Darksburg is an exciting, dark roguelite with tons of replayability. The cast of playable characters is diverse in their play styles and these are only enhanced with Team Experience power ups and the Curios. The setting is beautiful and lush – far more than I expected out of a procedurally generated experience. The AI companions are good enough to keep you alive but the game really shines in Co-Op with other players. I would love to see controller support or a dodge roll to make managing the horde a little more balanced, but all in all it’s the kind of experience meant for friends diving into dungeons and just having a great time.

It’s worth the $10 price tag for the standalone experience, but if you’re on the fence with this one, you won’t miss anything should you choose to pass.

For Cyberpunk 2077 to be an outstanding game, one of two things needed to happen. Descoping of large portions of the game, and a structure more akin to an action RPG. A tighter focus akin to Rise of the Tomb Raider or even Prey could have allowed for more depth to the narrative experience. OR, alternatively, they could have leaned way further into the RPG elements of the game. Spend more time balancing and incentivizing the various half baked systems like Netrunning, and offer far more flexibility in how V can be role played. Of course, such a move would come at the expense of the high production value narrative CD Projekt Red wanted to create. As it turns out, even 8 years of development couldn’t make both – or either – of those outcomes happen. So is this a good game? Yes, sometimes, but only if they manage to sufficiently patch it.

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.

Admittedly my expectations for Deadpool going into it weren’t exceptionally high. Considering the overall lack of hype gearing up to release day I half expected a rush job that had the odd shining moment but not much more than that. I’m more than happy to report that I was wrong and that High Moon gave Deadpool the treatment he deserved.

It’s with a heavy heart that I say steer clear of this one. It’s a marvellous game that will bring many, many, many hours of joy and entertainment into your life. But wait until it hits a sale on the PSN so you won’t feel so fleeced as you play through it.

Despite its simplicity and presentation that seems geared towards a younger audience, F1 Race Stars a fun game to pick up and play.

There’s probably an audience for Payday 3, as there was for the previous game. A jank-tolerant group of friends might have fun killing some time and causing mayhem. They’d have to have a pretty low bar for shooter mechanics, graphics, and story, though. Apart from that. there’s really no reason to spend money or time with Payday 3.

Despite the friendly gameplay and interesting tactics, The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2 falls short in developing its characters and presenting a satisfactory storyline, thus leading to a somewhat dull experience.

I’ve never been so bored with a shooter before.

If you haven’t played many point-and-click adventures and want to start, or you want to rekindle your love of this genre, then The Perils of Man would be the game to start with.

Layers of Fear: Inheritance may inherit the technical wizardry of Layers of Fear but it does not recapture the level of tension and dread of its parent game. More proof that you indeed cannot go back home.

Crimsonland is a total guilty pleasure. It doesn’t look all that hot; the action is silly, loud, and dumb; but its quick and dirty gameplay is, most importantly, fun.

Players into the historical origins of the genres they love will find Dark Alliance 2 worth playing. Anyone comfortable with the mechanics and visuals of recent fantasy ARPGs will probably grimace a bit. Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance has enough engaging story and characters to deserve a genuine remake or remaster. For the price, this version just doesn’t go far enough, even for players hoping for a hit of spit-shined nostalgia.

While it’s the way to go compared to its original PS Vita only release in 2012, Ragnarok Odyssey ACE might not be the Monster Hunter replacement you’re looking for, that being said with the implementation of cross play it might just keep you busy for a while.

Massive visual improvements definitely count for something, but when you can’t fix the original problems with a game’s dated mechanics and design, there’s not much else you can do. Outcast: Second Contact is a solid attempt at returning to the original classic, but it’s far from perfect.

Simply put, Override 2: Super Mech League would have benefited from having more content. It feels rushed, and I cannot help but think the developers were forced into meeting a release deadline. Granted, what we do have is a smooth, and functioning game; but it’s a half-finished one that doesn’t have much of a player base, at all. Modus Games dropped the ball here and I have a hard time recommending Override 2: Super Mech League to anyone.

Sure, credit where credit is due, MWIII’s gameplay is solid with industry best gunplay and the Zombies mode is one of the franchises best ever. But it’s the half dozen or so poor design choices that continue to drag these games down. Call of Duty has risen to a level where they’re just too big to listen to fan feedback, and MWIII is a testament to this. Call of Duty fans deserve better.

Payback is a stark improvement over 2015’s entry in the series, adding likable characters, an enjoyable if not formulaic story, user-friendly tuning, and the best bits and pieces from the previous games rolled into one. Where Payback falters, however, is its misuse of compelling characters, lack of police force, and an open world which – while beautiful – only has about 1/8th of it in the city, leaving most of your driving to be an extended scenic route.

Despite a lack of imagination in its story and setting, Redemption Reapers is not without appeal. Strong production values, excellent music, and solid core combat mechanics promise an engaging experience. Its stabs at originality are both appreciated and a mixed success. Better balance, less oppressive mechanics, and shorter, streamlined missions could make Redemption Reapers an attractive choice for fans of tactical RPGs.

If not for the unique film noir storytelling combined with a stylized black and white look, White Night could have been one of the more forgettable survival horror games of 2015. Unfair enemies and camera issues dampens an experience which otherwise should have been much better than the sum of its parts.

As a comic brought to life, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd nails the narrative tone and art style that Mike Mignola perfected decades ago. As an action game, there are impediments to enjoyment, starting with the purposefully choppy animation and Hellboy’s lack of fluid movement. What works in the pages of a book doesn’t necessarily translate to fun in the hands of the player.

The core of Sword Coast Legends has potential. The single player story is fine, but not remarkable, and the capacity for multiplayer is welcome but ultimately disappointing.

Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden is in an unfortunate position where the core game is kind of good, but everything surrounding it is kind of bad.

At the end of the day the pacing, environment and storytelling go some way towards offsetting the Kinect-specific issues, resulting in an average game that shouldn't fail to captivate fans of the series and some new players who are there for the ride.

The game’s different aspects of resource management, puzzle-solving, platforming, and story development may be individually sparse, but they all come together to make a modest title that doesn’t overwhelm the player. Overall, despite its technical flaws, Phoning Home is an unassuming yet enjoyable experience.

An ambitious outing for a smaller studio to be sure as Mars: War Logs is big on ideas but sadly a bit lackluster on actual execution.

My only real gripe with the game is the lack of saving and respawning options. I am one of those players that tends to die a lot, so it can be a bit frustrating. Not to mention the mini-map is quite small, so it can be easy to miss something important before moving onto the next level. Other than that, RemiLore: Lost Girl in the Lands of Lore is an incredibly fun title. With beautiful graphics and fluid hack ’n’ slash action, not to mention the back and forth hilarious banter from our heroes, this title is an easy pick whether you are playing it at home or on the go.

Given Wario’s great gaming background, Game & Wario leaves much to be desired. The selection of games is sparse, and even though a few of the games are fun, it doesn’t make up for the amount of ones that aren’t.

Catan on Switch is serene but never boring. It’s not a pulse-pounding action thriller, but it asks for a lot of thought. You will strategize, you will win, and sometimes you will lose. But the music will continue to gently encourage you, the cartoon opponents are just begging to be defeated, and there are still so many islands to clear. I don’t know how glossy you can make a game like this, but I’m happy to report that you don’t have to. An attractive package and a clear interface are the only reminders we need- Catan is a classic and being able to play it on the go is a gift.

Brawlout seems supremely content with the middle ground, to be fun but unremarkable. There’s no Mario, Scorpion, or Comic Book front man on the cover; instead, the obscure roster fails to carry the brawler beyond the appeal of any fighting game with an ongoing legacy. The diamond in the rough comes in the form of free character updates, the next one being the Dead Cells hero. However, I can’t base the final on how much better the experience will be a year from now.

The motion control is impressively accurate and the various inputs involved are simple enough to provide wide accessibility for all players.

While most of the game was rather bland, Tempest’s potential showed in some of the stranger quests that popped up (ghosts!), the large scale naval battles, and surprise sea monster attacks. Unfortunately, these events are short distractions from the lackluster nature of the rest of the game.

Double Dragon Revive isn’t the rebirth fans were hoping for. Its combat impresses with a variety of defensive and environmental mechanics that add real depth to each fight, but other elements drag the experience down. Sudden difficulty spikes create frustration, and the light platforming sections feel underdeveloped. The presentation also needs an overhaul as its uninspired visuals and soundtrack fail to capture the energy and attitude that once defined the franchise. There’s a solid foundation here, but it’ll take more than nostalgia and new mechanics to truly bring Double Dragon back to life.

The most immediate issue with this game is the boss fight difficulty in the story mode. The lack of online multiplayer is disappointing, but maybe future sequels will step beyond the confines of the couch.

Rogue Trooper Redux is a third person shooter that surpasses the original by adding depth, a story of betrayal, an interesting dynamic with Rogue’s squad, multiple tactics, and fantastic controls. The game looks great and it’s easy enough for newcomers to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed. Rebellion and Tick Tock Games did a fantastic job keeping it authentic to the source material and it’s a game everyone should try.

The gameplay and controls do stand up to the test of time, but without getting any sort of solid changes or updates it didn’t hold my attention or interest as much as it did 17 years ago.

Drag x Drive packs in plenty of interesting ideas, but they never quite merge into a compelling eSports experience. The mouse and motion controls are impressive in isolation, yet in the chaos of high-speed competitive play, they can become a source of frustration. With minimal offline content and few incentives to return online, it risks being overshadowed by stronger competitors. Without significant expansion to its bare-bones structure, the game may struggle to hold onto its player base.

Unfortunately tedious, unimaginative missions and too much emphasis on the poorly presented combat system drags the rest of the game down. With serious technical issues afflicting the game, it would seem that Risen 2 performs better on its home turf, the PC.

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.

By and large, EA Tiburon have managed to release a golf experience that is a blast to play and features some brilliant looking courses. Granted, the limited PGA roster, only 13-courses out of the box, and some technical hiccups dampen the experience.

A movie based game that isn’t half bad. Sure, it’s not as long as one may hope for as it’s over sooner than later, but it stays pretty true to its source material, which is refreshing.

If you’re okay with having minimal interaction, enjoy making tough decisions, and love an interesting narrative, The Complex is certainly an experience to add to your list. If, however, you enjoy a game that will keep you engaged for hours, a little more hands-on or are looking for something that offers up a meatier narrative, this may not be your cup of tea. At its current price point though, this single-player title is more than worth the money.

Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns introduces three well-rounded veterans that add even more variety and depth to an already robust roster. The guest characters inject personality into the game, offering you the opportunity to create memorable encounters with iconic figures from video games, film, comics, and television. While the campaign delivers incredible sequences packed with cinematic flair, it falls short in narrative depth. Nonetheless, the game’s engaging combat mechanics, diverse character lineup, and stylish sequences ensure that long-time fans of the franchise will still have plenty to enjoy.

The bright side is, the strategy layer of Sheltered 2 is better than ever. If this kind of game is your jam and the original flew under your radar, it’s worth checking out. And if you played the original to death (as I did) and you’re looking for a reason to fall back into it, think of this as a sort of pricey update. If that doesn’t repel you, Sheltered 2 is just fine. Or maybe that sounds really appealing to you. Despite some of the underwhelming changes, I anticipate putting a lot more time into Sheltered 2. The core gameplay is just that appealing. That makes Sheltered 2 a game where the core mechanic is strong, but none of the set dressing is all that exciting.

Hirogami is a pleasant adventure with innovative ideas that don’t quite land. The ability to transform into different creatures is engaging, especially in later levels where switching between forms is essential to progress. Unfortunately, the lackluster encounters, basic level design, and the need to revisit earlier stages to move forward create frustration. While Hirogami brims with creativity, it never quite comes together into a truly memorable experience.

Defiance can be a fun game, though it is difficult to enjoy its many features when so many bugs run rampant. The visual slowdown combined with the Internet related issues creates quite a mess at times, but when the game is working I can appreciate its uniqueness.

Fort Solis is a moderately successful first effort from Fallen Leaf. It scores points for atmosphere and good voice work, but suffers from clashing tonality. Tension is often severed before it takes hold, and the experience wraps up before exploring threads sufficiently. I understand why the scope is limited mostly to the critical path, but there were numerous threads along the way I wanted desperately to be able to tug at. Fort Solis isn’t exactly blazing any new trails, but there’s an entertaining few hours to be had here for fans of narrative adventures.

Even with its faults, Ryse is a game that one should experience as it does offer a glimpse of what next-gen can be on the Xbox One.

Dragon Quest II is a long game. Unlike Dragon Quest, it can’t be beaten in one sitting. The original was one of the few NES games that had a battery save for a reason. The Switch is a great console to experience this adventure because of its portability. You can visit towns and dungeons at home, while grinding your heart out on the go.

All my complaints with the gameplay aside, Spectra is a very well-crafted love letter to similar titles of old, and to see some developers still aim to make a game legitimately challenging without feeling unfair is refreshing to see.

The addition of the seamless mobile scanning app, shooting feedback system, Pro-Am modes, new animations and new gameplay mechanics all lends itself to about the best NBA Live experience we have seen in years.

A decent enough game for the price, but once again it leaves me asking why.

I normally want my metroidvanias to be chill, protracted affairs. Take my time, find every power-up, become a walking tank, roll over the boss. Skelattack had other plans, though. I was both relieved and a little disappointed when the credits rolled. Yes, the end was a brutal gauntlet of precision reflexes and constant re-spawns, but it was still tons of fun. Once I got the hang of the float, once I converted to a D-Pad control scheme, the tension was more exciting than exhausting. Maybe I somehow wanted more, but pound for pound, this game maximizes every second of play. If you’re willing to bend to these crushing winds, Skelattack will be a blast.

Foreclosed is a stylish title that integrates comics and video games. The use of panels is exemplary and helps to communicate the narrative. With the symbiote revolver and intuitive hacking, the game has implemented many features successfully. Unfortunately, the repetitive gameplay and sparse environments affect the overall experience. That being said, releasing at a budget price, comic book fans may want to check out this intriguing title.

Overall, We Are the Dwarves is slightly too difficult, in a way that would make me apprehensive about going back to it rather than spur me to try again.

It is the most content-complete version of Payday 2. On the other hand, it’s still a five-year-old game that really hasn’t aged that well and doesn’t seem to have all the updates that other versions have received.

While Symmetry has an appealing art style, and an intriguing story, it doesn’t have the gameplay to hold attention.

101 Ways To Die is an average puzzle game. It’s technically sound, looks decent, and has an interesting concept, but a harsh difficulty curve and lack of variety keep it from being more.

If you’ve got the pass already, then Vault-Tec Workshop is worth looking into. If you played the hell out of Fallout Shelter, then you’re sure to love this update. Otherwise, save your money for Nuka World, and cross your fingers in hopes that it’s as good as Far Harbour.

Anoxemia’s intended atmosphere is one of horror, yet I mostly felt annoyed. I wasn’t afraid or juiced up with adrenaline, I was just frustrated. If you’re looking for the wonder or the terror of the deep, you may want to look elsewhere.

Visually, the game looks good and the music is pretty much on point for these style games. The various glitches and technical issues were disappointing and the game’s length was a big letdown.

There’s definitely lots to like about Coffee Crisis, and its developers deserve credit for recreating the 90s brawler with near-perfection. If you have a nostalgic yearning for some retro fun, and especially if you’ve got a buddy who can help you kick some alien ass, Coffee Crisis is one cup o’ joe that’s worth a sip. On your own, however, it might be a bit more frustrating and simplistic than you’d like at times, and your initial caffiene-high of enjoyment might wear off quickly. Either way, though, make sure you keep the lid on your coffee mug because the bangin’ metal tunes will have you pumping your fists as you play.

With 15 story missions, a batch of time trials and a few online modes, Golem Gates has a lot to offer. Unfortunately, the online lobbies were about as lively as a can of air. If you’re a beginner to RTS or CCGs, Golem Gates might be worth a shot; however, those more experienced players to the genre may be annoyed by the lack of depth.

Hell Pie is a vile platformer that struggles to nail the landing. Certain segments beam with ingenuity to create some fun and exciting moments, however, an array of bugs, inconsistent mechanics and an overall lack of polish make the game a lackluster experience. It’s great to see 3D platformers aimed at an older audience and even though it does manage to stir that feeling of nostalgia, it relies too heavily on games of the era which makes Hell Pie feel dated.

If you’re looking for a quick distraction with fast rounds and short game times, Ancient Amulator is worth a pickup. If you’re looking for a different kind of game that takes use of virtual reality in a compelling way, then defending towers isn’t going to cut it. Ancient Amuletor feels like just another VR game in a landscape that hasn’t been delivering on its promise and potential since the release of Sony’s headset.

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.

Where Blood Bowl 3 fumbles is in its lackluster forward motion from the previous game. Its offline play is pretty limited, and too much has been recycled from Blood Bowl 2. It’s very rough around the edges for a game so long in the oven. All that aside, Blood Bowl 3 can be amusing, tactically engaging, and still great fan service for tabletop players and the Warhammer faithful.

Brawlout had an uphill battle going into its Nintendo Switch launch, and while the fighting is good the lack of variety in the roster coupled with the steep learning curve brings the whole experience down a few notches.

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.

Blood Drive marks a largely transitional time in the series, and despite its minor flaws, still manages to be a shining example for the genre and provides a satisfying end to the “Heavenly Host” saga that has endured for decades.

As enjoyable as a lot of the sections are, too much of the game focuses on the poor combat, and I found myself constantly wishing the next area was either another boss fight or a cool platforming section.

This is a pretty simple game to break down. You’re drifting through a beautiful ocean paradise, scanning marine life. Doing so teaches you more about them, and also saves the world. Getting to this story gets harder and harder as things progress. If you love the simple gameplay loop, you’re in luck! There’s so much of it to be had. But if this simple premise doesn’t immediately appeal to you, then this game will disagree with you completely. For the ocean life lovers out there, Endless Ocean Luminous will be a peaceful meditation and an extensive learning experience. There just isn’t a ton of gameplay to go along with it, is all.

I liked the look of Winter Ember and its dark Victorian vibe, which meshed well with its revenge narrative and story. There’s more to a game than atmosphere, though, and that’s where Winter Ember is a mixed success. The levels are filled with confusing repetition and uncertain goals. Stealth and close-up combat aren’t equally viable, despite upgrades to both. As a result, Arthur never quite becomes the all-around badass protagonist you want him to be, and the game’s elements never fully come together. That said, stealth action fans should find something to enjoy about the game.

Gigantosaurus: The Game is the type of game that is difficult to recommend for everyone. The platforming gets a bit tiresome, the graphics are quite dated, and the overall package is geared towards a younger audience. If you have young gamers in the house, especially those familiar with the TV series, then this might be perfect. Another group of gamers who might get a kick out of this game are those that long for classic collect-a-thon platformers like Donkey Kong 64. Breaking up the platforming with some racing sections was a clever idea. Some of the in-game power-ups and sliding down slides were pretty neat – kids will definitely get a kick out of these moments.

Warriors Orochi 4 is a pleasantly familiar experience in the long-standing Warriors franchise, offering 170 playable characters across the Dynasty and Samurai Warriors series as well as introducing new support team mechanics and magic-based attacks. While the core hack and slash gameplay is just as fun and simple as you remember, the narrative feels more repetitive than the gameplay, and the dated graphics feel out of place. If you enjoy the Warriors franchise this is a fantastic experience and a joy to get sucked into “just one more battle” but despite its new features it still feels stale.

It has lots of meters and things to craft, and an interesting navigation system that challenges the player. It also has a crushing amount of repetition, the slimiest of microtransactions, and it whiffs on anything but tangential connection to the main Metal Gear franchise. This is not Metal Gear Solid 6. If you can accept that fact with an open mind, you may actually like what you find.

SiNG Party serves its purpose as a functional, no frills karaoke game, that could be fun with a large group of people. That being said, without any online features, and only a few game modes that are tiresome and confusing at times, the fun fades fast, and there really is not any lasting appeal.

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.

Even in light of its technical glitches, predictable narrative and total personality flatline, The Technomancer isn’t necessarily a bad game, it just isn’t a good one.

Zombie Driver is bad. In almost every conceivable way. It never really hits the mark on anything it attempts, leaving the player with a frustrating mess of interchangeable missions, a map that’s a chore to navigate, sluggish controls, and a story that you’ll forget before you hit the X button to close the software. You’d probably have more fun in a real zombie apocalypse.

As for the overall environments themselves, they definitely had some great ideas, but in the end they just don't seem to have the oomph to push you over the edge and be wowed by them.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League drips with potential but never lives up to the Rocksteady pedigree. I had fun with its story, at times being genuinely left on the edge of my seat with what could happen next. Most of the performances – Kevin Conroy being the best of the bunch – also kept me engaged and entertained with the narrative. But the endlessly unambitious gameplay loop grates on me like nails on a chalkboard. Envisioning this as a live-service game with years of life ahead of it is impossible. It’ll be interesting to see if Rocksteady can ever make Suicide Squad feel more entertaining than a bullet to the head.

Whether you enjoy KJG depends on what kind of fun you’re looking for. If you want a racing game, this might not be for you. If you want to ogle and/or glam up a squad of anime girls, then you’re in for a good time. This is one of the central tenets of XSEED and Honey Parade’s line of games. Whatever main activity is being advertised is likely not what got you to buy the game. And honestly, the extra content is usually more fun anyway. Mini-games, customization, item collection, and light fan service are the areas where games like Kandagawa Jet Girls shine brightest. So long as you understand this caveat, you’ll have a ton of goofy, slightly pervy fun.

It’s a shame when a game is built around a mechanic, only to have that element not live up to its potential. Stray Blade is all about dodges, parries and rolls, but they’re sluggish and imprecise and just don’t work very well. Aside from that frustration, Stray Blade has attractive art and level design, familiar action RPG mechanics, and maybe even some potential, if the combat can be patched into better shape.

Overall I found that the game just seems to lack some personality. Old school fans of the original may enjoy Carrier Command: Gaea Mission for the PC but for the price, the rest of us may just want to pass.

Morphite is a game with exactly as much depth and complexity as you want there to be.

If you were a fan of Myst back in the day and long to have that old school point and click adventure back, then you’ll most likely enjoy The Mare, even if the horror genre isn’t your thing. If you’re looking for the next Slenderman or simply a scary game, look elsewhere, as you won’t find that here.

Although not as strong as some of DONTNOD’s previous efforts, Twin Mirror is still a solid Interactive Drama which includes some interesting mechanics. The introduction of the Mind Palace is great but is unfortunately underutilized. However, even with pacing issues, the intriguing story and characters will keep you hooked.

Biomutant on the Switch is a decent port of a decent game. There is a new learning curve with Nintendo Switch controls, especially in handheld mode, and the graphics are not much to write home about. The difference is really noticeable especially if you’re coming from PC. However, Biomutant performs and still offers a good time for those that loved it the first go around.

At the end of the day ‘Pokéholics’ will enjoy this game, and that is the audience that counts here, but even though I consider myself one, I can’t help but think that this game could have been even more.

Licensed games still get a bad rap these days and Narcos: Rise of the Cartels probably won’t convince the naysayers. But buried beneath the murky graphics and presentation is a pretty decent and entertaining turn-by-turn tactical game. It plays well and there’s a reasonable amount of strategizing to be had to win each combat scenario. Within the genre, however, it doesn’t do enough to make it a must-play but for fans of the show, it’s a fun but safe time killer.

Other than wishing for some more of that story, the only other drawback was that the default configuration for a controller didn’t have the brake mapped to it. You can change it of course, but should probably be there somewhere, to begin with. This game is worth your time, whether for nostalgia, the car combat or both.

I did enjoy my time with Farming Simulator 20, but I’m concerned about the level of content to keep me invested down the line. There’s not nearly as much equipment as you would find in the more fleshed out versions of Farming Simulator, but I think if you can get past the shortcomings of the hardware that Farming Simulator 20 was built to run on, you’ll enjoy your time with it too. If you, of course, don’t care at all about being able to take your farms with you on the go, then I would opt for Farming Simulator 19 on a beefier system, but everyone else – cock-a-doodle-do!

Vambrace: Cold Soul is a great love letter to Darkest Dungeon. The art style is very well done and the story intriguing. The character classes manage to show great variety in their kits within their limited options. While the game encourages tactical retreats to replenish resources in town, it provides no incentive to invest in your party members beyond their gear. This ultimately makes your squad feel shallow and very expendable. For fans of games like Darkest Dungeon, this is a title worth looking into.

The game’s biggest problem is the nature of its choice mechanics in that they are almost inconsequential.

The themes of government surveillance and citizenship scores are not impossible to imagine, and that only makes the story of Liberated stronger and much more intense. The plot and gameplay are both simple to understand, even if the game did end too quickly. I also would have liked some variety in enemies and more strategizing in the game, but this is based on a pretty realistic world and having overpowered robots would probably not fit into the narrative. While it may not the most exciting action-adventure platformer out there, the artwork and stylish storytelling is impressive and makes the experience worthwhile.

Skull and Bones does what it set out to do quite well. Combat is fun, the upgrade system is rewarding, the environment is engaging, and the sound design is phenomenal. But everything that it doesn’t do sticks out like a sore thumb. A next-to-non-existent narrative, repetitive one-trick missions, and a lack of anything pirate-related other than sailing a ship hurts. To its credit, I enjoyed my first twenty or so hours more than I thought I would. But it’ll take a significant, focused effort from Ubisoft to maintain interest over the years to come.