Not that being more emotional and being fun are mutually exclusive – as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart proves time and again. As the series enters into its third (!!!) decade, this PC port is a fine way to show that the Ratchet and Clank are still compelling characters, and even if there are a few points where it feels like the game could use a little more polish in terms of performance, they can’t take away the fact that Rift Apart is an outstanding game.

The umbrella that’s also a gun concept does a great job of carrying the game along, making it a joy to play and navigate across the 6ish hours or so it’ll take most to complete the game. The story is weird and interesting enough to also keep you entertained, which certainly helps make Gunbrella feel fresh despite there being a number of retro-themed action-platformers on the market today. I’d highly recommend checking out Gunbrella when you get a chance, you won’t be disappointed.

It’s an enjoyably challenging platformer that’s sure to scratch any Mega Man or roguelike itches you have. Factor in Maker Mode, and you’ve got a recipe for a platformer that’s a huge – and hugely fun – time sink.

Despite the inevitable comparisons, Round8’s title stands on its own and can fill the void for those always beseeching a new entry of Bloodborne or at least a port to different platforms. Krat in this current form is indeed horrifying and built off of the suffering of many, but man what I would pay to see the city in its prime. While I think I’m done with my playthrough, I believe a second playthrough will unlock many more insights to the world of the title and once I’ve recovered my nerves that might be something I will indeed do. Like many fairy tales and fables, I can expect Lies of P to be experienced for a long time to come.

I totally get the appeal of Super Dungeon Maker if you’re the kind of person who loves building their own game worlds. It never claims to be anything more than that, and there seems to be a solid community in place to help the game continue to grow. To me it feels like there’s still some work to be done on fleshing it out, but as it stands, there’s definitely some potential here.

I will be transparent and say that I have only spent about 5 hours with Firewall Ultra at the time of this writing, and have not had the ability to link up with friends or colleagues yet, so all of my time has been spent with random party members online. That 5 hours has been something of a chore though, and I was ready to step away within the very first hour of time with Firewall Ultra. As I said earlier, there is definitely something here, and an adjustment to environmental interaction, reloading, and the combat engagements itself could turn this around. Unfortunately, as it stands here now, I cannot truly recommend this as a VR game worth spending your time and money on, at least not yet.

Overall, Mortal Kombat 1 is a polished, beautiful work of art that is a remarkably innovative entry into the long running franchise. You can feel the love and care that went into recrafting existing characters in a way I never knew I would love.

Does all this add up to make Baldur’s Gate 3 the best game of the year? That’s hard to say at this stage, given the insane number of genuine GOTY contenders we’ve had so far this year – to say nothing of those that are still scheduled to arrive over the next few months. But notwithstanding all that, it’s clear that it’s certainly on the short-list as one of the top contenders.

The thing is, at least as far as the Switch version goes, you need to dig deep in order to see all that – and honestly, it’s hard to say that it’s worth it, all things considered. I’ve no doubt that Skabma – Snowfall is a very interesting, enjoyable game on systems that can handle it, but unfortunately the Switch isn’t one of those systems.

Year in and year out, its 3 yard gain on first down then a 10 yard sack on second down and we’re caught in 3rd and long. Just when we think EA is righting the ship on Madden, we get this lazy borderline rerelease of the previous year’s iteration. It’s clear the NFL doesn’t care about the quality of their games, as long as you’re not making “after the play hits” for which the Blitz franchise was famous. No one is holding the developers and publishers accountable anymore and the only way to see change is by voting with your wallet. Don’t buy this year’s release of Madden. Even if you didn’t grab Madden 23 last season, go pick it up used and update the in-game roster. EA should be embarrassed passing along Madden NFL 24 as a brand new release for $70. Enough is enough and it’s time for a change.

To be certain, it’s not going to make anyone forget Super Mario Galaxy. But if you’re after a game that captures the spirit of one of the best 3D platformers ever, then you owe it to yourself to give Pilfer: Story of Light a try.

There’s some good ideas in Tenebris Pictura, but, much like Pentadimensional’s other game, they’re buried by bigger ideas that are much, much worse.

It’s a thoroughly average 3D platformer that doesn’t do enough, good or bad, to be worth praising or condeming.

Red Dead Redemption was a great game when it came out in 2010, and this proves it’s still a great game in 2023. While some classics from previous generations feel dated, that’s certainly not the case here – and if you missed it (or weren’t around for it) thirteen years ago, now’s the time to finally play it. And if you did play it? Maybe it’s time to play it again.

ININ has done a fine job bringing these classics together. Even if the complete package offers nothing new outside of a game selection screen, these are all still pretty fun games. As before, 7 out of 10 games in this collection can be downloaded from from the eShop under the “Arcade Archives” line of games. Solitary Fighter, Darius II and Dinorex are Exclusive to this collection, but if those titles don’t appeal to you, then you aren’t missing anything by skipping this release. As for the overall presentation, not much has changed from the first TAITO Milestones, but since most of the games offered are much better this time, I can recommend this collection more than the first.

Starfield is, overall, a very good RPG from a studio known for making very good RPGs. Not the most surprising news I’m sure, but it’s nice to see that they’re able to break away from the Elder Scrolls and Fallout settings successfully, and I do feel like their take on space exploration is a breath of fresh air for this type of RPG experience. It’s a huge game overall, so if you’re the person that believes time played = value, you’ll be pretty happy with this one for sure, but at the same time if you’re worried about overall quality, I think you’ll still enjoy your time with Starfield. I look forward to playing a lot more of it over the next couple of months, attempting to see everything the game has to offer. So in short, check it out, it’s pretty darn good.

Honestly, even after writing all these words about Fort Solis, I still feel like I’ve only brushed the surface of why it’s such a terrible game. It may look nice, but there’s literally nothing of value here. It’s a waste of time, money, and hard drive space, and you’re better off forgetting its existence.

I’ve really been impressed with Sea of Stars overall. I think it delivers the total package when it comes to retro-infused RPG’s, and it feels pretty unique in a field that’s full of like-minded games. It also helps tremendously that a lot of folks will be able to try the game out for free via Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, but I’d honestly recommend it regardless, it’s well worth checking out.

Needless to say, nothing in Sephonie clicked with me. It doesn’t matter if a game brings a whole bunch of ideas to the table if it’s not able to pull any of them off, and judging by the evidence on offer here, that’s definitely the case for Sephonie.

Of course, the fact that Immortals of Aveum is a lot of fun to play will also make you want to invest your time (and money) in it. It may not be the most original game I’ve ever played, but when it’s this enjoyable, I’m okay with that.

I wanted to love this game, I really did. The team at Gunfire Games clearly poured a lot of love and lessons learned into this game, and they were kind enough to provide us with 3 codes for Remnant 2 so we could get effective co-op testing in. Unfortunately, a combination of some mechanics pulling the game down, as well as one of the biggest years for new releases EVER lead to Remnant 2 falling behind and getting a bit lost in the shuffle.

It really is a remarkable game, and in a year that’s been blessed with way more than its fair share of standout games, I’d put Viewfinder on the same level as any of them.

Quantum: Recharged is just an OK addition to the series and while not based on a very well known property, it’s an interesting game once you get the hang of it. This new release is not terrible by any means, but if you happen to pass this one by, you aren’t really missing much. I went back to play the original a little bit while researching since I knew almost nothing about it and I must say, I had more fun playing the Recharged version. Personally, I feel there are many other classic games out there that Atari could be “Recharging” and Quantum was not on my radar. It might be time to slow down a bit and focus on bringing out better titles for the series.

Overall, though, I can’t complain too much about a game that I had so much fun with. It may not be aimed at Dragon Quest diehards, but if you’ve ever wanted to get into the series, Dragon Quest Treasures is a great place to start.

When you get down to it, Ducky’s Delivery Service feels very much like a classic platformer – if not the archetypal 2D platformer. It’s obviously not going to have the same level of fame or influence, but it’s fun enough that it’s worth playing.

The most important thing with a VR game like this (and really, any game in general) is how fun it ends up being, and Synapse is a freaking blast. I enjoyed everything about this game, and it is another must-have title on the PS VR2, and yet another fantastic game that makes me glad I was an early adopter of the headset. If you have a PS VR2, get Synapse on the Playstation Store for $35 and thank me later.

I really wish I could say that Hammer of Virtue is a fun game despite its many, many issues. Really, I do. As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing as fun in games as making the world around you come crashing down. But Hammer of Virtue shows there’s limits to even that. You need to be fun and functional, and Hammer of Virtue is very clearly neither of those things.

It’s a pity, then, that the football part of Legend Bowl is so underwhelming. The ideas here are good, and the developers deserve credit for making a game that feels both modern and retro at the same time, but if you’re looking for a football game where you’ll actually want to play the on-field game, this isn’t it.

Tiny Thor is an excellent love letter to retro games not just because it looks and plays like a game from decades ago, but because it’s still highly playable in the here and now.

It may not work enough to sustain it for a 10+-hour runtime, but there are enough interesting ideas here that it’s not hard to imagine it evolving into something fun.

Koa And The Five Pirates of Mara is perfectly serviceable, as 3D platformers go. And it’s certainly more fun than Summer in Mara. But it’s lacking in any kind of spark of inspiration, and for that reason, it’s every bit as forgettable as its predecessor.

As you play, you progress through the story and level up the Exosuit of choice, which could be a drag if you like to play with various suits and classes. There is a Battle Pass in place also that has its own leveling which is a bit slower than the character leveling. I think once I play a bit more through the season the game will open a bit more and give more level and enemy variety. I just feel locking the story behind a multiplayer mode is a drag but again I see potential here.

I’d certainly recommend checking this out if you’re curious to see the series roots, but I’d also say this isn’t the best entry in the Atelier games available on the Switch or other platforms. It certainly has some charm to it, and the gameplay loop is easy yet satisfying, but don’t expect an RPG on par with more recent Atelier releases. Still, I enjoyed my time playing Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg, and I bet you will too.

It worms its way into your brain and sticks there, and if you’re a fan of deceptively simple puzzle games, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.

Given how nice the game looks and how well it’s put-together, there’s a very solid argument to be made that Disney Illusion Island is the perfect way to get kids of all ages hooked on this genre. It may be a well-worn genre, and Disney Illusion Island won’t win any awards for originality, but on the whole, this is a pretty polished game.

They definitely did put an interesting spin on the beat’em genre with things like the increasing length and difficulty depending on the order of selection, the crowd control system and the rogue-like elements. If you’re a connoisseur of the beat’em up genre, these boys are on the rise and they’re definitely worth a playthrough.

Mr. Run and Jump is an awesome looking game with fantastic challenges that will keep you coming back for more. I absolutely love the entire presentation from the beginning all the way through to the end. Although I didn’t finish some of the more ridiculous challenges (yet), I had fun even when I was yelling at the screen! This is definitely one to pick up, highly recommended!

On the whole, Drill Deal is far better than it has any right to be. It’s not about to make me run out and buy a car or change my attitude towards the oil industry (for the record: still wholly against it), but as these kinds of simulators go, I’d be lying if I said it was anything other than a solid game.

Crime O’Clock shows that even within a genre like hidden object games, evolution is possible, and the end result is a lot of fun.

What makes this decision even more frustrating is that it’s so close to being a good idea. Your character is constantly having to turn the candle to pour out extra wax, and adjusting it in their hand so they have a better grip on it, or walk slowly so as to not snuff out the flame – these are all defensible ideas that you could imagine working out well in another, better game. Instead, you spend all your time in Project Nightmares Case 36 looking at a candle taking up your entire field of view. Whatever good ideas the game might have, that one monumentally stupid decision literally crowds out everything else.

Overall, Ray’z Arcade Chronology is great collection of some classic Shmups. No matter which game you like best, you will find something to love here. The extra modes, save states and the ability to play the polygonal games in full HD are all great additions that make this package worth your time and money. Even if you aren’t a hardcore fan of Shmups, you really should give these games a try, as there is a little something for everyone. There is a less complete collection available that doesn’t include RayForce, and it costs slightly less, but you are really missing out on a classic without it. I would say just stick to this complete collection and enjoy this fantastic series in it’s entirety.

Final Fantasy XVI is a true masterpiece that demonstrates the incredible evolution of the Final Fantasy series. With its engaging storyline, memorable characters, refined gameplay mechanics, stunning graphics, and captivating music, it offers a gaming experience that will linger in the hearts of players long after the credits roll. Square Enix has once again proven its ability to deliver a breathtaking and unforgettable adventure that pushes the boundaries of what an RPG can achieve. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer, Final Fantasy XVI is an absolute must-play that showcases the brilliance of the franchise and sets a new standard for the genre.

All told, Convergence can be beaten in just a few hours, but it offers a lot of replayability and additional exploration which I think is fantastic. In my conversation with Rowan, we touched on the goal that Riot Forge has which is to ensure that these games being published in the League of Legends universe strive to be great games on their own, separate from that massive property. The games should be approachable for folks like myself who have no real familiarity with the overarching franchise or narrative. I felt that Convergence was a complete, standalone experience that left nothing out for me. As Riot Forge continues to grow and allow stories to be told inside the League universe across different genres, I look forward to seeing what the next few years will bring.

Unfortunately, it’s just not that good. I could see playing through Scarf once if you’re in the mood to play something that reminds you of Journey, but that isn’t as good as Journey. But beyond that? Scarf throws away whatever goodwill it might generate with an ending that shows it doesn’t really respect your time. Make of that what you will, and decide whether that makes the game worth your time at all.

And that’s the best way to describe Nocturnal: it’s a neat game. It won’t take too much of your time, and it’s similar enough to other metroidvanias that you’ll probably only want to play it if you’re already a fan of the genre, but if you like the genre and want something that has enough spark of inspiration to carry it through a few hours, it’s definitely worth investigating.

Arcrunner has its explosive charms. It may not have the same sense of promise as a game in Early Access, but if you find it for the right price – or if you just want to grab a squad and blast your way through wave after wave of enemy AI – Arcrunner has its share of positives too.

If you’re looking for inventiveness, Toggles has that in spades – as you’d expect from a game that’s influenced by Katamari. There are definitely worse issues to have than giving players too much freedom, so if that’s the biggest complaint to be leveled here, it means that Togges might just be worth checking out.

Like AEW itself, it offers a welcome change from the slickness of its main rival, and while there are definitely areas for the game to improve, it fully captures the spirit of the games it’s trying to emulate. If you’re looking to play a wrestling game on the Switch, your search pretty much begins and ends with AEW: Fight Forever.

It’s been a pleasant trip down memory lane with both Pikmin 1 and 2, and if you’ve never had a chance to experience either game, I’d say they are both highly recommended and stand the test of time quite well. Neither game is particularly long, and while 2 can be challenging at times, both are pretty friendly to new players and work as a solid primer for the upcoming release of Pikmin 4. Definitely check them out when you get a chance, you won’t be disappointed.

The core hook of dying and restarting while progressing just a bit further each time is as solid in Rogue Legacy 2 as it was in the original game. I’d be hard pressed to point out significant differences between the two games, outside of a spruced up presentation and just more content in general, but honestly there wasn’t much to improve on with the original Rogue Legacy, so I can’t really fault the sequel for not deviating too far from the original formula. It’s still a wildly addictive game, and the short bursts of gameplay make it perfect for a few quick rounds, or lengthier play sessions.

Still, the bottom line is that both Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris and Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light are good games, regardless of whether you’re playing solo or (locally) with a friend. They were a breath of fresh air for the series when they first released a decade ago, and The Lara Croft Collection is a great opportunity to discover them, whether it’s anew or for the first time.

With time and with patches, it’s easy to imagine it becoming a game worth playing, but it’s definitely not at that stage yet.

It’s a pretty good game for anyone who misses the days when games like What Remains of Edith Finch and Firewatch were gracing best-of lists. Return to Grace is probably a little late to get the same kind of widespread acclaim and reputation, but if there were any justice, it would get both, and deservedly so.

AEW Fight Forever is a really chaotic blast. Exciting gameplay and ease of play guarantees continued replayability, especially with any of my friends who aren’t familiar with the more complicated 2K series. Would I like more out of the series going forward? Of course. But on top of my gripes in the review the roster is kinda limited, but DLC could help that. That being said, for the very first entry into the market Fight Forever does a surprisingly good job. Patching and building off the foundation established here will be key in how this game is received by the fans, old and new. I’m along for the ride. If you’re an AEW fan, I think you’ll enjoy this release. It does enough to stand out from the WWE series of games and gives a great alternative that AEW the actual wrestling product was supposed to be (but hasn’t really delivered in my opinion… had to leave one last dig in there after being so complementary).

All in all, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an amazing game and I still cannot get over the fact that I have already come up with three Game of the Year contenders and it’s only halfway into the year. This game is incredible and despite it not being the Zelda I remember, it’s one that will be added to the great memories in a way more than Breath of the Wild. My buddy and fellow editor Tyler said it best. “BotW was the early proof of concept and TotK was the final vision.”

While Crime Boss: Rockay City isn’t particularly fun, as I said up top, I’ve also played far, far worse games. For all its faults (and it certainly has many), nothing here is egregiously terrible – which means, ultimately, that Crime Boss’ biggest sin isn’t that it’s a bad game, but rather a very boring one.

There are few things as fun as a game where you get to destroy everything, so you’d think that Demolish & Build Classic would be a slam dunk. Instead, it’s just a total mess of a game.

What you’re left with is a sports RPG in which neither the sport half of the equation nor the RPG are all that enjoyable. Soccer Story could’ve been a lot of fun, as other games like Golf Story and Sports Story (both from an entirely different developer, I’ll note) have demonstrated. Instead, it just leaves a lot to be desired.

Diablo IV is a triumphant return to the series that captures the essence of what made the franchise so beloved while introducing fresh and innovative elements. With its stunning visuals, gripping storytelling, addictive gameplay, and robust multiplayer features, Diablo IV is an absolute must-play for any fan of the action role-playing genre. Prepare to be ensnared by the dark embrace of Diablo IV, as you embark on a journey that will leave you hungry for more.

In the end, the fact the story and the characters are so well done win out over any quibbles I may have with details. Killer Frequency is an excellent game that takes a neat approach to both horror films and walking simulators, and it’s well worth checking out if you’re a fan of either. (But seriously, how did these people all have cell phones?)

Ambition: A Minuet in Power makes its historical setting come alive, and the end result is one of the better visual novels I’ve played in quite some time.

Really, Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow’s lack of originality is just a minor complaint compared to the fact that it doesn’t achieve what it sets out to do from a gameplay perspective. You can’t be a worthwhile puzzle-platformer when the platforming sections feature controls and physics and a field of depth that are this finicky.

Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble! is a fun little game that can bring some serious challenge the longer you play. The extra Space Invaders mode is a super cool addition that can challenge even the biggest Puzzle Bobble pro. The super cute presentation may turn off some players, but fans of the series will feel right at home here. A nice and cheerful puzzle game that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age and a very good addition to the Puzzle Bobble franchise!

Essentially, what I’m telling you is that The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is indeed a bad video game. It’s not fun when it works, it’s even less so when it doesn’t, and the overall concept of the game is one that ultimately makes it feel unnecessary altogether. I don’t know of anyone clamoring for Gollum’s whereabouts to this degree, and if they were, I’d at least hope they were expecting something far more interesting than this. So yes, believe what you’ve heard, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is not worth your money, and certainly is not worth your time.

Nightmare Reaper fits squarely into the box you’ll want to slot it into at first glance. It may have a few minor differences, but if it’s blasting demons you’re after, you’ll get exactly that here.

As you can tell, Circus Electrique has a lot going on. While it’s pleasant to look at and to listen to, the game also overwhelms you with information, and it doesn’t help that most of it is conveyed via very small text boxes with menus that aren’t super easy to navigate around. There’s a codex that keeps track of it all, but even so, the sheer volume of information (and associated info-dumps) is simply crazy. Which is why it’s hard not to wish that Circus Electrique had simply tried to whittle everything down to, say, half a dozen of its best ideas. If you’re after a dense game, this will deliver exactly that – but at a certain point, you kind of wonder whether it’s all worth it, and I don’t know that it is.

Even with all these flaws, it’s hard not to root for Night Gate, even if just a little. Maybe it’s because it’s overflowing with ambition, maybe because it’s hard not to compare it to that other, much more prominent vampire game that flopped just as spectacularly – whatever the reason is, as flawed as Night Gate is, there’s enough here that’s interesting that if you can accept all kinds of imperfections (and to be clear, there are a lot of imperfections here), it’s kind of fun in its own way.

It’s all enough to make you wish that you could just look at Arto instead of having to play it. It would probably have worked really well as a visual novel or a walking simulator, where you could luxuriate in its incredible visuals without having to worry too much about how it plays – but in this state, as a hack & slash action game, it’s a lot harder to recommend.

At this point, there’s not much I can say about Super Mega Baseball 4 that I didn’t already say about Super Mega Baseballs 1, 2, and 3: like its predecessors, it’s an outstanding baseball game that’s a lot more fun to play than the annualized PlayStation flagship MLB game. Any worries that a higher profile or a bigger budget would hurt the game are unfounded. In fact, four games in, this might just be the best Super Mega Baseball game yet.

Alekon is certainly about as close to a Pokémon Snap clone as you can get without breaking some copyright laws. It adheres closely enough to the original that it can't help but do exactly what it sets out to do, and it’s polished enough that it doesn't disgrace its influence, but it’s about as far from original as you can get.

In the case of Monster Tribe, where the gameplay is atrocious and the visuals are equally bad, the idea of having to go back and consistently replay parts you've already paid is torturous. Better to not play it at all, and save yourself the frustration.

SFVI is certainly starting off miles ahead of its last iteration and while you certainly won’t see me in the Top 8 of Capcom Cup I can definitely see myself throwing Drive Impacts wildly online.

It all makes you wish that there was nothing notable about Death or Treat, so that you could just write it off completely. But it's hard not to go back to that intro cutscene and see how much care went into creating it, and then wondering what went wrong. It makes you conclude that these developers might have a great game in them, it's just definitely not this one.

if you're just after a game where the only goal is a high score and unlocking new guns, then Deadlink more than delivers on that. Not only do you have great weapons to start, your character flies with ease all over each room, and for the most part you do that without the game ever stuttering to catch up. Couple that with a pulse-pounding soundtrack, and it's easy to see how someone could get sucked in.

If you just want to be creeped out first and worry about story second, then Remorse: The List might just be worth adding to your “to-play” list.

I don’t want to leave the impression that I dislike Cassette Beasts, though, because I don’t – not in the least. Cassette Beasts may borrow pretty heavily from Pokémon, but there are enough fun twists on the basic ideas that it manages to carve out an identity that’s all its own.

It evokes the Konami classic throughout, while still adopting a style and look that feels unique and stands out from the western aesthetics of the game that inspired it. If you’re able to get 4 players together to run through it, there’s enough mayhem on screen that you’re likely to overlook the somewhat sluggish controls while doing your best to stay alive. As a single-player experience your fun with Deathwish Enforcers might be a bit limited (as is the case for a lot of similar action arcade games), but with co-op it’s worth the asking price for sure.

I can say that looking a little different than your usual Souls-like isn’t enough to make Stray Blade worth checking out. Unless you’ve always been keen to explore the genre but aren’t skilled enough to actually play the games – in which case, I guess, here’s your chance to try one with a much lower difficulty level – it’s hard to see who’d really enjoy it.

With enjoyable and intuitive gameplay, colorful VR visuals, convincing physics and a metric ton of content, Walkabout Mini Golf is the very definition of a must-have game for the PlayStation VR2.

It’s a cozy game that doesn’t assume that being adorable is a substitute for being engaging. Hopefully more games of this ilk can learn from it, because all things considered, it’s nice having games like Mail Time around.

All of this might be worth it if you’re super into Dokapon – but do such people exist? I mean, I’m sure there are some, but if you’re in that very tiny group you probably don’t need to have anyone tell you to pick this game up. And if you’re not? Then you’re definitely going to want to give Dokapon Kingdom: Connect a pass, unless you feel like devoting dozens of hours to a board game that’s not really very interesting.

And that’s really disappointing, since, based on its looks alone, it feels like Itorah should stand out more. Unfortunately, all the effort here went into those visuals, and once you get beyond those, you’re left with a game that’s not very fun to play.

To be fair, if Redfall had come out from a different studio with a lesser track record, I could imagine enjoying it a little more. The town of Redfall is pretty and picturesque, and there’s enough of a story here, about trying to take the town back from the vampires and competing cultists, that you could see how it could be turned into a compelling experience. To get there, though, would’ve required a much different game than we have here. Ironically, that different, imaginary game is one that Arkane would’ve been well-suited to make if they’d just stuck with their strengths. Instead, they opted to make this version of Redfall – the one that doesn’t suit them at all – and we’re all the poorer for it.

If you’ve never played a Final Fantasy title prior to the PS1 era, or if you’re just a massive fan of these games like myself, I can safely say that this Pixel Remaster collection is certainly worth picking up. Whether you want the whole set or just want to revisit the entries that you love, you’re going to get a really great experience regardless of which title you go with. Definitely check this collection out when you get a chance, you won’t be disappointed.

Add those drawn-out, repetitive encounters to a world that’s kind of empty, and you can see why Strayed Lights is a difficult game to love. It looks and sounds nice, and if you’re really into dodging weaving rather than charging into battle I could see how it might be interesting in small doses, but as it stands, it doesn’t feel like there’s enough here to really make for a satisfying game.

In other words, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a game that’s an absolute joy to play. Exploring these worlds, slicing through enemies, customizing how Cal looks, uncovering the game’s lore: it’s all done perfectly here, in a way that should appeal to anyone, regardless of their familiarity with Star Wars itself (though being a fan probably helps). There are minor flaws, to be sure, but they’re so minor, they feel like nitpicking. In a year that’s already featured some outstanding games, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor still manages to stand out.

The fact is that the game is plagued by camera controls so dire, they make it impossible to enjoy anything else. With some major tweaks to those controls, it’d be easy to imagine Molly Medusa becoming an under-the-radar hit, but for now, it’s definitely one to avoid.

After the Fall plays great on the PS5, I have no complaints about the performance or visuals at all. It is thoroughly engaging, addicting, and a blast to play from start to finish. And “finish” isn’t even the right word, as the horde mode and additional difficulties available make this a game you could potentially stick with forever. With an incredibly strong line-up of launch titles on the PS VR2, After the Fall earns itself a spot in your library.

All in all, both Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection volumes are pretty fun representations of GBA era games. If you have any affinity for this series from back in the day, I can’t really see a reason not to check these collections out. If the series skipped you by originally I think these games are still interesting takes on the Mega Man series for newcomers to check out, but I’d also keep in mind that none of the six games are necessarily flawless. Whether it’s the lackluster battles of the first few entries, or some of the frustrating and annoying dungeon designs found throughout, there are definitely some archaic aspects that don’t mesh well with modern RPG expectations. Still, if you’re willing to look over some of the rough patches or have any love for checking out older classics, then you’ll likely find Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is right up your alley.

While you can’t always judge a game by its screenshots, in this case you can: Panic Porcupine absolutely could’ve been released on the Genesis, and no one would’ve batted an eye.

If you’re a fan of Lemmings – or even just a fan of heartfelt stories with nice visuals – there’s still plenty here you should be able to enjoy. Tin Hearts isn’t going to make you rethink your opinion of the genre, but if you’re already a fan, you’ll have fun with this.

Obviously, “pretty doable” isn’t exactly glowing praise – nor does a game with such a lousy camera deserve glowing praise. But Isle of Jura Fishing Trip is still decent enough if you just feel like fishing, assuming you get it at the right price.

Just about my only complaint about going back to Ghostwire: Tokyo was that the game doesn’t look quite as nice on the Steam Deck as it did when I played it on PS5 last year. When it rained, it made everything look a little more washed out, and it made it tougher to tell when you were entering a foggy area that was off-limits. You realize quickly enough when you’re somewhere you’re not supposed to be, but it was still a little disappointing. Overall, though, I’ll reiterate what I wrote up top: Spider’s Thread makes a great game even better. Ghostwire: Tokyo didn’t get nearly the level of attention it deserved on its initial release last year, and now that the game is free for Game Pass and PS+ subscribers (and generally inexpensive enough to buy on PC), there’s even less reason why it should be slept on. Do yourself a favour and get it now.

If you don’t enjoy RTS games or aren’t a fan of the franchise, then this won’t be the game that will sway you, I can recommend this if you’re curious about how Minecraft and this genre of game can coexist and if you are a Minecraft fan in general. Overall, a great game for fans, but not for everyone.

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is one impressive achievement, and probably would be even if it wasn’t developed as bombs were raining down on the developers’ homes.

The good thing about the gameplay loop is that, like Train Station Renovation, Ship Graveyard Simulator makes things simple enough that you can get into a bit of a zen groove doing all these repetitive tasks. They’re not difficult, but they’re also not hindered by terrible controls. You do your work, and the game doesn’t get in your way. By this franchise’s low standards, that constitutes an achievement.

It’s pretty cool to see a port of this relatively obscure action-platformer make its way to consoles nearly 30 years after its original release. My only real complaint is that I wish there was a little more to the overall package in the way of supplemental material, background info, concept or flyer art, cabinet shots, etc. The cheats and enhancements are cool, and borderline necessary considering the overall difficulty of the game, but for the asking price I’d expect just a little more. Depending on how hardcore your love is for 90’s arcade action games you may want to hold off for a sale down the road, but if you have any affection for Strider or games of its ilk, then Cannon Dancer – Osman will likely be right up your alley.

As funny as setting enemies against each other is, however, it doesn’t make Clash: Artifacts of Chaos’ combat any more enjoyable – which makes it pretty similar to the rest of the game. It’s awkward, it’s clunky, it never fully explains itself, and I strongly suspect that that’s the case whether you’ve played older Zeno Clash games or not.