Game8's Reviews
Halo: Campaign Evolved is such a strong reimagining of a beloved classic that it occasionally struggles to define exactly what kind of reimagining it wants to be. At times, it’s committed to faithfully recreating the original, while at others it seems hellbent on carving out an identity of its own. Either way, it's an exceptionally polished experience that more than earns its shockingly tame price tag.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic combined heartfelt storytelling, inventive puzzle design, satisfying gameplay, and a presentation that's bursting with charm. It delivers an adventure that's as memorable as it is inviting. A few pacing issues and narrative gaps keep it from reaching true greatness, but they do little to overshadow a journey that is a reminder why simple fairy tales have endured for generations.
Echoes of Aincrad is an incredibly frustrating game because so much of it works, yet doesn’t. Its core combat mechanics, progression, and story all show flashes of what made the original series so enjoyable, yet they’re all tied together by a genuinely frustrating exploration system that repeatedly and severely undercuts their strengths.
‘and Roger’ trusts you to meet it on its own terms, and that trust is rewarded with one of the most affecting stories I've played this year and the last. Its interactive ideas are simple, but every one of them serves a purpose beyond keeping your hands busy. I know for a fact that it's a game I'll remember far longer than the hour it took me to finish.
Even after its hiatus, Nintendo’s weirdest rhythm series still hasn’t missed a beat. Rhythm Heaven Groove's infectious soundtrack and delightfully absurd minigames make it almost impossible not to smile while playing, even if its biggest new idea, Beatspell, leaves you wanting more. It doesn’t push its 20-year-old formula after a decade away, but it’s such a joyful game that you’ll gladly keep coming back for an encore.
Even though we’re retreading familiar territory here, Star Fox on the Switch 2 is a welcome retelling of a remake of an SNES classic. It’s basically a gorgeous cinematic facelift for a thirty-year-old game you’ve likely beaten four times already on different consoles. Fortunately, that means it is still insanely fun to barrel roll through space with your crew. The flip side, of course, is that the campaign is still short, even if you go back to chase down high scores and medals. I am just happy, though, to see Fox McCloud back in the cockpit of his own franchise instead of just taking up a slot on the Smash Bros. roster.
Dave the Diver: In the Jungle is definitely a must-have DLC. It feels like the perfect way to continue the Dave the Diver saga, and the addition of a plethora of content makes it worth the price tag and the time commitment. It’s not just a short, done-and-dusted additional pack—it feels like a well-polished game. It has a great blend of both old and new mechanics that keep the game engaging.
Burglin' Gnomes turns a simple premise into a surprisingly engaging co-op sandbox where physics, progression, and player improvisation constantly create memorable situations. Its crafting system, persistent hub, and natural team specialization give each run more purpose than simply causing chaos, making it easy to lose track of time while chasing objectives or just watching everything fall apart. While inconsistent interactions and occasional objective issues keep it from reaching its full potential, it's still an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a chaotic multiplayer experience with plenty of personality.
Solarpunk doesn’t capture the spirit of its namesake until far, far later into the game, but it’s at least a relaxing sandbox where you can do pretty much anything you want (as long as it fits within the confines of its cozy game genre). Its best moments come from building alongside friends and watching a small floating island grow into a thriving home. It’s definitely not a game for everyone, especially since it can feel a bit empty at times. However, players who enjoy setting their own goals and taking things at their own pace will find plenty to like among the clouds.
Gothic Remake delivers a very specific kind of RPG experience with conviction, but not without clear friction. On one hand, its identity is extremely strong: the progression system is rewarding once it clicks, the faction structure meaningfully shapes how you experience the world, and the sense of learning the colony through struggle is something few modern RPGs attempt at this scale anymore. But on the other hand, that same identity comes with trade-offs that are hard to ignore. The early hours can be so punishing that they risk pushing players away before the systems properly open up. Technical issues like crashes and bugs also interrupt what is already a demanding experience. Add to that the repetition in quest structure and moments of pacing slowdown, and you get a game that can feel uneven. It’s a game that absolutely knows what it wants to be, whether that's a strength or a barrier depends entirely on how much friction players are willing to accept in exchange for its highs.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on the Switch 2 is full of compromises, sure. That didn’t stop it, though, from being an impressive port of one of the best RPGs in recent years. It’s blurry and unstable in handheld mode, and I do agree that these distract from the experience, but the brilliance of its combat, characters, and storytelling isn’t lost to the weaker hardware. It may not replace the PS5 version, but as a way to experience a massive adventure like this anywhere you want, Rebirth feels at home on Nintendo’s handheld hybrid.
Honkai: Star Rail continues to do something that many live-service games struggle to achieve: it makes staying invested feel worthwhile. Planarcadia builds on the momentum of previous arcs with a story that once again proves the universe doesn't revolve solely around the Astral Express, while giving returning characters meaningful roles and long-overdue development. At the same time, new traversal mechanics, side activities, and character evolution systems ensure the experience continues to grow beyond its turn-based foundations. Most importantly, Star Rail never feels content with simply maintaining the status quo. Whether through its worldbuilding, evolving cast, or willingness to revisit and reinvent old favorites, it consistently finds new ways to reward both emotional and mechanical investment. Three years in, the Astral Express shows no signs of slowing down and Planarcadia is further proof that some journeys only get better the longer they go on.
Mina the Hollower is a grand, exhilarating adventure that never lets up, springing out fully formed as an absolute "mouse-terpiece." The thrill of discovering new areas, levelling Mina up to become stronger, and conquering seemingly impossible boss fights only gets more rewarding as you utilize everything the game has to offer and become the strongest Hollower you can be. The worldbuilding presents a beautiful, colorful setting that you’ll want to root for, even if the story suggests a more complex, morally grey truth to it all. Yacht Club Games has conquered its sophomore slump and delivered a truly special experience, one that, on every level, sparks joy and wonder even amidst turmoil and strife.
Despite a handful of shortcomings, STARDUST: Wish of Witch is an easy game to like Its story may follow well-known tropes and its combat does not always make full use of its ideas, but its cast and the sheer quality of its presentation carry it a long way. Kniv Studio’s debut leaves a big impression and makes me excited to see what the team does next.
Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 ultimately stands as one of the more cohesive and narratively forward-moving entries in the series, successfully balancing exploration, puzzle-solving, and high-intensity chase sequences into a consistent experience. While it occasionally struggles with clarity in its scare design and leans on repetition in certain gameplay moments, its strongest elements—particularly its environmental storytelling and escalating lore—keep it compelling throughout. It may not fully escape the franchise’s familiar limitations, but it confidently pushes its core experience forward in a way that makes it a worthwhile continuation rather than just another incremental chapter.
Coffee Talk Tokyo’s compelling new Japanese setting highlights important cultural issues tied to living in a rapidly changing world, all told through Toge Productions’ nuanced writing. While the game could have benefited from voice acting and a few exploration-focused gameplay segments, these shortcomings hardly matter when Tokyo remains committed to delivering a fascinating blend of character arcs that are easy to care about. Paired with the cozy ambiance of simply listening to people talk over a cup of joe, the experience is more than enough to leave a strong and lasting aftertaste. All you really have to do is sit down and listen.
007: First Light is a title that fans of the 007 franchise definitely needed. It is a near-perfect simulation of a James Bond video game, complete with engaging gameplay, great presentation, and a compelling narrative that encapsulates the franchise’s identity. It is, without a doubt, the best 007 game of all time, and no other game in the franchise comes close.
Much like the game that came before it, Zero Parades is dense and only works if you’re willing to sit with its long conversations and rather slow buildup. It does a lot of what its predecessor does, but it still manages to be its own thing once you get past the comparison. It doesn’t always feel smooth or easy to follow, but it often rewards your patience with truly glorious moments.
At its best, the game feels like stepping into a living picture book where curiosity is constantly rewarded and every new creature adds another small piece to a larger, playful ecosystem. That sense of wonder carries a lot of weight and makes the experience genuinely enjoyable in short, focused sessions. However, once the initial novelty settles, the repetition and simplicity of its structure become harder to ignore, especially for players looking for more mechanical or narrative depth. It’s a game that succeeds more in moment-to-moment discovery than in long-term retention, resulting in an experience that’s easy to appreciate, but not always easy to stay fully invested in.
Rune Dice proves that just because you’re unique, that doesn’t mean you’re rolling high at the table. Though the core gameplay is innovative and genuinely charming to start, both it and its accompanying audio start to wear thin after the first couple of hours. There’s little satisfaction in building a deck with the pieces you’re given, though you do get a lot of them. In the end, it’s one high roll followed by snake-eyes all around.