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Sniper Elite Resistance is a bit of a mixed bag, but it often does right more than it does wrong. The campaign is fine enough when you are playing with another player, but its story is lacking and its character models are incredibly subpar, especially compared to Sniper Elite 5. However, the multiplayer is what saves this entire package and is damn fun, making me eager to jump in once servers are properly populated. While it is more of the same, and that is both damning and expected, it is at least more of the same of a game that was incredibly fun. And hey, you get to smack a bunch of Nazis around
Eternal Strands may initially look generic and not offer much to it that hasn’t been done before, but it greatly opens up to have a flexibility with its powers and systems that I don’t see anyone doing. For a debut game from a studio with an immense amount of credits to their names, this is a solid adventure that is rich and rewarding in its system as much as it is to its story and charm. While it certainly is inspired from a wealth of games, it more than justifies its existence by actually making those components feel fun to engage with. People often say they want new games with fresh experiences, and Eternal Strands may be set in the familiar, but it is certainly one of those games to support and celebrate.
Dynasty Warriors Origins is a really enjoyable game and the best looking title in the series by a mile. The story may tread on familiar territory with being a tad bloated in conversation, but the bonds you’ll make with the massive cast of characters can produce some really fun moments. With a ton of weapons to master and a decent skill tree to work towards, Origins is a staggeringly solid comeback after the disastrous Dynasty Warriors 9. Whether new to the series or a veteran of the franchise, Origins is hands-down the best in the series.
Star Wars: Episode One: Jedi Power Battles Remastered could have been a charming beat’em up and fixed the list of issues that plagued it several years ago. However, with no real changes to gameplay, visuals, or its structure, Jedi Power Battles is the same bad Star Wars game it was 25 years ago. While co-op can alleviate some of the tedium and frustration in the controls, platforming, and combat, there are simply better games out there that also provide a better playing experience.
DreadOut Remastered Collection may not really be “remastered” and is more of a direct port, but it does provide a decent amount of spooks should you find the camera mechanic to suit what you want from it. I still think the camera needs to be more responsive, and that some encounters altered to address the size of the environment. Regardless, there is something still charming and well done about the presentation here that can, at times, make those issues sting a little less. If you’ve found enjoyment in the past with Fatal Frame and its sequels, then DreadOut may scratch that itch, just don’t expect too much.
Hollowbody is a pretty impressive game, especially one crafted by a solo developer. It reminded me a lot of 2021’s Tormented Souls, a Resident Evil clone that didn't look to reinvent the genre, but to contribute to its roots and provide that type of experience. There is enough here to keep you motivated to see it through, even if most of its environments tend to repeat a lot of the same overall aesthetics. It’s certainly a game of its inspirations and often does the genre right.
If you enjoy a solid Metroidvania that can provide a decent amount of challenge without being insanely difficult, The Lost Crown is a pretty satisfying journey in an effort to bring back a once beloved series that is one of my personal favorites.
Xuan Yuan Sword: The Gate of Firmament is unfortunately a very poor experience, regardless of having the fundamentals of what should be a good game. From horrible presentation to constant mini-map glitches, there is almost nothing to like here. Combat is bland, environments are incredibly lacking, and the voicing acting and direction of this game is atrocious. Xuan Yuan is meant to be a treasured series in China, but nothing here is convincing me of it. Xuan Yuan Sword 7 was a very impressive game, but The Gate of Firmament is simply awful.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a stunning example of a licensed game that absolutely nails the source material. From incredible performances to jaw-dropping visuals, MachineGames clearly built this game with passion and respect for the franchise's legacy. While Troy Baker may have been at the bottom of the list to take over the role, his performance is honestly stunning and does a lot to immerse you into this beloved world. This isn't just the best Indiana Jones game, it's one of the best licensed games ever made.
The concept behind Star Trek: Legends is sound. Its narrative hook of combining several eras of the franchise is a cool idea that plays off well in character moments, but the story itself lacks a true threat to really have it remain interesting. The mobile trappings are certainly felt here, despite no paid storefront to be found. It can be a bit grindy, repetitive, and lacking that ability to pull you in, to lose hours into the night, but I did find a bit of enjoyment here, especially for the low price.
Stalker 2 sounds like an amazing game on paper with all the immersive elements you need to thrive. However, playing it is another story. There are some sound ideas here, but the gunplay, inventory systems, and countless bugs, just don’t do it any favors. Stalker 2 is a game you need to experience on its terms, so your mileage will certainly vary on how tolerant you are to its rigid structure. Regardless of the incredible story of what is behind this game’s history, I just couldn't find a compromise between what this game offered and what I wanted from it.
Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind may show its budget across the whole package, but it is certainly money well spent. There is a care and passion behind every pixel that is present across both the brawling stages and the arcade-like experiences of piloting the Zords. There is a joyous energy to this game that is infectious, and while it certainly has its own share of issues, I am eager to see what this team can do with a sequel that is refreshingly hinted at.
Voidwrought’s strong visual style and musical score enhance an already stellar game with a great sense of mobility and combat focus. The exploration of its world is constantly rewarding, with countless relics and souls to track down, always ensuring you find something new for your trouble. With a challenging series of bosses to vanquish, a world to explore, Voidwrought is wonderfully designed, even if its story is unfortunately disappointing.
Fans of the games have waited patiently for this series to return, or even to have the original games available on modern hardware. While this collection does a respectful job of preserving the original two games, I do wish more work had been done to make the environments really stand out as much as the vastly improved character models do. Still, the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Collection is a great attempt to improve these games, even if they never really played that well in the first place. While they are clearly dated in their design and feel, there is nonetheless something special about Raziel’s journey, and the technical might those games presented way back when.
Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 is a great game, that should be better than its predecessor if not for the technical hurdles it places onto the player. With that in mind, it is probably worth waiting until you can play without the limitations of your internet connection or data usage.
Find Love or Die Trying certainly doesn't reinvent the visual novel wheel or add much to the genre, but it is enjoyable enough to entertain you for a brief few hours. It has a cast of fun characters, a twisted take on the dating game, and a decent story to wrap it all up in. If you enjoy the genre and want to know how it ends, certainly check it out.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is very much destined to be a decisive experience due to its more action-orientated combat, its cast of characters, visual style, and its writing. While I don't agree with every choice made here, and a few less than impressive character arcs, as well as the lacking presence of its elven gods in its story, Dragon Age: The Veilguard gave me everything else I wanted from it. It's action-packed and visually pleasing, and its use of Solas is extremely well-crafted and more than kept me entertained. Dragon Age was always going to be a challenge to remain relevant and a crowd-pleaser after a decade away, but ultimately, I loved it and it's one of the best games this year.
Rage of the Dragons is not only a great successor to what would have been a great Double Dragon fighter, but it almost plays like one of the best SNK games out there. It’s a colorful and vibrant Neo Geo game that while got a lot of love back in the day, the limited reach it had back then is over. While we are eating good for fighting games in 2024, Rage of the Dragons is a solid snack that you should certainly add to your buffet of great titles this year. With solid character designs, gorgeous pixel art, and a deep and rewarding combat system, there is a lot to like here and get lost in.
Threshold is interesting, but didn't captivate me in the ways that Mouthwashing did. It has an eerie charm to it, and the PSOne/Nintendo 64 visuals do a lot to give this a nice unique look among the tons of sprite-based indie games. It may be a short shift, but you'll always remember your brief stint as a member of the Border Post, just don't tell Mo.
Slitterhead’s issues run pretty deep as it’s a repetitive experience that doesn’t really play around in its horror aspects nearly as much as it should. Slitterheads run from you as opposed to the player being stalked or hunted. The game shows its hand very early and never changes up its combat, exploration, or mission design. There are genuinely maybe four unique missions here that then get repeated countless times in favor of a time travel story of “how do we fix it this time” that doesn’t pay off. There are interesting ideas here that could translate to a more improved sequel, but nothing here indicates that this game will do well enough to even warrant one.