Netto’s Game Room's Reviews
Bye Sweet Carole ultimately leaves me disappointed. It had so much potential to be a modern classic but fumbled the writing so hard in the second half that it only made me laugh. The gameplay is at times interesting and intense but often feels unpolished and clunky. It is a truly beautiful looking game with an amazing soundtrack. However, visuals and music alone aren't enough to carry a game. It truly saddens me that I can't recommend it, because I genuinely wanted to love this game that reminded me of my favorite childhood movies.
Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga is a fun arena fighter that successfully blends the hectic boss fights the Ys series is known for with classic player-versus-player action. No two fights will ever be the same thanks to the game's vast customization options, and being able to play as fan-favorite characters is a real treat. The game will not be for everyone, but those who are fans of both series and are itching for something different to play should look no further. There is a learning curve to overcome, but once you climb that hill, you will be in for a great time.
This game is utterly fantastic. I went into it thinking that if it was even half as good as Cyber Sleuth, it would be amazing, but aside from my distaste for launch-DLC locking quests behind it, and the fact that I like the characters a bit better in Cyber Sleuth, this game exceeds it in every way. The story is great, the world feels alive, the visuals are vastly improved, and it has a lot of quality-of-life improvements that previous entries in the series lack. It's extremely approachable whether you're a longtime Digimon fan, or entirely new to the franchise, and it manages to be challenging at times throughout(unless you go overboard on grinding, which you definitely can if you want an easier experience). This is the definitive Digimon game, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Yooka-RePlaylee is still the same love letter to Nintendo 64 classics as the original release was, but in a much more refined form. The game contains roughly double the challenges as the original, there are hundreds of ways to customize the experience in unique ways, the controls have never felt better, and the quality-of-life upgrades really go a long way in improving the experience. This is, in fact, Yooka-Laylee in its best form, and it gives little reason for players to go back and play the original.
Elden Ring is a fantastic experience from beginning to end. I feel that it is the ideal jumping on point for anyone intrigued by the Souls genre. This game feels like what FromSoftware has been working toward and striving to achieve. While the game doesn't hold your hand, there are vast amounts of resources online for people that are confused or needing assistance. The game itself also tries to provide some features like summons or co-op to give struggling players a leg up. While I don't think Souls games are for everyone, Elden Ring comes the closest to being a Souls game that I think anyone could find some real enjoyment with.
Dreams of Another is not a standard game; it is a profound work of art. It immerses the player with its unique visuals, compelling soundtrack, and its one-of-a-kind "destruction for creation" mechanic, all while compelling us to step back and examine ourselves. This game is a meditation not just on life, but on the nature of existence, the true meaning of creativity, and the ultimate pursuit of leaving a legacy. While it won't appeal to every player, those who are willing to engage in self-reflection will find a far deeper, more meaningful experience here. The game is brief, but its message is powerful enough to last a lifetime. You may not fully grasp it now, but one day, it will undoubtedly resonate.
MEGABONK is an addictively chaotic and surprisingly deep game that appeared out of nowhere. While I've pointed out some of its current flaws, for a game this affordable, it delivers a massive amount of content and pure fun. The game practically dares you to break it, a challenge I don't just accept, but one I revel in. I'm here for the chaos.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 quickly became one of my favorite entries in the series. It is a solid RPG with a great cast of characters, addictive tactical turn-based combat, and a story filled with twists and turns from start to finish.
You reader, might not enjoy the game for its difficulty, but for me, it respects my time, and wants me to improve. It doesn't hold my hand but rather guides me to seek mastery. Isn't that what makes games fun? Silksong reminds me and many others how much fun a game used to be. . . I am glad that there exists developers who also remembers those time.
If you're a Harry Potter fan, this is probably the game you've waited your whole life for. It fulfills the dreams that so many of us have had since first seeing the movies all those years ago. Between the exploration of the iconic setting, the phenomenal combat and the obvious care and attention to detail put into this game, you can tell it came from a team who wanted to nail it, and they did so in a spectacular manner. Even if you're not a Harry Potter fan, and you just like open-world action-RPGs, I really think that you'll find this game to be engaging and highly entertaining. Supposedly a sequel is in the works, and I can't wait to see what this team is cooking up.
The Devil is in the Details is a fun and unique take on the "spot the difference" genre. It throws you into a maze with dozens of objects to memorize, scares you with jump scares, sends ghosts and monsters after you, and often plays tricks to further impede your progress. To top it all off, as you attempt to survive all of these horrors, you still need to recall what changed perfectly, or else you fail and will be sent back to a previous checkpoint. The game is challenging as a memory game alone, but this added layer of horror is what truly makes it unique and a game players can return to time and time again. While the game itself may be short, its replay value is endless.
Lost Soul Aside is not a perfect game. There are rough edges, a slow introduction that doesn't accurately represent the rest of the game, and a lot of the story feels like moments thrown together the creator thought would be "cool." However, if you can get past the unrefined parts, you will discover a fun action game that is a full-on throwback to days gone by.
If you're curious about Souls games but have always been intimidated by them, like I was, I can definitely recommend Dark Souls III as a good starting point. It is a genuinely difficult game, but with a lot of patience and learning, and some likely necessary experience farming, you shouldn't have too much trouble.
Enshrouded is a game that gave me a bit of a rough first impression but fairly quickly charmed me with its clever adventuring and fun decision-making for your character's build. The more I spent with it, the more I wanted to go back and continue my journey in the Embervale. Even if it can be a bit clunky as of right now, it is still a fairly priced game that gives you a much better experience than most open-world triple-A's on the market. It is impressive how much developer Keen Games has managed to do with a smaller team and budget.
Armageddon is just as solid as it was back in 1999 and has been made even better thanks to modern-day improvements. It has the ability to remain "the" go-to Worms title and is a must for fans of the series. It's a great place for newcomers to start as well, but don't expect to be a master right off the bat.
Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a very unique game, to say the least. It takes the 2D action gameplay Inti Creates is known for and mixes it with that of a Metroidvania. The gameplay itself is fast and fluid, and the two main characters cover both ranged and melee-based playstyles. It can be played solo by switching between characters on the fly, or in co-op with a friend. Bosses are unique and challenging, but even the normal enemies can easily take you out if you aren’t careful. Transferring perks between picked-up items lets you customize your character’s stats to your liking, and unlocking new abilities is a lot of fun as well. Everything about this core gameplay is spot on and makes Servants of the Dark a joy to play; it is pretty much everything a fan of 2D action games could ask for! However, the rough edges are what makes playing the game a challenge at times.
I didn’t know I needed Artis Impact in my life. I’ve spent countless hours playing RPGs so similar to each other that I often forget what it's like to experience something new and unexpected. Artis Impact is both of these things, while also being familiar in a comforting way. It is a charming world with a main character I quickly grew attached to and an impressive amount of ways to interact with the environment. The social aspects helped keep me invested in this girl's life, and the ever-changing art style was visually pleasing from start to finish. The standard RPG elements were a bit light, as Akane became overpowered pretty easily, but role-playing her life more than made up for it. In the end, Artis Impact was a game I never wanted to end, and it had me jumping back in for a second playthrough once the credits rolled—something very few games have made me want to do.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is hands-down one of the most enjoyable 2D action games I've played in recent years. It flawlessly merges the classic NES experience with modern refinements, perfectly preserving the spirit of both old and new Ninja Gaiden titles.
V Rising is an intense but very enjoyable experience that truly delivers on the fantasy of being a Vampire, embracing both the good and the bad that comes with it (like the infernal sun!). Personally, I believe this is not only a great solo game but definitely an amazing multiplayer experience with friends. With how easy it is to customize your gameplay—even after a playthrough has started—it never feels like you're wasting your time. I warmly recommend this game and consider it an essential experience, particularly if you've been looking for a Vampire game. It has never felt this good to be a child of the night!
Donkey Kong Bananza is a very special game, and it unexpectedly took me right back to my childhood. That feeling I had the first time I picked up a Nintendo 64 controller to play Super Mario 64? Bananza brought it all back. There is something magical about this world and the amount of freedom Donkey Kong now has to explore it. Destroying everything in sight, coming up with creative ways to solve puzzles, and boss fights that initially seem simple but eventually evolve into unforgettable encounters... The art design, the soundtrack, and Pauline in general—there is just so much to love here. All of these individual pieces come together to create something I never want to end. I went into this game expecting at least to have a fun time, but what I never counted on was it becoming one of my new all-time favorites. If you have a Nintendo Switch 2, you owe it to yourself to play this game.