CBR's Reviews
Players with a longtime love of the Metal Slug franchise must cautiously approach Tactics. I's fun when it's all working correctly, but menus that seem to disobey logic, multiple bugs and more keep this from being the return of a great, misunderstood franchise. If Leikir and Dotemu can make the necessary changes to refine gameplay to a smooth state, then this release can hold fans over until Metal Slug 8 arrives, and even get them more excited for its arrival.
The final verdict on Dragon Age: The Veilguard for me is positive overall. I am already excitedly exploring a second playthrough and taking my time to really let the world, and everything I've learned, sink in.
Super Mario Party Jamboree shows the franchise still has a lot of life to it. The boards and minigames work in harmony to deliver a good party mode. Having Party Planner Trek serve as the story mode is a great choice, as it provides a nice story while giving incentives to beat the mode. Some of the motion control modes didn’t hit as well, and playing online could lead to problems. These minor bumps don’t stop the party's momentum, as Super Mario Party Jamboree is an excellent addition to the Switch’s final years.
Whether you’re a hardcore Sonic fan, a former fan, or someone who’s never played a Sonic game in their life, SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS is a must-play and one of the best games of 2024. Playing through Sonic Generations reminded me of winters powering through Sonic 2 all night and summers trying to get every emblem in Sonic Adventure 2. Shadow Generations was the one-two punch that convinced me I not only needed to replay these games, but actually play all the ones I’ve since missed. It’s been a long while since I’ve cared this much about Sonic the Hedgehog, but if SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS is the level of quality Sonic Team will be putting out from here on out, I won’t be looking away again anytime soon.
Marko: Beyond Brave achieves its simplest goal, which is being a good and fun Metroidvania. It may not go above and beyond the genre's constraints and expectations, but fans will still find the gameplay enticing enough. The exploration and unlocking of new abilities keep the game from going stale. What really holds the game back is the confusing map, which gets in the way of truly exploring and appreciating the world. While not bad, the story and lore are also so bland that they're practically skippable. Despite these, any Metroidvania fan should play and support Marko: Beyond Brave.
The DLC is held back by bugs that will hopefully be patched in the future, and preferably sooner than later. But even with the eventual updates and fixes, this is still a DLC that adds no spice to the base gameplay. Yet despite not making any big additions to the gameplay, Shattered Space is still a fun time. This consistency is a testament to the DLC's quality, and that of Starfield as a whole. It's for these reasons that Shattered Space is a good reason to dust off Starfield from the backlog and give it another shot.
Neva is a game that'll speak to any pet owner and touch their soul. The story between Alba and Neva is simple, but it is a tale packed with emotion that will make anyone tear up. It also boasts some of this year's best visuals with its watercolor background and vibrant colors. The gameplay and puzzles might be lacking for some, but it does the job.
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.