Output Lag
HomepageOutput Lag's Reviews
Whisper of the House expands the satisfying “unpack and arrange” formula into an entire town filled with errands, secrets, and strange little anomalies. It’s charming and clever, though uneven pacing and a fizzling finale keep it from greatness. For fans of cozy sims who don’t mind some rough edges, it’s a rewarding—if slightly unfinished—experience.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar transforms the typical farming sim formula with its unique weekly bazaar system, creating an addictive commerce-focused gameplay loop that runs flawlessly on PC. While stamina limits and repetitive market days might frustrate some players, the game's quality-of-life improvements, full voice acting, and rock-solid 60fps performance (especially on Steam Deck) make it the definitive version of this charming remake.
While a bit too ambitious, Cronos: The New Dawn is a great new IP from Bloober Team that showcases the team's horror chops in a gory futuristic way.
If you’re patient with combat and can overlook technical issues, there’s genuine fun to be had here. The shield mechanics are unique, the world is pleasant to explore, and there’s something endearing about playing as an underdog who slowly proves everyone wrong. Just maybe wait for a patch or two before jumping in, and definitely play on Easy if combat frustration starts killing your enjoyment.
Even with some frustrating platforming and okay story, the visual style and action combat in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance are hands-down some of the best we've seen this year.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is an almost pitch-perfect remake of the 2004 original, for better or worse. With a fantastic story, engaging gameplay, and beautiful visuals, it’s well worth it for fans and newcomers alike.
Wild Hearts S successfully ports the 2023 hunting game to Switch 2 with expanded 4-player co-op and all post-launch content included. The unique Karakuri building system sets it apart from Monster Hunter, letting you construct traps and platforms mid-battle. While performance issues and the lack of cross-play raise concerns about longevity, it's currently the best monster hunting option on Nintendo's new hardware.
The King is Watching brilliantly combines roguelike progression with real-time strategy by making your workers only function under your direct gaze. With its 1.0 release addressing major concerns like mid-run saves, this pixel art kingdom builder offers surprising strategic depth through diverse unit synergies and risk-reward prophecies. Despite some UI annoyances and artificial progression gates, it's a dangerously addictive "one more run" experience.
Drill Core masterfully blends mining management with tower defense in a way that'll have you saying "just one more run" at 3 AM. The 1.0 release adds meaningful content and polish, though the grind and lack of tutorials might test your patience. Despite its flaws, this corporate space-mining sim delivers a uniquely satisfying gameplay loop that's hard to put down.
Hell Clock is an ARPG roguelike that draws from the tragic War of Canudos, blending Brazilian history with supernatural elements. Despite some pacing issues with its countdown mechanic and limited endgame content, the game offers tight combat, accessible systems, and a refreshingly unique setting. It's an easy recommendation on sale, especially for players seeking a more streamlined ARPG experience.
NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is the perfect example of nostalgia done right, with a great score, challenging gameplay, and superb visuals. While the story and repetitive elements do feel noticeable in its nine-hour runtime, The Game Kitchen successfully brings Ninja Gaiden back to the spotlight in all its gory glory.
One-Eyed Likho is a gorgeously woven web of Slavic folktales that will haunt you long after you complete the story.
Bungie continues its streak of developing phenomenal content with live-service elements that actively work to undermine it. Destiny 2: Edge of Fate's main campaign has plenty of highs, but sticking with the game long-term at this point means dealing with Bungie's eclecticisms, and odds are that you've got no patience for that.
There's not much I could add to System Shock 2's long, successful critical tenure. It's the game we all know and love, but in its best edition yet. Crucially, it comes with full support for all modern amenities and with a mod staging option, to boot. Its only downside truly is the fact that it's not a full-on remake, and that's hardly a downside at all.
Ruffy and the Riverside is an enjoyable, nostalgic, and collectible-filled trip down a memory lane littered with 3D platformers, while still managing to feel entirely new thanks to interesting new mechanics.
Guardians of Azuma successfully reinvents the series with ambitious village-building mechanics and gorgeous Japanese aesthetics. Even though some systems start simplified, the fun story and the Switch 2 version's smooth performance and engaging gameplay loop make this a worthwhile entry that respects the series' roots while pushing in bold new directions.
The Alters is a masterfully crafted experience that elevates survival gaming into something genuinely meaningful and emotionally resonant. While the relentless stress and complexity won't appeal to everyone, those who embrace its philosophical depth will find one of the most thought-provoking games in years. It's 11 Bit Studios firing on all cylinders, creating a rare game that makes you question your own life choices while desperately trying to survive.
Date Everything brings the furniture to life with incredible, fully voiced dialogue that’s overflowing with both humor and emotion. With characters stuffed with personality, stunning artwork, and a compelling storyline, it doesn’t get better than this.
RoadCraft trades SnowRunner's survival mechanics for pure construction chaos, letting you rebuild disaster zones with 40+ heavy machines. It's a slow-burn puzzle game disguised as a truck sim, where patience pays off but technical issues can break the zen. Perfect for heavy machinery enthusiasts who don't mind getting their virtual hands dirty.
Deathless is an excellent entry point into the roguelike genre for newcomers, but also stands out for veteran fans of the genre. Endless possibilities and a story that keeps you coming back make this worth playing time and time again.