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.

It’s time EA Sports pivots towards not just enhancing aesthetics but also developing genuinely impactful gameplay systems that resonate with players across all modes. As it stands, NHL 25 offers a glimpse into the future of gameplay possibilities but remains rooted in familiar flaws that prevent it from achieving its full potential. The hockey community deserves better than a surface-level upgrade; they deserve a game that respects the intricacies of the sport and the dedication of its players.

Praey for the Gods excels in some aspects but is hampered by a number of tedious mechanics. The boss battles are truly impressive in terms of design and execution and will please fans of SOTC. However, the dated controls make traversal and combat cumbersome. In an attempt to broaden the gameplay, No Matter Studios has added a survival system that is detrimental to the enjoyment. This, along with other needless mechanics, hampers the game. Rather than a tailored, focused adventure, the Praey for the Gods combines too many elements that make this a convoluted experience.

I haven’t been a big fan of Aspyr’s recent remasters of the early Tomb Raider games, either. I’m tired of looking behind, anyway. What I’d like to see next is a brand-new title in the Tomb Raider franchise – one with an approach as fresh as Tomb Raider’s was in 2013, but with the Lara I know and love. Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition just doesn’t cut it anymore.

When you’re used to all of that and know what to expect from each mission, Riftstar Raiders becomes an absolute blast to play. It just might take you a bit of time to get there.

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.

Though it’s no game-changer, Evasion’s unique bullet-hell-in-VR gameplay should please those seeking a tough challenge. There’s not enough content or replayability here to encourage you to return for more after the initial play-through, assuming you can even make it through the campaign in the first place. But if you have a friend to play with, then Evasion will provide a fun distraction while you continue waiting for the next VR hit.

Resident Evil Zero felt like a dated game in 2002, and an additional 14 years hasn’t exactly helped the game feel fresh. While the modern controls are a nice addition, they’re not nearly enough to make this a great game anymore.

The core gameplay is fun, but the constant and unrelenting fists of failure really put a damper on things. Some of the issues I found with Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash could be improved with more polishing. However, others might take a little more work.