Avowed kinda works. The story is bland, but at least dialogue doesn’t make you cringe every time someone opens their mouth. Combat... exists. And level design is actually good: it looks quite nice, and offers interesting exploration opportunities. But it’s definitely not worth the asking price of $70. [Issue#266]

Unlike the deadly hide-and-seek of Alien: Isolation, The Road Ahead leaves no room for improvisation nor gives a chance to rectify your mistake. Either you do everything exactly as the level designer wanted you to, or you die. [Issue#266]

There’s a killer on the loose, there’s a bunch of unlikable teenagers who are about to meet him, and our choices will quite arbitrarily decide who lives and who dies – you know the drill. The only remarkable thing about Frank Stone is the amount of Dead by Daylight references: fans of that game will definitely be pleased. [Issue#265, p.65]

Art deco noir cyberpunk world has a lot of little details that really nail that “high tech, low life” feeling. But with the story so bland and by-the-numbers, it’s hard to recommend Nobody Wants to Die as anything but an interactive artbook. [Issue#265, p.54]

Middle-aged Cutter just doesn’t cut it as a hero. Everything about him screams that he’s old, he’s tired, and instead of going on an adventure, he would’ve preferred to spend the day playing Farming Simulator. [Issue#264,p.54]

The genius of Civilization 3 was in its simplicity. Then Firaxis began piling on additional mechanics and interconnections, losing that spark in the process. Millennia tries to fix that. [Issue#264,p.62]

Music is extremely important for Heading Out: even races last only as long as the accompanying songs. So there’s no excuse for such a bland, boring soundtrack – especially for a game set in the 70s. [Issue#264,p.72]

Slavania offers a foray into Slavic mythology – a rare treat for metroidvania fans. Instead of skeletons and ghouls you’ll be fighting kikomoras and feral koloboks, while birdwoman Gamayun will serve as your guide. [Issue#263, p.45]

It’s a bit weird that a game called “Silent Hill” doesn’t feature the eponymous town. On the other hand, Silent Hill has long since grown into something bigger than just a place; it’s something that germinates within a person – and HexaDrive studio captured that feeing quite well. [Issue#263, p.56]

In this co-op stint, Outlast lost most of its story content, ramped up its difficulty and became repetitive. The game has only a few maps and very little variety in tasks. [Issue#263, p.70]

If you think that Expeditions is just Snowrunner without emphasis on trucks – you are correct, more or less. It also has pretty much the same problems, including collision physics. But considering the perpetual drought in the genre, we’re going to play it nevertheless. [Issue#263, p.58]

Even if you’re a Silent Hunter veteran, it will take a dozen attempts before you sink your first u-boat. And it may take another dozen to learn how to trap your opponent, how to use your bomb to deafen enemy acoustic, and other tricks of the trade. But then – then you’ll be having a one-of-a-kind type of fun. [Issue#263, p.54]

Level design is overly convoluted. No matter where you’re going, the road will take so long you’re likely to forget why you were going there in the first place. Not to mention that the path is so rugged, no ordinary person would ever get there. So how do normal people live here (and they do, ostensibly)?[Issue#263, p.46]

Daedalic knew how to make the adventure part work – and it does work, more or less – but everything else screams “amateur hour” so hard, it borders on naïve art. [Issue#262, p.64]

The world isn’t big, but it’s well lived-in, you can feel for its inhabitants, and it’s nice to see how Delta gives them a bit of hope and warmth. All in all, it’s another good Daedalic adventure game. [Issue#262, p.85]

It’s definitely a step forward compared to basic 1-2-Switch!, but that step isn’t big enough to help the game come out of its (very narrow) niche.[Issue#262, p.76]

It’s almost like Diablo 4 developers are consciously fighting against everything that made classic Diablo fun. [Issue#262, p.80]

The name of the game is “parry”. Whatever the problem is, a well-timed parry will save the day. But if you can’t handle parrying mechanic, you’ll lose, no matter what tactics you use and what your equipment is. [page 52]

High on Life works better as a sitcom about weird aliens than it does as an FPS. [page 46]

Borderlands had its share of bugs, broken abilities and boring levels, but it always made up for it with humor and charm. Not anymore: Gearbox lost its best writers, so in Wonderlands it struggles even with established characters, and new ones fall completely flat. [Issue#260, p.42]

On paper, there’s a lot of variety in The Guild 3. But most of the “alternative” gameplay options either require unreasonable amounts of busywork, or simply aren’t profitable. And if you just want to run a workshop, – The Guild 2 would work just as well. [Issue#260, p.46]

Shredder’s Revenge is one big nostalgia trip that doesn’t even try to do something more – like offering actually good and nuanced beat’em up experience, for example. [Issue#260, p.52]

The quality of fan service is simply breathtaking, so it’s a must for any fan of the cult classic movie. Still, as a game, Terran Command offers nothing new. Even less, in fact: there’s no multiplayer, map editor or even a skirmish mode, so once you’re done – you’re done. [Issue#260, p.54]

A newcomer would be shocked by crude animations, wonky physics and bad gunplay. Fans of the franchise are kinda used to that, but they’ll be disappointed for another reason: while Saints Row 2022 does have a few fun moments, most of them are blatantly ripped from previous games of the series. [Issue#260, p.32]

Solo incursions are definitely the best experience Extraction can deliver – although this isn’t exactly a high bar, considering how mediocre the game is. [Issue#259, p.62]

Two decades have passed since the first Gothic came out, but Piranha Bytes still sticks to the old formula in hopes that once again it will make a miracle. [Issue#259, p.66]

A full playthrough takes about two hours, which is weird, considering that Infinite is advertised as a full game. Still, these two hours are good, so hopefully, next time the developer will get a bigger budget and will finally deliver a full-length game. [Issue#259, p.55]

If you’re a fan of the Gaulish duo, you’ll love it. If not, – it’s a very basic beat ‘em up with typical problems like poor hit registration and no functional difference between playable characters. [Issue#259, p.51]

Fans of the DS originals will enjoy the remake, but for people who got into Pokémon franchise only recently, the game would probably feel empty and repetitive. There are considerably fewer Pokémon too. So unless you’re ready for a trip down vintage lane, you should opt for Pokemon Legend: Arceus. [Issue#258, p.50]

Fans of the DS originals will enjoy the remake, but for people who got into Pokémon franchise only recently, the game would probably feel empty and repetitive. There are considerably fewer Pokémon too. So unless you’re ready for a trip down vintage lane, you should opt for Pokemon Legend: Arceus. [Issue#258, p.50]

What would happen if you take a mobile game concept and scale it up to a PC release? Well, Fishlabs tried it with Chorus, and the results are rather mediocre. [Issue#258, p.62]

Big Brain Academy is sometimes advertised as a “gym for brains”, but with Brain vs. Brain, Nintendo tried to cut down on tediousness and steer it towards “party game” genre. [Issue#258, p.55]

Kudos to Ubisoft for being brave enough to release a full-scale game focused on extreme sports – we definitely need more of these. Now for the bad news: like most Ubisoft games, at least half of the content is either superfluous, or underdeveloped. Only skiing and snowboarding are actually good, bikes are tolerable at best, and skydiving is just meh. [Issue#257, p.68]

A faithful remaster of a game two decades old, with all its ups and downs. Poor controls, bad UI and pixelated characters will definitely take some time getting used to, but in return you’ll get a true old-school experience with some very interesting puzzles. [Issue#257, p.62]

In the first few hours, you get to know and love Inscryption. Then, it genre-shifts to the point of total unrecognizability. [Issue#257, p.78]

It’s hard to name a single thing about this game that’s worth your time. [Issue#257, p.54]

Basically, it’s an Age of Empires II remake. Why would Microsoft remake a game that was re-released as recently as 2019? That’s beyond us. [Issue#257, p.58]

It’s one of those cases where it’s really hard to rate a game. It has a great concept and good plot delivery, but actual gameplay is incredibly frustrating. You’re stuck in the loop along with your character, with no way to fast-forward the events, and you have to meticulously try every possible combination, until find the trigger that will open up a new option. And then you re-check it all over again. [Issue#256, p.44]

Resident Evil 2 Remake shows how to properly blend old-school horror ideas with modern action to create a great game. Tormented Souls ignored all that and tried to copy the original one-to-one, with predictable result: it’s a bland clone of a game two decades old. [Issue#256, p.38]

The basic gameplay loop is really simple and relies a lot on the mindless busywork, like building the same buildings in exactly the same order in every mission, or manually picking up trash. [Issue#256, p.49]

One does not simply make a 1 to 1 clone of a game that’s 22 years old! So the studio duct-taped hacking mechanics on top of GTA 2 gameplay, but frankly, it didn’t change much in terms of gameplay. [Issue#256, p.43]

Gamedec’s modest skill tree not only feels tacked on – it actively hampers the role-playing aspect, because certain dialogue options reward you with leveling points, and others don’t. So there’s a strong incentive to just sift through dialogue looking for those special options, instead of doing what feels natural for the character. [Issue#256, p.52]

Far Cry is now officially a Just Cause knock-off. There’s a grappling hook, a wingsuit, plenty of vehicles with universally poor handling, a huge open world and a dumb story with one-dimensional dictator. It wouldn’t be too bad by itself, but the gameplay is also a lot slower than in JC, turning every potentially fun activity into a chore. [Issue#256, p.32]

There are some minor improvements here and there, but there’s no new big feature that screams – that’s where 3 years of development went. The only one reason to get CMS2021 for the full price is if you somehow missed the 2018 version. [Issue#256, p.56]

One step forward, two steps back, couple steps to the side with some awkward shuffling thrown in-between – that’s how Back 4 Blood feels compared to Left 4 Dead. Card-based power-up system is the only interesting thing about it. [Issue#256, p.40]

There’s no denying that Aliens franchise was (and still is) a great source of inspiration for game designers. But its premise and lore are way too simple for a full-length game, and Fireteam Elite is yet another proof of that. [Issue#256, p.50]

Nice remaster of an unusual game that successfully blends together platformer, strategy and god-sim genres. Playing as an omnipotent deity is a rare treat these days, and the great soundtrack makes it even better. [Issue#256, p.59]

Despite his powers, Lucius will still die if he falls from a high platform or turns the world the wrong way. So leave your arcade credentials at the door; experience with 15 puzzle will be much more relevant. [Issue#255, p.66]

Encased has plenty of polish, but not enough substance beneath it. The game never goes anywhere with its 70’s setting, and, despite the “sci-fi” part of the name, doesn’t even try to consider the scientific implications of the premise. [Issue#255, p.60]

It’s hard to recommend Deathloop to anyone. By action standards, the game is plainly boring: it’s basically the same 4 maps over and over again with no variety in enemies or weapons. Cause-and-effect timeloop puzzle gameplay is underwhelming as well: aside from the proper solution, there are very few things to try. [Issue#255, p.56]

Most modern AAA games have a photo mode, so there’s no need to buy Snap just to play photographer. But for a Pokémon fan, there’s the appeal of seeing these creatures in their natural habitat. [Issue#254]

Necromunda had every chance to become a sudden summer hit. Great gunplay, nice parkour, gory finishing moves. But it lacks one crucial thing: good enemies. As it is, they’re basically training dummies. [Issue#254, p.60]

Game Builder Garage offers enough tools to make everything from a simple platformer to a racing game to a space sim. The only downside is that it’s hard to discover games made by other players. [Issue#254, p.64]

No matter what your farm’s specialty is, the production chain stays the same: a building for growing, a building for processing, a building for shipping, plus housing for your workers. That’s it. [Issue#254, p.52]

The setting is intriguing, but the story is bland. Open world promises exploration, but there is nothing to find. The combat has all the beats – but it just isn’t interesting. [Issue#254, p.68]

Teen Power has loads of sidequests, but only a few of them actually worth the player’s time. [Issue#254, p.47]

Dusting up castles is pretty fun, but it goes on for only an hour or two. After that, the genre suddenly shifts to city-building, with very lackluster mechanics. [Issue#254, p.62]

Skillful adaptation of setting and a fresh take on certain mechanics help Siege Survival stand out among other survival strategies. Too bad that the team didn’t find a solution to the basic problem of the genre: as soon as you figure out the right tactic, there will be no challenge left in the game. [Issue#253, p.58]

Think of every obnoxious sidequest you’ve ever had to do; chances are, you’ll have to do exactly the same in Replicant. It has everything from mail delivery to mass-slaughtering sheep for an occasional drop of mutton. Its only saving grace is the new battle system, created by experts at Platinum Games.[Issue#253, p.52]

One World stays faithful to the series: once again you’ll need to slowly build up your farm and improve relationships with the neighbors. “Slowly” is the keyword here: the process is so monotonous, it takes a particular kind of gamer to enjoy Harvest Moon. [Issue#253, p.64]

There are only a few changes over the original game, and almost all of them are for the worse. Not to mention that the increased amount of busywork made me feel more like an evil genius’ butler than the big man himself. [Issue#253, p.48]

Some of the stories may leave you confused, others might make you uncomfortable, but there’s no denying that despite its simplistic appearance, Essays on Empathy manages to evoke some strong emotions. [Issue#253, p.57]

Demon Skin feels more like a vertical slice of a great game than a product of its own. It’s short, it’s not polished enough, but the core gameplay is solid. Hopefully, the studio will get a bigger budget next time – there’s a lot of potential here. [Issue#253, p.51]

Bravely Default II has some technical issues, but Claytechwork managed to make a good JRPG that deserves to stand alongside genre’s finest (well, at least those of the recent years). [Issue#252, p.68]

Sadly, Persona 5 Strikers has some value only for the fans of original Persona 5. For others it will prove to be an odd mix of a dull visual novel with a pretty average musou game. [Issue#252, p.56]

The content is scarce, progression is unmotivating, and after ten or so rounds you’ve seen pretty much everything Destruction AllStars has to offer. [Issue#252, p.54]

Like most beat’em’ups, Scott Pilgrim really shines in co-op, so poor netcode really is a disadvantage. On the other hand, the gameplay is good, and chiptune soundtrack is great for fans of this genre. [Issue#252, p.52]

Interesting visuals are perfectly complemented by sound design. Too bad that it’s only 4 hours long, with maybe an extra hour or two if you want to try all the alternate paths. [Issue#251, p.66]

In all aspects it’s a run-of-the-mill adventure game, but there’s one thing to be said for it: it’s not a pamphlet. For once, Dontnod stopped talking about politics and focused on making a detective game. [Issue#251, p.58]

The rice-growing process is very detailed, perhaps excessively so, but the action elements help to break the monotony. Besides, where else can you learn so much about rice? [Issue#251, p.55]

The game has a strong technological backbone but it doesn’t have enough content for a full game. Rover Mechanic Simulator feels like a side project, hastily composed from the assets of Occupy Mars – a full-fledged Mars colonization sim that’s still in development by the same studio. [Issue#251, p.65]

The variety of maps, tasks and challenges is one of the strong suits of Part Time UFO. Even though the gameplay mechanics are pretty simple, clever puzzle design keeps the player entertained for many hours. [Issue#251, p.71]

Do Switch players really need a very poor Zelda clone when they can always replay Breath of the Wild? [Issue#251, p.69]

Fitness Boxing 2 is pretty much the same game as the first one: throw punches in rhythm to the music, score points and burn some calories in the process. [Issue#251, p.68]

It’s a very odd release. Sure, it’s the first official release in English of the series’ first installment. But, despite some minor improvements, the game itself aged like milk. [Issue#251, p.70]

We could praise riveting races, unforgiving opponents and spectacular destructibility – but all that was already present in the original game. So what does remaster bring to the table? The answer is “nothing”. [Issue#250, page 52]

Puzzles should’ve been a nice break between intense slasher-parkour sequences. But they’re so drawn out that instead of giving you a breather, they choke the life out of the action. [Issue#250, page 54]

In a game called Dirt, dirt has no effect on car’s behavior, and neither does snow. Only ice forces you to make adjustments to your driving. [Issue#250, page 53]

Moderately hardcore, a tad nostalgic, devoid of AAA luster, but engaging nonetheless – Squadrons is a nice choice for those who miss Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance. [Issue#249, p.56]

Even such an old-fashioned Sam is better than nothing. But honestly, after all these years Croteam should’ve brought more creative passion to the fourth installment of the series. [Issue#249, p.72]

Once Jen learns how to use a knife, Remothered stops being scary: instead of hiding from the enemies, you can just stab them in the back. There are also numerous technical problems, like getting stuck in the furniture or being spotted through solid walls. [Issue#249, p.70]

Kirby Fighters 2 can’t compete with Super Smash Bros and other major fighting games, but it doesn’t have to. It’s the game you play when you don’t have the time for something more complex and involved. [Issue#249, p.82]

Only the game’s overall idea deserves some praise, but its execution fell short: the controls are messed up, and uneven beat doesn’t make it more enjoyable.[Issue#249, p.59]

To their credit, in the sequel Bossa Studios managed to break new ground. Previously, you were basically chained to the operating table. Now you can explore the entirety of operating theater and beyond! [Issue#248, p.65]

Project CARS 3 leaves you with mixed feelings. It has wonderful controls and good arcade physics, but its tracks are too plain and boring for an arcade racing game. It’s even worse if you’re a sim fan – the game will leave totally disappointed. [Issue#248, p.54]

You can’t help but feel that Mortal Shell is a fan-made mod for Dark Souls – however, it has accordingly low price. It also shows promise: a few more tries, and Cold Symmetry could make something really good. [Issue#248, p.34]

Don’t get me wrong – Battletoads is a good co-op game for an evening or two. But you can’t help feeling that the developers didn’t give it their best. [Issue#248, p.40]

Amusingly, Telltale’s Story Mode had more Minecraft in it than Dungeons does: it involved a little mining and crafting, at least. Dungeons features neither, and although its levels are made of blocks, they are indestructible. [Issue#247, p.67]

Back in 90’s, not all shooters had a tough guy with big guns as their main character; some of them focused on a weird vehicle instead. Since then, that subgenre had gone extinct, but with Disintegration, it suddenly makes a comeback. [Issue#247, p.48]

Despite less-from-stellar controls, missions that actually ask player to destroy all humans are fun; too bad that they are heavily interspersed with absolutely uninspired stealth segments. [Issue#247, p.71]

It’s not enough to simply be familiar with the original Deadly Premonition to really get the sequel, you need to be “in” on many things that Swery is into, like music, games and movies. [Issue#247, p.60]

C&C was difficult not because of good AI or interesting tactical puzzles, but due to poor usability. With modernized interface, it’s a walk in the park, and will be enjoyable only as long as nostalgia lasts. [Issue#247, p.44]

Whether you have to consume 10 bass or 10 human beings to level up, the basic gameplay loop stays exactly the same. [Issue#246, p.52]

Not only it doesn’t surpass RE2, it fails to even hit the same mark. In RE2, every act had you explore a rather large environment, search for clues and solve puzzles. In RE3, you just run down a corridor, blasting zombies and dodging scripted Nemesis attacks. [Issue#245, p.46]

In this extremely niche genre, studio should’ve paid very close attention to physics and car’s inner workings; as it is, Overpass is too difficult for an arcade racing game, but way too shallow for a proper sim. [Issue#245, p.59]

Developers reused a lot of assets from the first game, did nothing to address its shortcomings, and probably hope that combat alone (which is as good as it was before) would be enough to sell the game to the public. [Issue#245, p.54]

Will the initial spark of interest last? Hardly. Bleeding Edge is a nice little time-killer that probably will never evolve into something bigger. But if it helps Ninja Theory earn some money for their next project – it’s cool. [Issue#245, p.60]

Extraordinary beauty (and extraordinary bugginess) aside, Wolcen is a run-of-the-mill ARPG that takes "inspiration" from every popular game in the genre and mixes it with its own questionable know-how. [Issue#244, p.64]