A short, sweet tale, which you’ll enjoy mostly for its delightful visuals and enchanting soundtrack. The overt homages to The Legend of Zelda can sometimes feel more like blatant imitation than respectful tribute, and we wish there was a little more punchiness to the combat, but developers Cornfox Bros demonstrate competent game design here, and Oceanhorn subsequently represents one of the better mobile to console ports out there right now.

Volume is a solid game. Its new-age telling of a certified classic is intelligently done. Its gameplay shines every now and then, but is overall lacking during most scenarios. Yet still, it is recommended if you are a fan of stealth and puzzles.

Sinister, intriguing, and a little too much like Portal.

While I have to tip my hat to Housemarque for trying something different, Matterfall feels more like a side project than a proper release in the developer’s esteemed lineage of twin-stick shooters. The controls lack the same level of slick polish, the main experience is short, and there’s little to keep you coming back.

Midnight Murder Club is fun, if flawed, with all the makings of a cult hit, but a live service game needs to be more than culty.

The case in favor of Pathfinder: Kingmaker comes with an overwhelming series of excuses. Epic quest lines exist, but a boring second act hampers them. The kingdom management shows unique advancement, but it houses nasty unresolvable events that result in a game over.

Most of Paranormal’s additions should have otherwise been found in the other similar packs or at the least been enhanced as a stand-alone pack. The grammatical errors encountered didn’t help the pack feel any less rushed, either.

Fairy Fencer F Advent Dark Force is a deceptively simple game housing some deep customization options. It’s easy to get into if you’re new to the series, while veterans will no doubt enjoy all of the new content that’s been padded on. While it no doubt caters to a certain audience, Fairy Fencer F Advent Dark Force does show both promise and potential in the niche market.

The tediousness of exploration, battle, and menus really bog down Operation Babel, in spite of what the game does well.

It’s difficult to ignore the lacking story and largely dead play areas. If you’re a fan of Dragon Ball in general you’ll find smiles and some fun here, but if you’re looking for an amazing RPG experience, you may want to look elsewhere.

The puzzles are very simple and the set-up and plot have all been done before. The lovingly-crafted animation, uncluttered play, and warm, sharply-written characters could have converged onto a winner here. Sadly, though, there is the distinct feeling that Pewter Games have made a test balloon, a game that teases something bigger yet to come. For all the fondness you might have for it, when the credits roll after what feels like the end of part one, the game is regrettably very aptly named.

At the end of the day, it’s hard to say whether Serious Sam: Tormental deserves your time and attention. As a twin-stick shooter, it’s designed well and works to provide enjoyable gameplay for anyone looking for something simple. But when compared to its peers, it’s just not that special or unique that would warrant an extended amount of time spent on it, even if you happened to be a big Serious Sam fan.

The allies mechanic rarely feels like it’s enhancing the gameplay, and at times, drags it down.

True to Revelations 2’s nature of throwing more questions than answers at you since its debut episode, the player is still left with too many mysteries even at the very end.

If you’re looking for a very simple, very low-key game you can dabble in for a few minutes each day, then sure, Cozy Grove might be up your alley. Just don’t expect much depth or nuance in the way of gameplay here.

If you enjoy a challenging platformer, The King’s Bird will test your limits. Even if you don’t, it is at least important to note what the indie title is able to accomplish with its physics. Still, a lacking progression system, threading the needle difficulty, and bad camera work currently hold The King’s Bird back from being a great game, and it is instead merely a good one.

If you have an interest in a slot machine style game with an added bit of strategy, then definitely give this one a spin. It’s a slick game that will certainly keep your attention. But, if you dislike repetitive gameplay, which is more random than not, it’s probably best to pass.

Sure, fans of the television show will enjoy it, but considering it never really took off in the US, Doraemon Story of Seasons likely won’t appeal to too many gamers, unless you’re direly in need of any farm simulation game to fill the void.

The gameplay was pretty much the only reason why I was able to make it all the way to the true ending. But if you’re looking for a good story, oh boy, you’re not going to find it here. Here’s what you’re guaranteed to get with this game: engaging gameplay and an overall soulless story, filled with equally soulless characters.

Its core gameplay is fun, and the talent of the developers shines through in spite of problems which I’ll get to, but it’s apparent that there wasn’t anyone with enough weight on the team to hold the game up a bit and add key, modern touches that need to be included in a game that wants to survive in the hyper competitive multiplayer market.

Fans of the series will still be able to glean some enjoyment from seeing a classic title brought into the modern age, but everyone else won’t have much reason to dive into this flawed remake.

If you’re willing to accept The Crew 2 for the buggy, unsure of itself game that it is, there is some fun to be had, but its lagging far behind the competition at this point.

Of course, other aspects of those goals fall short. The mini-games are not too exciting and a lot of the other life sim aspects feel like an afterthought because it takes so long to unlock them. Not to mention the bugs you’ll run into along the way that also bring down the experience. It’s hard to deny that the ideas behind Potion Permit are great, but it doesn’t quite reach the level where the gameplay becomes truly captivating.

The Walking Dead: Michonne is off to a decent start with plenty of room for improvement. Most of the new characters may feel like zombie fodder, but they’ve got some interesting personalities that will be fun to follow. Plus, Michonne may be immortal in the game, but that doesn’t mean she won’t get banged up along the way through both physically and mentally demanding trials.

This is a decent start to The Dark Pictures Anthology, but at the end of the day, I really do feel that Supermassive could have done just a bit of a better job at polishing up the issues and tying up the plot a little better.

I can only recommend it if you’re looking for a new farming/harvesting simulator, specifically. And even then I want you to temper your expectations a bit, at that.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a walking, talking contradiction. On one hand, there’s the quality expected from Rocksteady: stunning visuals across the board, well-written characters, and a desire to push the narrative boat out for comic adaptions, while on the other it’s shackled by a GaaS model that leaves you ultimately feeling unsatisfied.

Reforged will never be the celebration of one of gaming’s most beloved IPs that it should have been, which is all rather depressing. As is the fact that despite the fun that I’ve had playing Warcraft 3: Reforged and for how it has reminded me what an incredibly influential and brilliant game it is, there’s no way I could recommend anyone outside of the absolute hardcore Warcraft fanbase to purchase it.

I do find Nintendo World Championship: NES Edition to be a fun distraction and a half-decent party game. Local multiplayer is obviously more exciting than playing alone but joining the weekly championships is fun too. The weekly challenges are engaging as is the Survival Mode. I just wish it included Red Racer too, or at the very least Tetris. If the game entices you purely for the NES nostalgia then you're golden, but if you are looking for a recreation of the 1990 championships then this isn't the title for you.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Rebirth;2 has a lot of heart, but it lacks finesse in its attempt to get players to see the ‘bigger picture’ in the game.

Tokyo Xanadu has a few quirks here and there, but I still had a fun time battling Greeds and bonding with my in-game friends. Despite the obvious flaws in its plot, Tokyo Xanadu more than makes up for it with its fast-paced action and combat system. If you want to dust off your Vita and play a new action RPG, I would recommend picking up the game.

Ultimately, Pro Cycling Manager 2016 is a good game for a very select demographic. If you’re a cycling fan with an analytical mind and didn’t pick up the 2015 version, you may get your money’s worth. Otherwise, though, the game fails to build on past entries and is decidedly too detail-oriented to appeal to a wider audience.

BELOW held a series of incredible highs and depressing lows, and harbored several unlovable mechanics. But its tense environment and enchanting ambiance kept the experience alive to the very end for me.

I’m excited for the inevitable second series so I can go saving the galaxy with the Guardians once more. However, Telltale really needs to up its game in making these decisions feel more consequential if its experiences are going to keep with the times.

Roller Coaster Tycoon Adventures lacks the replay value and challenge to have much worth outside those two scenarios, especially when compared to modern competition like Planet Coaster and Parkitect.

Outside of some enemies with more health, Age of Resistance never asks much of the player in terms of Tactics.

In short, this game feels very much like a stepping stone on the way to a better Demon Slayer game in the future — one with a wider variety of playable characters, more new combat features, and a longer storyline that can afford to cut out filler moments that pad the experience.

Hellpoint is absolutely a game to try out if you’re a fan of the Souls-like genre and especially Bloodborne. Its stunning aesthetic alone should grab your interest. However, the game unfortunately falls short of being truly amazing due to several unpolished elements.

There is a very promising kernel at the core of Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. With some more game mode variety, some basic controller and accessibility options, and a stable player base, I could see it being a great alternative to other live-service games. It just isn’t quite there yet.

Dangerous Driving is undeniably fun. Taking out other racers at 200mph always will be insanely enjoyable and Three Fields has taken full advantage of Burnout nostalgia. However, underwhelming crash physics, poorly balanced AI racers, and some technical problems keep their game from being the modernization of Criterion’s classic that fans hoped it would be.

The best parts of Amalur are still intact, but with the caveats of the visual bugs, outdated look, and endless sprinting, you’ll need to keep those rose-colored glasses on for the entire playthrough.

Anyone that has been dying to play the series or doesn’t mind a standard graphic novel will probably enjoy playing The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind. New players may also enjoy it, but don’t be too surprised if you find its guessing game gameplay to be too frustrating to enjoy things.

Anyone that has been dying to play the series or doesn’t mind a standard graphic novel will probably enjoy playing The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind. New players may also enjoy it, but don’t be too surprised if you find its guessing game gameplay to be too frustrating to enjoy things.

I found myself feeling pretty ambivalent towards Tower of Fantasy. I appreciated its focus on multiplayer activities, but ultimately, Tower of Fantasy wants to be a story-driven MMORPG with an immersive open-world for players to get lost in, and it just isn’t that. After finally getting past the honeymoon period of being wowed by its sun-soaked environments, it became clear that Tower of Fantasy is pretty much all style, with little substance. It’s a fun romp, and certainly one of the better mobile MMOs out right now, but in the grand scheme of things, there isn’t quite enough polish or engaging quest content to keep me coming back for more.

a satisfying strategy experience with a ton of replayability, and factions that feel truly distinct. Its randomly generated maps can feel so organic you might think they were hand-crafted. It has a bevy of minor issues, however, like a cumbersome UI and stilted animations, and its lack of tactical depth on the battle map leaves it feeling like a game from a decade ago.

Trek to Yomi feels like a victim of its own cinematic inspirations and artistic ambitions. While satisfying at times, the combat is ultimately pretty one-note and begins to outstay its welcome by the time you’ve reached the end of Hiroki’s journey. I’m a sucker for artistically driven indie experiences, but there’s got to be some strong gameplay forming a foundation for it, and I can’t say I overly enjoyed my time accompanying Hiroki on his quest for vengeance.

If you're a fan of the genre, you'll probably have some fun with this, but it's hardly the revelation that the decision-based, narrative-driven genre feels like it so desperately needs.

Spectra creates a short yet enjoyable experience that mostly makes up for its visual sameness with the great supporting soundtrack.

While I’m a fan of nostalgic throwbacks, this title isn’t bringing much that’s new or innovative to the genre.

Hardcore fans of the original game may find some fun here, but those who have played more comprehensive farming sims from recent years, like Stardew, don’t expect it to keep your attention for too long.

I can’t help but feel that there just wasn’t enough time to fully flesh this expansion out. Maybe updates will utilize the new space and we’ll remember the Curse of Osiris era more fondly over time. If you just want more Destiny 2, Curse of Osiris is a serviceable expansion. But right now, Destiny 2 doesn’t need more stuff, it needs a shakeup of its DNA, and Curse of Osiris doesn’t deliver in that regard.

NBA Playgrounds scratches that arcade basketball itch we’ve had since NBA Jam. The gameplay and progression are simple and fun to mess around with but unbalanced power-ups and a shallow online multiplayer offering keep it from being as consistently fun as the classics.

If you want a pretty easy anime game with a fun story and an honestly very easy platinum, this game is for you, but it is hard to recommend outside of a preexisting base of Fairy Tail fans.

It introduced western players to the surprisingly deep combat that overseas arcades and consoles have enjoyed for some time. Unfortunately, the core was marred by the inclusion of a single-player campaign that could’ve done with a bit a more time and polish.

Meridian: Squad 22 is a worthy effort by Elder Games and a good choice for anyone who is new to the genre and wants to experience a real-time strategy game for the first time without having to burn a hole in their pocket.

When there are games out there like Rez and Geometry Wars that reinvent that chassis, it’s difficult to play something like Xenoraid and feel… well, much at all.

For all it has to offer, The Last Remnant Remastered is still the same adventure longtime fans still know and love. Its visual upgrades and other changes make it the best version to play, but its lackluster plot and complex combat system might turn others away.

Deracine has a world worth seeing, but it’s not likely to stick with you once you’ve left.

Ashen feels like it’s trying to be too many things at once, and perhaps because of that, it ends up tasting like a bland pot of soup without any punchy flavors to really catch your attention.

If you can pick up Maquette from free as March 2021’s PlayStation Plus title, it’s difficult to argue against. But if you’re looking to pay full price for this 3-hour puzzler, you’re money’s better spent elsewhere.

In the end, Zamarian does a fine job at being what it sets out to be. The unique perspective and gameplay are just enough to make it worth a look for genre fans, and while there’s some room for improvement with regards to the interface, it’s not the worst design I’ve seen.

Action-oriented or easily frustrated players, however, would do well to turn elsewhere. Sym, despite the simplistic look and play, is not for the faint of heart.

It has the unlockables and online functionality of its modern contemporaries, while sticking to its roots and showing us that a good game can still be a good game, even after all these years.

Shay is an interesting character, offering a maturity we haven’t seen much of in the series, his story is engaging, and the naval combat is still great fun, but none of it is enough to counter the frustrations that we thought the Assassin’s Creed series had left behind.

It is, without a doubt, the crown jewel of Naughty Dog’s catalog, but for now, I’d hold off for a bit if you’re thinking about picking it up on PC. Fantastic game, but maybe wait for a patch or two to smooth things over first.

It’s chess with Space Marines and Orks, and a few twists in the title game mode.

For a few rounds, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is a great party game. The events themselves are varied and fun to play but the story mode that’s the draw for lone players moves along at a snail’s pace.

Immortals of Aveum, in some areas, is a major success. A wonderfully crafted and frequently beautiful word is the perfect backdrop to enjoy its excellent combat system that’s as detailed as it is spellbinding. In others, it’s a frustrating case of overly-complex lore, a mediocre cast and a borderline dislikable protagonist. The result is a game that’s fun, if some way off as emotionally investing as it could – and maybe should – have been.

Its messages certainly resonated with me but its gameplay lacked the variety to truly keep me hooked for lengthier sessions. If you're looking for a chill experience and can overlook any performance issues that aren't quite resolved by the time you pick it up, then Sable will deliver. I just can't help shake the feeling of missed potential here.

If you’re already a fan of vehicle simulation games, you’ll likely still get a kick out of this one, despite its flaws.

Landing combos, and zipping around the sandbox is amusing enough, and the game’s progression systems offer the usual RPG hook. But overall it’s a case of light entertainment and not truly innovative design.

Overall, I do not think that The Devil in Me is boring by any means, but it is also not nearly as impressive as I would expect a season finale to be.

Overall, this game is a charming mystery story that’s a little disappointing in its execution. If only looked at through the view that it is a child’s game, it is slightly better. My fear would be the conversations are possibly too drawn out for smaller children to engage with. If you absolutely love Pokémon more than anything or are between the ages of 5 and 12, it might be worth a play through.

It’s pretty minimal in its design, difficult to get into, and a bit cumbersome to navigate. I’ll freely admit that, on my first few plays, I planned on giving it a pretty low score. As I played a bit more, though, it began to grow on me and the frustration faded as I learned pilot, manage resources, and make use of upgrades and consumables.

Episode four’s finale has me eager to jump into the finale and face what comes Javi and the group’s way, but I really hope Telltale nails down the pacing for episode five. A slow chapter can be forgiven, but three consecutive bad chapters really weakened an episode that had far more potential. Sure, it’s an investment for the payoff, but its closing moments aren’t enough for the 90 minutes of buildup prior.

Mother Russia Bleeds is a rose-tinted callback to the genre’s giants. Playing the game, you will be reminded of the time spent in youth playing Final Fight, and Streets of Rage. However, you will also be reminded of how one note those games truly were, and how it was more than just graphics that advanced as hardware did.

Rime has the potential to be so much more than it actually is. It’s got stunning presentation, an intriguing world, and some neat ideas. However, all of this is overshadowed by the more mundane puzzles and glaring technical issues that come with it. While Rime may well have looked to some of the modern greats for inspiration, it’ll struggle to be remembered for half as long.

Coming off the first game, the hope was that the sequel would expand upon the hardcore stealth mechanics, and it would have worked a treat with Aragami 2’s larger levels. The increase in co-op partners make for more ways to have fun, and being able to see how certain groups tackle things silently or with all-out mayhem could have given the community more to strive for. The new direction in Aragami 2 is not a bad thing at all, considering the general quality present, but perhaps giving players the option between this new style and the old would have made this sequel a more complete package worth killing for.

The Surge is a game you’ll play for its innovative targeting system and fun combat. If you’re still mourning the end of the Dark Souls series and are yearning for more punishing, action-heavy games, this should help to alleviate some of that pain. The exploration bits aren’t bad if you’ve got the patience for it, but the level and enemy designs could use a bit more work. Overall, The Surge is a huge step up from Deck13’s last outing, but there’s still quite a ways to go before it can become something truly special.

It may not have the depth of some of its genre, it makes up for it with the approachable gameplay and plentiful replay value.

If you want to rush through Uncanny Valley you won’t get the full experience. One play through is not enough to learn the ins and outs of the town, how to accomplish specific objectives, and what the story is really trying to convey. It’s a unique adventure game that delves into a twisted psyche and tells a twisted, unhinged narrative with simple yet effective art that leaves enough to the imagination to keep some of the horror intact. The only major issue is with the repetitive nature of the game.

Since there’s no online play, and the single-player options are very limited, it’s tough to see most of today’s gamers getting their money’s worth out of this one.

Offering some exciting couch co-op action, this one will definitely produce some laughs and good times, but the lack of variety in the controls limit the differences in the game modes, which is only accentuated by the bare-bones single-player offerings.

The PC version’s main problem is that it’s a straight port. They needed to change something in order to optimize the screen and controls for the hardware.

If you hadn’t previously been enticed by the quartet of Genesis classics, you are unlikely to be swayed now. In a vacuum, this is fun and gratifying DLC for a certain breed of loyal hedgehog fan, whereas the remainder of consumers may be decidedly non-plussed.

Ultimately, the lack of a gripping story or any standout characters strips a bit too much from the experience. It’s a solid effort that opens up more possibilities for first-person action, but without the highs a strong narrative could have afforded the game, it is left feeling a bit bare.

It has the challenging combat and wacky humor that you’d expect, and the story is top-notch. Also, who can pass up on a chance to see Majima while he’s still relatively sane? If you’ve never tried one, it may be a bit weird to you at first, but if you’re willing to wade through it all, there’s an enjoyable experience to be had.

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead doesn't have enough innovation to prevent it from running out of steam in its final hours, though it does a solid job of replicating the franchise's thesis in video game form.

All told, when Layers of Fear (2023) is firing on all cylinders, it feels like a genuinely mind-bending thrill ride as pathways behind you twist and contort in the blink of an eye. These qualities are best exemplified in the lithe and tight debut title. That said, what truly flies in the face of the collection’s overall charms is its uneven storytelling, repetitive puzzles, and buggy technical performance. In essence, much like the fractured psyches of the artists that form the soul of these vignettes, Bloober Team’s latest collection is simultaneously beautiful, fascinating, and deeply, profoundly… aggravating.

It is fan service at its best and there is absolutely no harm in that. Unfortunately it is slightly bogged down by the weight of one of its largest features. The hub world of Toki-Toki city is a great idea that serves its purpose but adds a bit of clunkiness that makes getting to the fun bits a bit of a chore. And fun is something that should never feel like a chore.

The Outer Worlds’ Murder on Eridanos DLC is the epitome of a mixed bag. For all of its high points, there are flaws and missteps which keep it from reaching the heights it otherwise could have. There’s still fun to be had with it, but any who go into the expansion should be ready for some headaches in equal measure.

If you’re hungry for more of that classic gameplay that involves backtracking, hunting down statues and keys to solve cryptic puzzles, and exploring enclosed spaces with fantastic horror movie camera angles, Resident Evil 0 will satisfy that hunger. It’s a wonderful Resident Evil game with a few drawbacks. But even though it has been remastered with so much love and care, it’ll still be that one game in the series that people eventually forget about.

The Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is an enigma. It represents the easiest way of allowing a new generation of gamers to experience a revered series, but it also happens to consist of one amazing game in Ninja Gaiden Sigma, an okay offering in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and an absolute abomination that is Razor’s Edge. Depending on your appetite for punishment, it might just be worth getting the collection just to experience the first two games, while the third is better off being missed.

As an entry that’s meant to celebrate the series’ 20th birthday, Tales of Zestiria could have used a little more polish. As it stands, combat is fun but it needs to be streamlined a little more, along with the gear management system. The story may not quite be up to snuff, but longtime Tales fans will find a lot to love in the characters themselves. And hey, at least the opening song’s pretty dope too.

Everything outside of that core combat feels so wishy-washy and uninteresting, that I can’t recommend Jump Force to anyone that doesn’t have an immediate interest in anime. If these characters have been a huge part of your life, or you’re familiar with a few of the series, you’ll definitely enjoy it, but go in with some lowered expectations.

There’s still some hope for Payday fans if the servers and gameplay continue to improve. My only desire is to add an offline mode and more missions to make it feel more fleshed out for the base game.

It’s a good game, a few sandwiches short of a great one.

Giant Squid Studios clearly wants Abzu to be as evocative of an experience as Journey, and while I enjoyed how calming it was, I ultimately found myself unsatisfied after my three-hour playthrough. The game’s world and setting is incredibly beautiful and atmospheric, but there just isn’t enough meat to the game to really sate your hunger.