The highlights of Etherborn are undoubtedly its inventive puzzles and its constellation of small, compelling worlds. But with just five chapters, its brief runtime feels lacking, and it left me wanting for more puzzles to solve. Etherborn attempts to compensate for this by unlocking a new game plus mode after you've completed the game, which lets you dive into the same worlds once more. This mode is largely similar to the original one, the only difference being the crystalline orbs, which are located in harder-to-reach places.

The Good Life is a curious and uneven experience. As a sort of hybrid RPG meets life-sim, it's certainly competent, despite the grind it demands. Surprisingly, the novel premise takes a back seat for the most part, but it's never anything less than adorably easy-going, carried along by a carefree attitude and endless charm.

All of these issues hinder a game that only occasionally rises above its weaknesses. The story can be compelling when focusing on its ill-fated characters, and the combat is enjoyable in specific circumstances, particularly when experimenting with the varied tools at your disposal. But Code Vein 2's shortcomings are too frequent to look past. Combat and exploration are hampered by dull enemies and wearisome environments, while technical issues only exacerbate its flaws. The soulslike genre has evolved since the original Code Vein launched in 2019, yet the forward-thinking shift to an open world hasn't prevented its sequel from suffering the same familiar blemishes.

With all the additional features that expand Prime World beyond traditional genre definitions, the game lacks the heart and focus needed to keep you invested in each match.

Corruption 2029 is a strange, underwhelming followup.

The highlights of Etherborn are undoubtedly its inventive puzzles and its constellation of small, compelling worlds. But with just five chapters, its brief runtime feels lacking, and it left me wanting for more puzzles to solve. Etherborn attempts to compensate for this by unlocking a new game plus mode after you've completed the game, which lets you dive into the same worlds once more. This mode is largely similar to the original one, the only difference being the crystalline orbs, which are located in harder-to-reach places. Apart from the slightly more challenging platforming puzzles, however, the electrifying thrill of discovery has largely subsided--you've already found all the secrets, after all--and there's little incentive to revisit it. By the end, even the allure of these small worlds isn't enough to make you return, with only the yearning for more remaining in its wake.

If you're more interested in the relaxing sights and sounds of Las Vegas than you are in playing a highly challenging strategy game, you might want to take a gamble with Casino Empire.

Behind all of the minigames and new play modes, you'll find the same old problematic gameplay.

Namco's back catalog deserves better than this slapped-together cash-in.

"Traitors Gate" had the sort of continuity that is crucial to story-driven adventure games. Unfortunately, The Messenger lacks this continuity, and as a result the puzzles are confusing, and the protagonist comes off as a sort of confused sociopath.

It falls victim to lackluster gameplay, thus preventing it from being recommendable to RTS fans.

The game has a weak fighting system, and the lack of a compelling storyline makes Kengo just a series of boring, repetitive battles. The game abandons both the characters and the gameplay formula of the "Bushido Blade" series and ends up being a disappointment on all fronts.

EyeToy: Operation Spy has got some really cool features, but not enough of them to form a truly substantial game.

While the futuristic backdrop may still have some life left in it, Pariah's combat, story, and weapons loadout are all positively lifeless, making the game feel like nothing more than an also-ran shooter that barely stands on its own, let alone stands up to the genre's best.

Legion isn't so much a bad game as it is a rather dull one that doesn't quite know what it wants to be.

A clichéd shooter with little to no replay value.

The game's characters look and seem very faithful to their television counterparts. Some corners were cut in terms of the gameplay, however, and the result is a kart racer that isn't quite as solid as the best that the genre has to offer.

Battle B-Daman fails to capture the fun, dynamic nature of the tabletop game it's based on.

If you're looking for a relaxed and somewhat mellow foray into the genre, Martian Gothic isn't half bad.

The game does a fine job of getting across the unpredictability and speed of wildfires, but it lacks any larger strategic elements and buckles under the weight of major control and camera issues.

The gameplay mechanics are pretty basic and repetitive, and the storylines are so bland that there's not much value in finishing the game with every character.

Sluggish controls, paper-thin career mode, fictitious players, and mediocre court graphics.

Some of the minigames are fun, and the story is charming, but it's tough to recommend a game that's absolutely done in less than three hours.

When you factor in how little this game really differs from any of the last few games in the line, there's really no good reason to go out and buy it.

Namco's back catalog deserves better than this slapped-together cash-in.

Infernal embraces style over substance, resulting in a dull and repetitive shooting experience.

Despite the game's fluid control system and innovative lock-on features, its pacing and repetition simply mar the gameplay experience.

When you factor in how little this game really differs from any of the last few games in the line, there's really no good reason to go out and buy it.