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As a game, Wattam is a scatterbrained assembly of goofball logic and cumbersome mechanics. As an experience, it's an earnest expression of love, affinity, and forgiveness shared by all of its moving pieces. The product is a game that elicits joy without the videogame-y demand for precooked gratification. Wattam feels like a birthday party where all of your friends actually show up.
REROLL presents Katamari Damacy with all of the strange power and dazed prestige it originally showcased in 2004. This no-frills reissue is adapted from its 2018 trip to the Switch, favoring preservation over amplification, but such is the curse of being born perfect. Katamari Damacy is on another modern platform and all is right with the cosmos.
Fight Crab is one of the funniest and entertaining fighting games I've ever played. Although it may seem like a simple idea, the game is very enjoyable especially when using gyro controls and moving your arms to fight your opponents!
The Artful Escape is a visual and audio masterpiece that creates a sincere narrative that gives hope to any struggling would-be artist that they will find their own voice at the end of a tough journey. As good as that message might be, the gameplay mechanics don't nearly live up to the hype the rest of the game creates.
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition is yet more proof that Capcom can remaster a classic, even one as young as Devil May Cry 5. Visually it's stunning, the mix of characters and abilities will keep gamers engaged, and that music is certainly going to let you know that you're playing an over-the-top angsty demon hunting game.
Legend of Mana is a beautiful game full of wonder and whimsy. Every time I hopped into this gorgeous remaster, I found myself grinning from ear to ear. Though I do not have experience with the original Legend of Mana, I feel fans will be quite happy with the work put into this remaster.
The Master Collection is about as barebones as you can get for a compilation release. Still, if this is maybe an indication that the door to a whole new NG adventure is forthcoming, one that embraces the design of the first two, then that’s great news. Anyway — speculation aside — if you’re looking to relive these games or want to get into the franchise for the first time, this is very good way to do it.
Football Manager 2020 manages to improve upon last years outing in enough areas to justify an upgrade for owners for FM 2019 or before. However, I do feel it's getting closer to the point where a marquee feature will need to be introduced or an existing one improved dramatically such as the 3D match engine.
Save Me Mr. Tako: Definitive Edition is a quintessential time capsule, transporting players into a replication of Nintendo's Game Boy. While the devotion to the time period may not be for everyone, there is undeniable charm here for old-school platformer enthusiasts.
Red Dead Redemption 2 on the PC is the top-tier version of the game. It's the Woodford Reserve bourbon when you're used to drinking Kentucky Gentleman. It will most undoubtedly look better than the console version and include all the gameplay that you would expect from the title, but the cost of getting it to that Woodford Reserve level is definitely a price only a PC elitist would understand and accept.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope isn't a long game by any measure, but what it delivers in its time is used effectively enough to purvey a sense of dread. While not necessarily a traditional horror game full of jump scares or horrific machinations, Little Hope attempts to deliver nuance in the style of an arthouse horror film. It mostly gets there depending on a player's choice, but overall it doesn't completely stick the landing. Little Hope's themes put in a 2020-context make it stand out as a horror title but otherwise, it offers very little in terms of true horror.
I had a good time with Stranded Deep. I spent a good amount of time with it. Thinking about all the pros and cons together, my opinion on this game is mixed.
Predator: Hunting Grounds looks and sounds like Predator, but lacks the soul of the 1987 classic film. For being one of the most iconic hunters in the galaxy, the Predator feels weak compared to the vastly overpowered Fireteam. I never felt terrified of the Predator, and I think that's Hunting Grounds' most glaring issue. I'm invested enough in the Predator franchise to see what Illfonic has up their sleeves in terms of additional content for the game, but I find it hard to recommend to those who are looking for the ultimate Predator fantasy.
Nobody Saves the World is a unique and thrilling take on top-down adventure games, featuring a sharp aesthetic and genuinely addicting gameplay that fosters combat where similar titles have faltered.
Valfaris is a collection of conventional run 'n gun elements amplified by one of the gnarliest and most committed heavy metal aesthetics ever pledged to pixels. Ideas that belong to Valfaris may not be as well tuned as the Greatest Hits it so liberally samples, but it's easy to overlook in light of the vibrant carnage. Valfaris, in the parlance of its god, shreds.
Death Stranding reinvents how video game design can work. It takes you through an experience you didn't expect, doesn't hold back with its design intentions and execution, and takes the gamer through a journey like no other. This is a masterpiece that only Kojima could pull off.
Last Stop is endearing with its story and characters with a Hollywood caliber narrative design. It just wants to be a movie more than it wants to be a game, but it is entertaining, nonetheless.
In sum, Beyond A Steel Sky is a solid adventure game from a studio that has proven their skills and passion for the genre many times over many years. I’m really glad I finally got into the Steel Sky games this year, and if you like adventure games or looking for a strong story driven game with great writing and voice-acting, put Beyond on your short list. It’s not the most captivating or memorable adventure, but it has a lot going for it.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare puts the franchise back where it needs to be. You get a wonderful campaign, team-oriented spec ops, and a variety of multiplayer options that cater to those who love large and small scale warfare.
Metallic Child is a wild anime dungeon crawler wrapped in a few roguelike mechanics. Though its levels can run a bit long and its combat grow repetitive, a friendly difficulty makes bashing robot masters and their ilk a joy.