Game8's Reviews
Moonlight Peaks is an impressively charming and unique take on the life-sim and farming genre, and it mediates the balance between the horror-style and intended cozy atmosphere wonderfully. The farming mechanics, while relatively simple, have a lot of character thanks to the integration of magic spells, while the nocturnal time cycle makes the moment-to-moment gameplay feel uniquely active and intentional. While the story feels arbitrarily paced, the humor of the dialogue and the distinctly memorable cast of characters make up for it and still keep the story mostly compelling. It’s quite easy to be engrossed in the world of Moonlight Peaks, and it’s a bewitchingly good time when it gets its fangs in you.
Endless Ragnarok builds on what Relink was already good at, making it even better. It adds nearly double the content of the base game, giving players more enemies to beat and materials to grind for. While the narrative is forgettable, the added gameplay systems, combined with its great overall presentation, make it one of the best co-op action RPGs on the market right now, and it’s well worth the price.
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.
Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition is not the definitive version of the game, but it comes extremely close and exceeds expectations entirely. The game remains one of the best action games on the market despite being released back in 2019. While certain graphical sacrifices and the lack of Legendary Dark Knight mode are noticeable, its consistent 60 FPS performance and inclusion of nearly all DLC make it a port worthy of an SS Rank.
Four years after its release, Horizon Forbidden West remains one of PlayStation's finest exclusives thanks to its gorgeous open world, refined combat, and ambitious science-fiction story, even if its narrative doesn't quite recapture the magic of Zero Dawn. Despite a few unanswered questions and an abrupt cliffhanger, Guerrilla Games' sophomore entry in the Horizon series delivers a cinematic adventure elevated by the Decima Engine's industry-leading visuals and Ashley Burch's magnetic performance as Aloy. And the best part? Her journey is far from over, with even bigger adventures still waiting on the horizon.
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.
Dead or Alive 6: Last Round is more of a promise than anything, as it lacks certain features for a fighting game to thrive in this day and age. While the depth of its core gameplay and noticeable upgrades to its visuals and performance are certainly present, it doesn’t offer any significant gameplay changes since its last update in 2020, aside from added cosmetics for a select few and a new Photo Mode. Players will simply have to wait and see if Koei Tecmo is genuine in its intention to reignite the franchise, as updates will be drip-fed from here on out.
Meccha Chameleon feels like a “forever game” in a sea of party games on Steam, and part of its appeal is all thanks to its inventive twist on the hide-and-seek genre. The best part is that it’s only the beginning for this viral sensation as more copies are being sold every day. Its low price point, paired with endless community mod support, can even draw in non-gamers because it’s such a low-risk purchase that’s well worth gifting to friends on a boring Friday night.
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.
The Adventures of Elliot is a very expensive gem of a game. It has a simple, almost predictable story that’s actually part of its charm, beautiful audiovisuals, and a polished, if repetitive gameplay, sure. But it’s also being sold for a lot more money than games in this genre with this amount of content usually demand. Beyond that financial hurdle, though, it remains one of the most thoroughly enjoyable JRPGs to have come out recently if you’re looking for a beautifully focused, classic experience.
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.
There is a lot to love about Voidling Bound despite its story and missions relying on frustrating grind and predictable objectives. Still, the core gameplay remains engaging enough to carry the experience, especially when experimenting with increasingly powerful Voidlings. Once you get past the mutational flaws in its lack of variety, there is a surprising amount of fun to be had. Much of that comes from its deep customization, supported by its Evolution and Splicing systems, which encourage constant tinkering and creativity that keeps you bound for hours on end.
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.