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NHL 26 doesn’t come close to reaching the heights of the series, but it isn’t terrible by any means.
All the vault hunters are fun to play, making multiple playthroughs or co-op rewarding. Borderlands 4 doesn’t revolutionize the franchise, but it absolutely evolves it, and sets up an exciting future for the series.
Overall, Adventure of Samsara is a solid 2D side-scrolling action-adventure game with Metroidvania roots. Its strengths lie in its deliberate combat, immaculate vibes, and unique camera perspective. It’s held back from greatness due to its challenging nature and decisions, which may hinder it from gaining mainstream attraction, not limited to its release timing. For anyone with an interest in Metroidvania titles, Adventure of Samsara is worth a look, whether in the immediate or distant future.
All in all, Artis Impact is a fascinating work of art from a solo developer. I just wish the combat was more balanced and the English translation were better.
Hollow Knight: Silksong manages to live up to the daunting expectations surrounding the sequel. It carries the spirit of the original while introducing fresh mechanics that shape a remarkable adventure, one worthy of standing alongside its predecessor.
Your time in this massive world is focused on that critical combat/custom/upgrade gameplay loop, so you never feel lost or shiftless. I could do with fewer load times, and the routine gear scrutiny does mess with the pacing. But once you’re actually out in the world, mixing it up, the game flows quite beautifully. I can’t get enough of that core loop, at least once it gets going. If you’re looking for an enormous mecha RPG with tons of customization and a captivating story, then Titanic Scion is exactly what you need.
There are lots of bad anime tropes that are going to turn away anyone who isn’t already a visual novel fan. But if you love the genre, Shuten Order is one of my favorite new visual novels in quite a while.
While Hirogami brims with creativity, it never quite comes together into a truly memorable experience.
While the game offers plenty of modes and chaotic multiplayer options, the lack of gameplay innovation makes these features feel stale. You might enjoy a quick round, but it doesn’t do enough to keep you hooked for the full 18.
The game matches the quality of Bloober Team’s pre-Silent Hill 2 efforts, but, unfortunately, they’re still going to be looking to create a masterpiece amongst their original IPs.
Metal Eden is free of mission creep, focusing on refined movement, breakneck speed and punchy combat. It does those things well, embedded in an interesting fiction and shiny cyberpunk environments. A few objectives and systems aren’t always clear, and the game’s linear design and rigid mission structure could use some breathing room, as it starts to feel a bit repetitive. All in all, Metal Eden is a fun, fast and furious sci-fi shooter and will definitely appeal to fans of the genre.
If you’re a fan of Space Adventure Cobra, or looking for more 2D action platform games, then Space Adventure Cobra: The Awakening is worth your time. Maybe just wait until it’s on sale.
Lost Soul Aside’s sometimes excellent action is undercut by flat characters, cliche story, terrible writing and rough mechanics.
Its ultimate message about humanity caught in endlessly repeating tragic loops has some weight. For gamers willing to take on its challenges and solve its mysteries, Hell is Us has a lot to offer.
The combat and bosses are undeniably fun, but I kept wishing the mechanics had a little more depth, and the world had more detail. At around $20, the balance between content and price might be, unfortunately, up for debate for many gamers.
There’s a lot of great stuff in Echoes of the End, but it’s impossible to ignore what doesn’t work as well.
The game looks and performs just as it did back in 2022. I hesitate to recommend something so expensive, but the game is still a lot of fun. Returning fans won’t want to miss this one, however. Star-Crossed World is a delightful addition to an already excellent Kirby game.
Is it perfect? No. The choice system needs a rethink, the pacing could use tightening, and the life-sim tasks sometimes cross the line from immersive to plain tedious. But for those willing to put in the hours, Varlet rewards you with a world worth exploring and characters worth caring about.
Unfortunately, the PS5 port is almost the same experience as the Switch and PC versions. It just has the expected visual upgrade that comes with a more powerful console. But it’s a treat to finally have this fantastic game on all modern consoles.
I wish we had the ability to remap controls, but overall, Reloaded did an excellent job of scratching a nostalgic itch I didn’t even know I had. If there are plans to remaster Gears 2 and 3, I’ll be there, Lancer in hand.