Smash Jump's Reviews
Karma: The Dark World has a lot of interesting ideas, but it tells them in such a vague way that will leave many dissatisfied. Couple that with limited gameplay sections, cheap horror moments, a story that feels like huge gaps were cut for the sake of building mystery, and it’s hard to not be a little disappointed. However, that being said, Karma does have standout moments sprinkled throughout that elevates the game past its mediocrity. It’s graphically outstanding, the soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, and even though the game’s story is full of smoke and mirrors it does occasionally provide you with an incredibly well crafted scene or two.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers one of the best entries in the series. It incrementally refines the Ubisoft open-world formula and impresses with its characters and world-building, outstanding presentation, revamped and distinct combat, and stable console performance. There are several flaws, including storytelling and pacing, unbalanced protagonist gameplay, and some outdated traversal mechanics which stop Shadows from reaching its full potential. Nonetheless, Shadows is the culmination of lessons learned by Ubisoft throughout the years.
Split Fiction is an absolutely engaging delight from start to finish. It isn’t a perfect game by any means, and does have a few shortcomings that affect the narrative and accessibility for new players, however, these are minor problems. The game is an absolute ton of fun from start to finish, and it has an emotionally charged story that deals with a number of different relatable themes. Hazelight’s streak of providing exceptional co-op games continues, and Split Fiction further improves on their formula by providing us with their best work yet. With three amazing co-op experiences under their belt it’s hard to see them stopping anytime soon. Split Fiction continues to shows us why Hazelight is still the king of co-op games.
Wanderstop has a lot to say and, for the most part, does a pretty good job of doing it. It boasts an exceptionally strong narrative but at times struggles to reign in its own enthusiasm for that message.
It may be short, but it offers a well thought out and crafted experience, the freedom to dive in and explore at your own pace, while offering enough to do that your time with it won’t start to bore.
Overall, Aspyr has done a really good job of remastering Tomb Raider 4-6. The fact that you can switch between old and new graphics with the flick of a button is a feature I’d like in every remaster of a classic 90s’ game. The feature of saving at any time is also a good addition. It’s almost like having save states. Since these games are old and established, giving the player freedom over how these games are played is a positive feature.
If you were scared away by its commitment to realism, I implore you to give KCD2 and Warhorse Studio a chance as I did. If you're a fan of the series, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 delivers in every way you hoped, ascending to a select few all-time great works of art in the industry and one that was well worth the wait.
Citizen Sleeper 2’s blend of strong writing with mechanical systems that provide meaningful consequences creates a phenomenal RPG. With an alluring world, a cast of likable characters, and text that creates better pictures than some of the best graphics I’ve seen, this is easily one of the finest RPGs that is out there.
Eternal Strands does not reach the same heights as its inspirations Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Shadow of the Colossus, and Monster Hunter. It is nonetheless an ambitious debut from developer Yellow Brick Games that impresses with its worldbuilding and characters, fun boss battles, intuitive and experimental magic and physics system, and colorful presentation.
Sniper Elite: Resistance can have exciting moments. Getting spotted while finishing your last objective and making a hasty escape from the area can be exhilarating. However, these moments are squandered by rigid mission structures and stealth mechanics that have been implemented in more interesting ways in other games.
Project Tower has a lot of good ideas and can be fun at times, but it’s hindered by its lack of polish. The combat can be engaging, but quickly becomes frustrating thanks to the lack of smooth controls and animations. The story has an intriguing premise, but the game never commits to expanding on the universe it so desperately wants you to connect with. And even though the game is beautiful, the basic missing technical components give the game this unfinished feel.
Threefold Recital was a decent beginning for a new developer in the games industry but falls far short of an indie smash hit. It is technically sound and mechanically feels fine. The game has a decent amount of story and lore thrown into it, but the delivery of the story doesn’t quite fit right.
Stars in the Trash is a great game. It controls well, it has a fantastic art style, and it has good music. On top of that, the story is gripping and emotional, and it all comes together in one nice package. Unfortunately, the game has some issues, namely plot inconsistencies, price, and length. That said, I think these issues are minor and don’t hinder the game too much. If you’re willing to shell out the $12 the game costs, I highly suggest checking it out. It’s a fun, short story that I believe everyone can find enjoyment in.
While Besiege has its charm, it’s a tough recommendation for most players. I think the building is cool, the single-player can be fun, and the workshop is a great addition. That said, the game is hindered by its controls, lack of content, and price. This is definitely a niche title that I’m sure several players could pour dozens of hours into. So, if the game looks interesting, it might be worth a try, especially if it goes on sale. Otherwise, I can’t recommend the game. It’s an easy pass.
There are plenty of new moves, and the Team-Up mechanic adds a new layer to the competitive spirit of the genre. The lack of modes may be bothersome, but the game is still fun to play nonetheless. It’s obvious that a particular hero shooter inspires a lot of the game, but Marvel Rivals proves that is able to stand tall, even taller on its own.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a masterclass in faithfully adapting and elevating a beloved franchise. The title impresses with its first-person exploration and immersion, set pieces, level design, storytelling, and presentation. However, enemy AI inconsistencies, the lack of manual saves, and occasional performance mishaps leave just a few dents into this otherwise engrossing experience. While X may not usually mark the spot, MachineGames and Bethesda have struck gold here in what is one of the very best titles of 2024. I daresay the Great Circle may be an action adventure classic in the making.
Fear the Spotlight is a chillingly fun playthrough that is perfect for those craving a late-night spooky romp that can be finished in about five hours. The ominous and cryptic plot that unfolds had me hooked from start to finish. Just when you think it ends, it doubles down with an additional and equally scary campaign with Amy to shake things up. While the easy difficulty and slightly repeated gameplay are noticeable, it is never frustrating, nor does it detract from the eerie experience.
As someone who never played the original releases, the clunky controls have little precision, and the lack of quality-of-life features is clear, but overall, the game is still an eye-opening odyssey through the twisted hellscape of Nosgoth. Dismemberment and other animations are well done, and many cool gameplay elements really shine with this new coat of paint.
Overall, Rage of the Dragons NEO is an interesting and unique game in many ways. That said, however, the lack of content combined with the game's price makes it a hard recommendation. The characters and the gameplay are cool, but they aren’t enough to justify the value of the game. Now, if you are a fan of old NEO-GEO fighting games like King of Fighters, this game might be right up your alley. If you can find this game on sale, it’s worth checking out.
While some parts of the game still need a bit of time in the oven, I can see myself coming back to the Zone.