Analog Stick Gaming
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Dracamar has a nice idea of what it wants to be, I just don't think the feel of the game matches its charm. Its platforming is serviceable, and the transformations of Oki can be interesting, but Dracamar chooses the safest path at every opportunity. If you are new to platformers, then I can see someone enjoying this, even if there are countless better examples on the platform, but experienced players can easily skip this one.
With a great soundtrack, and a snappy battle system, LumenTale: Memories of Trey excels as being one of the better Pokémon style games, even if a few edges are rough and a true lack of originality hovers over the experience. Still, if you're looking for this type of game, do to Pokémon feeling a bit stale from year to year, few do it better.
UFC 6 gets far more right than it gets wrong. Flow State adds meaningful depth to the roster, Time Dilation Assists makes the game more approachable without sacrificing challenge, and the presentation package is the strongest the series has ever seen. Add in an addictive Career Mode and a handful of welcome new ideas, and UFC 6 feels like the biggest step forward the franchise has taken in years.
IO Interactive has really pulled off the best Bond game to date, giving us depth to a character that often is just regulated to being a generic action hero. Gibson's Bond is what you'd want from an origin story, as he is a Bond that feels perfect for the modern age.
I was invested from start to finish and I looked forward to what was going to happen every time the bell chimed when the door was opened. If you love to read, enjoy slices of life stories, or just need a comforting break from the stress outside, I implore you to give Coffee Talk: Tokyo a chance, and maybe even the previous games if you haven't already done so.
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.