Qualbert.com's Reviews
I can’t stress how much this game creeped me out in the first half. If my catchphrase for Cronos was “thanks! I hate it.” My catchphrase for The Occultist was “NOPE! Nuh uh, piss off”. While this is a fantastic start for a burgeoning company, I think it could have been damn near perfect if they could have just stuck the landing.
Samson is in a weird place as far as recommendations go. Is it a buggy, unfocused, tedious mess? Yes. But is it fun? Also yes. If you get a lot of satisfaction out of completing side content, Samson could very well be a good time, should you accept that it’s packed into a glitchy, “every day is the same” experience. Perhaps with some bug fixes and the right price, this is one worth pulling the trigger on.
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly: Remake is a great game. It remakes the original in a charming and well considered way, though is not without its own technical flaws. Where the graphics and gameplay are improved the stealth and performance take away resulting in a not quite satisfying level of polish. The choice to rename the series in non-US regions is also a bit of a mis-step for a lot of players who will miss the “Project Zero” name going forwards, but given the end product? We’ll adjust!
That’s another review in the bag, folks. As much as I found the game enjoyable and was even playable for someone who mostly button-mashes, I just found the game to be a pretty standard arena fighter. It doesn’t break the mould but slots in nicely. I can see fans of the anime picking it up for a quick bit of fun, but I can’t see it having much staying power when going up against others in the genre.
Marathon stands as one of the most refined extraction shooters available, but its unforgiving structure and seasonal resets mean it won’t appeal to everyone. For those willing to embrace its high-stakes tension, however, it’s an experience that’s hard to put down.
Screamer mostly succeeds in its mission, combining two very different gameplay styles despite some hiccups along the way. Your mileage may vary, but it’s clear a lot of love and passion went into this game, and I like to see such experimentation rewarded. There is a solid foundation here, and seeing how the plot leaves the door open for a sequel, I would more than welcome a new entry with an additional layer of polish and the kinks ironed out.
Life is Strange: Reunion had me sobbing, laughing, and yelling, on more than one occasion. Having experienced every bit of this franchise, from Don’t Nod to Deck Nine, across eleven years, elevated the catharsis this game brought about. It becomes hard to recommend this instance to newcomers, but it’s a wonderful icing-on-the-cake ending to anyone wondering if the franchise lands on its feet. A decade-plus of wanderlust, angst, and artistry ends in such a satisfying fashion.
If you’ve played any Pokémon game and you enjoy Animal Crossing, you will love Pokopia. Most people will enjoy Pokopia, because as I said, it’s not a bad game. It’s a good game with a few issues preventing it from becoming a great game. Regardless, you’ll have a fun time! It absolutely weaponises people’s nostalgia against them, as I got upset over a boat, and I never played the original two, just the remakes.
In my opinion, this game functions best as an art form. One might argue that all video games are a form of art but some people don’t want art. They want a shoot ’em up, horror fest and that’s okay. Project Songbird will either inspire a strong sense of connection, feel deeply triggering, or come across as boring and disjointed for those who do not form an emotional attachment to its themes, concepts, or the artists behind them.
As much as I liked the game and what it does differently to others like Left 4 Dead, namely the open levels and powers, I still feel like it’s a game that just won’t have the staying power of the classics. It’s slow and clunky at times and it doesn’t have a massive amount of replayability. I hope people will have more fun playing with friends, but for now, I think there are better options to play.
God of War: Sons of Sparta is a thoughtful and ambitious chapter in the series, one that reframes Kratos not as the unstoppable force he will one day become, but as a boy shaped by discipline, brotherhood, and the early challenges that would define his destiny. The shift to a 2D exploration format may surprise some fans, but it proves to be a natural fit for a story focused on growth and identity. The gameplay is engaging. The emotional core, whilst somewhat shallow, does remain aligned with the themes that have carried the series through its many transformations.
Resident Evil Requiem might be THE best Resident Evil sequel in years. It finds a good balance between horror and action, introduces a tone of reframing and new content that ties into all of the original plotlines from RE 1 – 8. This attention to detail and flipping of some established Resident Evil lore make Requiem one to remember. With the best use of the RE engine so far, and an incredible script with fantastic acting. This is not just one for the fans; this is Capcom flexing its powerful biceps.
Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse is a masterclass in atmospheric horror storytelling. Smartly written, beautifully presented, and unafraid to play with the boundaries of the visual-novel form. It doesn’t rely on spectacle. It cultivates dread through pacing, folklore, visual subtlety, and impeccable sound. Square Enix once again delivers a small-scale horror gem that outshines many bigger productions in creativity and emotional resonance.
Whether you’re a PC die-hard or a handheld fanatic, Diablo II: Resurrected is a perfect fit for the Steam Deck. Featuring an extensive range of quality-of-life improvements alongside impressive handheld performance, playing such a classic Blizzard has never been as accessible as it is now. And while there are still some minor issues that require patching, you’re going to have one hell of a time taking this version of Diablo II on the go.
My experience with Code Vein II is a mixed bag. The story is both complicated within it’s lore but easy to follow within the events you play through. The gameplay is accessible but has a level of depth that may not appeal to everyone. While I had fun with the combat, it is greatly aided by the companion system and a solid amount of weapons to play around with.
Building on its predecessor, Planet of Lana II continues to showcase great puzzles, fun platforming and a deep narrative without saying a word. With art and music even better than before and some quality of life improvements, this little indie sequel is a must for all those who enjoyed the first entry.
A fantastic game despite the minor shortcomings. As this is Vermila Studio’s first game, I’m fine with pushing past these minor issues as the game was just a heap of fun. I look forward to seeing what the studio will create next.
The age-old adage of “buy this game for less than a cup of coffee” rings true for Neva: Prologue, especially since I can’t remember the last time a game ran for $2.99 USD. Despite its short length, it provides a “more of what I wanted” experience for Neva fans, and only serves to give more reason for newcomers to enter this gorgeous world, as GRIS fans and artistic games fans alike can revel in a complete experience.
Colour this reviewer surprised with Mario Tennis Fever. It feels like a marked effort to try and get a Mario sports title back to feeling feature-complete. There is a lot to do and though initial hours can be a bit of a drag, the overall game feels amazing and has some of the most fun challenges in the series. The fever rackets feel like a really neat way to keep the base game balanced while introducing a new mechanic to the mix, not to mention playing in local or online matches is inherently satisfying. A real smash hit for the series.
A fun and relaxing game that uses farming and plant growing to create puzzles. While too much of a collect-a-thon for my tastes, I definitely enjoyed the puzzle aspect. It relies on some nostalgia for the toys of the 90’s like Polly Pocket, but it’s not really like that at all.