Game8's Reviews
Threefold Recital is an adventure-visual novel type of game with a compelling storyline, likeable characters, and engaging gameplay that will keep you on the edge of your seat for more. It has the power to get you laughing at one point from the humorous interactions between characters, while also having that strong shock factor from twists and turns that slowly unfold as you progress through the individual chapters. It’s easy to get lost in the world of Threefold Recital and the city of Bluescales along with its characters—but its weakness lies in its slow pacing, and small translation errors that momentarily take you out from the fantasy.
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap feels like the result of expanding in every direction except forward. While it throws plenty of new elements into the mix, none of them stand out as true innovations over Orcs Must Die! 3. That said, it does have its strengths: a few great ideas, an enjoyable soundtrack, wide-open maps, a skill tree, and even and genuinely engaging gameplay. Just don’t even think about playing solo—you’ll end up suffering twice as much for the effort.
Sniper Elite: Resistance offers refined gameplay and the franchise’s signature X-ray kill cam, but it does little to set itself apart from its predecessors, feeling more like a DLC for Sniper Elite 5. While the visuals are realistic and the gameplay provides replayability through player freedom, the audio design and predictable, uninspired story leave much to be desired. Its lack of originality and minimal improvements also make it difficult to justify as a standalone title.
Eternal Strands is a love letter to fantasy epics, blending the creativity of Breath of the Wild, the grand battles of Shadow of the Colossus, and the fluid combat of Dragon’s Dogma. Its magic system is the real star—woven into combat, exploration, and puzzles, making the Enclave feel alive with mystical energy. While the visuals sometimes falter and the story lacks depth, the sheer wonder of its world and spellbinding mechanics make it a journey worth taking.
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter offers a solid action RPG experience with its focus on combat and world-building. The game excels in making you feel connected to the world and its inhabitants, particularly with its challenging combat and the promise of growth and rebuilding. However, the repetitiveness of the gameplay loop and the lack of a truly compelling story keep it from reaching its full potential. While it delivers on many fronts, it doesn’t fully break new ground, which may leave some players feeling like they’ve seen it before. It’s a great value for its price but may not be groundbreaking some might have hoped for.
With its final balance patch and the addition of rollback netcode, SEGA is making a clear statement—Virtua Fighter is back, and it’s here to stay.
After years of mere cameos and remasters, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero finally gives the series the attention it deserves: a true sequel that expands on its mechanics. It takes the series into new waters with a brighter tone and streamlined storytelling, but in doing so, it drifts away from the emotional depth that made its predecessor so resonant. Yet, the very fact that this sequel exists signals something greater for the series—if this is just the beginning, then the future of Phantom Brave is brighter than ever.
Fans can breathe a sigh of relief—GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- on the Switch isn’t a Heaven or Hell gamble. This port delivers a rocking experience that will have fans shouting, “Let’s Rock!” as they finally take GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- on the go. Arc System Works has done an impressive job of bringing the game to the handheld hybrid, nailing the essence of the original with sharp visuals, smooth 60 fps gameplay, and all the content from the base game along with Seasons 1-3. However, the port isn’t without its flaws. The visuals occasionally take a noticeable hit, and the absence of crossplay is a significant drawback, especially for competitive players. Fingers crossed that crossplay support arrives in a future update.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist proudly carries its predecessor’s legacy into a new era of metroidvania, with enhanced gameplay, improved audiovisuals, and refined storytelling. It’s a near-perfect action platformer that captivates with its immersive world and engrossing tale.
Despite its flaws, DreadOut: Remastered Collection provides an engaging experience for fans of supernatural horror. The blend of folklore, innovative mechanics, and atmospheric storytelling makes it a standout title in the indie horror genre. However, its rough edges, such as unpolished combat and repetitive exploration, hold it back from greatness. With its unique narrative and clever mechanics, this collection manages to offer an enjoyable, albeit imperfect, horror experience.
Blade Chimera is a masterful blend of nostalgia and innovation. It channels the spirit of IGA’s legendary works while carving out its own identity with fluid combat, seamless exploration, and a striking cyberpunk Osaka brought to life in vivid pixel art. More than a love letter to the genre, it’s a bold new chapter that stands tall on its own.
Donkey Kong Country is a classic that earned its place in gaming history, but the magic has clearly faded with its third encore. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is just more of the 2010 Wii game but with better visuals, swankier music, and not nearly enough quality-of-life changes to justify its AAA premium price tag. Throw in clunky co-op mechanics and a useless shop system into the mix, and you've got something that could've been worthwhile ten years ago, but isn't worth $60 now.
Tales of Graces f Remastered proves that the “power of friendship” can still hit home when done right. While it may stumble with its well-worn plot, its characters and their interactions elevate the experience beyond typical JRPG tropes. Combine this with a combat that’s deeply satisfying and quality-of-life features that breathe new life into each playthrough, and you’ve got a remaster that’s genuinely enjoyable in its own right.
SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is an extraction shooter where players mine AO Crystals, engage in battles, and try to survive in a hostile environment. The core gameplay loop is engaging, offering strong customization options for both mechs and Magus companions, as well as a world full of environmental hazards that add tactical depth. The game’s replayability is bolstered by the progression system, encouraging players to return for more sorties. However, the narrative is lackluster, with no compelling plot to drive the player forward, and the PvP aspect suffers from unbalanced gameplay where new players are often thrown into the same map as fully equipped veterans, leading to frustration.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins is an amazing and much-needed reboot that the franchise needed while keeping its whole identity and foundation intact.
Freedom Wars Remastered is a faithful but imperfect revival of a cult classic PlayStation Vita game. While it retains the compelling dystopian premise and addictive combat that made the original standout back in 2014, it also carries over some of its shortcomings. The narrative brims with potential, yet falls short in its execution. The visual design is imaginative, but can’t break free of its Vita-era origins. For returning fans, it’s a nostalgic trip worth taking, with the same-old addictive gameplay and just enough improvements to feel fresh. For newcomers, it’s a more challenging sell; its dated structure and design may not resonate with players as strongly today. But in spite of its flaws, Freedom Wars Remastered is a welcome effort to keep its unique world alive, and it leaves hope for a future that will fully realize the potential of its setting.
Builders of Egypt lays down a solid foundation with its well-designed city-building mechanics. Unfortunately, the cracks in its construction are hard to ignore. Its lack of visual clarity hinders effective gameplay, and it struggles to establish an identity beyond its setting and theme. While it’s far from a bad game, its greatness isn’t quite ready to be immortalized in a pyramid just yet.
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana revives a classic with smart updates, keeping its fast-paced action and challenge intact. While some elements show their age, the core adventure remains timeless, making it a must-play for both veterans and newcomers alike.