Smash Jump
HomepageSmash Jump's Reviews
Octopath Traveler 0 is a great entry in the series. While it may not reach the heights of Octopath Traveler II in terms of presentation and character arcs, it surpasses the first game on all accounts.
The game provides a masterful way of experiencing the iconic flying simulator series not just on console format, but for the PS5. With so many bad actor clones of the genre out there, it’s great to see this one should finally put those to rest.
Demonschool is a stylish and unique strategy RPG that offers plenty of challenge, creativity, and charm that should keep you satisfied well beyond the holidays.
It’s a lonely journey through a cold world that I’ve found myself drawn to continuously since I finished it. With this, one fact keeps coming back to me — nearly 15 years after I first saw it, Routine is out, and it’s good.
I recommend giving A Game About Digging A Hole your time. That way, you can see what a simulator can provide and how it pushes the envelope a little bit in terms of where it wants to go with the story. Not just that, but it may even tempt you to dive back in for more than one playthrough of digging for treasure in your backyard.
If you play COD primarily for competitive modes or co-op survival, this is one of the strongest releases in years. Solo campaign players, however, will find it deeply frustrating. Regardless, BO7 should represent a wake-up call for Treyarch and Raven in how they deal with the story, characters, world, and future of Black Ops.
There is a good game inside this remaster and if this was your only option then the package is actually pretty solid.
Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit is undeniably made for the fans. In fact, I’d go as far to say that it’s a must play if you’ve kept up with the Nerd over the years.
In the state that the game currently sits, it is a hard justification to dive into if you already own the titles on other systems. But if you are a newer fan or want to enjoy it on modern systems, it’s the best option.
Devil Jam is a solid player in survivors-like games, and I think most players who enjoy them will want to give it a play. I even see a chance at this game drawing in from the music crowd, especially because of the rhythm-like mechanics. It is a fun, rewarding play loop that has the air of addictiveness to it. It’s a great game to spend time on, and the increasing difficulty scale keeps it somewhat different as you progress.
If you haven’t played a platformer or are accustomed, Yooka-Replaylee is something that shouldn’t be missed. Playtonic wanted a chance to redeem the game for the first time… and you know what? They knocked it out of the park.
For the most part, this game will be best enjoyed by a very particular type of audience, especially those interested in philosophical musings. I’m not sure if the majority of players will fit into that audience, but I do believe that there is enjoyment to be had on some levels by a large chunk of players.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds maintains the goodwill and positivity of Sonic the Hedgehog’s recent return to form in the gaming space and is essential for both fans of kart-racers and the blue hedgehog’s legendary franchise.
The game is inspired by both Dark Souls and Resident Evil 4. It doesn’t hit the highs of those games, primarily because of drab environments and sometimes boring gameplay. The Switch 2 version doesn’t do much to distinguish itself from a Switch 1 game, but some of the effects do look next-gen.
Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 epitomizes what a modern video game should be. It is accessible, addictive, and visually stunning.
Overall, Gears of War: Reloaded is a disappointing first endeavor on the PlayStation 5. While getting to experience the story is something I enjoyed, it's not the best part of this title. In an age of remakes and remasters, this doesn't fit the profile. With the visuals getting only some touch-ups, the audio is not great. Plus, the controls feel as old as before, making this feel just like a one-to-one port. Many PlayStation players may get turned away by the lackings that this title offers.
The potential of becoming addicted to a game like this, in a similar way to playing other RPGs (like Pokémon), was drawing me in. Now that I've got that experience, I don't think that the systems are intuitive enough for this Story of Seasons game in particular to be enjoyable. The systems, from agriculture to animal husbandry to fishing, never hooked me, and it just feels like a hassle having to water the plants every day or feed the animals.
The competition that Shantae is up against on the Switch means it doesn't stand out as a release compared to when it was released on GBA. There are so many great metroidvanias on Switch that I don't know if the title is as valuable on Switch as compared to its release on GBA, where there are so few metroidvania-type games.
Don’t let the 8-bit graphics fool you OFF has a lot to offer with its funny dialogue, a strangely atmospheric setting and solid turn-based RPG gameplay.
Having a Donkey Kong platformer for the Switch 2 launch year is a bold move from Nintendo. Everyone was expecting a sequel to Mario Odyssey but instead they gave us a Donkey Kong developed by the Mario Odyssey team, but it’s nothing like a Mario Odyssey game. It’s a game of its own caliber. Donkey Kong throws punches like we’ve never seen before.