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Dread Hunger has a solid premise, but whether it’s a good time depends almost entirely on the people you play with. The survival elements are fun, but the social deception mechanics are where it’s at. Dread Hunger has some built-in limitations, but its theme and setting help it stand out from other games in the genre. Whether you’re trying to maintain order or create chaos, Dread Hunger will put your ingenuity and acting skills to the test.
Lost Ark is a polished, solid, substantial, and engaging free-to-play MMORPG that is very solo-friendly and offers a vast amount of well-made content for just about everyone. The combat is exciting and fun, the classes are appealing and varied, and the world is colorful and lush, if not necessarily state-of-the-art. The story isn’t going to turn heads, but the number and range of quests and side activities will keep you happily entertained. I’ve only scratched the surface, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the end game has to offer and what kind of community coalesces around Lost Ark.
Sifu is built around the idea of mastering a skill. Whilst this is the mantra of the protagonist, you will also play by this code and refine your skills after each attempt. The combat is sophisticated, containing enough variety and depth to be challenging yet accessible. Without any difficulty options, some may struggle as it requires time and patience, however, learn the mechanics and you’ll find one of the greatest and most rewarding fighters in the genre.
I’m not sure if more time in the oven is the answer to The Waylanders’ problems, but it couldn’t hurt. I really liked the setting and core story, but I’m afraid that the game’s bland combat and awkward controls are baked in by now. It has character, charm and style to spare but swings and misses in the execution. The Waylanders is a collection of really good ideas, almost none of which are allowed to shine without compromise.
OlliOlli World manages to stay true to its predecessors whilst making verts feel fresh. The multi-faceted levels are an absolute joy, adding experimentation and exploration to the solid foundation. With enough depth to please veterans, yet simple enough to attract newcomers, Roll7 has nailed the mechanics, making the trip to Radlandia essential.
I’ve loved my time with Dying Light 2. While it undoubtedly could use a patch or two, the foundation that’s been laid for the next five years is solid.
COGEN: Sword of Rewind is a solid side-scrolling platformer that perfectly implements a time-shifting mechanic. Combat and platforming are tough but rewarding, making the moment-to-moment gameplay a joy. While the main characters and bosses are brilliantly depicted, the stages are bland and lack the identity that enshrouds its cast. Even though the game is short, there are many reasons to revisit the game, making this a title that you shouldn’t fast-forward.
Trigger Witch has the potential to present a captivating adventure, especially with its interesting premise and fun dialogue. There isn’t much else to it besides slaughtering creatures, getting new weapons, and slaughtering the same creatures but in different ways. It’s good fun as long as you don’t expect the story to blow you away. I can see this having a cult following based on the gameplay, attainable trophies, and its cast of charming characters. If bloody, cutesy games with never-ending fights is your thing, you will enjoy Trigger Witch a lot.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is an excellent game buried under a few layers of frustration and potential hang-ups. Excavation efforts are easier than they might appear, and the game does an okay job of helping you out. The game can be frustrating and off-putting for some, but if you know where and how to interact with your opponent’s multi-minute combo turns, a whole world will open up for you. Even as I write this, I find myself tempted to boot it back up for “just one more game.” And given how close I am to my assigned word cap, I might do just that.
The most satisfying thing about this remaster is the charm of the original game is still present. This version of Shadow Man is the best of both worlds. This is an excellent marriage of old-time gaming with a fresh coat of technical polish. If you’ve never played this game before, you are in for a treat.
For one, the upgrades are primarily in support of higher resolutions or better framerates, and while the games look stunning in native 4K, you’re not getting a ton more for your ten bones. Given the lack of extras, this should maybe have been a freebie for owners of the PS4 version. On the other hand, if this collection’s reasonable price prompts you into playing these masterpieces again, that’s absolutely a win for you.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with Arceus, but the surprise was a pleasant one. There aren’t any gyms or gym leaders, but I found plenty of tough battles. The graphics are pretty basic, but the character models all look terrific. Even the environments aren’t so bad, as long as you’re playing in portable mode. I was instantly hooked by the gameplay loop. Everything you do in the field feels so seamless, so smooth. This game makes Pokémon feel a bit dangerous, something I never thought was possible. If you were hoping for a traditional Pokémon experience, you’ll be thrown for a loop. Keep an open mind however, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus will be a fantastic time.
There aren’t enough hack-and-slash action games with a sci-fi setting, but Blackwind stumbles pretty hard and makes enjoying it consistently a challenge. The game’s camera is the worst offender, but issues with platforming, balance and combat are also parts of the problem. I didn’t care that the story could find a consistent tone as much as the game’s mechanics made me want to step away in frustration. I enjoy difficult games, but not unfair, busted or buggy ones.
Dusk is a fantastic game. I think it loses a little bit by being on the Switch as controlling such a fast character with a controller just doesn’t feel as good as it does with mouse and keyboard. Combine that with a weapon wheel that doesn’t slow time, and you can have some chaotic moments that come from annoyance as you struggle to get the weapon you want while bunny-hopping around. Still, the atmosphere, level design, and pure frenetic gameplay are more than enough to make up for these minor drawbacks. Dusk on Switch is a horrifically good time, and being able to take it on the go is worth a few compromises.
The graphics in Astroneer are simple yet bright, beautiful and vivid. It makes exploring the world much more exciting and I feel like it doesn’t strain your eyes, either. It’s a wonderful game to add to your collection. It turns out, being able to play and explore new terrain and worlds with friends is a lot of fun! Though the lack of a narrative or any driving force forwards may not be the most appealing for some. Even with the stress-free gameplay, it’s sometimes nice knowing that there’s a common goal we are working towards. If you want to explore a vividly bright world, or if you just want a very chill time to just sit back and relax, then I would certainly recommend you pick up Astroneer. Alone or with friends, you can explore and build to your heart’s content.
Pupperazzi is a lighthearted, chill little game that anyone can enjoy. If you’re not too worried about realism and don’t need a lot of high-level content, you’ll be happy with what Pupperazzi has to offer. The bad news is that it’s over pretty quickly, and there isn’t much reason to go back. The dogs are cute, and the whole thing is marginally surreal, but a bit of story or maybe some strong canine characters would have added to the experience, especially for older dog lovers.
If you’re a fan of the late DJ himself, well this game is a no-brainer. He was clearly a great talent and the music is outstanding. But for everyone else, AVICII Invector: Encore Edition on Meta Quest 2 is still worth strapping on the VR headset and giving a go. The music is great and the gameplay is addictive and fun. If you like rhythm games but you don’t want to sweat (or risk accidentally bonking your family in the head), AVICII Invector: Encore Edition’s chill EDM vibe is the VR experience you’re waiting for.
The Company Man is a beautiful action platformer that is crammed with character. Forust Studio has laced the game with social commentary that truly enhances the experience. Even though it has a few pacing issues and lacks replay value, this is an enjoyable fight against capitalism.
Windjammers 2 is a pretty simple game, but it’s also a fun one. Once you climb that short, steep learning curve, every match is a blast. Even when you’re getting creamed, it’s something of a teachable moment. Plus, there’s also some new technique or strategy you can employ next round. Everything looks and sounds extremely 90’s, while the characters themselves all use distinct play styles. This was a huge boon for me, as I could just switch players whenever I hit a wall. Even if the game is quite straightforward, the well-rounded multiplayer will ensure you’re never actually bored. If you’re looking for an extreme, vibrant, 90’s style sports game, you’ve come to the right place. Windjammers 2 is a neon-drenched, disc-flinging good time.
RPGolf Legends attempts to combine elements from a range of genres to create a sumptuous sporting adventure. Unfortunately, these exist in solitude rather than merge to form a cohesive experience. Although it doesn’t hit the heights of Golf Story, it does have a lot of charm and is a fun stop-gap while waiting for Sidebar Games’ sophomore release.