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In conclusion, Layers of Fear 2 is a worthwhile experience, and even more so if you consider the launch price of $30. I can’t say I found it as thought-provoking or chilling as the first Layers, but it’s still pretty solid. The story, writing, sound design, much of the game design overall really, outlasts the lesser, but still very significant, flaws of the game.
Through its characters, its designer, and its player, Gorogoa keeps an outsider's perspective in a present state of mind. Straightforward action—shifting panels and considering different points of view—doesn't preclude logical twists or emotional complexity. In only a couple hours, Gorogoa creates a window into a daydream and a companion to despair.
All in all, this game had great aesthetics and commentary, but it was entirely too repetitive. Every ‘mission' was pretty much the same, but increased in difficulty throughout the game. I would give this game a 6.5/10 rating, but it is also a cult favorite and I respect those who have love for this game.
One Piece: World Seeker falls flat. Its poor mechanics, sloppy combat, slow pacing, and repetitiveness all made me want to stop playing. The game has a decent story but was not worth the frustration. I would not recommend. 4/10
Overall, you get a bigger adventure with Shadow of the Tomb Raider, as well as a bigger world to explore. To cap it all off, the story does the character justice by pushing Croft towards a more mature and badass persona through her obvious and logical flaws. It hits all the right notes and tries new things to give the series a different direction. In the end, it's an impressive upgrade from the last game.
Mothergunship is a solid title that hangs its hat on weapon customization, while sacrificing some gameplay. It's definitely worth a go, even if only to show the insane weapon designs one can concoct.
Gang Beasts' madcap brawling creates a dynamic alliance between conflict and chaos. It also enables human responses like surprise, merriment, revenge, and screaming. Driving a wobbly creature to comically murder another flailing mess, as it turns out, is a pleasant and repeatable practice. If only three of your friends could always come along for the ride.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 is an imperfect, flawed, and splendid game where the highs ultimately outshine the lows.
All of the gameplay design choices made by First Contact Entertainment seem to be more on the good side of the scale rather than the bad. The menus could use some improvement and simplification, and maybe the eventual addition of a campaign, but nothing that can't be corrected in post. What you get with the design is good controls, lots of room for error during the game, intense gameplay with a smooth vantage point, and maps to get lost in when you want to get lost in them. The loadouts, the options of how to conquer your enemy will be the driving point to the gameplay. That's never a bad thing when those options are in the positive.
Okami, now on its seventh platform, remains unaffected by the ravages of time. The convergence of Japanese folklore and a Sumi-e aesthetic over the blueprint of The Legend of Zelda created a benign opus that, eleven years later, remains unchallenged and unequaled by any scale of competition. Okami, even with its pronounced vulnerabilities, is a singular creation and merits constant preservation. [OpenCritic note: Eric Layman separately reviewed the PC (9), PS4 (9), and Switch (8) versions. Their scores have been averaged.]
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a beautifully designed game from story to gameplay construction. To boot, the game is absolutely gorgeous and is fun to watch in motion. The fact that you have easily over 70+ hours of gameplay (teetering on 100) makes the longevity of the adventure more memorable. This is how you make an RPG, and I hope that the good folks at Square Enix continue to develop the series the same way.
Phantasy Star is the best release so far from the Sega Ages series. It shows off innovation, outside the box thinking, and, after all these years, it is still a blast to play. It's one for the ages, folks.
Resident Evil 2 survives the horror of summiting a twenty-one year old apex. Time-worn mechanics, either left abandoned or considered obsolete, are accountably refashioned through an agile interface and a relentless commitment to creating tension. Resident Evil 2's pervasive sense of dread, the handshake between past and present, remains delightfully, gruesomely in place.
Overall, in a deal of 6 games in one collection with added features for new and casual players, the Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy collection is certainly an enjoyable and potentially challenging experience
If you already love this franchise, you'll love this remaster/remake too. If you've never experienced this franchise before, or you are coming from a modern context, it feels like a relic of a bygone era. And ultimately rather than the simpler nature of its underlying components radiating a universal appeal, they come off as outdated.
Doom VFR leverages extant resources to construct an intimate sensation of murdering hell demons in virtual reality. Dealing with Satan entails a short list of sacrifices which Doom VFR obliges through its compressed experience, inadequate control options, and risk averse experimentation. Safe and sensible, however, are sufficient labels for Doom VFR's pledge of menacing intensity.
A surprising twist on the strategy and resource management genre, Kingdom Two Crowns offers players a mostly serene experience with gorgeous art and limited direction that may frustrate players not willing to uncover its secrets.
Blue Fire is an enjoyable platforming experience and an otherwise decent game in all other aspects. While Void challenge rooms are fun to play through and navigate, Blue Fire's combat and world-level design outside of Void rooms leave a lot to be desired. If Blue Fire leaned into its platforming, I would be highly recommending it for everyone out there.
Overall, Skelattack is a solid game that will put you to the test as much as it will mesmerize you with story and visuals. It might be a bit much for some, but the story makes the journey worth the trouble.
Scalebreaker is a wonderful expansion to the Season of the Dragon event, as well as to The Elder Scrolls Online as a whole.