Analog Stick Gaming
HomepageAnalog Stick Gaming's Reviews
Yerba Buena has a solid idea on how to advance the puzzle genre, but lacks the execution to really pull it off. What is here is certainly enhanced by a fairly ok story, which has a very cool reveal behind it, but a lack of compelling characters, especially its lead, leaves Yerba Buena in a space where nothing really stands out.
Despite my criticisms, Mechanicus II is a solid game, but a very safe and uneventful sequel that provides a bit more than the bare minimum that a sequel should provide. It's presentation is wildly inconsistent, but the action, and tactical nature of the game is a huge step up over the original. I still prefer Rogue Trader, but for those who want more to explore in this universe, Mechanicus II does get the job done.
Luna Abyss’ strength may not be its originality, but it weaves multiple genres and shooters together to craft one of the most engaging titles this year. Fawkes and the collective stories that are presented here come to life with strong writing and brilliant performances, with twists and turns that are genuinely pulled off to sheer perfection. I adored Luna Abyss, and simply want more.
Forza Horizon 6 does exactly what fans expect it to do. It delivers a massive open world packed with beautiful scenery, an absurd number of cars, and some of the best arcade racing gameplay available today.
Directive 8020 may lean into some of the formula of its past brethren, but smart gameplay choices make it a vastly more modern and engaging experience, despite the excessive reuse of faces we've seen throughout the entire anthology.
Caromble! is still a decent time and I enjoyed playing through it. It was definitely a fresh take on the brick break genre and definitely a different style of game than I usually play. If you play this style of game, I can recommend it, but be prepared, because if you’re like me, it might trigger a switch inside you that can cause you to get frustrated.
Bus Bound is such a relaxing and chill experience that is a fantastic way to unwind and rake in a few podcasts and continue to unlock new areas of the city, bus routes, and customization options for your bus. It may disappoint fans of Bus Simulator in its watered down simulator elements, but It's a choice I strongly believe was the right call.
I wasn't expecting much out of Kiln, given that certain multilayer games have a decent hook, but lack the substance and addictive qualities that keep you coming back. Thankfully, Kiln has that hook, and Double Fine is dedicated to releasing new maps, decoration packs, and more, providing reasons to keep with it. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by Kiln, and currently am addicted to sculpting new pots, and discovering possibilities I never thought pots’sible.
The world of Opus: Prism Peak is a finely crafted tale that ebbs and flows with wrenching and heavy emotion not often felt in many forms of media these days. I kindly recommend Eugene's story to anyone ready to take the plunge into a new world that threatens to pull you in and never let go of the heart it exposes in you.
Mouse P.I. For Hire excels in its genre and has not only a well-executed story, but a fantastic cast of characters to boot, brought to life with some often superb vocal performances. The gunplay and action is damn fun, and accompanied by a great soundtrack, it gives this game not only a fun and unique vibe, but an experience that is oozing with character.
Tides of Tomorrow is a very unique narrative-driven title that could start a whole new genre. We've seen shared choices through various games, such as showing the percentage certain players made with said choices, but never to the extent of living in the choices made by other players. To that end, Tides of Tomorrow gives us a unique thread to pull on, and while it may unravel one of several different ways, it still provides a compelling reason to not only enjoy the story once, but to dive back in and see it from a totally different perspective.
Replaced didn't quite land for me from a gameplay perspective. Combat has its highs, but can be a tad repetitive due to encounters all structure the same way. Platforming and stealth did feel disappointing, but your mileage will certainly vary as while many absolutely loved those aspects, they just didn't hit for me and felt inferior to other games in the genre. Still, Replaced has a good story, great characters, and is a visual masterpiece that certainly is begging to be explored.
The Occultist should be a game that I adore, given these types of games are usually my bread and butter. But when you can’t get behind your lead protagonist, you sort of lose interest in their journey and what makes them tick. Godstone often looks the part, and while a few puzzles and scenarios are exactly what this game nails, the same can’t be said for the whole package. As it stands, this is a game with a ton of wasted potential as its individual components don’t gel, and a cool premise is something that can only get you so far.
Pragmata pleasantly surprised me, and if Capcom does intend to return to this in a few years, I’d love to see the hacking systems become even deeper and more personalized. Hugh and Diana are a wonderful pair, and each nearly steals the show from one another. Their journey to stop IDUS may play it a bit too safe, but the journey nonetheless had me over the moon.
The Town of Zoz has been a story given magical life. Landscapes and crowded town streets are stuffed to the brim with cultural influence that almost makes you swear you can smell Ito's cooking. Despite its technical flaws, there is a wonderfully unique farming/cooking/adventure game that sets itself far apart from a heavily populated genre.
If you’re a fan of word-based games of any kind, then Beyond Words is absolutely a must-play. It’s an experience that I will continue playing for hundreds of hours. While Balatro’s ‘lightning in a bottle' success might not be replicated here, it does provide that similar rush when a round goes your way and you feel like an absolute god. With all that in mind, it’s impossible not to recommend it to everyone who likes these deckbuilding roguelike-style games.
Crimson Desert is the next-gen game we were promised a decade ago by AAA publishers. The scale here is beyond massive, with hundreds of hours offered here if you can get past the game’s criminal control setup and sluggish opening few hours. With some bizarre design choices, Crimson Desert is a game that I can see both sides of the argument on, given the current state of the game. Still, Pearl Abyss has created what is effectively the next Skyrim, a game that offers an unparalleled amount of freedom, that rewards you the more you put into it.
While some art assets are fine, with some decent music, I struggle to really find anything good about the whole package. The story is miserable, with extended dialogue sessions that, while voiced, are simply not entertaining. However, the biggest issue is the bland gameplay that does nothing to even stand out, providing combat and platforming that are dated, even by NES standards. The Dead Shall Rise was a hollow attempt at revisiting the lore, and Ascendance simply echoes that same attempt, offering a story that fans of the series simply didn’t take to.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection was an incredible experience from start to finish. Its technical highs soar well above its predecessor, with few issues or gripes to address. That said, the series' online play has been a staple across the previous two games, so it does feel quite a strange choice to remove it entirely. Regardless, this is a must-play adventure, with stunning cinematic story beats, the engaging habitat system, and a collection of monsties so massive that you’ll never run out of moments to gush over.
Tombwater captures the soul of a soulslike game and wraps it in a retro-western inspired skin, while offering a deeper focus on story without short-changing the mechanics you’d expect from the genre. The basic map definitely hurts exploration, and the lack of accessibility will mean the game is unplayable for some people, but even then, it’s impossible not to recommend Tombwater to fans of soulslike games and retro games alike.