Game8's Reviews
Tempest Rising blends old-school RTS brilliance with the power of modern technology, delivering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for everyone. Built in Unreal Engine 5, it looks great, plays even better, and hits all the right notes—gameplay, troop variety, quality-of-life, and sound. The multiplayer mode’s still catching up to the campaign, but with more content on the way, this game could easily surpass the classics it pays homage to.
Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate doesn’t just improve the original—it cranks it up to 11. With a vibrant new look and smoother combat, it’s easy to pick up but hard to put down.
All in Abyss: Judge the Fake deals with a wild hand that’s hard not to admire—even if it’s a little flawed. The boss battles and Danganronpa-style executions steal the show with thematic gimmicks that keep each match feeling unique, even when the game’s balance falters. Its visual novel elements are surface-level and the post-game content is thin, but the journey up the gambling ladder is just absurd enough to be worth the ride. It’s not the most honest game at the table, but it sure knows how to put on a show.
Blue Prince is a subtle yet deeply satisfying puzzle game that invites you to slow down, think carefully, and unravel its mysteries one thoughtful step at a time, guiding you through a beautiful, tangled labyrinth of your own creation.
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.
Madoka Magica Magia Exedra is casting quite the spell! Who’d have guessed this anime would get a gacha game? While the grind and content drought can be a drag, it shines with a gripping retelling, stunning character models, and a combat system that truly feels like leading a squad of Magical Girls against witches.
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.
With its immersive visuals, fantastic audio, and surprisingly low price, AI LIMIT is an easy recommendation despite a few rough spots. It throws you into a bleak, tragic world where the struggles of its inhabitants take center stage long before your own story unfolds. Its stamina-free combat adds a fresh twist to the souls-like formula, though some mechanics—stealth in particular—could use serious improvement.
The First Berserker: Khazan may be the best non-FromSoftware soulslike yet. Its anime-inspired visuals, soaring orchestration, and frenetic combat make for an unforgettable experience. With a brutal, personal story and rich world-building, every battle carries weight. The skill floor and price may be steep for newbies, but greatness comes at a cost—and this one’s worth every blood drop and penny.
Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark suffers from classic sequelitis—trying to go bigger, it loses what made the original special. The art and combat still shine, but messy structure and design choices ultimately drag it down.
Bao Bao's Cozy Laundromat is an idle game that revolves around upgrading washing machines, managing resources, and expanding the laundromat. There are some unique touches that set it apart from other idle games, like the Twitch integration, allowing streamers to let their audience interact directly with the laundromat in charming ways. There’s also a built-in focus timer, making it a great companion for study or work sessions. While it’s a solid choice for idle game enthusiasts, its slow pace and passive nature might not appeal to everyone.
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.