Game8's Reviews
Diablo 4’s first major expansion, Vessel of Hatred, aims to breathe new life into the series’ latest installment. It’s packed with content, but… that’s really all there is to it. Essentially, it’s just more of the same Diablo 4, with a few tweaks arriving a couple of seasons too late. When you consider it as a DLC and weigh it against its $40 price tag, especially given that the base game already costs $70 and includes microtransactions, Vessel of Hatred falls short of providing enough value to justify its overly saturated monetization model.
After seventeen long years, we finally got a new Dragon Ball game in the spirit of Budokai Tenkaichi, which honestly puts all the other arena battlers to shame. DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO is the culmination of all of the franchise into one big video game, with the presentation turned up to eleven. With a massive amount of playable characters, stunning visuals, and several scenarios to explore and complete, this is the best Dragon Ball game we’ve had in ages, and nothing comes close.
Copycat’s narrative follows Dawn, a cat from a shelter, adopted by Olive. Copycat touches on sensitive topics like pet adoption, rejection, and belonging, making each plot point and interaction with humans gripping and sometimes heart-wrenching. With its astounding music and scenes, the game truly captures what Dawn feels in each moment and helps players empathize with her.
Is this a SpongeBob game? No, this is Patrick’s first solo game. But much like his spin-off show, it's a bit of a disaster. While it does a decent job of recreating Bikini Bottom, it drains all the fun and charm, making it feel like a cheap knock-off—something Mr. Krabs would try to sell to unsuspecting kids. And that’s a load of barnacle. Mayonnaise isn’t an instrument, and it sure isn’t a video game either, but by Neptune, it would definitely play better than this tartar sauce.
Until Dawn is just as fun, interactive, and narratively gripping as its 2015 predecessor—and in some ways, it even surpasses it. Now remade in Unreal Engine 5, the game has reached new heights, with impressive polish across nearly every front. It plays smoothly, offers more content than the original, and delivers the same captivating experience, now enhanced for a second time. This is what happens when a narrative-driven game is helmed by excellent writers and brought to life by talented actors. It kept me playing long past dawn—I’m sure it’ll do the same for you.
#DRIVE Rally has a solid foundation, but it’s held back by a few key areas. While it’s a fun and easy-to-pick-up arcade racer, the lack of depth in some features and the occasional inconsistency in gameplay keep it from reaching its full potential. With more updates, it could easily improve, but for now, it’s a good, if slightly underwhelming, experience that is best suited for casual players looking for quick races rather than those seeking a deep, rewarding rally experience.
Fractured Daydream is as messy as the anime itself, perfectly capturing both the highs and lows of the series. Sword Art Online fans have been waiting for a game like this, but it doesn't quite hit the mark as the perfect SAO experience. The 20-player online multiplayer is a true tribute to the series, with exciting combat and a massive character roster that guarantees some wild, chaotic fun. Yet for every two steps forward, it takes one step back, weighed down by outdated mechanics and a story mode that doesn’t quite hit the mark. While it might not reach the heights of Fatal Bullet, it edges closer to delivering the Alfheim Online experience fans are dreaming of.
Throne and Liberty is an attempt at a unique MMO that succeeds late in the game. That is, if you can get to that point. Unfortunately, the onboarding process, which the game calls its main story, takes just enough time to make you contemplate dropping it at certain points. It’s also lacking any compelling reasons to get you immersed in its lore. Then again, the game is very, very pretty, make no mistake.
Echoes of Wisdom is a real breath of fresh air in the Zelda universe, finally granting fans the long-awaited wish of having Princess Zelda take center stage in a game that truly delivers. EoW isn't just a victory lap for our beloved princess; it’s a serious contender for the crown of the best Zelda game. With its stunning visuals, inventive mechanics, and amazing soundtrack, it wouldn’t be a shock to see this gem in the running for Game of the Year.
At first glance, comparisons to Sid Meier’s Civilization might seem inevitable, but they miss the mark when you dig deeper into what Ara: History Untold truly offers. While the surface similarities are there, the game’s innovative mechanics and fresh approach set it apart. Its stunning visual and auditory presentation further bolster its appeal, even if there are a few minor stumbles in execution. It’s got all the right ingredients to stand tall among other 4X games—just don’t expect it to dethrone Civilization anytime soon despite its uniqueness. #GiftedbyXbox
Tiny Glade is a peaceful, creative sandbox that offers a relaxing experience for players who enjoy building and designing environments. While it lacks structured objectives and complex gameplay mechanics, it excels in providing a meditative space for players to explore their creativity. The controls are simple and intuitive, and the visuals are stunning, especially for a game in this price range. However, the absence of interior design options and limited manual control over certain decorative elements slightly hold back its potential. Still, for those seeking a calm, aesthetically driven building game, Tiny Glade delivers a cozy and engaging experience.
REYNATIS feels like a throwback to the PS2 era, and that’s both a compliment and a critique. It perfectly captures the outside-of-the-box creativity of classic PS2 RPGs like Final Fantasy X and Kingdom Hearts 2, blending their best and worst traits. On one hand, you're treated to engaging characters and an exhilarating, over-the-top combat system. But on the flip side, there are moments where the game stumbles—uninspired environments, cookie-cutter enemies, and frustratingly long exposition dumps that drag things down. Yet despite its flaws, REYNATIS shines as a passion project, evoking the spirit of Final Fantasy Versus XIII. With any luck, this ambitious title will find success and lead to an even greater sequel.
Capcom continues their hot streak of remakes and remasters with Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, as it’s able to reintroduce itself without reinventing the whole game. The enhanced graphics and quality-of-life (QoL) improvements really revived this game and reminded everyone that the original game was a certified classic. There are a few flaws here and there, especially noticeable by die-hard fans of the series. But other than its expensive price tag and a few nitpicks, the game is absolutely worth your time to spend more than 3 days for.
Calling Frostpunk 2 a textbook sequel doesn’t do it justice—this game goes far beyond the standard follow-up. It’s a masterfully crafted continuation of an already outstanding title, one that builds on the original’s strengths, addresses its shortcomings, and adds stunning new stylistic choices. As an experience, it’s bleak, grueling, and profoundly depressing (as it should be); but as a game, it’s one I’d willingly endure any eternal winter to play. New London hasn’t just survived—it’s thriving under new management, with all the challenges and triumphs that come with it.
The Plucky Squire leans heavily on the charm of its narration and the novelty of its 2D-to-3D transitions, but these strengths don’t quite carry it all the way to the finish line. Beyond the clever dimension-switching mechanic, the game lacks any truly groundbreaking ideas and simplifies many of its other gameplay elements. That said, it still offers a high-quality experience. It’s certainly engaging and fun, but as for being a genre-defining title that will be remembered for years, it doesn’t quite reach that mark—though that may ultimately come down to personal taste. I can still see this game hitting it big with the adventure puzzle-platformer aficionados down the line.
Enotria The Last Song is a game that has deep mechanics and amazing art direction that are bogged down by classic indie jank. It’s clear that the game needs polish, but regardless it delivers on amazing visuals and an innovative class system. There are clear positives and negatives in the game, and the latter are more of an outcome of being the indie studio’s first try at a soulslike. While there’s much to be desired, this isn’t a bad first attempt for Jyamma Games. If anything, I’m very much looking forward to their future releases in the genre.
Funko Fusion is an interesting case of having too much while doing too little. Even with the numerous levels, it’s a shame that not all of the IPs, or even half of them, were treated the same way. On top of that, the dull and repetitive gameplay loop doesn’t help its case even if the shooting mechanics are pretty good. While the graphics are pretty good, everything else sums up the game as a whole: an uninspired and mediocre experience.
FAIRY TAIL: Beach Volleyball Havoc plays out like the ultimate filler beach episode—wild, over-the-top, and brimming with fan service that’ll have die-hard fans grinning. The game delivers chaotic fun, especially when played with friends, but it falls short in variety, lacking different modes and maps, which can make it repetitive too quickly. The visuals, while vibrant, can get a bit too hectic, making it tough to follow the action at times. Still, for fans of the series, it's a sun-soaked celebration of everything they love about Fairy Tail.
Despite the name, there's nothing nano about NanoApostle—except for its pint-sized hero. This boss rush game packs a punch, delivering fast-paced action that'll have you feeling like a weapon of destruction. But it’s not all blood and guts flying around. The game stays grounded in its emotional core, crafting a heartfelt story of friendship and survival between two friends who will never be together—as well as a third. If you’re after a solid, no-nonsense action RPG that gets straight to the point, NanoApostle should definitely be on your radar.
I can’t imagine anyone giving Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP less than a solid 7/10. It’s an absolute blast—full of over-the-top violence and vulgar humor—and it doesn’t shy away from that label. The only real way to experience it is through Original Mode, where all the gore, crude language, and wild themes are fully intact. It’s a game that throws caution to the wind, ignoring the usual “appropriate” narrative structures common discourse seems to think are always required to fully embrace its campy, chaotic vibe.