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While they certainly have produced a solid entry here, certain systems and menus leave a bit to be desired. While it certainly is a deeper game than Bus Bound, and that may serve its audience, I simply found Bus Simulator 27 to not always deliver where I wanted from it the most; the driving. And with a few bugs to iron out, the current experience is a tad buggy, to say the least. However, despite my few issues here, Bus Simulator 27 does punch its ticket with deep and rewarding simulation systems that will keep you just as busy in the bus as outside of one.
Nioh 3: Hell Rising is more Nioh 3, and if that is good enough for you, then you'll likely be set for enjoying this 8-10 hour expansion that provides a whole new location to explore, and a very versatile new weapon. While the new Guardian Spirit is not going to likely be part of your arsenal, it is the reuse of so many encounters that disappoints the most. Nioh 3 is a truly fantastic game, and while Hell Rising furthers my time with it, I remain cautious if my next trip with be looking to the future, or another trip down memory lane.
Ultimately, NBA 2K27 doesn’t completely reinvent the series, but I honestly don’t think it needed to. Visual Concepts has instead concentrated on improving the actual basketball itself, and that was exactly what I wanted from this year’s game.
EA NHL 27 may not have delivered some ground-breaking systems that improve the game beyond its previous iterations, but it does present the game through more subtle ways like the playbook system and better goaltending on higher difficulties. Presentation is solid, but glitchy crowds and awkward animations still break through and can ruin your immersion, regardless of the vast improvements made to arenas. However, EA’s NHL has rarely looked or played better despite those annoyances, and if you meet the game on its terms, it’s bound to bounce the puck in your direction one way or another, just be ready to take that shot.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is some damn good fun, providing an action packed adventure I thoroughly enjoyed. Musashi's journey may obviously detour from his real life exploits, but the bond of strength he has with Ganryu makes for a compelling rivalry that sets this game apart from its peers. From compelling combat to a fantastic cast of characters and bosses, Way of the Sword was well worth the wait, and I can’t help but want more.
Shatterverse is surprisingly shallow for what it offers, but its fast paced combat does retain its signature feel. The multiverse appeal may be exhausting for some players, given its overuse in multiple forms of media at the moment, but a lack of creating your own Sam is an omission that is bizarre to me. Still, the cast here is fine enough, and at the end of the day, if it looks like Serious Sam and plays like Serious Sam, then I'm glad that the series is still kicking around, some 25 years later.
Lou's Lagoon was a fun and engaging crafting adventure that I had a lot of fun playing. Yes, there were a few hiccups here and there. but when dealing with the open sea and a magic storm, nothing will really be smooth flying.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is astounding, but does suffer a bit when it comes to the game’s lacking boss encounters, and some moments where the game wears out its welcome in the last few hours. Still, Asobo is a remarkable flexible studio that clearly knows how to produce real emotion out of its characters and stories in ways that defy the genre.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam takes the series' signature, high-stakes tactical gameplay and successfully translates it into the dense, chaotic jungles of Vietnam. Its optimization is a sore spot currently, but the changes the team has made from the beta to launch show that they are working on making this the best version of the game it can be.
War in the North: Legacy Edition is what it is, a modern port of the classic game. Its bells and whistles are few and far between, but the core game as it was is here and is a blast to play in co-op. Combat, progression, and the ability to swap between each character makes this one of the better LOTR games ever crafted. It’s certainly not without its issues, especially as those issuers are fifteen years old.
It may not always play fair, and it certainly doesn't take itself seriously, but that's exactly what makes Pro Jank Footy such an entertaining surprise.
Mortal Shell II is my favorite Soulslike since Elden Ring, and considering the titles that have released since then, it’s my highest recommendation that I can make. Cold Symmetry knew the assignment, and absolutely nailed it.
The Sinking City 2 isn’t quite a true sequel or that it feels as part of its heritage, the steps made to evolve the series into something more financially viable is a smart play and Frogwares has done their homework, or at least peaked over the shoulder in front of them to create a very impressive attempt at the genre.
Panzer Knights feels incredibly lacking, and not just in its basic visuals, as the colorful nature of its environments and the bantering of its anime girls does have some appeal, but it feels shallow and lacking any depth. From a barely coherent narrative that loosely ties together real moments in history, to limited combat options, and bizarre technical issues, Panzer Knights is an imitation of far better experiences.
Beast of Reincarnation is a good action RPG with some excellent ideas, but it needed a more focused collection of systems and a stronger final act to become the exceptional experience it occasionally threatens to be.
Farlands was an entertaining game on the whole. All the characters were charmingly unique, the story was fun to play through and I really enjoyed visiting each planet to experience their nicely designed environments and the challenges they brought with them. I really enjoyed this new spin on a beloved genre and really hope that perhaps they may add more things to do post launch.
Starbites marks the console debut of IkinaGames, as they have finally pushed into the console space with their sci-fi turn-based action title, Starbites. While a strong story and endearing characters truly shine through, the excessively repetitive combat and drab environments sadly drag down this could-be classic.
Beastro was a fun and fresh take on the deck builder/roguelite genre that I had the pleasure to play. From the engaging environment to the fun gameplay, I never once found myself wanting to stop until I got to the end. I would recommend anyone who likes this style of game to give it a try as it is one of the best I have played in a while.
Endless Ragnarok certainly entertains, even without a strong emphasis on its narrative, which I feel is a very noticeable blemish here. Combat, new encounters, or remixed ones, and the added features to kit out your characters are the strongest elements that make this DLC really worth it. Summons and the Conflux feel fairly thin on function, but can certainly entertain from time to time, it's just a shame the roguelike addition is solo only, otherwise I would have put more time into it. Regardless, Endless Ragnarok is a damn good addition to Granblue, even if it doesn’t soar quite as high as the game it is added to.
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu has incredible promise, but its execution seems like the team was punching well above their weight. This feels like something that should have been in early access or development for a few more months, not to mention a proper pass for console optimization. Still, what is here is interesting, and the sanity effects will certainly keep this game in the conversation, but more has to be added to keep those expeditions fresh and engaging. It may have moments of intense fun, especially with friends, but without a solid sense of progression, it’s hard to say if this expedition is worth its reward.