Qualbert.com's Reviews
Nomada Studios follow up title has gone above and beyond it’s predecessor. With deeper gameplay, vibrant colours and a heart wrenching story to boot. Although this 5 hour journey may be shorter than some would like, it doesn’t detract from its fantastic gameplay. Neva is an engaging and emotional experience that is well worth investing your time in, even if it is only for a day or two.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World is a banger of a package! The complete original game now with polished visuals and performance, plus the Star-Crossed World DLC, an excellent little addition to make the upgrade worth it and to give fans more of what they love. Any Kirby fan should do a celebratory dance while picking this up, as it’s not just recommended, it’s essential!
One of the main themes from the Secret Level episode that acts as a prequel to Shadow Labyrinth is ‘strength in repetition’. They took that a step too far in Shadow Labyrinth itself. At times, it almost felt like a chore to play Shadow Labyrinth. There are certainly some good elements here, so the game isn’t a total failure by any stretch. However, the highlights are so few and far between that overall, I can’t in good conscience recommend this game to anyone other than the biggest Metroidvania or Pac-Man fans.
There is a lot of potential to be found here, but everything just lacks something to make it stand out. Every part of the game is good, but it has just been done better before. I really wanted to like this, as action-adventure games are one of my favourite genres; however, it all just falls apart at the seams and leaves you wishing for it to contain more grandiose elements.
Fans of the originals will certainly want to pick up Patapon 1+2 Replay if they’re like me and sold their PSP eons ago. However, the PS Store’s PS4 version of the titles doesn’t stray too far from this release, and are effectively the same price (and even less during sales). Nevertheless, newcomers will likely get the best Patapon experience picking up Patapon 1+2 Replay, as the latency sync is such a benefactor that it can warrant the purchase.
Metal Eden checks a ton of boxes and makes for a great time throughout most of its ~10 hours. While it sometimes felt like the plot took a backseat and you get your ear talked off, the adrenaline rush of a toughly-won battle more than makes up for it. This is a real treat for cyberpunk and FPS fans alike, and I can foresee the possibility of a Metal Eden 2 should Deep Silver put stock in the franchise. Here’s hoping Metal Eden sells well, as it’s a banger of a shooter.
Sword of the Sea is absolutely must-play territory for fans of Journey. More than just a spiritual successor, utilizing that game’s artist/composer who both deliver some career-best work creates an entirely-new standard in the adventure/exploration genre. It might be a one-sitting game, but Sword of the Sea is bound to linger in your thoughts and perhaps beckon a new playthrough far in the future.
Mafia The Old Country is a good game that I feel is missing just a little bit to make it great. I’ve played through the previous 3 and I think this sits in the middle with the first game for how it compares to the others. Where it lacks in gameplay, it makes up for in story and cinematography (for those wondering, 2 ranks as the best in my eyes and 3 is the lowest).
Whether you’ve played the original game twenty times or are new to the franchise, this is undoubtedly the best way to start. For owners of the Ultimate Edition on Xbox, you can simply purchase an upgrade and the full edition is largely cheaper than most new release games at $49 AU. Xbox fans seem to be left out of the lurch a little bit as there is no physical release for this edition, unlike the PS5 copy, possibly due to the fact that it’s a day 1 release on Game Pass and that is their sole focus currently.
Midnight Murder Club does a lot to stand out, but feels like a fun party game with mates instead of a multiplayer game you can play for weeks on end. Although the fun modes and wacky rule changes are great, the lack of progression, customisation, unlockables and maps might be its downfall.
Even those with little time to spare should be able to fit in a playthrough of OFF in only a couple of sittings. Even so, the weirdness of the game will sit with you for much, much longer. That is the mark of true art after all. Hopefully, the resurrection of this underground classic will generate some buzz that leads to more sales and success. I hope that such success prompts Mortis Ghost to return to game development to produce a longer, and perhaps even weirder experience. Though, is it possible for a game to be weirder than OFF? Play it yourself, and let me know.
While Whimside is too attention-demanding to be an idler, it’s still a rewarding, unique take on the barely-tapped screen-sitter market on Steam. What it lacks in utility, it makes up for in charm and depth, even if the latter is a detriment to some gamers. For just a few bucks, you can start creating creatures that feature on the bottom of your monitor – even if they need your clicks more than the rest of your screen.
FBC: Firebreak has proven to be fun, if flawed, undyingly cool with it’s ties to Control which only makes it a shame as it doesn’t capitalise on it as much as expected. The minute to minute gameplay combined with the atmosphere, plotline and setting does make for a compelling time that fits nicely into its Control niche.
Bean Beasts is yet another stand-out indie that showcases the talent of a solo developer. While it doesn’t shy away from its inspirations, it manages to create a compelling and challenging strategy game that will please any fan of the tower defense genre. Packed with plenty of worthwhile content and vibrant charm, this is an indie gem that deserves a spot in your Steam library. And as the developer’s debut title, I’d be keen to see this evolve into something even bigger.
If games were hot drinks, Tiny Bookshop would be a perfectly steeped cup of chamomile tea: calming, warm, and slightly floral. It won’t jolt you awake or set your heart racing, but it will leave you feeling quietly content, and maybe, just maybe, make you want to reorganise your bookshelf in real life.
Raidou Remastered might be one of the top Atlus games and a main highlight of the Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner series. The setting and game design offer a really compelling experience that, honestly, nothing else really comes close to challenging. The action combat, in its much-improved remastered form, is great fun and surprisingly strategic. If any future Shin Megami games use action, they should absolutely copy Raidou’s homework. Highly recommended!
When I consider the cost of the extra modes and minigames, especially as three quarters of the game doesn’t require the camera, it feels like a bargain if you already own the base game. Even if you don’t, it still seems like decent value at $100, as it’s one and a half games. It’s when adding in the cost of the camera that it feels a little bit too expensive. I’m not sure why Nintendo didn’t bundle Bowser TV with the camera as its own thing. The rest could have been added onto the base game and would have been considered DLC instead of an “upgrade”.
1000 Deaths is a novel concept that certainly has legs to intrigue those who want more than just another 3D platformer. Apparently, this game was in development since 2019 and for a debut game, Pariah Interactive has shown a huge amount of promise and hopefully they can do more as this concept was fantastic to check out.
Toree Saturn is a blast whether you want to dip into some retro goodness or are a platforming savant looking for a real challenge. Siactro’s always offered their games dirt cheap, and at a measly $4.99 USD, it’s a no-brainer for anyone so inclined.
Catto’s Post Office is a delightfully cosy little game; its simple narrative and design leave players with a sense of relaxation. The short length means it’s easy to replay, and it has just enough in terms of extra content that players should have a decent amount of fun.