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Technical issues aside, we’ve had a great time playing The Alters. It poses tough choices and requirements to the player, and gives us a tight time limit and a thousand other things to keep track of, all while teasing us with new exposition or areas to explore that we’ll never get to in one sitting. It’s a tough game, but give it the time it deserves and you find yourself deeply invested in Jan(s) home.
What a zero-stress game Disney Illusion Island Starring Mickey & Friends was! Gaming doesn’t always have to have strict limits and fast paced action and this proves that. Is it going to move the needle for the platforming genre? Probably not, but it was fun and didn’t overstay its welcome. Throw in co-op, accessibility for all skill levels, and it’s a metroidvania and as far as I’m concerned that’s always a winning combo. If this sounds like something that would fit your gaming lifestyle at this point in your life, I say check it out.
Listen, I am usually the first to play “weird” games or at least give them a go. This one was no different. It wasn’t quite what I expected and that’s okay. And the story has heart so I would encourage players to try it and see for yourself just what others can come up with in the creative space like videogames. If it had more gameplay elements, I’d probably be more keen on it but you may find a hidden gem in this one for yourself. You never know.
I’m encouraged by the work that has gone in to improve and launch My Team 2.0, but I can’t help but feel short-changed with too many customized options being locked behind a paywall. That being said, I can see myself putting a lot more hours into F1 25, exploring the different outcomes in Braking Point 3 and delving into a long-term save in My Team.
Whether you've come for a good yarn, intense drama, or intriguing puzzles, American Arcadia has you covered nicely without ever overstaying its welcome. Experiencing Trevor's story and the interplay between Trevor and Angela is engaging and high-quality entertainment. It's brief, and the characters aren't particularly interesting, but American Arcadia is a game with plenty to say - an inspired, brief, but pleasurable title that deserves attention.
Knock on the Coffin Lid is a solid entry in the roguelite deckbuilder category. Anyone sick of the other big contenders will have plenty of things to do. Those looking for a bit more story than usually found will get the most out of it.
If you’re up for a disturbingly enjoyable tale for an evening or two, do yourself a favour; pick up Cooking Companions with as little prior knowledge as possible and just revel in the places it takes us. Just don’t let the kids watch.
Which leads me to my final thoughts. As a remaster, it’s well done if basic; some upspuffed visuals, a few QoL improvements, and an easier way to revisit the game. But unfortunately the game itself is showing its age, with obtuse objectives and maps and combat that rarely feels fun or exciting to engage in. One for old fans, and cautious new players looking to see what the series is all about before the new Onimusha: Way of the Sword next year.
If you took the journey five years ago to Journey to the Savage Planet, you'll want to book a trip to Revenge of the Savage Planet as well. Marmite humour and low-key exploration pleasures aside, Revenge of the Savage Planet is a good and enjoyable time that allows you to scan to your heart's content and mosey through unknown landscapes to complete objectives and challenges en route to your ultimate revenge. Revenge of the Savage Planet won't take up much of your time either, but just know that this brand of revenge is a dish served with a slice of weirdness and a platter of squirt burgers—meaning you should just go and have fun for a while.
Kiborg has crunchy combat and a fantastic sense of adventure to its progression system. Anyone looking for a character action game that delights in the absurd should give it a try. That said, you will need to be content to deal with the unfinished nature of some aspects.
Bleach: Rebirth of Souls had the potential to be a great game for fans of the anime, but it falls short in several key areas. Way to many cutscenes disrupts the flow of gameplay, and the combat, while solid, lacks the depth and excitement needed to keep me wanting more. It's a game that might appeal to die-hard Bleach fans just to try it out, but for others, it may not be worth the time. Watch the anime instead, it's so much better!
City of the Wolves is a solid instalment in the series, and a game that is in love with its past, while adding new layers everywhere that counts. There is substantial single player content, multiplayer of value and considerable roster. SNK fans will be eating well today – as long as they are prepared to pay extra for content.
Thanks to a brisker pace and slightly shorter runtime, I found myself enjoying Tape 2 a bit more than Tape 1. It feels more exciting and engaging, and even the modern day parts pay off finally as we get to the bottom of the mystery that was frustratingly teased throughout the last episode. As a whole, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is one of the better choose your own adventure style games in recent years, and a welcome return for Don’t Nod indeed.
Despite some early potential, we came away from Steel Seed underwhelmed by its muddled gameplay style and not all that compelling tale. It has its moments, but players looking for either stealth or action gaming are best off looking elsewhere.
As you can hopefully tell, I absolutely adore Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It’s the first game in some time that I’ve found myself utterly lost in, so much so that I genuinely did not want to put the controller down. Any minor gripes there might be to have (some areas can get a little confusing to navigate at times, though none are so big that it remains a problem for long) are easily outnumbered by the sheer brilliance of the full product from start to finish. Combat, presentation, exploration, story; it’s all so damn good that I cannot recommend highly enough that you go play this game. We’ve still got a long way to go this year, and a few big hitters to come, but man, it’ll take something special to give Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a run for its money.
Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds: Ultimate is a loving remaster/reworking of the original title, it is bursting with content and all of the originals wide-eyed excess. For those revisiting this will be everything they could possibly want (bigger roster, more modes, better multiplayer). For hardcore beat ‘em up fans the combat might not be deep enough for them but they aren’t the target audience for this title.
Techno Banter is a wonderful little title with tons of Berlin charm. Part text adventure, part Papers, Please, and a handy dousing of EDM.
Atomfall is an ambitious and atmospheric survival RPG that delivers a compelling world and intriguing story. Its open-ended exploration and multiple endings make it a rewarding experience for players who enjoy uncovering mysteries at their own pace. However, its combat mechanics, technical issues, and occasional pacing problems hold it back from greatness. For those willing to overlook its flaws, Atomfall offers a unique and immersive adventure. But if you’re looking for polished combat and a more guided experience, you might find its rough edges frustrating.
After being drawn in by some eye-catching artwork, Leila backed it up with an engaging story and fun puzzles, albeit hampered by controller inputs rather than a mouse. This niggle aside, Leila is an easy recommend for those looking for an evening of puzzles alongside some heartfelt, thought-provoking storytelling.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is everything I thought this game was going to be and I enjoyed the ride immensely. It’s possible purists may not like the tone of the game too much but as a fan I can always get behind Majima being the main protagonist. His attitude and antics from previous games suit the farfetched nature here and you don’t even need to have played any of the previous game to dive in and enjoy this title.