Other than some incommodious bugs and a lackluster story, Project Warlock on PS4 is a stylistic gem, with an incredible soundtrack, that pays homage to its predecessors while providing an extremely high skill ceiling.

The beautiful game goes next-gen with stunning visuals, but sadly doesn't follow through with a less than solid gameplay and simplistic online play.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker is definitely one of the most faithful recreations of the D&D experience in digital form and those with patience, a love of numbers and a willingness to tolerate a bit of opacity and imbalance have much to look forward to. There’s something a bit overwhelming and unfriendly about the game’s mechanics and while Pathfinder’s faithful translation of D&D and city building elements are unique, a lot of the setting, story and characters are a bit too “standard CRPG.” There is room for improvement and growth through patches and content, and it will be interesting to watch Pathfinder: Kingmaker evolve.

As much as Smarty Pants wants to be the next big thing on the Wii, it sure could have been, but I just didn't feel the originality nor the fresh face that could have taken this game to the next level.

Ubisoft brings the Japanese RPG experience to the 360, but sadly doesn't dazzle us with truly next-gen visuals and revolutionary gameplay.

The game is not a bad outing by any standards, but it also just doesn't have the depth nor the sure fire power to hang with the other big boys that are already on the Xbox.

The latest Need for Speed release has its share of slip-ups, but it's mostly able to sideline them and deliver a fast, fun open world racing game very much like Criterion's classic Burnout Paradise.

With its feet firmly planted in Assassin’s Creed Origins’ new open world direction, The Hidden Ones should satiate those in need of traversing more geographically interesting locations, completing quests, looting tombs, hunting down bandits, and going after those bloody Romans. More of the same all around, so your mileage of enjoyment may vary.

Redout delivers fast-paced anti-gravity thrills on a variety of futuristic, winding tracks. Presentation in the Switch version isn’t ideal, and races aren’t always easy to follow. Career mode is the reason to pick this up, and it will consume most of your playtime, partly because there is disappointingly no local multiplayer and online is already a ghost town. With competition like the Switch launch game Fast RMX out, Redout may not hit first place despite its potential. But if you’re just looking to scratch that F-Zero or Wipeout itch, then it’s worth strapping in for the single-player.

A full-featured online mode and excellent variety of computer opponents.

Overall, while I really did enjoy the non-standard setting and story engine that drove Seven's gameplay, in the end it felt a little like a collection of promising elements, many of which were just a trifle undercooked. Setting aside the bugs, a poorly considered fast travel system (which spawns players in sometimes dangerous locations) and fairly tepid combat, what I most missed in Seven was any sense of personal identification or relationship with the main character. To me, this is at the heart of any successful RPG...the role-playing part, something almost entirely absent from Seven.

Overall, Game Dev Tycoon has taken over my weeknights and weekends with no hesitation on my part. If you liked Game Dev Story, The Sims or any others in the sim genre, this will keep your addiction going on for a while.

Brawl’s two aces are its price and, in this case, its platform. The game is a cheap buy on a system that makes local multiplayer easier and more practical than anything else on the market. Even on the dinky little Joy-Cons, it’s very accessible and easy to pick up on. Yes, lackluster singleplayer and the lack of online harm the game, but not as much as they would have in more typical circumstances. The multiplayer is genuinely fun, with a surprising longevity thanks to its more unique modes. If you’re looking for a solid party game and don’t mind dropping ten bucks and a bucket of blood, the Emporium is a good place to be.

Fortunately for me, I happened to be in just that frame of mind after playing through the amazing and absolutely brutal Cuphead. The last thing I wanted to do after that was play another stressful and nail-biting experience. So, HOB just so happened to scratch the opposite itch I was craving. Had I played it under a different mindset, it’s hard to tell what my reaction might have been. If you’re in that sort of mood, I think HOB might hit the spot. If not, well then, maybe HOB isn't the game for you. But if that is the case, I would encourage you to play it when you are feeling inquisitive.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a reverent and imperfect resurrection of an icon. This furry oddball creature could have been left in the past, but I'm pleased that he was revived for a new generation. I say this in full awareness of the fact that Vicarious Visions could have done more in the technical and gameplay departments. Here we have two great games, and one that could have been great if given the update it truly needed. They look stunning, too, but resolution, framerates, and load times are all at an average standard when at least one of the three should be better. And yet, whether you find yourself zooming down a desert highway, running from a gigantic bear, or just bouncing over a bridge of crates, you can't help but smile and know that, at the end of the day, Crash is still a whole lot of fun.

Event[0] is a short, flawed, fun and memorable experience.

Just Cause has always done, and still does, one thing very well, but it has long lost its novelty and desperately needs something - a reboot, a visual upgrade, a good story. Adding interface and systems complexity does nothing to make core experience more compelling or less familiar. Bugs and opaque mechanisms aside, fans who love the Just Cause games for their unadorned mayhem and destruction will find it once again, but it is hard to imagine anyone coming away excited for another sequel.

The Guitar Hero franchise has been one of great success over the years and it is a bit disappointing to see Warriors of Rock only manage to be a slight improvement over last years title.

There is a disconnect between Rad’s appealing world and character design, art direction and writing, and its frustratingly difficult gameplay. The world is fun to be in, with no lack of clever, imaginative touches but its combat can turn the experience sour. Gamers with grit and patience will discover a lot of layers, secrets and maybe even a little unexpected pathos but many will be turned away by the early game’s barriers.

1001 Spikes is far from a bad game, but a few too many spikes on each level leave it falling from grace.

This is not a game that will win any year-end awards but is worth at least checking out for those who have a yearning for more Captain America.

Best known for the revolutionary judgment ring combat system, this game continues with a well-paced story for a refreshingly different RPG.

Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst is an admirable attempt to make a niche concept work. Unfortunately, it so intently focuses on avoiding the pitfalls of the previous game that it stumbles into a hole of its own.

The randomized nature of the game does allow for new-ish experiences each time you play, though I wish the game took it further, such as making Freedom Town modular so that its camps, playground, open-air theater, and places of worship could be moved around and really shake things up. As it stands, The Church in the Darkness is a decent exploration of cults from the perspective of those participating in it.

The game is not just another Diablo clone either as NeocoreGames has woven enough depth of its own to the well-worn concept. The dark science fiction setting is also a refreshing departure to the sword and sorcery the genre usually sees. Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr is a good game and has makings of a great one too - if only its technical issues are eventually fixed.

Including additional equipment — like the Liebherr RL1300, for all you tall crane enthusiasts! — and several new DLC missions/jobs, the Gold Edition provides many hours of content for the patient player to invest some serious time in learning the systems.

EA plays it safe with their latest Harry Potter adventure, featuring the same smooth gameplay and visual flair we have come to expect from the franchise.

If you have been eagerly awaiting the continuation of the story from The Fall, then the next chapter of that story is easy to recommend. It doesn’t, however, have the same emotional impact as the first game, nor does it provide explanations that tie up all of its loose ends. The game’s subject matter is not entirely fresh, but its unique take on the ethics surrounding artificial intelligence at least keep it interesting.

Go in dark and enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Namco's brawler does thrill, but misses out on the crucial online play and a decent story.

Overall, Episode 3 feels like a middle episode. The story had some wonderful beats, with a beautiful middle section that blends Batman and Bruce’s problems together nicely, but it ends with a hard cut that practically begs for the next episode to start rather than providing a break in the action.

Clearly, Re: Hollow Fragment is designed specifically for stalwarts of Sword Art Online. If they haven’t already played the game on the Vita, the digital-only PlayStation 4 version offers more content and a whole new set of levels to conquer. Everyone else should tread carefully.

Blasting the giant alien spiders and ants into mincemeat and watching buildings and bridges crumble under the force of a well-placed explosion (and the Havok engine) is still mindlessly entertaining, at least for a while, and each class and all their weapons are fun to jump in and out of at will. The biggest bummer is that what was a unique hook in Earth Defense Force 2012 has become less inspired and not really infused by much in the way of new material. Earth Defense Force 5 is strong evidence that the series is in need of reinvention.

Despite my love for the series, Kingdom Hearts 2.8 is not without its faults, the most glaring being the high barrier of entry. As I said earlier, I cannot in good conscience recommend this game to folks unfamiliar with the series. However, if you don't care about story or you're a Kingdom Hearts vet, then have at it. Or as so many of the Kingdom Hearts armchair psychologists will tell you, "May your heart be your guiding key". What does that even mean?

With a good company, God’s Trigger can still often feel more frustrating than fun but at least you have someone to share the experience instead of just slamming yourself.

A wonderful novelty, Sorcery! exists to serve a niche group of users and will struggle to find a captivated mainstream audience.

Other than the frustrating experience with the Wii controls, Blur seems like a rather decent game.

MLB 07: The Show is one of those games that had the potential to be a real home run hitter coming out of the gates with very little in terms of expectations. I would say the final results are more of a base hit than anything that they game had the potential to do.

The beloved Suikoden franchise gets a 'tactics' makeover, and provides decent entertainment with its elemental battles and co-op feature.

Black Ops 2, in thematic solidarity with the sacrifices of its protagonists, will likely not be remembered among the best of its brethren. And yet, the best Call of Duty installments yet to come will succeed because of the work that Treyarch has done here.

While just about every ride or attraction in Classic Rides has some utility to park designers looking for that one, very specific element, overall this pack feels a little thin in comparison to some of Planet Coaster’s more robust DLC. Lack of new shops, scenery, or other design elements and the absence of any truly mind-blowing rides is a bit disappointing, but there is no doubt that Planet Coaster devotees and completionists will want to add these rides to their toolbox. Planet Coaster remains both hugely entertaining and addictive, and it’s hard to pass up even a modest addition to the game.

Capcom's quirky shooter might raise some eyebrows, but the stylish aesthetics and unpredictable gameplay will win you over, if you give it a chance.

Chamber of Time is slow-paced, looks a bit drab and it can be repetitive and awkward to play. In a way, it’s much like Akko herself. She’s far from perfect but spunky and open-hearted, making her irresistibly disarming. There’s a strong positive vibe going on that rubs on you, and it helps in overcoming the game’s shortcomings. Fans of the anime series should look no further and invest in Chamber of Time to get their little witch fix.

Mafia III has me torn. On one hand, it presents a crucial and engaging narrative full of astute social and political commentary and emotionally anchored characters, but on the other hand, it falls short in nearly every other aspect that is synonymous with successful open-world games. Overall, my experience with Mafia III was not a bad one, and the story was strong enough to keep me engaged until the credits rolled. It’s just unfortunate that the artistry and vision that went into the narrative did not carry over to the rest of the experience.

Although I enjoyed my time with Part Time UFO, the later levels crossed the line from challenging to frustrating due to the physics and time limit in the game. It’s best enjoyed in short bursts of gameplay to minimize the frustration. That being said, if you like previous HAL games and physics-based puzzle games, I think you'll enjoy Part Time UFO. It's well-made and entertaining, just ultimately not my cup of tea.

As a first game this was actually pretty impressive, and although the mechanics could be a bit frustrating at times it was still worth it to put the work in and enjoy fishing.

The fumbling of the flashback, and the phoning in of the puzzle content, leaves the second chapter feeling sour in comparison.

Hot Garbage is a nice add-on to a great game but I would have liked to see it improve on the base game rather than double down on its faults. The humor, visuals, and exploration are still just as funny, beautiful and engaging as they are in the main game. I originally reviewed the game on PS4, and in order to review the DLC on Xbox One I had to replay most of the game again. And I still had a great time doing it. While it’s brought down by an increased focus on combat, some control issues, and a lackluster antagonist, Hot Garbage is simply a lot of fun. If you enjoyed Journey to the Savage Planet, Hot Garbage is more of the same brand of journeying and savagery.

The Alliance Alive is a solid RPG with a lot of flaws (generic characters and story) but balanced with a lot of strong points too (fun gameplay and combat). Despite its annoying shortcomings, the game can be recommended to anyone looking for an RPG that plays like it's straight from the golden era.

Warparty is clearly derivative, both of older RTS games and mechanics and unit types — zombies and dino-warriors — but there is enough entertainment value to make it worth exploring, especially for fans of the genre with a soft spot for the classics. On console, controls will frustrate but not enough to entirely kill the experience. The timeless quality of RTS games still comes through, and Warparty manages to catch at least a bit of that magic.

A good hack and slash title but not a great one. The lack of variety to the game hurts it in the long run.

While the sameness of the factions began to bother me after a time, and will keep me from revisiting this one as much as I have the previous games, Thrones of Britannia does a fine job of shaking things up a bit. Not every change was welcome, but certain things, like army recruitment and siege battles, clearly came out better because of it. While my eyes are firmly set on the DLC releases to TW:W2, which are coming out at a steady pace, I did enjoy this diversion to the British Isles, and look forward to more Sagas when Creative Assembly wants to shake the tree up a bit.

For me, Abzu came off as beautiful, but empty. And while it certainly had parts I loved and would revisit, its entirety as a package was overall lacking.

If you can get past the graphical limitations and enjoy the game for its interesting puzzles and story, then Close To The Sun is well worth your time and money. If not then perhaps try it on another platform. After all, the Switch version is a compromise that allows you to play it on the go, and because of that it probably doesn’t do the game justice. I for one, intend to pick up the game and give it a go on a console, or maybe when it releases on Steam next year. But regardless of the platform, you choose to play it on, you can expect to enjoy Close To The Sun not only for its gameplay but also for its story of horror, mystery, and intrigue.

While there's no denying that we need to be reminded that living in harmony with the natural world gives us strength, Fe's gameplay mechanics and moment-to-moment action are not always rewarding. Its emotional arc lacks the clear structure and coherent ending that some of its cousins -- like Journey or Ori -- have done better. Fe's world is aesthetically pretty but pretty frustrating to navigate, given the imprecision of its platforming and while its use of music --both in gameplay and as an underscore -- is unique and lovely, it isn't quite enough to carry the game for its handful of hours.

EA releases a gentle and promising introduction the popular sport of Rugby, with fluid action, decent selection of gameplay modes and tidy visuals.

Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon is an archaic, explosive and entertaining experience that deserves to be played. It's a great way to unwind after a long and tiresome day, and the co-op and character classes should appeal to whatever niche audience it may attract – while it's short and lacks variety in just about every department, it still deserves a few hours of your free time, provided you find yourself in the right mindset while playing it.

Downwell‘s a very slight game based around a great, fast-paced mechanic.

The base gameplay is solid, with smooth controls and the odd exciting mission. However the amount of content isn't large enough to keep you going for more than a couple of hours, though replaying certain missions with another player may extend that time.

Killing Floor: Incursion has everything a zombie experience should have: clever weapons, lots of targets to use them on, and a weak story to tie it all together. The controls are a bit of a pain and there are a lot of linear hallways to trudge through but nothing says unwind from a hard day like taking an ax to a zombie’s face. If you have a friend with a PSVR, bring them along for the co-op campaign and horde-mode inspired test of survival.

Taiko no Tetsujin Rhymic Adventure Pack, while not outstanding, is a solid entry to the series. Fans of the franchise will enjoy the free play mode as usual. The newcomers can go for the RPG Adventure mode if hardcore drumming to get the perfect S rank for every song is just too daunting for them.

Stories Untold celebrates early adventure games with its narrative text format, telling a suspenseful story through limited visuals and thrilling narrative. It’s a compelling journey, and much of the excitement comes from one’s own imagination. It’s not a long game, but the tale kept me hooked. However, Stories Untold is not for everyone. Players not used to the text format may find the gameplay tedious or unintuitive, especially given how the Switch version handles command inputs. Players who enjoy the format may not appreciate the modernized escape game room sequences in later chapters, which stray away from the first episode’s traditional style. If this describes you, these stories are best left untold.

Beat Cop meets its quota by providing a few laughs and a fun experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome. The appropriate attention and care was given to the most important elements, but it doesn’t offer much else. The end result is a game with few lows, but similarly few standout moments to make it truly memorable.

Krater offers an interesting take on post-apocalyptic games and utilizes strategic maneuvers while engaged in combat, but it felt a bit dragged out and of course, I went a little click happy. Although the story was okay, I felt that the gameplay was repetitive and the point-and-click tactic was getting tired.

Overall, Blackwood Crossing is a mesmerizing tale, with fantastical visuals telling a story grounded in deep, human emotions. The game lasts about three hours, depending how quickly you can solve the puzzles. There is little replay value, aside from trophy hunting, as the story never deviates from its linear path. Due to the shoddy frame rate and very light puzzles, it’s best to go into this game expecting a well-told story, but not much more. If you can get past some awkwardness in controlling Scarlet, it’s worth boarding the train for this magical journey.

It may sound like I am being extremely hard on this game, and in some ways I am because this is a franchise that has somewhat of a monopoly on the genre, and so if wrestling fans want to get their fix each year it has to be from this franchise, and I just feel the game didn't live up to its standards in this year's game.

Dreamfall Chapters isn’t for everybody, but it’s a must for anyone who’s played the previous games, specifically Dreamfall. The story picks up where that left off, while concluding the tale The Longest Journey began decades ago. Ironically, though the plot itself is about balance, the game has difficulties balancing its gameplay style. Although modern third-person adventuring and old-school logic puzzles are both implemented, neither is particularly impressive. Luckily, the overall plot is exciting and deep enough to warrant its 25+ hour runtime. As long as you’re okay with jumping into a story in progress, it’s a worthy journey to take and a compelling dream to fall into.

Aside from some minor visual glitches and pop-in and some finnicky platforming, A Knight’s Quest is not at a bad time but it’s not an experience that will stick with you, either. Its focus on humor instead of drama or pathos will be a selling point for players weary of self-important heroes and dark themes but on the flip side, humor is very subjective. From its title to its overall mechanics, A Knight’s Tale seems like a safely familiar variation on a popular but over-played theme, appealing for its recognizable form but less satisfying for its lack of creative ambition.

EA's string of great sports releases is broken this time as the 2006 edition just goes through the motions and doesn't bring anything new for gamers.

White Night offers an intriguing mystery and dialog ripped from the pages of a Mickey Spillane novel and I had a good time with it, frustrations aside. That said, $15 seems a bit much for a game you’re only going to play once.

I’m not sure the “rage game” genre is really a thing, but if it is, Rage in Peace deserves a place at the big people’s table. Although it has a narrative, lots of secrets and side-quests to discover and a colorful style that helps to balance its premise, Rage in Peace will primarily appeal to a very specific subset of action fans less concerned with strategy or character and more focused on achieving a fast and flawless command of the game’s patterns and obstacles. The game doesn’t aspire beyond that narrow goal, but it does its rage-inducing thing rather well.

It is easy to appreciate the effort and creativity that went into this title, but it is probably one that you will want to tackle in thirty or sixty minute spurts.

It's a lot of work to get into politics, but it's also a lot to try and turn it into a simulation for us to play at home. I would never say this game is a perfect simulation of anything, but it does a great job of being a simple, accessible simulation game even for people who aren't really into that type of game.

Check vs. Mate is a good game to check out if you enjoy playing combat/strategic style games that make you think and leave you upset when the computer beats you.

It's unfortunately easy to focus on what's lacking about Empyre, but the game's premise and setting are sufficiently original, and its combat is engaging enough to warrant a look. Perhaps given a larger team and a longer development process, some of the empty spaces could have been filled in. Some voice work, more attention to craft compelling characters, and a more nuanced and branching story in which the player could feel more important, would all help elevate the game to another level. If Empyre: Lords of the Sea was a novel, I'd say it was a promising first draft.

Tangle Tower is still worth exploring despite its issues, especially for those with access to Apple Arcade. At it's piecemeal $20 price tag, though, the game's flaws are less forgivable. If anything, Tangle Tower makes a compelling case for a long-running franchise starring Detective Grimoire and Sally. The foundation is there: sharp writing, beautiful presentation, phenomenal voice work, stellar music. With just a little more time in the oven, SFB's next game could be something truly special. For now, we'll just have to settle for "good."

If your alright with renting the game, it might be a better idea given the games short length, otherwise this really is a pretty solid game that’s worth a look.

With Mech games being a rare commodity these days, this mech sim provide decent action and customizations, albeit being repetitive in the long run.

Mystic Vale desperately needs a step-by-step, Hearthstone-level tutorial that assumes no prior knowledge of either the game or the genre, because a very attractive and interesting game is hidden behind a pretty steep wall. Additional modes and cards are coming but for now, Mystic Vale will be most attractive to fans of the physical game, who will find it faithful to the original and a lot of fun, especially with human opponents.

Violent, gory, and drenched in tension and madness, Outlast 2's biggest flaw is that it sticks to a couple of notes and repeats them incessantly. Being an impotent victim with little chance of fighting back is scary for a while but wearying through the length of a game. Outlast 2's heavy-handed commentary on the dangers of fundamentalism lacks subtlety or perspective and feels like low-hanging thematic fruit. Without a shred of humor or lightness, Outlast 2 doesn't seem to realize that horror is more effective when paired with normalcy and the pleasantly mundane.

Graceful Explosion Machine is a twitch-based shooter that is one part mentally stimulating and another part emotionally exhilarating. It’s not for everyone, though. You have to play through levels over and over again, trying to achieve combos and the best grades, to get the most out of this title. If you don’t dabble in score attack games, then you won’t enjoy the repetitive looping levels filled with the same enemies. A lack of bosses and endless mode leave something to be desired as well. But if you appreciate the fine art of racking up high scores, then this shoot ‘em up is a true gem.

As far as hidden object puzzle adventures go, Eventide: Slavic Fable is a quality product. Sure it won’t revolutionize its genre but it’s innocent and relaxing entertainment. Even hardcore gamers can found some solace in its soothing atmosphere. After all, some casual gaming now and then can’t hurt anyone or ruin reputation.

If you, like me, fire up the Oculus every so often to see what’s new, and are hankering for a new VR shooter, you’ll probably enjoy Experiment Gone Rogue, though it can’t compare to non-VR triple-A shooters. Developers continue to support the device and VR in general, and gameplay and mechanics inch forward towards the competition outside virtual reality. And of course, Repulse can’t be faulted for the Oculus’ limitations itself. It’s still heavy, awkwardly tethered and still not ready for mainstream.

In the end, Masochisia is not a very successful game no matter how unflinchingly or creatively it examines its subject matter.

Not A Hero: Super Snazzy Edition is a collection of interesting ideas that, while refreshing, deserved to be used more ambitiously.

Ashes of Ariandel offers a whole new bestiary of challenging creatures to murder, a beautiful, if haunting, world to explore, and a new story to figure out. Although the zone is built using a lot of familiar pieces, it evokes a rich sense of place. That’s the benefit of being separated from the rest of the game’s playable zones.

Marvel vs. Capcom Origins is an acceptable package. While Iron Galaxy did a decent job updating these games in terms of visuals and online play, they couldn't change the basic gameplay. One of the games included in this package is fun to play and the other is pretty poor. It's not the worst HD remake you could buy, but there are just too many other ones to make this a must buy.

Dazzles with its visuals, but ultimately falls short of being truly memorable due to its dragging plot and button-mashing combat.

American Fugitive is an enjoyable homage to GTA of the distant past, with a good deal of content and a story that does a good — if rarely memorable — job of moving game through its paces. Some regrettable mechanics and repetition in mission design steal some of the game’s good will but American Fugitive is engaging simply for competently exploring an under-represented genre and style.

As for the game itself: I had fun with it, and ignoring the odd marketing choices, I recommend trying it out to anybody who enjoys a solid yet simple platformer shooter.

It took a rocky trip through hell (both metaphorically and in-game) to finally appreciate what Fear Effect Sedna tries to do. It’s clumsy, controversial and at times even ugly (not Hana, though!), but if it was too perfect it wouldn’t be Fear Effect; rough around the edges and morally dubious. In the end, the game did respect its characters and origins, opening a possible future for the franchise.

X Morph: Defense is a solid, fun title that is more akin to a time sink than a classic/must play title. It doesn’t do anything inherently bad, and provides a large amount of content even before you realize there is DLC available. Yet even with few major faults, it doesn’t do enough to elevate it into the next stratosphere of gaming. If you’re in the market for a fun game just to pass the time, X Morph Defense is definitely a title that I would recommend.

There’s something to be said for a stripped down to basics game experience, without too many complications or intricacies that get in the way of the fun. Pistol Whip is entertaining and another of the growing list of successful arguments for VR as a near-staple for gamers. As a music game, it doesn’t have the depth or addictive appeal of Beat Saber. It can be fun and is one of the better action/arcade games in the VR space, but given its limited playlist and mechanics, I suspect it doesn’t have the long-term appeal of other, more fully-featured games.

There's a dark and meaningful story within Primordia and despite the rush at the end, it's a story worth hearing.

Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour is a seriously fun game bogged down by a couple of serious problems. If you’re a big Serious Sam fan, have online friends to play with, or you’re just looking for a challenging twin stick shooter, then this game is worth its $15 price tag. Just be aware that the multiplayer is pretty much dead, some of the game design needs a bit of polish, and there’s not much content outside of workshop maps.

Even though there a few things I wish to have been added, I for one found Cycle 28 a joy to play, fun to blast through and a game that would be a nice addition to any gamer’s library.

Oninaki is a flawed but overall an enjoyable experience. Instead of joylessly emulating turn-based RPGs of the old days, Tokyo RPG Factory took a step in the right direction and created a fantastic and refreshing action combat system. Apart from that, the game offers nothing special when compared to many similar RPGs. Still, Oninaki is the best game by Tokyo RPG Factory so far.

The concept is outrageous, but it works. However, at the end of the day, it is a game about a piece of bread.