COGconnected
HomepageCOGconnected's Reviews
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.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is nothing short of incredible. Its layered combat system lets you stylishly cut down foes, while clever level design delivers platforming challenges that make full use of your abilities. The difficulty is demanding yet fair, rewarding you for learning and responding to enemy attacks. More than just a worthy reboot, it feels like the ideal starting point for Sega’s wider revival.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is an authentic recreation of a masterpiece. Each aspect of the visuals has been beautifully and faithfully modernized with painstaking attention to detail.
For those looking for an experience that sidesteps common trends, this is absolutely worth your time.
The music is chill, the vistas are fabulous, and the vibes are immaculate. If you’re looking for a short, singular gameplay experience, Sword of the Sea will be perfect for you.
Abyssus is a solid title, and one that I expect to return to over and over until I complete it. While there are some aspects that could be improved, they won’t deter me from coming back to the post-launch content when those eventually release as well.
I have to try really hard to find anything to critique about Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant. It’s a turn-based JRPG, with an innovative combat system that hits all the right nostalgia buttons.
For the patient adventurer looking for something heartfelt between the sword swings, Noctuary is a little gem well worth playing.
But if you have any nostalgic love for the original games, then please pick this collection up for yourself, and for the sake of future Nightdive remaster projects.
Unfortunately, persistent bugs, inconsistent commentary, glitchy menus, and occasional game logic flaws keep it from reaching true greatness.
With minimal offline content and few incentives to return online, it risks being overshadowed by stronger competitors. Without significant expansion to its bare-bones structure, the game may struggle to hold onto its player base.
Although there’s no doubt that Achilles: Survivor is built on the foundation of Achilles: Legends Untold, it has its own and very definite identity.
Mafia: The Old Country is a refreshing story-driven adventure that delivers exactly what it sets out to achieve. Strong voice acting, stunning visuals, a cinematic score, and a well-paced plot come together to create a memorable experience that stands proudly alongside its predecessors.
The game offers a great mix of dread laced with unknowable horror. Because there are different choices you can make, the game has many very different endings. Can you successfully complete your job? Can you make the right choices, even if they go against your morals? There’s only one way to find out.
Writing this review exhausted me. I was hoping a new saga of Destiny 2 might get me excited for what’s next. Instead, I’m tired. The skill to make cool stuff still exists at Bungie, but it’s being catastrophically misused. Design and mechanical changes need to be more thoroughly considered, and the entire player base needs to be brought along for the ride. If Bungie leadership is reading this part: please. Give your people the time, space, and freedom to create something incredible. They have the capacity, and they need your support. This franchise can find its footing again, but Bungie needs to get out of its own way to do so.
All in all, No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES is a fun return to the world of AI: The Somnium Files. I wish it were longer and had a little more substance. But it’s not too expensive and it sure is entertaining to play, so check it out if you’re already a fan.