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Bionic Bay is the perfect game to keep between bigger more involved titles but also has an interesting narrative for those who want it, perfectly balancing fun and challenge with a very approachable pick-up-and-play style.
Some believe that in order to truly "remaster" a game, there has to be a mastered game to begin with, and in the case of Onimusha 2, it certainly (with all due respect) isn't a game that was made with mastery to begin with. A derided sequel given an appreciable but unsurprising remaster, Onimusha 2 is worthwhile to play if you didn't play it in 2002, and is a capable study for new players.
Blades of Fire is a great return to the genre for MercurySteam. With great exploration and a unique combat system, Blades of Fire should have been a sure hit. Unfortunately, the situations you encounter feel completely unfair, and the mechanics sometimes work completely against you. Even still, Blades of Fire is a fun game that harkens back to the old school action-adventure titles, where exploring its world reaps the best rewards and game experience.
This collection of fighting games sits comfortably with Capcom's other compilations as a similarly high quality collection of some truly classic games that were previously stuck on old hardware. For some of these games, it might be the beginning of a new era for their compeititve scene. For others, the mere fact they're here is enough as a curio. Immaculate emulation and slick new features make this the definitive way to play with friends and share the experience.
Little Kitty, Big City is a great little adventure that had me grinning from start to finish. It harnesses the inherent charm that cats have and brings that to an experience that can be enjoyed by almost every type of player looking for a relaxed experience. Exploration and fun are at the core of what Little Kitty, Big City sets out to do and some clunky platforming controls are the only obstacles to total triumph. For now, this is the most "cat" game that you can possibly buy.
If you're familiar with Spirit of the North, this sequel may impress you with its evolutionary strides over its predecessor, such as granting you an open expanse to explore at your leisure, not to mention the fact it's double the length of the previous title. For newcomers, Spirit of the North 2 has an enchanting and calming essence you'll gravitate towards despite its technical shortcomings and unnecessary upgrade system.
id Software once again found a way to reinvent the DOOM formula, adding new gameplay elements such as the thoroughly enjoyable shield saw. DOOM: The Dark Ages is nonstop, adrenaline-fuelled thrill ride from start to finish. This blockbuster demands your full attention as the best FPS this year so far.
As a photography simulator, Lushfoil Photography Sim shines when it allows itself to. A brilliant atmospheric decompressor is lost under the weight of mechanics that I really don't think needed to be there. This feels like a bizarre moment where I want it to be less of a "game" and lean into itself as an experience. Still, it's well worth a peek if you enjoy wandering some silent roads and seeing the sights on your own time.
For those who have already sampled the grim delights of Days Gone on PS4, paying £10 for the definitive version of one of 2019's most underrated open world adventures that brings with it a hugely entertaining and worthwhile horde mode, seems like a bargain to me. As for the rest of the package, it really did surprise me just how well Bend Studio's most marquee effort has endured, offering up a smart take on both open world game design and the zombie apocalypse more broadly that other developers have struggled to match. Put simply, if you haven't played Days Gone before, this is the point where you leap in with both feet.
Nikoderiko: The Magical World provides a raucous and exciting platformer that you'll want to keep exploring, and for those who've already played it, there's even more to unearth now, and a new world.
Overall, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered brings plenty of welcome changes to the original formula while still maintaining the quirkiness of the original game. This is a prime example of a loving remaster: improve the original concept without veering away from it completely. It's not completely perfect, since it still features some of the glitchy nature of the original game, like asset pop-in. Nonetheless, "perfect" isn't what fans want out of Elder Scrolls. They want exploration and fun, and that's exactly what you get from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
By retaining the qualities of the old and bringing in new flourishes, Monaco 2 will please the virtual money-stealer within you. Co-operative play has been enriched with more strategic nuances than ever before, the levels brim with a classy glamour that's hard to resist, and the fun-yet-short play sessions make each mission digestible without getting overbearing or tedious. There is a pervading sense not much has changed here besides the alluring graphical overhaul, and single-player doesn't do Monaco 2 justice, but as a co-op game it glimmers like a crystal inside a display case ready for snatching up. If you have some pals go and raid Monaco of all its glitter; just don't expect to break the bank.
Lost Records is a visually gorgeous game and proves that the team who pioneered Life is Strange still have the aesthetic nailed down. Unfortunately this and some smart adaptations of mechanics do little to hide a story that tries in vain to recapture the same energy, managing to totally lose itself by the end. I can see what they were going for here, but that vision is lost in a game that doesn't know what it wants to commit to. A deeply personal story is subsumed by what feels like an obligation to the supernatural. A story about the supernatural is lost in a story about the personal. Neither is done justice and both feel like they deserved more.
I do not say this spontaneously or hyperbolically: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a generational RPG. The quality of writing is pitch-perfect at every step, vividly depicting the somber world and its tragic circumstances with glorious technique. Combat always feels rewarding when successful, but it can feel like a slog if you don't get the hang of the parry and trait systems. The linear nature of the game helps to balance out the lack of mini-map, so try and not let those factors keep you away from at least trying this brilliant game.
Forza Horizon 5 is an excellent arcade-type racer that puts the player first delivering a quality experience with a litany of modes, events, cars and some deep customisation/tuning options. If you are one of the many PlayStation players clambering for the long overdue return of the MotorStorm series, this is the closest you will presently get to realising that dream.
Blue Prince is an exquisitely designed game that stays in your brain between play sessions. It is the video game equivalent of a Rubix Cube where every move you make can shape your path to success. Do not let this gem pass you by.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is what SNK is best at. A pure fighter with great mechanics that are easy to understand and only the best will master. It's just a shame that so many of its modes and unlocks are shallow and don't add much to the overall experience.
If you're looking for a decent Metroidvania, then Rusty Rabbit is solid enough, though there's not a lot here to suggest it's more than towing the genre's line rather than branching out in unexpected new directions. Collecting junk is enjoyable in Rusty Rabbit, but maybe it could've done with more fervor and less grit, even if the game's name informs you of its weathered vibes.
For what Indiana Jones and the Great Circle sets out to do, I think it succeeds in every aspect. This is a game made with adoration and love for the legacy of Indiana Jones; for anyone that has a history with Indy, this is essential. If you can look past some rough edges, there's a diamond in the rough.
For the myriad of things that Promise Mascot Agency sets out to do, I never felt like it was overreaching or losing its sense of self. Every aspect of this game feels tailored to a curated experience that feels equally inspired and trailblazing its own direction. Everything comes together in an almost flawless symphony that I can't help but love.