COGconnected
HomepageCOGconnected's Reviews
Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact is, at its core, a phenomenal fighting game. The fighting system is near-perfect, and easily stands beside the best triple-A modern fighters.
Honestly, there’s a good chance you’ll love all of it, even if I didn’t. If you’re looking to dive into the latest generation of Mario Party games, the Jamboree TV Switch 2 bundle is the perfect way to do so.
Anyone looking for a chill, cool, slightly weird racing game would do well to check this one out.
It treads extremely familiar ground to be sure. Its greatest appeal might be to those devoted Soulslike players who are looking for an unadulterated old school challenge with up-to-date production values and new systems to learn.
The story is messy, and its basic presentation fails to hold your attention. Although the game throws together many ideas, none are fully realized, resulting in a disjointed and unpolished experience.
While marred by repetitive commentary and a smattering of intrusive bugs, the foundation here is rock-solid. For fans of college football, it’s an essential purchase. It’s still not a flawless champion just yet, but its potential to build a long-lasting dynasty is undeniable.
Would it kill them to incorporate parts of the traditional Tamagotchi experience into its video games? Whether that would help with the game or not, at least it’s worth a discussion.
While it doesn’t reinvent anything, Unfinished Business is a satisfying extension for those eager to jump back into RoboCop’s boots.
All in all, Shadow Labyrinth is an ambitious reimagining of a classic franchise that works much better than it has any right to to. That said, the presentation is still a bit rusty, and it’s really difficult at times. I hope you’re prepared to spend six tries to get past almost every boss and nasty platforming section.
Mario Kart World was a great introduction to the Switch 2, but Donkey Kong Bananza is the first can’t-miss game to come to the platform. You’d be a fool to pass on this one.
Undoubtedly, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is the best way to play this classic open-world survival horror FPS CRPG.
Every element feels purposeful, from the thoughtful storytelling to the smart use of puzzles and stealth mechanics. Together, these pieces come together to create something truly special.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is an excellent sequel. It has the smooth skateboard gameplay we all know and love, with tons of features and modes.
In a landscape littered with lazy, poorly optimized or outright broken PC ports, Stellar Blade stands out for its attention to detail, wealth of options and strong performance. It’s a great way to experience one of the best action-adventure RPGs from 2024.
Front Mission 3 Remake is a fantastic strategy JRPG. It has excellent combat, and deep mech customization, led by an engrossing story. It’s easy to get sucked into the conflict of the Front Mission world. And that early choice leading to different narratives truly shocked me. I had no idea! The game does have some visual oddities and too much framerate stutter in its cutscenes, but I would still say Front Mission 3 Remake is a must-play for fans of strategy JRPGs.
Playing Dune: Awakening is an uneven experience. The survival and building loops start strong, then eventually bog down, but experiencing the Dune universe and Arrakis is always engaging. If the game’s combat could reach the heights of its stellar world-building, Dune: Awakening would be very hard to put down. As it is, the game’s crafting/survival loops are just strong enough to keep me playing when its combat tempts me to stop.
On the Switch 2, performance is great both in handheld and docked, allowing Sonic X Shadow Generations to be a solid launch offering. For those interested in purchasing a physical copy of this game, be advised that it is in a Game-Key Card format.
I loved Chronicles of the Wolf. It’s rare to find a game inspired by proto-Metroidvania NES adventure games. It’s also rare to find a game that looks like a Sega Genesis action platformer.
It’s drop-dead gorgeous and introduces enough new mechanics to feel fresh while never alienating what makes the franchise so special. Death Stranding 2 is undoubtedly one of the best games of the year, and well worth the agonizing six-year wait.
Firebreak is emblematic of the old saying – “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The early missions are not reflective of the true depth and replayability the game offers. If you invest a bit of time and upgrade your kit, there is a lot of fun to be had here.