Game8's Reviews
Star Overdrive feels like a seamless fusion of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, offering a fresh and exhilarating take on the action adventure genre.
Battlefield Waltz blends together love and war to create a compelling tale, supported by charming and well-written characters as well as great character design and sounds that make for an engaging experience. However, its weakness lies in its slow pace in some areas, lack of innovative gameplay, as well as a steep price tag that may intimidate some.
Commandos: Origins offers gameplay that hits the mark for real-time tactics fans, but everything surrounding it feels like it’s stuck in the past. The visuals and audio are functional at best, with little flair, and the story is exactly what you'd expect—and nothing more. With its $49.99 price tag, it's hard not to feel like you're paying a bit too much for something this straightforward.
HASTE: Broken Worlds is exactly what 3D Sonic games should strive for—blazing speed, pinpoint precision, and the rush of mastering a deceptively brutal parkour system. Gotta go fast? More like gotta go HASTE.
South of Midnight is a creative triumph trapped in the wrong medium. Its gorgeous animation, heartfelt voicework, and rich world-building shine—but a dull, vestigial combat system drags it down. It’s not just missed potential; this should’ve been a movie, not a middling action-adventure game.
KARMA: The Dark World builds fear through disorientation, uncertainty, and mental manipulation. It’s a game that forces you to piece together a reality that refuses to stay still, all while questioning whether you are uncovering the truth, or simply losing your mind. KARMA delivers gripping psychological horror through mind-dives, oppressive world-building, and a haunting soundscape. While occasional technical hiccups detract slightly, they don’t overshadow the game’s unsettling atmosphere and strong narrative ambition.
Venus Vacation PRISM arrives just in time for spring break! It offers a getaway filled with sun, sand, and a strikingly polished charm. It delivers exactly what it sets out to, but beneath the glossy presentation, its lack of depth might leave some players wanting more. Still, for those willing to overlook its shortcomings, there’s enjoyment to be found here—but for everyone else, it might not be the paradise it claims to be.
BLEACH Rebirth of Souls is a true love letter to fans, letting them step into the shoes of their favorite characters with exhilarating and distinct playstyles. The combat is deep and rewarding, but the absence of ranked mode, crossplay, and a lackluster story keep it from reaching its full potential. Even so, it stands as the number one BLEACH game, shining bright for everyone.
Xenoblade Chronicles X already proved its mettle when it was considered by many to be one of the standout titles on the Wii U, and its arrival on the Nintendo Switch only solidifies its place among the console’s best. While the pacing can feel glacial at times, the game’s rich world and new content make it an inviting experience for newcomers and a rewarding return for veterans.
Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't awful, but it’s not the game fans deserve. Clunky combat, awkward animations, and a departure from the series' standard make it a mixed bag. Still, its expansive world, production value, and new mechanics might justify giving it a try when it's on sale, if you aren't an AC purist, that is.
On Your Tail is a lovely indie detective-life sim title with a charming cast, intriguing plot, and bright graphics that has hours upon hours of content for players to explore...if you can get past its technical issues and sluggish loading, that is. What is essentially a great indie game is bogged down by its performance issues that take away from the gameplay experience.
Rogue: Genesia is a hypnotic bullet hell roguelite that’ll have you saying, “Just one more run…” for hours. While the challenge fades as you grow stronger, the thrill never does.
Atelier Yumia doesn’t really take big risks, but it still manages to keep things fun. The combat’s a solid step up from past games, and gathering isn’t nearly as much of a chore anymore—though you’ll still manage to trip over the tiniest rock now and then. It looks great (sometimes too great for its own good if your PC isn’t ready), and the soundtrack’s an easy win. Sure, the $70 price tag might sting a little, but with how much content there is and the replay value, it’s not a bad deal. Just be ready for some of the dialogue to get a little in-your-face at times.
Him: the Smile & bloom is a purely narrative-driven experience with occasional dialogue choices that determine the outcome of each storyline. Players can experience four romance archetypes each with multiple endings. The game features anime-inspired visuals, a beautifully crafted opening sequence, and an OST that enhances key emotional moments. However, its limited interactivity and frustrating character writing may not appeal to everyone.
Wanderstop isn’t just another cozy game—it’s a thought-provoking journey wrapped in the aesthetic of one. While some gameplay elements feel a bit restrictive and the lack of closure in many narratives might not be for everyone, the storytelling and themes are nothing short of masterful. It’s a game that lingers in your mind long after you’ve stepped away, gently challenging you to rethink how you perceive healing, control, and self-worth.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is the sequel no one expected—35 years frozen in time, now reborn with nostalgia and a heart of ice. Its stiff controls feel straight out of the ‘80s, but beneath the frost lies gothic charm, slick chain combat, and rewarding exploration.
Sugardew Island is another entry into the ever-popular farming simulator genre that aims to deliver a cozy, no pressure gameplay experience. However, the experience quickly turns from cozy to frustrating given the game's bugs and glitches, unintuitive control scheme, and limiting energy bar.
WWE 2K25 is the refinement of every aspect that they’ve already built on. It may as well be the perfected version of their intended design, as not much has changed in the actual gameplay and only adds a couple of new things here and there. Hopefully, the new online game modes are not a sign of things to come since pay-to-win live service game modes have been 2K’s thing in their other sports releases.
Carmen Sandiego’s 2025 rendition is a charming new title that adds on to the beloved series. Full of puzzles, minigames, and fun facts about countries and landmarks all at the palm of your hand in one stunning modern style. However, its steep price tag, PC optimization issues, and forgettable soundtrack might dampen the experience a bit.
If there’s one word that perfectly describes Split Fiction, it’s “fun.” The levels are amazing, the story is entertaining enough, and there’s no shortage of joy in exploring with friends what is essentially a virtual playground. It’s such a blast that I can’t help but hope Split Fiction, fingers crossed, will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, It TakesTwo, and rake in the same well-deserved accolades.