Qualbert.com's Reviews
In all, I enjoyed Atomfall. It offers a unique visual tale that yes, whilst it most definitely borrows concepts from games past I wouldn’t agree to label it ‘English Fallout’ as the internet has titled it. This is a game for those who want to sink a sizable amount of hours exploring and piecing together a universe and positively, with 6 endings and multiple branching subplots the replayability is there.
With no particular overall message, this game is about love and connection across the stars. Bios being a silent protagonist did detract from this somewhat, but in some scenes his actions showed more than enough emotion. This game is filled with content, from collectables, to races, decorating your board, or even just going for a ride. The best part is this is for all ages, even my daughter stole my Switch for a quick sesh. For a small indie game that seemingly came out of nowhere, this was a fantastic and unique sci fi journey, if held back slightly by the console release of choice. Rock on!
While some aspects of the collection may be received negatively based on the mixed visuals, nobody can deny that this return of Suikoden is both an excellent entry point to the series and representative of the best versions of the games so far. Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is another step in the right direction in Konami’s new golden age and a solid JRPG package worthy of its place in the modern HD remaster library.
The Darkest Files takes something that no one would ever consider making a game out of and creates a thought-provoking experience for players. The melding of the storytelling, gameplay, visuals and sound allow the horrendous events to become a bit more bearable. While there are a few issues with the game in terms of the occasional bug, I believe it’s the sort of game that everyone should play. It’s just unfortunate that it’s very short with only two cases available. I hope that if it sells enough, they might create a sequel with more cases. The aim of the game isn’t to bring people to justice, that’s just a happy side effect. It’s to make sure these things never happen again.
South of Midnight captures the Southern US in a way I’ve never seen in another video game. For the majority of my playthrough, I was amazed by its mystical level design, the accurate voice acting, and especially its soundtrack. If exploration of an unfamiliar setting motivates you to try new games, South of Midnight warrants picking up for that alone.
I really enjoyed Pirate Yakuza. I’m still fairly new to the franchise but playing this has actually made me want to go back and play the rest. I currently have a play time of over 55 hours and you know what? I’m not even finished! I still have so much to play, explore and enjoy. While I don’t get all the references to the previous games, I was still able to pick up a few. I think if you’re someone who’s been on the fence about starting the franchise, this is a perfect jumping in point if you don’t care about playing them in chronological order.
If you’re privy to how the last few Assassin’s Creed games maneuver, you’re in for more of the same in Shadows, just in Japan. Being content with enemy levels, grinding out your abilities, and a slow burn story are a must to have fun here. With anywhere from 30 to 70 hours of gameplay, this should tide over modern AC fans as well as anyone looking for another ninja/samurai fix.
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.
Koira is one of those games that simply feels like a labour of love from its developers. For such a simple game, there is a massive amount of heart jammed into this little package. This is a very short adventure that is over is as little as five hours. There isn’t a significant amount of replayability here either. However, this is one of those games that you might want to show to your non-gaming friends to get them a little more interested in this pastime of ours.
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.