Game8's Reviews
Patapon 1+2 Replay finally gives these quirky rhythm-strategy games the treatment they deserve. It not only polishes up the originals but also significantly improves upon the 2020 remasters with quality-of-life enhancements we never realized were missing. It’s still as grindy, as bizarre, and as utterly unique as ever, even almost two decades on. It’s a bit disappointing that this collection excludes Patapon 3, but what’s here marches to the beat just fine.
Nice Day for Fishing is a game with a charmingly absurd premise, surprisingly fun fishing-based combat, and a world that feels handcrafted for laughs and lighthearted discovery. But while the first impression is strong, the pacing falters. Progression can feel like a slow trudge, with repetitive quests and a late-arriving fast travel system that adds unnecessary friction. It’s delightful in bursts, but not consistently engaging throughout.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 is nostalgic fever dream that is an upgrade in more ways than one, despite it not being completely faithful to the original games.
Mecha BREAK has tons of potential, with fast-paced gameplay, stunning visuals, and diverse mecha classes—though a few systems feel clunky and the audio underdelivers. Its biggest drawback is aggressive, overpriced monetization, but thankfully, none of it is required to enjoy the core experience.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a faithful update that preserves the original’s chilling cyberpunk horror and rewarding RPG gameplay, while adding solid visual upgrades and surprise multiplayer. Its age still shows in places, but it’s a thrilling return to a cult classic that helped shape games like BioShock.
Tamagotchi Plaza is delightful in the moment, but fleeting in memory. Its charm is immediate—bright, nostalgic, and effortlessly engaging—but the magic thins fast. With shallow story beats and mini-games that lose their luster, it’s a game that is entertaining, but not enduring.
Hideo Kojima set out to craft a timeless yet divisive experience—but in the end, he only succeeded at one. Death Stranding 2 may not spark controversy, but it will be remembered. It’s far from perfect, still echoing some of the original’s flaws, yet it feels profoundly personal—raw, human, and unapologetically honest. More than a sequel, it’s a culmination. A quiet masterpiece that may very well be Kojima’s magnum opus.
The Devil Summoner’s journey is far from over—and we’re more than ready for the next case, because RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is an absolute masterclass in how to reintroduce a cult classic. It doesn’t just preserve the soul of the original—it enhances it in every way, breathing new life into one of ATLUS’ most stylish and underrated titles.
Mario Kart World may not be the cleanest ride in the series, but between its fun modes, expansive open world, and sheer replayability, there’s a lot to love under the hood. The bloat and some odd choices occasionally throw a banana peel in front of the fun, but they rarely send the whole kart spinning. With enough friends and willingness to explore its quirks, it’s an addictive racer that keeps pulling you back in.
PEAK is short, sharp, and brutal—in the best way. Its tight mechanics, clever co-op design, and devilish biomes make every climb memorable, even when the servers don’t hold up. While bugs and communication issues occasionally get in the way, the game’s charm and challenge more than make up for it, especially considering the price. This is the kind of game that doesn’t just test your reflexes—it tests your friendships, and somehow makes that feel rewarding.
Survival Kids is exactly what it sounds like: a game for kids. It's not reinventing the co-op gaming, but it sails along smoothly thanks to its co-op design and low-stress puzzles. It's definitely best with a buddy or two, especially one who won't lose it when you "accidentally" toss logs off a cliff. A few clunky design choices and some repetitive bits keep it from hitting a higher score, but as a family-friendly adventure, it totally nails its target. You probably won't remember the plot, but you might just crack up thinking about the fifth time your raft went belly-up.
FBC: Firebreak is a solid idea held back by a premium price and early-access-level polish. At $40 (more on PlayStation), it feels more like a mid-roadmap build than a finished 1.0 release. The core gameplay, story, and production are strong, but missing QoL features, sparse content, and optimization issues drag it down. Remedy may patch things up in time, but right now, Firebreak just isn’t worth the ask.
Dragon is Dead combines the enjoyment of collecting loot and creating your perfect build in a side scrolling action roguelike fashion. It has its flaws with a lot of aspects, but is undeniably fun with the seemingly limitless builds that you can make.
FNAF: Secret of the Mimic is carried by the franchise, not the gameplay, but it’s still more FNAF, and that’s more than enough for fans. Lore, world-building, creepy animatronics—it’s all here, and with great graphical and performance optimization to boot. Just don’t expect more than that, and you’re Golden Freddy.
Stellar Blade is at its most Stellar, most Stunning, and most Satisfying in this PC port. With crisp visual upgrades, new missions, and fresh outfits, this version feels like the complete package. Praise be to the Angels—Sony and Shift Up listened, lifting regional restrictions and making this stellar game accessible to players across the globe.
The Alters is a survival base-builder set against the backdrop of a hauntingly desolate planet, with gameplay that mirrors that atmosphere—deliberate, reflective, and occasionally a bit unpolished. It’s not without its flaws, having traded some base-building depth to prioritize its narrative, but the experience as a whole is still thoroughly rewarding. Best of all, it’s a fantastic deal considering its visual quality and strong potential for replayability.
Date Everything is a quirky and fun dating simulator with the intriguing concept of dating inanimate objects. The 100 characters you meet are what makes the game entertaining, from their well-done voice lines to their unique character designs, all coming together with the odd but unpredictable and compelling overarching plot and individual storylines. However, it is marred by a few technical lapses and continuity issues that can break immersion somewhat.
Mindseye was supposed to be an ambitious entry from IO Interactive. What was delivered is a bug-filled, unoptimized, and less-than-desirable mess instead. Almost to no one’s surprise, MindsEye needed a lot more time to polish its core aspects and mechanics.
Dune: Awakening will surely keep players preoccupied with its myriad of survival game content and gameplay encased in its vast open-world, allowing for freedom to explore the dangerous but charming world of Arrakis at your own pace. However, its marred by its clunky and stiff melee combat, performance and server issues, as well as a few bugs and glitches that can sour the experience.
Chapters 3 & 4 push DELTARUNE into bold new territory—richer storytelling, creative gameplay shifts, and a soundtrack that still stuns. Chapter 3’s underwhelming pace may divide players, but the series’ heart and mystery remain stronger than ever.