Game8's Reviews
2XKO is, without a doubt, the best fighting game on the market right now. Not only does it look amazing with its cel-shaded animated style, but it also has that tag-fighter satisfaction that’s been sorely missed throughout the absence of the subgenre. And the best part about it all is that the game is completely free to play and enjoy, with everything you need to learn included.
Finding its footing among the giants of the genre, MIO: Memories in Orbit manages to be a great piece of interactive art. Its somewhat floaty controls might take a moment to get used to, but any awkwardness quickly fades in the face of the game’s many strengths. The hand-painted Vessel is gorgeous; its narrative, haunting. Even with a few quirks, it’s impossible not to get swept up in its orbit.
UNFOLLOW is a competent entry in the BrokenLore franchise, delivering solid storytelling and atmosphere while struggling with gameplay and cohesion. It offers moments of genuine psychological complexity, but predictable mechanics, overused jump scares, and underdeveloped plot threads prevent it from being truly memorable. Fans of the series will find enough to engage with, but those looking for groundbreaking horror may find it uninspired.
Kotama and Academy Citadel stands out as a cheerful counterpoint to a genre that’s lately leaned hard into gloom and grit. It’s also my latest addiction; a consistently enjoyable trip whether you’re experiencing it at its highest highs or pushing through its not very significant lows. As a bonus, it’s also shockingly affordable for just how much visual personality it brings to the table.
Code Vein is the jankiest soulslike I’ve ever fallen in love with. It has absurd build variety, competent AI companions, and unmistakable personality that make it incredibly hard to hate, and more than capable of holding its own against newer, more polished entries in the genre. But it's lack of gameplay polish and story woes are unmistakable.
Trails Beyond the Horizon ultimately feels like the course correction the series needed after the detour that was Daybreak 2. It successfully balances its massive cast and deep lore to deliver the major payoffs that fans have been anticipating since long before the Calvard arc even began. The pacing can be glacially slow as it builds toward these reveals, but the way it weaves years of plot threads together is incredibly satisfying and fills me with excitement for what lies beyond this horizon.
Quarantine Zone: The Last Check struggles with technical issues and inconsistent challenges. Glitches, visual drops, and clunky mechanics pull you out of the experience, and the game doesn’t always push you to adapt or think in surprising ways. Though it shines in giving players a real sense of authority, a reactive world, and satisfying systems that reward careful observation and decision-making, its current state is difficult to recommend. However, fans of puzzle-management simulations who enjoy moral ambiguity and quiet tension can still have a compelling and worthwhile experience despite its rough edges.
As the self-proclaimed torchbearer of one of the industry’s cult classics, Code Violet fails to meet the standards or even do a decent job of representing the action horror survival genre. Its weak gunplay, baffling art direction, rough animations, and even more confusing plot serve as a reminder that maybe some things should be left untouched.
Pathologic 3 is a must-play for anyone invested in the franchise or intrigued by narrative-driven, mechanically rich experiences. Its strongest moments come from how seamlessly story and gameplay reinforce one another, creating a game that feels deliberate and purposeful in every system. While some roughness and minor hitches persist, the game’s focus, depth, and audacity make it an essential entry in the series.
The Switch 2 version of Skyrim shows that the old dog can both look good and learn new tricks, as the graphical upgrades and Switch 2 exclusive controls do improve on the original Switch experience. However, it doesn’t make full use of the Switch 2’s capabilities on the performance end, as it has constant issues with unstable frametime and input lag, making it another port with wasted potential.
Hollow Knight is the quintessential Metroidvania out there, with stylish and quirky visuals, memorable music, and a gameplay loop that meshes all the elements that make the genre great. While its inherent difficulty and lack of guidance can prove to stall one's playthrough, it's a game that's absolutely worth playing, regardless of whether you're interested in the genre or not.
Viewed as a companion piece to the mainline entries, Utawarerumono ZAN can be a worthwhile pickup for visual novel fans with a taste for action games. Outside of that narrow context, though, its price is hard to justify.
Terminator 2D: NO FATE has stunning 16-bit visuals, a banger soundtrack, and simple yet fun gameplay that makes it one of the better games in the franchise in showcasing how good the franchise is. However, the extremely short runtime and conditional replayability make it an experience that doesn’t match the price it’s asking for.
Red Dead Redemption remains a landmark title. The Switch 2 port improves presentation and performance without changing the game’s core design, letting the world, story, and gameplay shine like they were always meant to. Minor signs of aging exist, but they don’t take away from the experience. This version stands as a definitive way to experience a classic, delivering everything that made the original great while running smoother and looking sharper than ever.
Mega Dimension adds a lot of content for players who already enjoy Pokémon Legends: Z-A. There are more Pokémon to collect, new Mega Evolutions, and a boost in difficulty that keeps things challenging. Its story and setting don’t offer much that’s new, and many of the base game’s characters don’t get much time in the sun. For players who loved the original, there’s plenty here to enjoy and experiment with, but if the base game didn’t grab you, this DLC isn’t likely to change that.
FEROCIOUS is what I'd call a perfect example of getting the vibe right. While the gameplay leave a lot to be desired, the compelling slow-burn, decent gunplay, and cheap price point makes it a very surprising game to sink your teeth in.
Skate Story combines strong gameplay, visuals, and audio into a cohesive, memorable experience. Minor issues in the storytelling and small gaps in visual polish keep it from perfection, but overall it’s highly recommended.
UNBEATABLE is an unapologetically stylish and vibrant rhythm narrative-adventure game that combines engaging rhythm gameplay, stunning audio-visual presentation, and a colorful cast to meet. However, it's clearly unpolished with its number of technical and visual issues, unfortunately lending itself to a dampened gameplay experience, as well as a painfully slow paced narrative that can scare off other intrigued players. Nevertheless, with a bit more shine, it will become an UNBEATABLE gem in the rhythm scene in its own right.
ROUTINE is an immersive, tense first-person horror game that excels at atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and stealth-based tension. Its minimalist systems and basic gameplay loop may feel limiting, and the story never fully engages or surprises, but those willing to embrace the game’s focused design will find a highly rewarding experience. It perfectly conveys the sense of being utterly alone on a derelict lunar base, and despite its flaws, it’s a compelling journey for fans of atmospheric horror.
It took Metroid Prime 4: Beyond eight years to crawl out of its 2017 announcement, but the wait didn’t strip away what makes the series work. Some of its new ideas feel a little undercooked, yet the critically-acclaimed formula of the original Prime game remains intact, now bolstered by fun additions to Samus’ arsenal. There are some fumbles that will get fans scratching their heads, but if you spend enough time with it, you will feel the old Prime magic humming again, steady and unmistakable.