I was honestly very surprised at how short the game was, and though I really enjoyed my time spent playing through Reaching for Petals, I find it difficult to recommend paying for something that won’t give you much more than an hour’s worth of gameplay with little to no replayability. I feel selfish asking for more of the same, but if Reaching for Petals carried on for a few more hours I’d be singing a completely different tune.

For now, if you’re new to PAC-MAN, this is a great entry point. If you’re a die-hard fan, there might be a couple of PAC-MAN titles on here that you’ve been jonesing to play. For the casual fan, you’re probably better off sticking with a previous compilation you likely already own.

I would only recommend this game to forgiving action JRPG fans and series veterans. This sucks because I adore the story and the flight mechanics. Unfortunately, the game’s iffy presentation ruins a lot.

Damon and Baby is an interesting experiment from one of the greatest developers in the fighting genre. While the game’s DNA contains strong ideas, they never evolve into anything that leaves a lasting impact. Combat is fun, but lacks the speed and style of its peers, and while combining this with adventuring is novel, it struggles to deliver something that competes in either sub-genre. The result is an experience that feels competent but ultimately underwhelming. A bold shift in direction, but one that struggles to justify itself.

There’s a bevy of customization options, brutal combat, and stomping around as a terminator marine feels straight-up badass. That intoxicating feeling is marred by the steep system requirements and frequent crashes though. Despite the faithful adaptation of the general feel of the 40K universe, a feat that’s not easy to accomplish.

This title is 100% made for the ‘niche-gamer’ and won’t appeal to a broader audience.

It is fun to play as these iconic characters on the streets and in battle, clunky as they may be. The locations and dress-up options are colorful and interesting. Fans of the TV show will definitely like wielding Wonder Woman’s sword and shield, Catwoman’s whip, and Batgirl’s gadgets.

Given the lack of polish and execution, the price might be a stretch for those unfamiliar with the franchise, but for loyal fans of the series, or Sh'nen manga in general, One Piece: Pirate Warriors is bursting at the seams with rich content, and is probably one of the better anime influenced games to come out in awhile.

Playing Serious Sam 4: Planet Badass can be fun. It’s also clear that the franchise is at a crossroads. It wants to steal from other AAA shooters, to have believable characters, NPCs, and a story. At the same time, it goes all-in with a lame-joke cracking juvenile in a man suit and gameplay that is rote, lacks creativity and is repetitive. Long load times and framerate issues don’t help, either. Twenty years on, Sam isn’t edgy, goofy or ironic. Sam’s schtick, and the gameplay that goes with him, are seriously due for a makeover.

Despite its shortcomings, Super Toy Cars really is a lot of fun, and a breath of fresh air from a very under appreciated genre. An obvious labour of love.

Many titles share the core gameplay loop of mining, crafting, and conquering the world. So, what sets a sandbox like Rust apart? Almost nothing. It is a dynamic, immersive survival sandbox with none of the charm of other games in its genre. Its heart and soul lie in its unforgiving, player-driven, immersive environment. As a result, the world is utterly unpredictable, so no two servers will share a state of decay. Which is to say, if you like having no idea what’s gonna happen, this easily stands apart.

Overall, W.A.N.D. Project on paper sounds like a survival-type gamer’s dream, but unfortunately, it is just missing some of that special sauce to keep it in the rotation long term. There are definitely some aspects the game could build upon, but at this point it still does feel a bit like an Early Access title. That said, the spellcrafting system is a welcome addition to the genre, and I’d like to continue tinkering around with potential spells.

I find it hard to be too critical of a game when it is succeeding at what it set out to do. And there are a few parts of the game that I enjoyed – including the included ‘Blissful Sleep’ DLC which brings a new protagonist and supporting characters. In the long run though, Beholder: Complete Edition is a bit too much like an exhausting job, a job that I wished I could quit after a while.

Overall, Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today uses a great art style, creates great atmosphere and has complimentary music to create a dark and stylish game to liven up its point-and-click gameplay. However, the flow of the story is regularly broken up by puzzles that are equal parts confusing and seemingly without order that end up with the player spending far too much time trying to advance the story.

Unfortunately the slow movement adjustment and short gameplay that were a problem in the first episode are still present four episodes later.

Ultimately, this game would have benefited from more time both in testing and on the drawing board. A more sophisticated combat system, less cheesy storytelling, more embellishment on exploration, and animations that are far less glitchy would have done Ary and the Secret of Seasons the justice it sincerely deserves.

Brave possesses a unique charm, and should be considered if you are on the lookout for a well made kid-friendly title to add to your collection.

With each tear shed, the story of Rei searching for her little sister all the while defeating enemies and being burdened with their last words is much deeper and darker than I expected. The use of the crying mechanics and turning her tears and sad thoughts into strength is a really unique and interesting idea. That paired with the beautiful art style, character designs and interesting story, we almost have a perfect game. Unfortunately, with the less than stellar combat mechanics, the lack of enemy variety and the lack of differentiating dungeons, it may not entice players who also want fluid gameplay. However for fans who do like narrative-driven and linear games along with dark themes and gorgeous designs, then this is definitely a title that should be added to your library.

Choo-Choo Charles is sure to be one of the shortest titles you play all year. Just as soon as Charles tears through the trees and into sight for the first time, he’s gone. As the credits rolled, I couldn’t help but feel like Choo-Choo Charles should be compared to a stocking stuffer. A fun, cheap little trinket that you enjoy for a minute and then never touch again. I promise I mean that in the nicest way possible.

I can’t see the NHL franchise reaching the heights of its mid-2000s glory years anytime soon, but at least we have the Frostbite engine in there to start building upon. It took far too long to arrive, though; it’s here now. And while I can see the potential for it to one day have this series feeling exciting again, I don’t see that happening for a long time. But, hey, it’s the only hockey game in town, so I guess I’ll see you on the ice.

Battling against friends both online and through couch co-op is how Dangerous Golf feels like it’s meant to be played and it makes for a great pickup title, ignoring the initial learning curve that is.

Conception is a unique game that makes me appreciate the wild ideas that JRPGs can come up with. Definitely targeted to a niche audience who enjoys the idea of courting twelve beautiful maidens with the prospect of saving the world. Conception is not a revolutionary JRPG, nor is it a stimulating dating SIM. It is a strange concept but for the purpose of the game, it works. While the storyline could use a little more excitement to keep players hooked, it is definitely worth trying if you have an interest in harem RPGs.

For maximum enjoyment, Wattam expects you to meander, to mosey, to stride. A frantic pace will only lay bare the shaky controls and the counter-intuitive camera setup. Take your time, the game insists. Speak to every new citizen, wear all of their hats, propel them skyward with your hat bombs. This way, the good times can dwell while the pockets of misery remain distant and hazy. For me, the off-putting voices and the clumsy controls work with the sparse conceit to create a world that’s oddly ill-fitting. The idyllic madness and the slow, sparse mechanics butt heads to make a game best approached with caution and care. Choose the world of Wattam at your most studious discretion, my friends.

This is a fine update if you own the season pass, but you may want to skip it otherwise.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a frenetic, atmospheric ghost hunt that’s been sliced and stacked into something safe, digestible, and slow.

The thing that really bums me out about all this is that there doesn’t seem to be any real plans to release any sort of major DLCs for the game modes or different factions. It isn’t often I see a game that is let down by a lack of ambition. They have such a great foundation, and I think if they had put more time in developing more content, or promised ongoing support, this game could have been the next Heroes of Might and Magic. So, would I recommend Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars? Not at full price, I’m afraid. But if you’ve been craving for some Might and Magic, it may be worth your dime.

If you really miss arcade racers and have been incredibly disappointed with other franchises like Need For Speed, then this is definitely worth your time and money. If all you want to do is race around blowing up other cars with your friends, you’re better off saving your money.

Overall, if you enjoy puzzle or time management games, this is a pretty fun one as it is very easy to pick up and play and it is definitely the type of game you come to when you have a bit of free time.

Georifters has good things going for it but it definitely needs some tweaking, especially for veteran fans of the genre. That said, I would certainly recommend this game for families, especially those with young kids as the art style does feel like it caters to children more. Adventure mode can be a fun couch co-op experience but I wouldn’t be surprised if Battle Ground mode would be the one played more often.

Summer in Mara was a game I wanted to love, but its core designs around crafting and questing left me wanting. It’s a shame, as I think it could’ve been something truly magical with more time to cook and less reliance on fetch quests.

There is a lot to like in Necromunda: Underhive Wars, and there are some fresh ideas that bring a welcome change to the turn-based strategy genre. But those positives are let down by an overall lack of polish and finish. Combat drags on a bit more than it should, and the initial phase of learning the game is pretty frustrating for newcomers, without a whole lot of help from the developers. If you are a fan of the Warhammer universe, and especially if you’ve played the Necromunda tabletop game, you should definitely check it out. Otherwise, you might want to wait a bit for some updates.

No Frozen or Brave cameos – a huge miss considering this games target audience.

Professor Lupo: Ocean will be a treat for fans of the original. It continues the story, sets up a compelling mystery, and it looks and sounds fantastic. The puzzles are of one kind, however, and the game is short. Luckily the price tag is small, and it really is a continuation of the ideas/ story of Professor Lupo and his Horrible Pets. Puzzle fans should enjoy the length and variety in that game, and come back for more of a very specific-kind of puzzle in this sequel.

The parts I dislike are where they’ve tried to shoehorn an MMO into the mix. The combat, level grind, grouping, and people all discourage me from wanting to play. The MMO components feel forced and generic, and the game would be more enjoyable without them. This comes from an Elder Scrolls fan though.

It’s been a time since I’ve been able to play an RPG like I used to with the grind and the turn-based combat and the healing between battles in order to stay in the action. They just don’t make them like they used to! It even comes with a $14.99 price tag to boot. However, I really wished that all the things that Citizens of Space does well weren’t attached to a game that is so… in your face. It borders on obnoxious but keeps the annoying line repeats and the length of time to get anywhere just under the bar of annoying. It did, however, prevent me from being able to play for a big chunk of time and it sucked a lot of the fun out of the well-done aspects of the game. I think it says a lot that you can get a lot of enjoyment out of this game but it’s best enjoyed on mute.

The whole narrative was shallow. The game shows potential, but it is so incohesive and unimpressive that it flounders as a whole.

Bye Sweet Carole is a promising adventure that needs some refinement. Platforming and general movement feel slow and clunky, making traversal a chore. Each area features a range of strong puzzles, though some bugs affect your ability to complete certain tasks. Narrative inconsistencies further diminish the enjoyment of what should have been a magical adventure. Despite its stunning presentation, with beautiful hand-drawn visuals, smooth animation, and a lovely orchestral score, it ultimately struggles to deliver an experience as magical as its visuals suggest.

While the story may be inane, and the lack of even cartoon logic behind character action may be at fault, it’s an inane story told very well.

I can’t knock Dead End Job for anything other than its redundant level design and mechanics, as it really does succeed in every other aspect pretty well. The art and music are great, the perks are clever, and the couch co-op is a huge plus. I think it would make an excellent game for kids or for couples and friends who love playing new, lighthearted games together that don’t require a high level of skill or attention. However, for solo players, I don’t imagine this game being able to hold the same longevity for everybody. Still, it’s a solid little indie game that lets you play as a Ghostbuster, and for some, that’s the dream.

There were a lot of enjoyable, nostalgic moments with the familiar battle systems that were strengthened by the retro aesthetics. Monster Crown is more than just capturing and leveling up the monsters you tame. There is a story to be followed and monsters to breed. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to comprehend, and janky controls take away from the experience, but the general gameplay is familiar and straightforward to understand. With so much information and planning involved, though, Monster Crown feels like it can be a bigger game than it actually is, and perhaps one day, it can be released as something more ready and easier to learn.

Life is Strange Remastered Collection is only good because Life is Strange is so good. The upgrades are nice, but they aren’t evenly applied and sometimes make the game look worse. It also has an inexcusable number of bugs. Life is Strange and Before the Storm are great games, but this collection is lacking. I recommend just picking up the original versions. You can probably find them cheaper than this collection, and they offer just as good an experience. They offer a better experience in some ways.

Crime O’Clock’s lovely art direction and charming premise can’t save the game from its repetitive gameplay loop. While at first, it delivers a wave of nostalgia, it soon drowns in its concept. Even though it’s extremely accessible and fun to play with others, it quickly loses momentum as it struggles to innovate on the idea.

Highwater understands its limitations. It’s not a game that tries to do too much and fails. Some aspects work well, like the world-building, premise, and combat. But I wanted to be told less, and discover more. Given a bigger budget and less restrictive, more open-ended gameplay, Highwater could be a standout in a crowded field. Highwater has good intentions, but it needs a team of writers who understand character and dialogue a little better, and that showing is better than telling.

Danger Zone takes the formula made famous by Burnout’s “Crash” mode and tries to recreate it, but that’s pretty much all it accomplishes. It really doesn’t do anything better than what Burnout did 15 years ago and in some cases, it fares worse than the older franchise.

It’s too bad the game has these rough edges because conceptually there is a fun spy versus spy mechanic here. Veterans of the first game may not find the same level of frustration. It is vital that you do the tutorials before starting the campaign. The campaign should remain locked until players complete the tutorials. Unseen Diplomacy 2 is available on Steam and Meta. There is no mixed-reality mode. For all you spy types out there, if you have a high patience level, this game may provide you with the wanted tension and thrills.

Pure Farming 2018 is a good simulator, just not a fun game. I was hoping for something that either gamified farming or simplified some of the tedious tasks. Instead, I was given a second job that included all of the life-like tasks, including every tedious one.

The game modes are challenging and the combat is enjoyable when it works, but if you’re the only one of your friends picking it up then you’re going to have a bad time finding someone to play it with, and with a lack of an AI to bolster the single-player there isn’t much of the game to be played.

MLB The Show 26 feels lazy. San Diego Studio knows it has no competition and has decided to coast on its previous successes. The on-field action is addictive, but everything else almost feels like a slap in the face at this point. They desperately need to update the visuals, fix the bugs, and put some actual effort into the presentation and career modes. Until then, The Show will remain spinning its wheels in the dirt, hoping the fans won’t notice that the engine is starting to smoke.

This may not be the best game you’ve ever played, but Shooting Stars is one that passes the time with colourful and humorous animations, and is a fairly enjoyable experience overall.

Weedcraft Inc, beneath its subject matter, is a decent tycoon-styled management simulator. Despite that, the game was not particularly fun besides the usual attempt to min-max your business as best as possible. The clicker-like features also did little to add to the overall genre despite its initial novelty. Fans of either the subject matter or the genre may find value in the game, but for those who rarely venture into the genre, the game may not be the best introduction to it.

When I previewed Dream Cycle nearly a year ago, I connected with the game’s premise and still-in-development combat mechanics and movement. Those promising elements remain, but in the full game, they’re obscured by some technical issues and the need for a lot more polish and refinement. A third-person, Lovecraft-inspired action game is a great idea. Dream Cycle comes close to making it happen. It’s not quite a nightmare, but not the sweet dream I hoped it would be.

Spelunker Party! hearkens back to the old days of platformers, featuring simple yet challenging gameplay. Playable individually, Spelunker Party! is likely at its best when played with others. For those looking for a simple, classic platformer, this game is likely to be right up your alley. On the other hand, players should not go into this expecting something more contemporary. Overall, Spelunker Party! is what it sets out to be, and it does it well.

If you are looking to pick up an NBA game this holiday season the choice is easy but make no bones about it NBA Live is becoming a contender. Let’s just see what they do next year.

It doesn’t quite make it into the elite, but Feral Fury’s relatively low asking price means that there’s value for money to be found.

Jam Live Music Arcade has some really good elements; however, some of the control issues and the games difficulty level may inevitably turn some people away.

Call of the Beastmen is not a bad bit of DLC; it’s just an overpriced one. It is nearly a third of the price of the main game, and it contains nowhere near a third of the content. For hard-core fans of the original, this addition is worthwhile for the extra race, but it might be prudent to wait for a sale. Casual fans can ignore the Call altogether.

Bohemian Killing, with its unique plot and great artistic style, is a great experience for fans of murder mystery, however, it does seem to be a niche game targeting a very specific audience.

More time to polish would have done a lot of good for Warden: Melody of the Undergrowth. More art, maybe another spirit friend, and better combat could have pushed this game much closer to a “must buy” category. As it is, you’re better off waiting for a sale unless you really dig the art and premise.

There’s nothing overwhelmingly wrong with Twilight Path, but it’s not treading on new ground either. There’s a whole lot of similar VR games to this one and there just isn’t much to make it really stand out from the crowd.

Like two ki blasts meeting and struggling to destroy one another, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is a mixed bag of things. It captures the spirit of the anime with its frenetic combat and ridiculous overacting but stumbles mightily with an impenetrable tutorial and convoluted structure.

If you’re a fan of the Gundam franchise, you’ll experience this game differently. The ambient weight of the setting provides essential context. We’re watching the antagonists as they struggle with impending defeat. Every glimpse of the flagship Gundam across enemy lines spins up genuine dread. Yet even this power is used too sparingly. The Gundam franchise is a massive, sweeping saga whose greatest battles are also remarkably intimate. Colossal wars are distilled into two machines engaging in physical and ideological struggles. So far, this is markedly absent from Code Fairy. Hopefully, the next two volumes find more solid narrative footing.

Republique Episode 4 is neither the weakest entry, nor the best. It’s caught in the middle. Whether it’s because of development troubles or simply to blame on the story, remains to be seen, and with a finale on the horizon, it still has a chance to end strong.

Gamers who love the old school feel of dungeon exploring RPG's will probably enjoy most of what Unchained Blades has to offer. Unfortunately, I found the game had a few too many holes and issues to really hold my attention, but for the right gamer it could be just the thing for the start of summer.

There’s no denying that at its core this game is good, however, the problem lies in the fact that it’s just so damn unpolished.

Fans looking for a fighting game with deep gameplay that rewards mastery of game mechanics best look elsewhere. Fans of the characters that just want to run amuck with them for awhile should be pleasantly diverted. At least for awhile.

Cling! has a steep learning curve for the controls, but once you get the hang of it there is some enjoyment to be had, and the game can be addicting as you try “just one more time” to get a better medal.

Wild Card Football manages to capture the essence of the sport in an arcade format. I’m torn about the Wild Cards, as they add variety to each play but they can also give an unfair advantage. Luckily, you can disable these and just play a standard match. However, the issues lie in the content. Dream Squad is fun but the slow progression makes it feel like a grind and the lack of other modes hinders the overall experience.

There are far better RPG’s available on the 3DS and there are far better “casual” games on the 3DS. But, those quirky Mii’s might still have the power to draw some of you into this grand adventure.

Despite Nightfall being a relatively short bit of DLC, it manages to pack in some fun challenges with the level design, and the combat is as satisfying as ever. I found the story to be nicely paced throughout the four levels and leaves you off just before the opening of Aragami. However, the DLC doesn’t add much more to the game than the three new Shadow Techniques and is over once you’ve only just gotten into it.

Metal Wolf Chaos XD is a priceless artifact, a flawed gem the size of your fist that must be seen to be believed. Especially if you’ve got a history with From Software’s other mech titles. This is a critical link in the chain with no equal in the genre’s history. On the other hand, if none of that applies to you, hot damn this game has issues. The premise and the execution are wildly disparate elements. The pacing is stuttered and archaic. The mechanics at play are padded yet flat. I can’t fault that timeless voice acting either way, though. My thoughts on the game aside, hearing president Wilson and co. deliver their lines is absolute delight. Metal Wolf Chaos XD is a weird, wonky game you should almost definitely, probably, see for yourself.

It is frustrating to take actions and due to the limited character animations not seeing my inputs realized properly on the screen. If you’re a big survival horror fan of games like resident evil outbreak you may find the robustness of the variety of game plays available to you sufficient to overlook or handle the issues with character animation.

A borderline unusable map and generally difficult combat combined with traps that kill you immediately could definitely turn people off, but those who choose to persevere will likely enjoy this game enough to see it through to its obtuse, confusing ending.

If you were looking to find a perfect replica of the Netflix series complete with an original storyline you won’t find that here. Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia is plenty good fun if viewed as a standalone title but it’s hard not to compare it to the Netflix series and find it underwhelming. Now as a pre-teen or teen, Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia is worth a playthrough for sure, especially with friends. As an adult, however, it’s probably not going to hold your attention very long; maybe just skip this one.

Yesterday Origins is yet another game to add to the point & click genre that serves up a fairly unique story. It may not be the “must play” point & click adventure game of the year, but it’s one that you can escape in fairly enjoyably.

This game is kind of a mess. There’s a ton of tiny glitches, the writing is all over the place, and some fights feel pretty wonky. But I still had fun. Maybe it’s just because I never played the original release. Or maybe my expectations were never terribly high. But killing zombies with a chainsaw amidst a flurry of sparkly gore can be a pretty good time. On the other hand, I hesitate to recommend this game for purchase. Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP isn’t quite worth a full-price commitment yet. You might want to catch this one on sale in the near future, once a few patches have dropped.

H1Z1 may have been the king of the battle royale market back in its days of inception, but with Battlegrounds and Fortnite both evolving the genre in distinctive ways, it no longer feels as relevant. For H1Z1 to regain its audience, it needs to take more creative risks as demonstrated by Auto Royale.

Whether it was the boss design, the life count, or a handful of glitches, I kept hitting roadblocks during my playthrough. As much as I might enjoy certain characters or gameplay elements, I still struggled with this one. I had fun slogging my way to the last stage, sure. But the thought of playing enough to unlock everything fills me with terrible dread. G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra might be for franchise fans more than anyone interested in another beat ’em up.

Throughout my time with Crysis, and maybe more accurately, throughout my time writing this review, I’ve been pondering just what the purpose of this experiment was. I won’t act like there isn’t an indisputable intrigue to having a title once regarded as the pinnacle of PC gaming on a handheld system. But I’m also not going to act like Crysis on the Switch can even begin to hold a candle to its PC counterpart. I implore you to find out what Crytek’s 2007 smash hit was all about, doing it the way it was meant to be done. You know, it’s bizarre to think, but this is sort of like Crysis’ mid-life crisis.

In Too Deep isn’t by any means terrible, it just doesn’t feel as original or as interesting as it should. It’s also quite possible that I’m simply over-saturated with The Walking Dead in general right now.

Having only one save space is absurd, especially for families with multiple gamers, but at least there’s a decent download play option for local multiplayer.

Either you’ll love I Am Bread for its quirky charm, or you’ll hate it for it’s challenging and thin gameplay.

It’s probably easy to just pass off Super Seducer 2 as garbage that’s not worth your time. However, if you do take that time to look at it you’ll find that the idea behind the helpful stuff is pretty sound advice if you’re in need of that kind of direction. The other thing you’ll find is some pretty fun shenanigans. Sometimes the cringe is what sells it, like a train wreck you can’t keep your eyes off of. That cringe factor isn’t an accident, which leaves you wondering if it’s all just a big old trolling of those who have far too much to say about everything. If you’re not so serious about everything all the time, though, it’s a fun diversion.

Crackdown 3 feels like an Xbox 360 title running in 4K. In small doses, the action’s a lot of fun. I love jumping around the city and blowing stuff up, but I can’t imagine this is the follow-up fans deserve. I hate to say it, but Crackdown 3 would more than likely pale in comparison to other open world games released over a decade ago like Infamous, Prototype, and Borderlands. It’s not awful or even all that boring, but the gameplay isn’t anything we haven’t already experienced in the series twelve-year history.

Genre mashups like Red Solstice 2: Survivors can be refreshing and revelatory, or they can feel like a poorly seamed patchwork of ideas. Red Solstice 2 has some fun elements, occasionally engaging combat and systems, and a take on the Red Planet that is familiar but not entirely unoriginal. Poorly explained mechanics, lack of personality and ultimately repetitive mission design all push back against a more thoroughly enjoyable experience.

If you enjoy a challenging puzzle, Tetrobot will provide it — just don’t expect Tetrobot and Co to revolutionize the genre, expect it to eat away a few hours until you get bored. The lack of story, bland environments and uninspired mechanics are what ultimately bog down the fun factor. The saving grace is in the smooth game play and the difficulty of the levels which, if you are looking to put your brain to the test, make it worth picking up.

At first glance, this game seems like everything I love in a retro RPG. There’s a unique combat and progression system, detailed pixel art, and a fascinating narrative. But most of my biggest issues are in these same areas. The graphics for this release are ill-suited to modern TVs. Progression is obtuse and murky. And the combat quickly wears out its welcome. If you missed out on this game when it first dropped, you’re in luck! It’s been perfectly preserved. But if you’re going in blind, you may be somewhat disappointed with Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth.

I’m not sure how I feel about this collection. I didn’t enjoy most of the games I played. And yet, this release does an admirable job gathering up so much Turtles history and memorabilia. You’ve got the games, the box art, the concept sketches, the music, and the TV stills. You have a clear snapshot of the Turtles hype train running at full speed. The effect is so complete this collection feels like a curated museum exhibit. On the other hand, the games are mostly bad. The action is repetitive, the difficulty balance is busted, and the stage design is mostly an afterthought. If you’re looking for a thoughtful essay on Ninja Turtles history, then look no further. If you want a bunch of fun games, The Cowabunga Collection is not for you.

Had I been more familiar with, or been a fan of the series, it’s possible I would have enjoyed Sword Art: Online Lost Song more than I did. As a newcomer to the series, the game has a lot to offer, but poor design choices ultimately lead to the game becoming mediocre instead of great.

In my opinion, chapter 3 is going to make or break this series. The Odd Gentleman still has my curiosity and attention for now, but unless something really exciting happens soon then they’re going to lose not only myself but I think many others as well.

The atmosphere, the music and the premise are all bristling with promise. The world you wander through is heartbreaking and surreal. The music follows you out of the game, snapping you awake at night, wondering where that guitar riff is coming from. But the mechanics under the hood are deeply flawed. Beyond the startling rigidity of your avatar and the janky controls, the game feel is all off. My computer, a perfectly respectable beast, had a hard time with this game.

Breaking down the package as a whole Insomniac’s Fuse can be fun at times, but it is a middle of the road experience at best.

A strong narrative and stellar cast manage to hold together an experience that is absolutely rife with bugs and downright questionable design choices.

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss takes an ambitious swing but it just doesn’t fully connect. It nails the atmosphere and tone but struggles where it matters most. The investigation systems are deep, yet buried under a clunky complex UI that often turns discovery into frustration. There’s a compelling game here but maybe it’s for a very specific type of player. In the end, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss feels like a strong concept held back by execution.

I’m just frustrated because I can see a great game underneath the clutter of skill lines and odd design choices. If you strip away the mess, you’re left with a solid successor to Tiger Heli, a game that I have a particular nostalgic affinity for.

While it is fun to experience Pop-Up Pilgrims in a somewhat faux VR mode, it is really a mere 3D presentation when you get down to it. You are truly restricted to a god-like point of view. And the gameplay mechanics don’t quite gell with the VR implementation.

Dollhouse: Behind the Broken Mirror is a really solid psychological horror experience. It has a captivating story, a haunting atmosphere, and clever puzzles that make it stand out from other horror games. While the gunplay feels a bit off and the camera work is really odd, the game’s occasional strengths really make up for some of these issues. It’s not the best horror game you’ll ever play, but it’s an interesting experience.

Ultimately, Monster Energy Supercross 25 is a competent but unspectacular entry in the series. The improved visuals and deeper career mode are welcome additions, but the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. The steep learning curve and inconsistent online experience may deter some players, while seasoned veterans may find the lack of groundbreaking innovation disappointing.

It all comes down to a game that, while not terrible, isn’t going to set the world on fire. We won’t be seeing any Black The Fall clones in the next few months.