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Outside of the gameplay elements, Pax Augusta delivers on its promise of helping aspiring leaders build the Roman city of their dreams. Going from humble beginnings to a megapolis is no mean feat, but it's mainly because the game tends to work against you. There is potential, and a project born of passion is always worth supporting. At the same time, it is always working against the clock, just like the sun setting on a once great empire, as better things loom on the horizon.
For what it's worth, Chains of Freedom is not a bad game at all. As a turn-based tactical adventure, it fulfils the brief sufficiently, with the sort of conflict and narrative that is simply par for the course. Being unable to offer anything genuinely new means that you really have to love the premise to see everything through, and at the end of the day, that's not for everyone.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may be predictable at times, but it's bolstered by its excellent voice cast and compelling turn-based combat.
A fun concept that never realises its full potential, The Fool's Apprentice messes up the management sim experience with technical and gameplay issues.
It may not be heavy on the narrative, save for a few interspersed cutscenes, but the star attraction of Path of Fury – Episode I: Tetsuo’s Tower is the engaging combat. It gets you into the action quickly and almost seamlessly, and has enough of a challenge to push you further and higher. Even if you are not chasing a high score or trying to find a new fitness routine, every run in Tetsuo’s Tower will inevitably lead down those paths, and it is extremely satisfying every time.
There is no denying that South of Midnight has some room for refinements when it comes to gameplay, but in this case, it does a good enough job in serving as the vehicle for delivering the impressive narrative at the heart of the experience. Intrigue and mystery permeate throughout Prospero, and every step you can take as Hazel in helping others and yourself is impactful and emotional in all the right ways. Framing events like a storybook is perfectly apt, and despite its gameplay, I have never felt more inclined to turn the pages until the very end.
Not having your full expectations met inevitably leads to disappointment, but in the case of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the quality on show positions this latest remaster attempt as being top of the pile. Visually stunning, the fluid action returns better than ever, rectifying the issues of Sigma 2 for an adventure that will help modern players get acquainted with an all-time classic series that deserves another shot in the spotlight.
The biggest highlight of Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is that it takes a bold step forward and tries new things. The open world is fun to explore and makes ingredient gathering incredibly satisfying, while the new action-focused combat mixes things up and keeps you engaged. As a longtime fan, this is possibly the best Atelier has ever been.
Ultimately, what can be considered the best selling points of The First Berserker: Khazan could also be its most significant drawbacks. The action role-playing adventure may be hardcore in name, but there are ways in which the developers have tweaked things to make it possible for more players to enjoy the game. It is also a more constrained journey with smaller levels that constantly funnel you into its biggest strength, the combat. Over 20-30 hours spent on an initial run, and more to see alternate endings, this bloodthirsty revenge tour was utterly enjoyable. The fact that I am now more interested in discovering the Dungeon Fighter Online universe is a testament to the quality, and positions this game as no mere pretender but a genuine contender for the Soulslike crown.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally delivers to players what has always been demanded, a franchise adventure set in the world of ninjas, shinobis, samurai, and ronin. It is somehow boosted and hampered by its dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, and their place in the narrative, but the underlying systems are where the game truly shines bright. There is still room for improvement, but if you are looking for a substantial adventure where gameplay is king rather than the storytelling, then feudal Japan beckons.
Without necessarily venturing into something fresh, Avowed gets the brief right in the other areas of an action RPG. A wonderfully constructed world, brilliant and engaging writing, and action that is just satisfying for the most part, it is definitely comfort food for those invested in the genre. Whether playing it safe is the right way to go depends on your wants, but for an enjoyable fantasy adventure, you really cannot go wrong with Avowed.
What Hazelight has done with Split Fiction is simply amazing, using their expertise to craft a co-op adventure that feels just right. There are all sorts of gameplay sequences that can appeal to different tastes, an engrossing story told through the characters and the worlds, and splendidly propped up by imaginative cooperative interactions that have none of the frustration and all of the charm. It might not be the best co-op game for everyone, but from a design perspective, there are no split opinions; this is Hazelight Studios’ best work yet.
In many ways, Two Point Museum is similar to the voyage of a museum visitor in Two Point County. There are new and amazing things to marvel at, familiar sights that are comforting, and the odd discovery here and there that might bring the mood down. But at the end of the day, you are getting a well-put-together management simulation experience that is worth the price of entry, even if you won’t like everything on show.
Capcom knows the importance of Monster Hunter Wilds and the franchise, and it shows. The seven-year gap between Worlds and Wilds has been put to excellent use, with the latter easily grabbing the crown as the best mainline game, no mean feat considering the storied origins it comes from. Whether it be the world-building or the visual quality, the monsters and the combat, or the chase for the next big hunt and improved gear, fans will have to prepare themselves for the hunt of a lifetime with Wilds, and there’s nothing better than that.
The attempt of Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap to change the formula with a roguelite twist is not perfect, but neither is it a disastrous failure. The game looks better than before, and the gameplay is still exciting and satisfying for the most part. There is always joy to be had at figuring things out, but whether you can keep up the momentum is the issue, and the longer you go, the more it feels like the game is actively working against you. The orcs still need slaying, but hopefully, the heroes trying to do so don’t get all ground up in the process.
As a spin-off that leaves us wanting more for the next mainline entry, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii definitely checks a few boxes. Character development is once again stellar, with Majima deservedly being spotlighted, and the various nautical elements infused into combat, exploration, and the world help to breathe new life into Hawaii and its surroundings. Yet, there are still rough edges to this adventure, such is the pirate life, but the crests of the waves most certainly outshine the troughs.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is yet another quality installment in the franchise. Not only is there a better look at more of Calvard, but we also learn more about old friends as the cast expands in this game. The plot line may not make a big leap forward, but it wraps up many lingering mysteries from the first game
Between the much-improved combat, the more in-depth and engaging storytelling, the interesting overworld, and plenty of replayability, Dynasty Warriors: Origins doesn’t feel like just the franchise’s next entry, but a magnificent reboot that breathes new life into the series. And that is before you even dive into the higher difficulties and enjoy the postgame content. While the outsider perspective of the Wanderer and his relative lack of emotions take some getting used to, everyone else is at the peak of their powers, and the result is a fantastic game made for newcomers and a glorious benchmark for veterans to measure upcoming games against.
While Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero echoes Disgaea down to its core, players who don’t like that series might have more reason to love this one. From the fun little story to interesting combat mechanics, it treads its own ground and revamps combat in a quite enjoyable way. It doesn’t run that long either, with my playthrough being only a bit over 40 hours, and that’s without the post-game stuff. A well-made tactical RPG can really suck you in, and Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero will do precisely that if you give it a chance, and that’s no mean feat.
Overall, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is exactly what a video game inspired by a movie franchise should be. It does everything the source material does right while being sure not to rehash the same concepts and also properly accounting for significant differences between mediums. While combat and puzzles could undoubtedly be better, I'd recommend this title to anyone craving a fun adventure, regardless of whether you've seen the movies or not.