Analog Stick Gaming
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Docked is absolutely worth your time. While its menu-driven structure occasionally breaks immersion, the strength of its core systems, satisfying progression, and impressive presentation make it easy to recommend.
Requiem does a number of things well to accommodate two slightly different Resident Evil experiences without this latest entry feeling like two unique games. It also builds on the franchise in ways like never before, with a revisit to Raccoon City decades after Leon and Claire barely escaped with their lives. Leon's redemption arc and Grace being able to learn the truth is captivating, cementing Requiem as one of the all-time best games in the series.
With a ton of different items to boost your power, and seven immensely fun characters to master, EX is wildly fun, despite its noticeable flaws, and continues the adventures of Scott Pilgrim, and his unique cast of heroes and villains, all somewhere in Toronto.
Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties should have been a much better experience, given the studio’s ability to reform and rebuild so much of what worked in the original. However, with poorly implemented pacing, a ton of cut content, and an awful casting choice, the title only succeeds in any real way due to the main story. Kiryu’s journey to find that normal life is one worth seeking, as well as diving into the criminal mind of Mine, should you be able to put up with a host of various issues, and that Yakuza elephant in the room.
While an upgrade path would have been ideal, Disgaea 7 Complete has a wealth of content to keep you busy for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours. The main story can certainly entertain, but I found more enjoyment out of the DLC, even if the DLC stories are not voiced, which is a major disappointment, given the superb voice work throughout the main story. Still, there is so much to do here for fans of the series, even if the onboarding for newcomers is pretty steep.
For dedicated stealth fans, there is still enjoyment to be found. But as it stands, Styx: Blades of Greed feels like a good game that needed more time in the oven, one that falls short of greatness because of problems that distract from what it does well.
Gear.Club Unlimited 3 is a fantastic arcade racer on Switch 2, with impressive visuals, and truly engaging handling as you continue to tinker with your cars as you build your showroom. The Club building system is interesting, and while I wish I could navigate the facilities more like a menu, it nonetheless is a fresh take on the upgrade systems we've seen time and time again. If you're looking for a racer that isn't of the Kart variety, then this is it, and you'll pass the finish line in no time.
Under the Island was a super fun story to play through, and I wish anyone who sees this and is looking to dive into a 90s nostalgia trip through a new and vibrant world gives this title a chance!
Proud Nordics does provide some fine quality of life features, but they are still encased in an adventure that is nowhere as good as the previous entries in the series.
Ultimately, the game’s few technical issues are completely overshadowed by Reanimals' excellence across world design, environmental storytelling, and set-piece moments, not to mention its eerie use of audio, especially via headphones.
Romeo is a Deadman is certainly a Suda51 game, and while it is Grasshopper’s best in years, I do wish the No More Heroes jank didn't follow itself here and infect combat and general movement. Still, the craziness that is Romeo is a Deadman is sound, and those looking for another bizarre fever dream are likely to be pleased.
If you love bikes the same way that the team at Milestone does, then Ride 6 may feel like a dream, and there is an enjoyable game here; I just wish it had more in-depth content to keep me ripping down the tarmac for months to come.
Overall, I enjoyed Apartment 129 despite the few flaws that drew me out of some moments. The developers, Dead Witness, crafted a great psychological horror experience that I recommend any aficionados of the genre try. We need more of these types of games out there, regardless of its issues, and I'm excited to see more in the future from Dead Witness and Axyos Games!
If you haven’t played Nioh before but you enjoy soulslikes and character action games, then this is definitely a game you need to try. Its focus on player choice in approach, combined with more cinematic storytelling than its competition have made it my favourite game in the genre so far.
I highly recommend embarking on this lighthearted and cheerful adventure, as many of them await you in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined. Whether you’re a new or returning player, this is a truly great remake of a beloved JRPG that will stand the test of time for many years to come.
Cairn reaches not only the peak of its genre but the peak of gaming itself. Built on top of the foundation of climbing is one of the most beautiful, transformative experiences I’ve ever had in life, not just gaming.
I quite enjoyed I Hate This Place and found the gameplay loop to be solid. While the story elements waver in their quality, the world built here is engaging and rich with detail. While Elena may not want to return to the ranch any time soon, I could easily see a sequel that really digs into some more of this wonderfully crafted world.
Philna Fantasy has a lot going for it. The progression systems are great, and really allow you to customize your character and tailor them to what you want from them. The game has plenty of environments to venture through, bosses to defeat, and a solid combat system to devour. However, part of what makes a good RPG is its story, its cast of characters, and an engaging reason for your hero to take on this journey, and sadly, Philna Fantasy suffers the most in these crucial categories.
While I was drawn in by the peaceful/educational premise of Ancient Farm, the pinnacle of what can be experienced and subsequently enjoyed is too quickly achieved. In the face of this, though, the developers do give me hope with their active hands on approach, and perhaps in the future, could add more to the game. Until then, I will play Ancient Farm as a way to relax for a bit after a stressful day, taking in captivating Egyptian scenery.
Despite some poor choices and an unreliable mechanic, not to mention the annoyance that are the tremors, I still had a great time with Memories from Orbit, basking in its gorgeous visuals and memorable characters, and consider it as one of the better Metroidvania titles in years. That said, its issues are wildly apparent, and while they could be patched in the future, the title at launch is what it is, a fantastic game held back by some severe accessibility roadblocks.