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Expedition 33 is a masterpiece and a game that will be talked about for years. From the brilliant story, expertly delivered performances, to one of the most memorable soundtracks and casts in years. Turn-based games have had some struggle in capturing a new audience, usually lacking the action and excitement most games today offer. However, Sandfall Interactive proves that the execution is what matters, offering a turn-based system that is insanely action-packed and constantly engaging. Expedition 33 is astounding, entertaining, and wildly successful in everything it achieves.
While the presentation of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is top notch, with its REV and SPG systems being solid additions to the series to have it stand out, the limited modes and questionable additions of real-life people, can be some odd choices to accept. Still, with solid online, some fan favorites in the cast, and a fantastic soundtrack, Fatal Fury is a true competitor to Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and several others that are taking the fighting game landscape by storm. Fatal Fury is back, and better than ever.
The First Beserker: Khazan is an absolute riot. It’s brutal, punishing, and has so many systems, mechanics, and upgrades, that show their purpose immediately. The customization you have for Khazan is perfect for build-crafting, even within each weapon type. Khazan has its presentation on lock and is a gorgeous game with incredible art direction and tone. It’s action-packed, its bosses are spectacles, and with nearly 70 armor sets to craft, there is so much to this game beyond a single playthrough.
Steel Seed is a game right up my alley. I love this genre and the games that have that surface level of jank. There is just something about seeing a game built with such clear passion that sometimes doesn’t get the level of polish we see in AAA. I get that many will see a very bare-bones approach to its combat, and I totally agree with that, but there is something fun here that I had a great time with, crashes aside. It's flawed, certainly, and could have used more to make me enjoy the two leads, especially Koby, but ultimately, it's an experience I enjoyed, and eager to see what the team does next.
Hot Rod Mayhem joins a genre that is packed full of some of the best games ever made. Sadly, it brings nothing to make it stand out or add to the genre, making it very forgettable. While its courses are pretty enjoyable, with several ways to engage with them, this is nonetheless a title that will remain in the rearview of a stacked collection of gaming greats.
Primal Game Studio has crafted one of my favorite games this year, an experience that seemingly came out of nowhere. With a flexible class system, and wonderful level design, as well as a host of deeply challenging boss encounters, it's the best Metroidvania since Metroid Dread, a title I cherish as a near-perfect experience. Mandragora has its flaws, and some are more apparent than others, but ultimately is a wonderful new addition to the genre, and an absolute must-play.
In the end, as a fan of the genre, Ixion is a deep city-building strategy game that puts a bigger focus on story to set itself apart from the competition. So, if you’re familiar with the genre, Ixion is definitely worth a try. Unfortunately, given its current technical issues and less-than-optimal controller-friendly design on console, I can say it’s a decent game with lots of space for improvement. So, for now, if you have the option to experience this game on PC, I strongly suggest that platform as it feels built solely for it.
Lost Records is certainly enjoyable depending on whether you get the true ending or not. Its resolution is brief but wonderful, and despite a poorly executed second chapter that led to it, it’s a package of two episodes that waver greatly in their quality. Bloom did a great job at building the bonds between the girls, but Rage fumbles so much of its potential to get to its ending.
Pilo and the Holobook is a charming and bite-sized adventure with smart puzzles and a clever sticker system that could entertain kids of all ages. Pilo is adorable, and the lesson he learns on his journey is one that I feel is needed in times like these. With a fun sense of discovery and some playful characters and locations to explore, Pilo and the Holobook is quite simply a delight.
While the initial few hours really made me fall in love with Star Overdrive, the longer I spent with it, the more some of its design choices made me fall out of love and start to notice and experience the extreme tedium that is baked into progressing the main story. The hoverboard is essential to the game, which is why the slow moments of it can result in far too much trial and error as you attempt to master it to sail high to your next objective. While its story’s conclusion was certainly worth the journey, the path there was sadly a bumpy one.
Lunar: The Remastered Collection’s strengths are easily its stunning soundtrack, engaging cast, and great writing, allowing for memorable personalities and events to rise above a fairly average combat system. The new cast is excellent, and the higher quality cutscenes allow Lunar to stand out from its contemporaries. The world-building and stakes are wonderfully crafted, allowing both games to be extremely competent adventures. If you haven’t had the opportunity to engage with Silver Star Story Complete and Eternal Blue Compelte, this collection is certainly worth it to embark on two underrated JRPG’s, that after thirty years, are finally back.
South of Midnight is a game of high highs and soft lows, largely contributing to some weak combat, that while often fun, is a tad too formulaic. While I certainly have my issues across several fronts offered in the game, the story, its rich characters and backstories are the star of the show and shine incredibly bright. Overall, when South of Midnight is firing on all cylinders, it's a truly remarkable story with engaging characters, a wonderful setting, and a music score that constantly shines.
Koira has an emotional journey at its core that has made me better appreciate the bond I share with my own dog, and that despite obstacles being in our way, that bond will see us through. The short adventure can see a few mechanics used a bit too often, but the few moments that stand out do shine a light on the darkness plaguing Koira’s surroundings.
Monster Hunter Wilds doesn’t stray too far from the pack, but the update via the RE Engine and some added mobility do make their presence known. While Wilds is certainly easier than previous editions, it carves its own path and delivers a truly memorable adventure.
Shadows of the Orient should be right up my alley. Pixel platformers are often joyous and engaging, but here, the game felt like it was fighting me at every step. Had the dash been available from the start with a better way to climb up when you are right at a ledge, then Shadows of the Orient would be downright impressive, instead of another platformer I’ll forget about by next week.
With some truly wonderful writing and an engaging pair of protagonists, I adored Assassin’s Creed Shadows. I was obsessed with finishing the assassination targets and working through the Objective board with many late nights to see it through. The wait for Ubisoft to bring the series to Japan has been worth it, especially given the technical appeal of modern gaming making it even more impressive than I had imagined. Naoe and Yasuke are my definitive heroes for this series, two individuals who are wonderfully portrayed by their respective actors, and the talented team that brought them to life.
While both Split Fiction and It Takes Two don’t quite nail the landing in their final acts, the journey is nonetheless a stellar example of how to do a co-op game justice. Split Fiction’s spin of sci-fi and fantasy works extremely well here with a captivating pair in Mio and Zoe, two writers who push through their own personal traumas to heal alongside one another. Split Fiction is the definitive co-op experience with engaging mechanics that constantly impress with their creativity and design. With unique mechanics around every turn, Split Fiction constantly keeps you on your toes and rewards you with a truly sensational adventure.
Given how quickly RGG can turn around a game, especially as this is the sixth Yakuza game in five years, you sort of get what RGG has done here if you are aware of their history. Visually, the game is fine enough for what it is doing. It’s not a next-gen masterpiece, but the series faithful know what they are getting here. Similar to previous entries like “The man who erased his name”, this is a small side story that looks to expand upon key moments the series is fleshing out, given the fall of the Yakuza in Like a Dragon. And, with where this story wraps up, I’m interested to see how Majima and those present in the game’s final moments, look to play out their respective futures.
Why its combat has kept me at arm's length from labeling this as a masterpiece, I still found Kingdom Come Deliverance II to excel and innovate in ways the genre has desperately needed in years. In a lot of ways, this is the definitive Bethesda experience that we are unlikely to see from the publisher. Warhorse has delivered a wealth of smart design and function here to craft an absolutely impressive saga that is as brutal as the era requires.
Warriors Abyss may be an asset reuse from the history of their respective franchises, but it takes those assets and builds a rather enjoyable roguelite around them. Yes, it is pretty repetitive as it doesn’t have the non-combat moments that made Hades so memorable, and the story itself is very basic, but the gameplay is what helps this title shine. With its low cost of entry and a massive cast of 100 characters, there is a lot to dive into, and is one hell of a time.