Qualbert.com's Reviews
After such troubled development, it would have been a mammoth task for Beyond to live up to fan expectations. While elements of the game do stay true to the series, much of the game strays away from what makes Metroid great. Linear level design, unnecessary hand-holding, and a bland hub world that rudely inserts itself into an otherwise decent game all make this the weakest entry in the series. Which, after almost 18 years of waiting, is beyond disappointing to admit.
Demonschool is more than just another tactics RPG. It is a genre-bending lab experiment that succeeds because of its clear vision. By merging supernatural battles with university slice-of-life, it crafts an experience that’s strategic, emotional, and hilarious. The innovative combat system, witty writing, vibrant visuals, and killer soundtrack make it a standout indie release of 2025.
For the long development this game took, Skate Story is indeed one of the most eye-catching games to come out in 2025. While it’s not for everyone as it’s story is a bit overwritten that doesn’t really add up and the controls do have a bit of a learning curve. It’s visual style, presentation and fluid gameplay makes this ride a worthy trip, even it’s just a one way road into the underworld. And again, that soundtrack is AMAZING!
When it boils down to it, Luma Island is ultimately a fun game. The decision to make all so players could complete the game without having to swap jobs might have been the right one but it was incredibly disappointing to find out. With no stamina bars, there’s no need for food, but still, it would have been nice if the things you crafted were useable. That was my main complaint besides the frustration of overlapping traps in the temples.
Bits & Bops is bite-sized, but encapsulates some of the best parts of the rhythm genre as a whole. Some of these songs will remain in your head ages after you uninstall, not merely from their tuneage, but the creative imagery that unfolded on the screen while you played. Even if you’re not going for an all-perfect run, this one’s a ton of fun, and is certainly worth deliberating over on a sale from its $19.99USD price tag.
I’m in two minds about Sleep Awake. Half of me thoroughly enjoyed the psychological aspects and hints at what is behind the Hush. However, there is a lot left to be desired, with easy gameplay sections, less than top notch graphics, and low replayability. Whilst the soundtrack is fantastic, the narrative is your only thread to keeping your attention even in the light of the ambiguous ending. If you want a quick psychedelic trip with some interesting ideas then you might enjoy this, but you could probably squeeze in a nap or two first.
As much as I want to praise Battlefield 6 as a return to form, I unfortunately can’t. Battlefield 6 feels like a shell of a game I used to love and play daily. There are still some fun parts, the gun play is great and I have enjoyed playing with my friends again, but it’s missing so much. The maps are smaller, there’s less progression incentive for vehicles, the scout chopper class is missing entirely and the campaign was only mildly entertaining.
Tingus Goose is a diamond in the rough for peculiar, artistic video games. Past Fragrance Point, and barring the upcoming Eternity Egg, it might be the most visually-striking piece of media I’ve experienced in eons. Past that, it’s a sound incremental title, and even if it isn’t a perfect idler/clicker, it works well enough to keep you glued to the screen and coming back to grow your geese.
CloverPit is harmless fun with a harmful habit, and it doesn’t shy away from touching on the obvious issues that plague the gambling industry. It’s fun, it makes me want to try again and again for a new strategy each time. I know how to go further and what I need to get there. The only time you’re ever bored is when you’re winning and ready to try again. What more could you want from a rogue-lite?
It’s the perfect game for a quiet evening: headphones on, lights low, and heart open. If you appreciate narrative-driven indie titles, if you enjoy ASMR-style tactile mechanics, or if you’re drawn to games that explore emotional landscapes with subtlety and care, Undusted deserves your attention!
With a capital F for Fun, this aquatic adventure is filled with returning characters, call outs from the show and movies plus more than enough gags for you to soak up. Don’t expect anything too deep or inventive as this is still a short platformer for older kids. In saying that, if you’re looking for a chill game and was a fan of SpongeBob back in the noughties like me, then you’ll enjoy it as much as being a goofy Goober!
Octopath Traveller’s world feels coherent, the characters compelling, the gameplay polished to a mirror shine, and the HD-2D visuals are nothing short of mesmerising. Every system complements the others, creating a game that feels both familiar and freshly ambitious. If previous games established the road, Zero reinforces it with legendary craftsmanship. It’s issues from being a mobile game originally don’t necessarily hinder the combat, but the story, characters, and visual pizzazz took something of a hit.
This is hardly a definitive version of Tomb Raider Definitive Edition. It struggles to capture the rather distinct art direction of the original and is missing details of the later definitive release. The visual cutbacks are too large for the Switch 2, which should easily have the full effects suite. However, for players who missed out on this adventure, this is a great, if compromised, version of Lara’s first “survivor” adventure and the best game of that trilogy.
Goodnight Universe reduced me to a puddle of tears and filled my heart with hope. Storytelling through the medium of camera integration pays off in dividends, and Nice Dream has expanded upon what made Before Your Eyes so great in this iteration. This is a game that will sit with me for a very long time to come, and one that stands high in the discussion of video games as an art form. Find 4 hours on a weekend and experience Goodnight Universe as soon as you can.
While Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is still well and truly a Musou game, it’s certainly the best Zelda spin-off yet. With a visual style aligned with Tears of the Kingdom alongside a compelling and canon story, there’s plenty of reason to play for those committed to the narrative. Unsurprisingly, this is hindered by bland and repetitive button-mashing combat. Aside from its fleeting Star Fox-style aerial rail shooter missions, Age of Calamity does very little to set itself apart from the legions of Musou games that have come before it.
This year marks the 20th consecutive annual release of Call of Duty, and it only seems to be getting worse. This may be the result of Activision getting Treyarch and Raven Software to put out back-to-back games, but regardless, the game really speaks for itself. Familiar characters and interesting actors are basically the only real reason to arm yourself with this new entry, but honestly, I’d just wait for the Black Friday sale…next year.
Ghost of Yōtei is best described as an emotional exercise in environment-first storytelling. Sucker Punch makes a clear and consistent choice to let the locations and environment tell the story. In a year filled with great action titles, Yōtei is a game that despite having brutal combat succeeds because of its quieter moments. It rewards attention, exploration and patience. Play it slowly. Let the gentle caress of the wind guide you towards your goals.
With all that said and even with the issues I had, did I enjoy my time with Borderlands 4? Yes, definitely. From a gameplay perspective, I think this is easily one of the best in the series. The open world and multiple ways to play the Vault Hunters gives players so many choices with just how they want their game to go. Couple that with the sheer amount of stuff to do and find, it’ll have players glued to the game for hours on end. Plus having crossplay brings the community together even more than before.
Syberia Remastered certainly is Remastered, telling the same story with some fantastic newly realised visuals. Unfortunately, it’s unevenly upgraded, somehow more technically unsound than the original and suffers from the lack of remastering afforded to video and sound.
Sbug Games deserve a lot of credit for taking a big step when going into a new dimension with Isopod. Taking the fun, cheerful elements of Webbed and putting it into a new place that feels familiar but so creatively fresh at the same time, it’s hard to dislike (unless of course you don’t like bugs at all).