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.
If you want a poignant tale of a man coming to terms with loss then Tales of Kenzera: Zau is for you. The story is the main focus here and although combat isn’t perfect it still contains more than enough fun and challenge for any player. Unfortunately the side content is severely lacking and most talisman upgrades barely help, however if you don’t want to spend over 20 hours on one game then this is perfect. Some sort of spiritual sequel (no pun intended) with a bigger focus on combat and exploration wouldn’t go astray but the Tale of Zau is just fine just on its own.
If you want to support a truly hand-crafted game, then please give Your House a try. It’s a fantastic mix of genres that pushes the envelope for what mediums combined together can do. It’s panache and old-world charm make this an indie game worth diving into.
Spilled is a fantastic little game that you can complete at your own pace. It’s based on an original idea that will charm your trousers off. The satisfaction of incrementally fixing up the world releases all the dopamine. Plus not to mention the lovely sprite design, if you are looking for something slower that you can complete at your own speed, then this is for you.
Aside from my issues with simulator sickness, Order 13 was an alright game. It’s designed with streamers and their audience in mind, so it’s not really geared towards people like me. That doesn’t mean it’s not fun to play outside the streaming sphere as it holds its own and the core loop is good, it’s just very obviously meant for the horror streamers. I don’t blame them, because honestly, if that’s what helps them sell the game, good on them. Conclusion. Game okay. Not great, not terrible. Good for streaming. The end.
KARMA: The Dark World is a compelling experience with a strong narrative. Do I think it belongs among the horror greats? No. Do I think it’s an impressive feat for an indie studio? Absolutely. If you love dystopian themed psychological horror, this is one to add to the collection. If you’re new to the genre, this is a great entry point. The gameplay is straightforward, and since the collectable puzzles are optional, most players should find it easy enough to pick up and enjoy. Perhaps my hopes were set too high for this game as whilst enjoyable it simply left me wanting more.
Underneath its comical exterior, Two Point Museum is a very deep simulation game with an array of customization, huge campaign and fantastic gameplay loop. However, the UI on consoles takes too long to get used to and some objectives require a very thorough understanding of the game. If you want a fun sim with crazy characters and silly exhibits, you got it but the casual gamer might not find much worth uncovering here. This may not be for everyone but it’s one of those games where you get out of it exactly what you put in.
Split Fiction is deeply engaging, and the hours flew by as we played. Many games hold players’ hands, guiding them through every step with constant prompts and restrictive mechanics. Split Fiction, however, throws you in headfirst, trusting you to experiment, explore, and engage with its world on your own terms. For anyone considering it, make sure you have a Player 2 who’s up for the ride. At 11–14 hours, it’s a commitment, but one that’s absolutely worth it. You’re in for a journey that will explore creativity almost, to its very limits and a gameplay that feels fresh and exciting. And if you’re wondering—yes, I’m still on speaking terms with CaptainTrophyHunter, until our next co-op adventure.
Monster Hunter Wilds is a bold evolution for the franchise, embracing a more open-world approach while making the experience more accessible than ever. For newcomers, this is arguably the best entry point into the series, offering streamlined mechanics and a gentler learning curve. However, veterans may find the excessive hand-holding and sluggish early-game pacing to be a step backward from previous entries.
For a good chunk of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I would have considered it on par with the Uncharted games. However, as I enjoyed the little nods to the movies, the interesting characters and some amazing set pieces, The Great Circle stepped out of the shadow of Uncharted, donned its hat and said “You ain’t seen nothing yet”. Even with the few issues I had with combat, I wholeheartedly enjoyed the game and can’t wait to go back to continue exploring the other areas to see what I missed. I believe this game can stand next to the original trilogy with its head, and its whip, held high.
This latest foray into the franchise was a risk that paid off well. Aside from the lackluster story mode, there is not a thing I can fault Rift of the Necrodancer with. The visual clarity built into the core of the game plays so well with the game’s exhilarating score, and there is enough extra content for players to be more than satisfied. Brace Yourself Games has proven that they aren’t a one trick pony when it comes to rhythm games, and I am excited to see what kind of rhythm-genre-mashup game they come out with next time.
This is such a strange game. It starts off as almost a buddy comedy horror, and whilst it’s seldom explicitly scary in the traditional sense, there’s a sense of consistent creeping fear that comes with being left alone in the forest at night. This is less Final Destination, and more The Shining. You’ll be on edge, and left with some genuinely thought provoking questions when the game ends. This title really surprised me, and for the better.
Ender Magnolia is a tight, cohesive game that does exactly what it sets out to achieve and doesn’t overstay its welcome. Thrilling combat with plenty of variety, a banger soundtrack, excellent visuals and an excellent world all combine to make something really interesting and special. Does it do anything super new for the genre? No, but it does show a mastery of all the concepts, with only a few small floundering moments. I think that alone should be praised.
When a game makes you feel emotions in the first five minutes, it gives you expectations for a great overall experience. Whilst Afterlove EP isn’t able to fully capitalize on its strong opening, the story remains touching throughout. I have no doubt that anybody who shares a similar life story with any of these characters would feel a strong affiliation with this game.
Another fantastic effort from Aspyr that manages to revive the darker corner of Lara’s legacy. It largely improves on what each game did and manages to present a more complete version of The Angel of Darkness. A really good and polished collection that only suffers due to the games it adapts, which don’t quite match up with the first trilogy’s quality. All in all, Tomb Raider IV – VI Collection is an excellent addition to this swathe of remasters and a fantastic way to end the original Tomb Raider series.
Kingdom Come Deliverance II is most certainly not a game for everybody. But I have no doubt that this will be Game of the Year for a significant portion of the gaming population. If you have any like for western style RPGs or games with a medieval setting you should definitely give this one a try. Unless you are a delicate flower that is easily offended, this is a game you will grow to love.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is an intimate, beautifully crafted experience that leans heavily into storytelling and atmosphere. If you’re drawn to games that explore emotion, nostalgia, and the bonds that shape us, this is an easy recommendation. Just be warned, it might take you down a path of remembering, so make sure you’re prepared.
Sniper Elite: Resistance is in a weird spot to recommend. It’s a Day One Game Pass game, which means those all that are keen and already subscribed have to do is hit the install button. The struggle lies in the fact that gameplay contains a bunch of braindead AI running towards you because you made one small mistake, and detracts from the long-distance firefights that prior games like Sniper Elite 4 or 5 excelled with.
Avowed is a real tour de force, one of the few games released by Xbox that are of exemplary quality. Quite unlike a Halo entry. People will inevitably compare this to Elder Scrolls but that is quite disingenuous as Avowed goes for something starkly different and way more focused. This game is succinct, polished, pretty and very fun to play. Narratively things take on some interesting concepts propelling the mainline quests through a series of exciting developments. It might not twang everyone’s heartstrings but it might take over their brains like a little fungus monster.
Keep Driving shows that sometimes all it takes is a good core concept and you can run with it. Driving in your car with a shifting destination in mind, picking up hitchhikers and making sure you’re keeping up with the needs of food, sleep, gas and money gives a lot of really enjoyable experiences, and it’s solidified with a fantastic vibe and soundtrack. The journey is more important than the destination, especially when the journey is this good.