Qualbert.com's Reviews
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.
If you enjoy detective games, or narratives with twists, then Urban Myth Dissolution Center is for you. When asked how long it took to play, I seriously thought each case took me an hour, when in fact it had probably taken triple the amount of time. I didn’t notice time passing by, that’s how much I was enjoying it. I know I keep making the comparison but it really is like Ace Attorney without the courtroom and I’m not the only one making it. Another friend asked if it was a perfect game and after thinking it over, I believe it is. We don’t do scores here, but i reckon this would get full marks from me.
For a mere $8 USD, it’s very easy to recommend Fragrance Point to anyone who views video games as an art form. Even past that, it’s a neat little puzzle platformer that takes a backseat to its eclectic presentation. I can confidently say that I’ve never seen or played anything like Fragrance Point, and for that reason, it’s going to stick in my head at the end of 2025 when I contemplate which games were the most memorable this year.
I didn’t hate this game. I just don’t think it was polished to perfection—but really, what ever is? Especially in today’s gaming sphere, where triple-A games are released incomplete. The Reward of Cherishment and Eternity is a visually stunning game with a heavy narrative theme. When things went right, this game ticked all the boxes, and I think from a stylistic point of view this game is worth a play.
Guns of Fury is a lovingly-crafted tribute to the run’n’gun genre that deserves the attention of any Metal Slug fan. Its detailed pixel art style, polished combat, and extensive amount of content are all the more impressive when you remember this was created by just two people! Despite a heavy reliance on backtracking, this is some serious indie ammunition that deserves to be in your gaming arsenal.
This whimsical romp through ridiculous scenarios with a cast of crazy characters is an excellent outing in levity and enjoyment. Whilst brief, there is tonnes of replayability to be found in either finding all the characters or exploring the harder modes. The plot is as chaotic as the gameplay but Big Helmet Heroes leans into this and pulls it off gloriously. For a price point around $30 AU it’s very hard to go past this, especially if you have a gaming buddy, this could provide way more than just the 4-6 hours of fun I experienced. All in all, if you love fun and have an enlarged noggin then this game is for you!
This is a glorious return of an essential action gaming series. Ninja Gaiden II Black is a sublime experience with a few tiny technical issues, full of bombastic action, fun story beats and a core design that hasn’t aged a day (except maybe the camera). Anyone who enjoys a bit of a technical hack’n’slasher this is THE game to get. A terrific remaster and a sign of good things to come in the Ninja Gaiden series.
The Roottrees are Dead is a powerhouse gaming entry to 2025! With a carefully crafted tale of intrigue and in-fighting, in-laws and interpersonal conflicts, Jeremy Johnston and Robin Ward’s detective puzzle game is one everyone should dive into. If you enjoy games that respect your intelligence, have thoughtful mechanics and you like to be occasionally nosey, then Roottrees needs to be your next purchase!