Outlaws encapsulates Star Wars as a whole at the moment, trying to be something for everybody but at times missing it's mark. I honestly want to see Ubisoft take another crack at the galaxy far far away, because with a more refined scope this can easily be the Uncharted: Drake's Fortune to it's better sequel. Or, to put it in Ubisoft terms, it's Assassins Creed to Assassins Creed II. There's so much potential here, it'd be a real shame for this to be Kay Vess's last hurrah.

In all Fairy Tail: Dungeons is an entertaining ride, particularly for fans of either the roguelite genre, the Fairy Tail series, or both. With an accessible price point and an enjoyable gameplay loop as well as art style, players can certainly enjoy diving into the labyrinth for quite some time- the repetitive music and limited progression forward aren’t enough to put a damper on the fun this game provides!

The rub is that if the combat mechanics didn't quickly devolve into frustration, the extremely short campaign (that is probably best played on Easy: a sad realization) would be an additional negative. I believe strongly that there is still hope on the periphery of Space Marine 2. With proper dedication to the existing roadmap, and beyond, that outlines a focus on PvE content, including an upcoming, proper horde mode, its identity can shift from "gorgeous looking, short single-player experience" to "great game to play with friends," but we're not there yet. And in a gaming landscape that will probably see dozens of games launching to appeal to the latter feeling while Space Marine 2 works its way up to that, on top of the existing ones, it remains a tough game to recommend.

Wildfrost is highly recommended, especially if you're a fan of the genre. The fun visuals will draw you in, but the addicting gameplay will keep you there. Just be prepared to die, a lot.

As noted, this kind of experience isn't going to be for everyone. If you're looking for a more hands-on title with a more significant level of challenge, you may be best served elsewhere. If you enjoy a more narrative experience built around exploration without combat or demanding mechanics, you'll find a lot to love. As someone firmly in the latter camp, it's easy for me to recommend Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss as a welcome and high-quality addition to its genre.

Developer Walter Woods, in an almost entirely solo effort, has made a horror experience that easily comes more highly recommended than many of those from teams a hundred times larger or more. A lot of that has to do with the cohesion of the world, storytelling, and gameplay. As the story drew to a close, I felt disappointed that I wouldn't get to see the game continue its upward trajectory. But as credits rolled, I couldn't help but feel happy with the experience as a whole. The faults in Dark and Deep are inconsequential enough that mentioning them almost happens as an afterthought (not to mention that they're almost universally a potential patch away from not existing). The notable moments, though, are at the absolute minimum the bar that horror games should aim for.

In all, Mika and the Witch's Mountain is an incredibly charming game that is easy to get into and just relax and unwind, with the only real issues being the short length and the map layout being a bit odd to get used to. When one of the biggest problems with a game is that there isn't a lot of it, that's when you know you have something wonderful on your hands. If you like games that are short, sweet, and relaxing, then Mika and the Witch's Mountain is definitely one to look out for. [Early Access Provisional Score = 88]

Isekai Chronicles is an enjoyable game, simple with surprisingly satisfying combat thanks to comboing techniques and enemies having elemental strengths and weaknesses. That being said, any non-fans of Reincarnated as a Slime may not have as much to gain from the game as those who are actually aware of the series. If you're a fan of the Isekai Genre or Slime in specific, then this might be one to keep an eye on.

The Crush House does a great job of taking a relatively simple premise and expanding it with game mechanics that are fun to engage with. I was a little let down by two completely unique pairs of characters having the same argument in back-to-back seasons, and other repeated moments, but the goals on the periphery really drove me forward. I found characters I wanted to help, and some I wanted to outright reject, until the story behind the scenes forced my hand in my quest for answers. It strikes an outstanding balance between cheeky humour, vibrant scenery, challenging puzzles, and a seedy underbelly. Whether you hold reverence for the genre they're parodying or not, The Crush House delivers a well-crafted and fully realized gamification of America's least favorite TV shows, silliness and all.

I went into this game looking forward to medically treating the undead. Playing this game makes me want to join the undead. If you're looking for a good management game, there are plenty of better options out there. I'm not sure if there are many worse ones, however...

If you're looking for a serious, story-driven shooter, look elsewhere. But if you want a hilarious, action-packed experience that lets you channel your inner rage through the power of your foot, then Anger Foot is the perfect game to kick back and relax with (by which I mean unleash a torrent of destruction, but you get the idea). The range of enemies, the collection of shoes with their various special abilities and the speedrun component of Anger Foot will keep players heading back for more stomping fun.

You'd expect a game with this kind of play time to be a narrative experience pumped out of a game jam, but there's little-to-no reason to add this brawler to the growing list of multiplayer options. And while a lot of OutRage: Fight Fest's faults don't necessarily rest at the feet of the developers, they'll certainly feel the effects. This is a multiplayer-only game, and unless you have a large group of friends to sync up with, the lack of a community has a distinctly negative effect on the gameplay experience. All the music, flashy lights, and simple but recognizable art can only take it so far. Any potential favor earned by foregoing monetization was burned before its day showed up on the calendar. There's a possibility, however slight, that a turnaround happens. Again, the foundation remains solid enough, but built on top of it is a Lincoln Log cabin for an audience of a handful.

This is a game that is crying out for either a more sparsely populated map with more deliberate encounters al la Breath of the Wild, or a more fast-paced hack-and-slash combat system.

Operation Memories is fairly simple, and the gameplay loop of photos and minigames can certainly feel repetitive after a while - particularly with a lot of the music feeling similar throughout the game and other aspects that feel a bit too repetitive. There isn't much to the game, so with a standard price of $50 USD even some of the biggest Spy x Family fans may wait for a sale to pick this one up. It cannot be said, however, that the game is lacking charm by any means, with the written dialogue demonstrating the entertainment of these characters and how they can bounce off of each other thanks to how big most of the personalities in the show can be. Completing this photo diary may feel like a slog, but for an anime fan waiting for a next season of one of their favourites, it might be just what they need in short bursts!

To be upfront, this by no means is the best thing that has been released to the heisting genre, but having said that, it is also not the worst *cough Payday 3 cough*. Crime Boss has a lot to offer and is fairly priced unlike a lot of the games we see today. Players also need to keep in mind that Crime Boss is receiving continuous support and improvements with 4 major updates planned for the future. The one thing that lets this game down is the writing and poor NPC design. If you are looking into purchasing Crime Boss, I would recommend getting a friend to tag along with you, as the solo gameplay loop can get boring very fast. With how dedicated InGame Studious is towards this title, I have no doubt it is going to get better over time, but currently, there is a lot of refining that needs to be done.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game is wonderfully faithful in its aesthetic ties to the original IP. However as a game on its own merits, it struggles to give players the tools they need to learn and grow from the outset, and the inherently overly-sophisticated nature of its core gameplay loop, along with the limited roster of playable maps, lead to great concern over its potential longevity from here on out. I'm personally rooting for the developers at illFonic, as they seem an extremely passionate and talented team. However, sometimes hard truths need to be said, and Killer Klowns is going to have to work harder to prove that they warrant players' hard-earned money.

It's not terribly surprising that the story of Morbid: The Lords of Ire is on the sparse side, after all, Dark Souls' story is likewise slim at least in terms of cut-scenes and specific plot developments. However, I think that Morbid may be taking things in an altogether too extreme direction. Seriously, after you deal the death blow to the game's final boss, the screen fades to black and the credits start to roll. Not even a "A Winner is You" screen, just darkness and credits. Sure you can go back to the hub world and listen to the guy with the imposingly deep voice congratulate you, but really after the whole ordeal, I was expecting something a little bit more in the way of a conclusion.

Shadow of the Erdtree is not just the best DLC of the year so far, one of the best DLCs ever, one of the best gaming experiences of the year. It is also one of the best gaming experiences ever. It also, not for nothing, did the impossible: it returned the feeling of playing Elden Ring for the first time, for the last time.

Prior to the games being bundled together in what is appropriately called the Final Mix, it was almost comical trying to keep track of everything Kingdom Hearts, with six games across four separate consoles (and that's without counting future games, to boot!), but this was fortunately resolved with this remastered repackaging of the games that were originally released for the PS4 in 2017. With a base pricing of $50 USD on Steam, Kingdom Hearts 1.5+2.5 ReMIX is a fantastic way to finally get into a much beloved RPG series, with several dozens of hours of content that make for a delightful experience. The games are cheesy and charming in the best ways, so long as you're a gamer that doesn't mind a healthy dose of cheesiness. There is a distinct reputation for being complicated plot-wise, but often that's exaggerated for comedic effect. The series is very enjoyable with amusing stories and satisfying combat, so if anyone has been interested but has yet to have an opportunity, now is as good a time as any to get into the franchise!

I really wanted to enjoy Fabledom. It certainly has a certain appeal when you first jump in and immerse yourself in its most fundamental mechanics as well as its beautiful aesthetics. Unfortunately, at present, the actual gameplay loop stops being entertaining after the first hour or two. If you're at that point now and see that you're just under the two-hour mark, take my advice and throw yourself at the mercy of Steam's mostly-automated refund process. There's a great game to be found somewhere here in Fabledom's DNA, but its current plethora of bugs and odd gameplay decisions make it an extremely hard sell as is.

It's clear to me that Still Wakes the Deep is about the journey and not the destination, and I do think that journey is thrilling and worth your time.

I can attest to the fact that TM24 basically does look and play the same as last year’s version, but the new edition comes with much more that you can't see on the outside. It's kind of like buying a new car that looks a lot like last year’s model in that you don't notice the difference until you start the engine and race off with a big smile on your face! Yes, you are still building an academy and training tennis players; however, with the enhanced athlete training, match animation improvements, opposing player AI upgrade, the enhanced game customization options and the new Fantasy Court feature, it really does make for a good argument to go out and purchase the new model instead of driving the old one around for another year. With that said, I give the new Tennis Manager 24 a two thumbs up rating.

Empires of the Undergrowth is not a perfect RTS game, but it's about as close as you can get. With the multiple layers of gameplay and strategy packaged up in this charming and thoughtful box (or formicarium), no two matches or missions feel quite the same, giving you more reasons to return. A modern RTS effort should absolutely incentivize reasons to play the game, ways to discover and implement new things, and avoid the pitfalls of monetization, and that's exactly what we have here. There are moments when things don't feel entirely in your control, and there are times when understanding the minutiae of which side is winning a particular battle can be murky due to the clipping and overlapping bodies vying for position, but they're balanced out by how small-scale those problems are. Like a few bugs in the garden, you really have to pick nits to classify them as problematic. In a genre as diverse, contentious, and beloved as this, I think there are elements here for just about anyone, if they're willing to give it the chance, because Empires of the Undergrowth is a real-deal classic RTS modernized.

There is so much to say about Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, but I'll spare you all the nitty-gritty details about the improvements, both big and small. If I did, this review would become a novel. What I will say is that if you were on the fence about SMT V, or if you loved it, Vengeance is the best way to go. Not only does it fix issues with the original, but the sheer amount of added content is reason alone to pick up this title. Hopefully, Vengeance will put the Megami Tensei name back in the spotlight, right alongside its spinoff.

In all, Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip is a short but enjoyable sandbox with a decent amount to do. The art design and humor may not be for everyone, but this reviewer can happily say that it makes for a very fun experience!

Minor quibbles aside, Horizon Chase 2 is a fantastic arcade racer that delivers exactly what it promises: pure, unadulterated fun. If you're yearning for the days of Outrun or Daytona USA or simply want a fast-paced, pick-up-and-play racing experience, then Horizon Chase 2 is a must-have. With simple controls, the pumping mix of synthwave and electronic beats that play in the background, racing in a variety of locations, and the opportunity to play on the couch with four players locally, ensures that Horizon Chase 2 is a fun party racer for all ages. It might not be the deepest game on the block, but it's enough to keep you coming back for that next adrenaline rush.

With how short Pine Hearts is, players should be able to make the trip to the summit after only about three or so hours, give or take a little bit for exploring the environs or potentially tracking down the last few items to complete a quest. With no time limit, health, or other stakes that could endanger Tyke's trek up the mountain, Pine Hearts makes for an enjoyable and short experience that players may find themselves revisiting in order to take in the delightful sound design and beautiful art. The only complaints this reviewer had during his time up the mountain were only minor inconveniences at worst, and don't take away from the enjoyable experience of this game. If you're a gamer that enjoys short but enjoyable journeys, then you may be interested in climbing to the peak of Pine Hearts.

This game, despite being suitable for all ages, will not be for everyone. If you enjoy seated VR gameplay I think this is a must to add to your library. But if you are into FPS VR games or play in an area with minimal space, this is a hit or miss. I enjoyed the experience it offered as it was a nice change from my regular sweaty gaming sessions. The game takes around 7 hours to complete giving you a few good sessions, however, the replayability of some levels and attempting to hit high scores add to its value.