XDA's Reviews
Silksong doesn't reinvent the wheel as a game, but it does do a lot to refine the Hollow Knight formula and experiment with new mechanics. Although we waited for 6 years for this game to finally release, Team Cherry held to their promise that they'd make a game worth remembering, and they did. Hollow Knight: Silksong definitely lived up to the hype that surrounded it for so long and has quickly become one of my favorite games of the year.
As a triumphant return to a long-running series, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an experience that fans will really enjoy diving into. It has beautiful visuals that make every aspect of its action-packed journey feel epic, while also challenging players with some classical-inspired platforming and combat. While the plot of the game may not resonate with everyone who plays, there was definitely a lot of time and care put into every aspect of the story that compliments the gameplay and presentation that will draw the most attention.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is the absolute best way to experience the story of Snake Eater. Those who never played the original game owe it to themselves to play through it at least once, and this is the definitive way to experience why so many people believe Snake Eater to be one of the best entries in the series.
Gears of War is a must-play title for anyone that enjoys most action games or third-person shooter titles. As of now, Gears of War: Reloaded is the absolute best way to experience what was so great about the original game. The boost in the presentation with 4K visuals and extra details make what so many people loved about the game look and sound even better.
Beauty alone can't carry a game, and here, it's doing the heaviest lifting. At this time, you could very well just watch a no-commentary playthrough over the weekend, saving yourself fifty bucks in the process. Like a perfect glass of wine served with stale bread, Mafia: The Old Country leaves you wondering how something so lovely can taste so forgettable.
Despite its rough edges, Grounded 2 has managed to remain true to the original while significantly expanding its gameplay and mechanics. I can't wait to see what Obsidian will be adding to the game next, but even as it stands, I consider it to be one of the most fun and unique takes on the survival genre I’ve had the pleasure of playing.
Even with minor annoyances, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is an action-packed experience that blends elements from the old and new school eras of the franchise. It plays and sounds similar to the classic Ninja Gaiden entries, while also having enough modern touches to give a phenomenal presentation to a classic formula. And yet, it doesn't shy away from how much Ninja Gaiden has changed over the decades, and instead embraces all of its aspects in a way that gives real respect to it. As a continuation of the style of the series that was believed to be abandoned a long time ago, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound makes what's old feel incredibly cool again.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has a great hit in its library with Donkey Kong Bananza. The game is fun to play, colorful and visually sweet to look at, and contains a ton of hidden things to discover that will keep anyone busy for a long time.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is ultimately a victim of a crowded genre and stale ideas. Not only does it have to compete with what feels like a new Souls-inspired action RPGs coming out nearly every month, but it also has to try and offer new ideas compared to those games. It fails on the latter, and since it doesn't have particularly tight combat, strong level design, or a compelling narrative to hang its hat on, it's left feeling like just another one of those.
As a remake and general return to the roots of the series, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 accomplishes the assignment in a good way. It has the gameplay you want, the stages you remember, and a few extra goodies thrown into the mix.
As a whole, Ruffy and the Riverside is a charming game that is fun to play. Anyone that has nostalgia for late 90s 3D platformers will feel a sense of familiarity that hits all the right notes. It's an adventure that is clever with its approach to puzzle solving, while still managing to be lighthearted and not overly difficult. A few minor bugs can eventually be ironed out to make an already solid experience even better, despite some of the more challenging sections that will still stump a few people along the way.
Mario Kart World is ultimately a fantastic new take on the Mario Kart formula, even if the open world feels like an unnecessary addition.
If the Nintendo Switch 2 is the only way you can play Cyberpunk 2077, it's a solid way to experience the game, although if you have a more powerful console, that might be preferable for a docked gaming experience.
Elden Ring Nightreign can't escape sharing the same title as a game of the year winner, which puts expectations on it that it doesn't reach.
The Capcom Fighting Collection 2 doesn't achieve a perfect win, but it does stand as another victory of retro goodness for fans of fighting games.
Doom: The Dark Ages is not Eternal 2. It’s something braver — a reimagining that honors its roots while forging a new path. It’s bloodier, slower, moodier — and undeniably Doom.
Overall, The Midnight Walk is a highly enjoyable indie game. Its world and creatures are breathtaking to behold.
Few works of art have left a mark on me quite like The Last of Us franchise. It's more than just a game — it’s a part of my emotional vocabulary, a story that has stayed with me through the years, reshaping how I view storytelling in gaming.
Ultimately, though, Shadows shows immense promise for the future of this franchise, but it also exposes the areas where it still needs to work hard to improve. While it’s an enjoyable experience, it’s far from perfect. Regardless, playing Shadows has renewed my hope and investment in the franchise, which I am now almost certain will be just as refined and enjoyable going forward, if not more.
This is a world where you walk across impossible landscapes in one of the most beautiful open worlds ever, navigate tough obstacles with certain death at every turn, help strangers you'll never meet and bask in the warmth of their kindness, run into real-world celebrities when you least expect, discover and listen to new music artists from across the world, fight towering mechs made of tar, and fly over black oceans in a ship, all while having a talking doll strapped to your hip. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a game I won't stop playing for a long time, and my second save is already underway.