Analog Stick Gaming
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Ultimately, Alan Wake 2 isn't merely a sequel; it's a multifaceted masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of gaming. The stunning visuals, impeccable audio design, innovative narrative delivery, exceptional performances, and clever use of live-action converge to create an unparalleled gaming experience. It stands as a testament to the limitless potential of video games as an art form.
Neva has a wealth of stunning artwork here with a soundtrack that is simply superb. Alba and Neva are engaging and well thought out, even if Alba passes out a bit too often for my tastes. Regardless, Neva is a true work of art with a combat system that is deep enough for what this journey needs from Alba and her incredible companion. Its puzzles are brief enough that I don’t find them consuming too much of my time, allowing me to move on and find a pace that works for me. Neva may not break as much ground as Gris, but Nomada Studios has nonetheless crafted a stunning adventure and yet another masterpiece to enjoy.
Unicorn Overlord never faltered and has cemented itself as one of the best tactical strategy games I’ve ever played. The similarities to Fire Emblem are certainly there, but its gameplay during battles presents a different approach to its combat that absolutely soars.
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter truly surprised me. It looked engaging from the few trailers that were released, but I never expected to be fully blown away, and yet, it’s a game that I adore. The game runs impressively on the Switch with not a single technical blemish. Arlo’s journey is emotional and engaging, with combat that suits the Warden of Wastes to find allies to combat this vampiric threat. With a wide arrangement of weapons and impressive abilities, you’ll find this to be a memorable adventure and one worth taking
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.
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine II is superb. Its campaign is well-written, its characters are engaging, and the complicated nature of working in the shadows allows for some tense moments that shine. Warhammer 40K deserved a visually impressive and chunky return, and Space Marine II is a bloody good time, and a game worthy of the Emperor.
This 60+ hour adventure to conquer its lands is certainly worth your time and money. Several of the game’s new encounters are among the title’s best, offering battles that will test you in ways most players wanted from the base experience. Shadow of the Erdtree joins the list of being one of the best expansions ever made, an adventure so epic and vast that you’ll continue to write your story in ways that feel as if this adventure is something you are the first to discover.
Gestalt: Steam and Cinder shines in its simplicity without any of its components feeling watered-down. The story and its lead character shine and work well alongside a great feeling set of attacks and abilities. For this being a studio's first game, it is remarkably polished with superb animations and detail. Make no mistake, this is one gorgeous game that shines with an equally great soundtrack to boot. It may not set the genre on fire, but it is an excellent entry that stands alongside some of the best to ever do it.
Caravan Sandwitch may offer a lot of gameplay systems we’ve seen before, but its cast and story feel part of the gameplay in ways that really make this game stand out. I would often just pick a direction and explore and take the van for a joy ride. While I would have loved a radio to swap to one of the game’s incredible songs, I would encounter small radios here and there and just take in the music and view. Caravan Sandwitch is special. Its joyful writing and charm are everywhere you look, with a crisp and gorgeous presentation on the PS5 that showcases one stunning experience to enjoy, and savor, and now all I can think about is sandwiches..
Astro Bot is frankly superb in its execution, offering delightful worlds, abilities, and charm. Its presentation across its celebration of PlayStation’s history is twofold; one where it honors what came before and the other side of the coin in that it shows how much IP PlayStation has intentionally left behind. Regardless, Astro Bot deserves to be in your collection, not just because of how great it is, but that it hopefully sells well enough to allow other teams at Sony to not follow the same basic third-person over-the-shoulder narrative trend the publisher has been clinging to for years. We need more charm and experimentation from Sony, and this game is hopefully just the start.
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.
Like Senua's Sacrifice before it, Saga is a showpiece of technical innovation by an incredibly small team. Its use of mental illness as a narrative device continues to be a core pillar of its experience, tapping into nearly every avenue of combat and narrative. Melina Juergens is joined by a phenomenal cast that each has some fantastic moments to shine. Senua's Saga is a cinematic masterpiece with noticeable blemishes in its puzzles that don't quite measure up to the quality bar raised by nearly every other part of this whole experience.
Mullet MadJack is a tour de force of sensory overload and pure chaos, wrapped in a tight 2-3 hour package that begs to be played over and over. If the final chapter is any indication on where a possible sequel could go, I am strapped in and ready to count down the seconds as bullets and mullets coalecse into something downright incredible.
Stellar Blade is a game I could sit here and detail every single enemy, outfit, skill, and character, and feel I am never saying enough about it. Combat is downright incredible, and the style and substance this game brings is impressive.
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.
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.
Mouthwashing is more bizarre than I could have imagined, especially during the game's final puzzle, a grotesque and disturbing moment that will stick with me for a long time. The approach to the game's visuals really sold the atmosphere and tone and took a game that could have fallen flat and really made it something really memorable. Mouthwashing is likely not what you think it is, it's far more bizarre than you could possibly imagine.
Despite the lengthy absence from the previous entry and a largely different developer at the reins, TopSpin 2K25 once again delivers that near-perfect gameplay we all remember with top-class modern presentation. Hanger 13 has truly served up an ace with TopSpin 2K25, and I can’t wait to take it to the courts and power-shot my way to victory in the months to come.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a triumph in storytelling and a strong example of how to improve a game significantly from the previous entry. Interesting new characters, strong performances, the new setting of Hawaii, and gameplay improvements combined with an almost infinite amount of things to do, resulting in arguably the best game in the franchise and certainly RGG studio’s best turn-based effort to date.
Metaphor: Refantazio expertly nails what it means to do. Its narrative and cast of characters shine in a wondrous fantasy setting that provides a ton of opportunity for a continuing series. While it doesn't stray too far from the Persona foundation, it is unique enough to satisfy both camps of players who may or may not get on with their previous work. While the pacing can drag on in some moments with the calendar system, and a final encounter I found to be exhausting, I am still a huge fan of what Studio Zero has crafted here, and am eager to see what they work on next.