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The Last Clockwinder is a delightful puzzler that includes a clever mechanic. The ability to create a chain of clones to solve conundrums is a thrill and continues to be so throughout the campaign. Even though there is a lack of interactivity in the environment, you’ll enjoy tinkering with the bots to create the most efficient production line.
Ragnarock is an excellent rhythm game that will resonate with metalheads. The tracklist and theme are lovingly interwoven which helps add to the immersion. While it lacks modes and could use a bit of polish, the core experience is addictive and makes you feel like a Norse rock god!
Tentacular is a fantastic VR puzzler that perfectly transports you to a unique world. You are able to play with all the aspects of the environment which adds a lovely tactile element. It also rewards and encourages experimentation which adds to the immersion and enjoyment of the game. While it is a little silly with some purposefully awkward controls, it maintains a joyous atmosphere that will keep you smiling throughout.
Unplugged: Air Guitar Review is a great concept that is both accessible and addictive. The precise hand tracking makes each song a thrill and manages to put you in the shoes of a rock star. While the song list could do with some bigger additions and the atmosphere lacks the crowd’s buzz, the game still pulls off a memorable performance that will keep you coming back for more.
Given the excellence of the two earlier games, I wasn’t surprised that Company of Heroes 3 won me over once again. The addition of Total War-style campaign layer adds a little variety without being overwhelming. Even without it, though, the battles are still endlessly fun, chaotic, and challenging. Skirmishes and the Essence Editor will keep players busy until the next entry in the series. Company of Heroes 3 reminds us that there’s still a lot of joy to be found in the best real-time strategy games.
The straightforward rules of Pharaoh: A New Era make it great on the replay. Even apart from the campaign, you can find maps where all you are supposed to do is grow your population, your prestige, and your pyramids. And if you have the city building bug, you will love watching dusty browns and yellows explode into a cosmopolitan blast of color. To newcomers Pharaoh: A New Era easily takes its place in the modern library of deeply playable city builders.
I don’t usually go in for rhythm games, but Final Bar Line proved the exception. While it’s a well-crafted experience, it’s the Final Fantasy connection that really sold me. The quests, the customization, and the heavy dose of nostalgia are all wonderful. Conversely, the art isn’t great, some of the inputs are confusing, and the intended audience is pretty granular. In other words, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is mostly for Final Fantasy fans. If you fall into that category though, you won’t want to miss this game. It’s a terrific way to revisit your favorite titles in the series.
If you love JRPGs, you owe it to yourself to play Tales of Symphonia, and Tales of Symphonia Remastered is an easy way to do that. I’d even recommend this game to fans of retro gaming in general. I really wish I could recommend it to everyone. Unfortunately, the slightly clunky design and aged graphics make it hard for me to do that.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is an enjoyable and nostalgic trip back to the classic formula of the franchise. Like previous releases, the game includes a wealth of content that will keep you busy for a substantial period. The new Magolor’s Epilogue is a welcome addition and changes the familiar recipe of the series. While the game is great for younger players and families, the lack of difficulty means that veterans will find it a breeze. Although it doesn’t deviate from conventions, it still maintains its charm which will resonate with fans.
Setting aside the game’s pervasive Soviet imagery in these complicated times, Atomic Heart is an often impressive game with too many systems and not enough connective tissue between them. Combat and other mechanics veer between janky, confounding moments and an exhilarating flow as the complex narrative tone swerves between disparate lanes. Atomic Heart can wow you, confuse you, and frustrate you in the span of a few minutes. Atomic Heart has the feel of a classic obscured by too many ideas that never quite harmonize.
Overall, Shadow Warrior 3: Definitive Edition brings more Shadow Warrior 3 to its fans. You know exactly what you get with Shadow Warrior 3: fast-paced combat, wise-cracking jokes, and a pretty streamlined experience. The Definitive Edition gives players more to do and allows them to go back to their favorite parts of the game. In addition, it brings a higher quality of the game to current-gen consoles. As far as Definite Editions go, Shadow Warrior 3 does a solid job in implementation.
In theory, Dust and Neon was made for a gamer like me. And I do like the art, the premise, and the style of action. Some aspects don’t quite feel fleshed out, like the mission designs, the narrative, and the range of weapons. Then there’s the reload mechanic, which I found more annoying than innovative. Dust and Neon isn’t a bad game, and fans of twin-stick shooters, Westerns, roguelikes, and looter-shooters should all find a little fun hunting outlaw robots. Unfortunately, its pleasures are just a bit too shallow and brief.
Metroid Prime Remastered is an example of how a remaster should be done. There were no real changes to gameplay, visuals or anything like that. Just some minor improvements, such as added control schemes, to help modernize it a bit. Aside from some lengthy load times when you’re initially getting into the game or loading a save, the game really has no faults. It’s designed to encourage exploration and experimentation, but if you get lost, you’ll be nudged in the direction you need to go eventually. There are ample amounts of lore in the game, giving plenty of nods to past Metroid games. While it would have been better if the entire Metroid Prime trilogy was included here, I won’t complain too much as long as the next two games arrive remastered prior to Metroid Prime 4.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a lost classic that has finally made its way to a global market. Fans of the franchise will be ecstatic to experience an Edo-period drama that features icons of the Yakuza series. Even though it is set in the 1860s, the foundation of the series is evident with each step. It’s a familiar experience that feels similar to its PS3 counterparts rather than the modern releases. The world lacks the hustle and bustle of Kamurocho and the mini-games are not as diverse. However, the card-based combat system and four fighting styles make battles a thrill. While the game may not do enough to alter the perception of those who don’t enjoy titles from the franchise, fans of the series are in for a treat with this samurai-focused epic.
Hogwarts Legacy is one of the all-time great surprises in my 25+ years of gaming. I love everything about it. The world is stunning. The combat is both satisfying and challenging. And it’s reignited my love for something seemingly lost to space and time. Overnight, Avalanche Software has cemented itself as a triple-A developer, delivering a game that belongs in conversations with the very best. Class is in session, folks.
With every new landscape and puzzle, you can feel the love that went into the development of this game. Available for both local and online play, you can enjoy this with your loved ones in the same room or from far away. Blanc is here for you to take this journey together.
Whether or not you’ll enjoy it yourself comes down to what you’re looking for. If you’re starving for more Octopath, then this is perfect. Eight new characters, a whole new world to explore, and a handful of new systems. On the other hand, if you’re hoping for something truly new, you’ll be disappointed. I loved the first game, so all I wanted was more of the same. There are enough little changes to keep me pretty happy. But if you weren’t happy with the first one, then Octopath Traveler 2 likely isn’t for you.
If the developers were hoping to launch an IP that could stand side-by-side with other monster-hunting games, they can rest easy. Wild Hearts shares some mechanics with other titles in the genre, but it’s best when staking out unique territory. Hunting Kemono alone and with others, using the Karakuri, and just enjoying the game’s satisfying loop are all a lot of fun. Best of all, Wild Hearts has the mechanical foundation and potential for endless DLC and sequels. If they can live with its slightly disappointing visuals, fans of that “other” monster-hunting game have a viable and addictive alternative in Wild Hearts.
I’ve been away from Returnal for some time, and coming back for the PC version was a happy reminder that, for a good long while, Returnal was my go-to action game. Two years later, its combination of fluid movement, engaging story, and challenging combat is still excellent. Some will still bounce off its difficulty but there are small ways to mitigate the pain. PC action game fans who missed Returnal when it was a PS5 exclusive are in for a great time.
Wanted: Dead successfully captures what made action games incredible in the sixth and seventh generations of consoles. Its combat options are deep and due to this, cutting up enemies never gets old. While the narrative shifts into beautiful hand-drawn anime, the voice acting and dialogue halt interest in the unremarkable narrative. However, fans of third-person action games who want a gameplay-focused experience should take stab at this one.