their library. Hardcore fans will likely already be purchasing the game anyway, but for new or returning fans, this seems as good a point to jump back in as any.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed is a surprisingly good movie tie-in game. It has more to offer than most modern beat-'em-ups and the few tie-in games that are still made these days. It takes inspiration from the Persona franchise, which hasn’t been done in games of this kind. Thanks to the movie's returning cast and the game's expanded character development, Mutants Unleashed stands out as one of the rare, excellent movie tie-in games. Unfortunately, its camera and combat get in the way of being really great or even perfect. Still, for turtles fans, especiallyt those who loved Mutant Mayhem, this is a game that’ll make them shout "Cowabunga!"
Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition is a good offering for any fan longing to return to the Darksiders world. It's also a great introduction to the long-running series for newcomers. The visuals and frame rate were updated so well that it makes the excitement of having a new Darksiders game in the future that much more thrilling. However, the biggest issue with this otherwise gorgeous remaster is that the camera and controls are incredibly outdated. Worse, they're completely unresponsive in parts. A couple of bugs also crashed the game, and can force the player to restart from their last save point. That being said, anyone who wants to dive into this world and can endure these frustrating setbacks should still give this remaster a shot. Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition is a fun opportunity to get into this beautiful post-apocalyptic world.
Silent Hill 2 Remake is a sublime masterpiece that will leave any player shaking with some of the scariest moments in gaming history. The remake's updates plus modernized visuals and controls make even something as old as Silent Hill 2 feel like it came from this generation. If any player gets the chance, then play this game with headphones. The audio design is some of the best ever heard in recent memory, as the little sounds and scratches make walking through a hallway even more disturbing than the actual monsters. Fans of the original game are justifiably skeptical, but this remake deserves a chance. Silent Hill 2 Remake should be gamers' top choice to play during this year's spooky season, and for those who want to experience the full potential of today's remakes.
Intentional or not, the release of Metaphor: ReFantazio and its politically charged tale of governmental figures using hate and fear to rule over its people couldn't have come at a better time. Regardless of what 2024's tail end and beyond will bring, the game argues in favor of indulging in optimistic fantasies, especially when the harshness of reality can make these dreams seem impossible. However, one shouldn't lose their head in a book, or a game in this case. These fantasies won't become reality until someone takes the first step forward and fights for it.
Backyard Baseball ‘97 is a fun game that'll attract any baseball fan, especially if they played the original. The cast of characters are the remaster's real MVP, as each kid is memorable and leaves an impact. While the mechanics are pretty simple, there’s a little more depth than players might think. It may take some time for newcomers to adjust to the game's old-school pace and speed, but it works charmingly for those who grew up in that era. Backyard Baseball ‘97 is a fun, casual game that will scratch that baseball itch.
The Legend of Zelda is at its best when the series genuinely commits to its new ideas. For better and for worse. Albeit rough around the edges, Echoes of Wisdom is a valiant first attempt at giving Princess Zelda her own game and steering the series back to familiar territory.
The Plucky Squire is, ultimately, an indie game that hearkens a lot of nostalgic feelings from previous generations. The blend of The Legend of Zelda's classic gameplay with the Paper Mario style of storytelling and characters is a pitch-perfect combo. Then, to pay homage to more modern 3D platforming, Jot going outside the book to traverse the desk makes for a great set piece. It's a testament to this game's fun and ingenuity that a few minor bumps along the way barely affect its overall quality and lasting impact. If any gamer is still on the fence about The Plucky Squire, ditch the hesitation and play this game right now.
However, the gameplay sours this otherwise heartwarming and nostalgic experience. Controlling the babies is frustrating, and it's made worse by the fact that the player is forced to navigate through unforgiving stages. Unless someone is a massive Rugrats fan, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a game that can be skipped. For now, it's better to either watch playthroughs online, or just revisit the classic cartoon from the very beginning.
At worst, shortcomings like the lukewarm new abilities and the glaring absence of voice acting limit the remake from reaching its true potential. If anything, these missteps speak more to the game's missed opportunities than a supposed lack of quality.
From PlayStation references to charming interactions with other Bots, there’s a treat on every level. It’s wild to think that Sony finally has a platformer that rivals the excellent 3D Super Mario Games, but Team Asobi really did it. Don’t miss out on one of the best platforming experiences in gaming history with Astro Bot.
Now, over a year-and-a-half after the release of Hogwarts: Legacy, fans finally have their chance to show off their skills on a broomstick thanks to Quidditch Champions, and for the time being, it seems as though it's been a welcome addition to the gaming sphere.
Despite being a sincere love letter to Atari and retro gaming in general, Yars Rising is more of a warning of blind nostalgia's follies than an affirmation of it. It’s also a reminder of why hacking minigames are just that: minigames. These repurposed Atari titles were better in small doses, and should arguably never have been turned into an entire title's gameplay loop. Their high frequency and tedious difficulty just made Yars Rising a chore to play through. It’s far from the worst game of this year or of its kind, but Yars Rising just can’t stack up to the proud legacy of Atari and WayForward itself.
Astro's Playroom is too good to be true. It's a fun platformer with some of the best controls and is accessible to everyone who owns a PlayStation 5. With an experience like this, it's no wonder that Astro Bot has a devoted following so much that a full-length game is coming soon. If you haven't played this gem, enjoy the pinnacle PS5 experience.
Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes is a fun and learnable fighting game that may attract beginners to this popular gaming genre. The addition of Uziki provides a welcoming change to the original game's character options that already offers an array of archetypes and fighting styles for everyone to enjoy. Fans of fighting games and Japan's anime-styled games will definitely want to pick up this title.
This title won’t be redefining the genre, and it plays like many of the other games in the Ubisoft catalog that most players are familiar with by now. Assuming players go in with reasonable expectations, they’ll have a good time with it if they’re already a fan of the genre.
For the price -- which is undoubtedly nice -- those with a keen interest in side-scrollers should check out Volgarr the Viking II. They should stretch for the bundle edition and play both back-to-back if possible. If this newest entry succeeds, who's to say that a third Volgarr game won't be made? Better yet, it's likely that even more additions will be made that will continue to refine this scrappy franchise. Go forth, master the arts, and challenge yourself to become the greatest warrior. Once that's done, you may be ready for Contra or Battletoads.
Octopath Traveler II proves that with the right number of updates to the classic formula, turn-based RPGs can still deliver a satisfying cinematic experience, even when the heroes are little pixelated baby-men.
While it doesn't take major steps forward mechanically, and its story may not hit the same highs as Shadowbringers and Endwalker, Dawntrail offers plenty of memorable and tear-jerking moments while digging deeper into Final Fantasy XIV's lore in exciting ways. The seeds have only just begun to be planted for the future of Final Fantasy XIV, but this expansion makes it easy to feel confident about where the franchise is going and how much it has left to explore.
It's not an exaggeration to say that this is Atlus' best revision to date, taking a 7/10 RPG and polishing it to near perfection. There are still some flaws, of course – the Canon of Creation will always leave a lot to be desired and the level design can be a bit hit or miss – but Vengeance redefines Shin Megami Tensei V with a vengeance. This is a JRPG with hundreds of hours of gameplay on tap and arguably the game Shin Megami Tensei V should have always been. Don't miss out on Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. We're only halfway through 2024, but it's already one of the best RPGs of the year.