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While it might play it safe in some regards, Ghost of Yotei is a sequel that builds off the greatness of the first. Often feeling like a tale pulled straight from the American ‘Wild West’, the vibrant setting of a 17th century Ezo is the perfect backdrop for telling Atzu’s journey of vengeance against those that wronged her. It’s combat might feel similar to the first entry in the series, but the addition of some new weapons and a terrifying companion make it just as brutal and fun to master as before. Though it might not reinvent the wheel, Ghost of Yotei is another solid entry in Sony’s cinematic single player catalog that should be picked up by anyone who enjoy the beauty hidden between the cuts of a katana.
All in all, Tiny Lands Deluxe Edition is a delightful, soothing experience that should happily find its home in your collection on PS5 or Xbox Series if you are looking to relax and enjoy a bit of mindful fun.
Dreams of Another is a wonderful exploration of the dreams, memory, materialism, and so much more. While there are points where it feels like some narrative elements outstay their welcome and there are some technical issues that can break the immersion, Q-Games and Baiyon have delivered a charming story and world that I have kept thinking about since the credits rolled.
While it’s not perfect and could use a bit of rethinking in some of it’s systems, Slime Rancher 2 is still a fun, low conflict game. I honestly think everyone needs at least one game they can turn on and just relax with and much like the first game, it’s a good option to go with if you’re looking for a fun cozy game.
Dying Light: The Beast is a gritty, emotionally charged game that builds on the series’ strengths while introducing new, and fun layers of gameplay. A few mechanical hiccups and pacing issues hold it back from greatness but it’s still a beast worth taming. A thoroughly gruesome and fun zombie survival experience.
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is a genuinely solid and charming isometric dungeon-crawler that makes good use of all of the Nickelodeon IPs jammed into it, bolstered by great art direction and an excellent voice cast featuring many of the original voice actors. However, the game’s attempts to appeal to multiple audiences put it at a disadvantage.
During the best of times, it felt like a game that was a school project. At some of the worst times, it felt like a game that I’m not sure who it was made for. Maybe there is a subset of gamers that really enjoy on the rail gun games, or maybe those who just want a very quick shooter. Either way, in a year that has been incredibly competitive with games unfortunately Candy Rangers does not rank highly.
Silent Hill f is survival horror at it’s best. Hinako’s depressing tale of loss and guilt combined with the beautifully terrifying setting of 1960’s Japan has been one of the best horror experiences I’ve had since the Silent Hill 2 remake released last year. It’s gameplay loop is brutal and unforgiving, while it’s story feels like it’s pushing you deeper into Hinako’s fractured mind. Silent Hill f is more than worthy to stand amongst the greats in Konami’s extensive linage of horror classics, and will be remembered as a true return to form for years to come.
Hotel Barcelona is a a frequently enjoyable collaboration between Swery and Suda51, bringing together two of the industry’s most eccentric minds into an often times uniquely rewarding roguelite with an enjoyable story and cast of characters. However for everything the game does well, there is a frustrating downside that keeps it far beneath the best that either creator has to offer.
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re the kind of player who enjoys digging into systems and mastering the chaos, CloverPit will have you hooked. However, just like a real casino, remember the house always wins. This house will just kill you when you lose.
Blippo+ is definitely unique, and I have never played anything like it. I didn’t have any sort of video games growing up, so when I was sick from school, I used to watch daytime television. Blippo+ takes me back to sitting on the couch with flat lemonade watching Days of Our Lives and I am here for it. It is obvious that a lot of love and effort has gone into recording the shows, and it comes across in every aspect.
Overall it’s hard not to love what 3DClouds has done with Formula Legends. It’s arcade feel mixed with simulation elements makes it great for people who prefer either racing style and its attention to detail clear love from F1 is appreciated as a sports enthusiast. While it can be held back a bit by its limited number of tracks and custom options, Formula Legends should be in every racing fans rotation.
In the end, Borderlands 4 excels at the aspects that made it a success in the first place. The story isn’t going to blow your socks off, but it’s more than capable of keeping you interested throughout its entire run. The Timekeeper ends up being a more than capable villain with just the right amount of quirky one-liners and despicable acts of violence that feel right at home in the Borderlands universe. Each Vault Hunter feels unique in their own right and is a blast to play, and the gunplay is as smooth as ever with thousands of combinations at your fingertips to experiment with as you see fit. Overall, Borderlands 4 ends up being a solid entry in the mythos, and fans of the originals will no doubt feel at home in its endless mounds of loot and over-the-top violence.
I’ve played my fair share of games since my short lived QWOP playing years days minutes. Some challenging, some not so much, but nothing has brought me back to the same chaos and frustration like Baby Steps. Baby Steps takes the awkward, clumsy movement of QWOP and combines it with funny conversations, beautiful scenery, and a gentle reminder to focus on the journey, not the destination. To laugh though the failures, and embrace the struggle. That even baby steps, are progress.
Few games commit to an idea as boldly as Wander Stars, and its anime-inspired episodic structure is a triumph in style and ambition. Yet, the weight of overlapping systems and limited difficulty options makes it harder to love than it should be. A lighter touch on restrictions or a greater spread between difficulty levels could open the door for more players to enjoy what Paper Castle Games has built. For now, it remains a dazzling but demanding journey; rewarding for some, frustrating for others.
Although the rubber band ai can get annoying like it generally does in kart racers, the fact that Sonic Racing: Crossworlds actively tries to give you abilities to combat it does help out significantly. And the gameplay is just so fun and there’s so much content in the game that it’s far from a game killing experience by any stretch. In my personal opinion, Sonic for now is the king of the kart racers.
The House of Tesla is a well presented, brain-teasing adventure that clearly aims to honour the legacy of Nikola Tesla through intricate puzzles and atmospheric design. It succeeds in creating a moody, immersive world, but the experience is often undermined by fiddly controls, inconsistent logic, and a hint system that feels more like a monetisation relic than a genuine aid. Despite this entry in the series not launching on mobile, the game’s mobile-first design is hard to ignore, and while it doesn’t ruin the experience on PC, it does make certain frustrations, like the push toward using hints, feel more deliberate than accidental.
ZOE Begone! is a classic shmup; bullets everywhere, and points to rack up. With it’s responsive gameplay, unique art style, and sound, it is a joy to play. It is gloriously addictive and can sit proudly alongside the likes of Cuphead as a shoot-em-up, providing you with that incredibly rewarding feeling when you succeed, and can finally get some well-earned sleep!
In the end, Arctic Awakening feels worthy of standing alongside the titans of the narrative-driven genre. It doesn’t reinvent the formula, but it refines it with sincerity and focus. With its emotional storytelling, immersive world, and memorable companion, it’s an experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll. For players who loved Firewatch or The Long Dark, this is a must-play. For everyone else, it’s still a story worth braving the cold for.
Henry Halfhead is a brief, joyful experience that highlights the significance of play. It is a game that invites you to have fun, try stuff out, see what you can do, build, and achieve, without the pressure to be the best or improve some skill set. The wacky premise, unique gameplay, and focus on creativity and discovery amount to the perfect environment for players to find their own fun.