There is a lot of crap to wade through in gaming today. So when something as special and fun as Horizon Chase Turbo comes along, I feel the need to shout it from the rooftops. If you grew up in arcades loving those classic sit-down racing games, this is one you need to play. I cannot wait to spend more time with it, and hope the devs get a chance to make more titles that rekindle my childhood nostalgia.

Leader boards and achievements drive the re-playability of Babel Rising.

I enjoy the campy, over-the-top antics of Frank West and the inclusion of the sandbox mode makes this game much more enjoyable in short bursts. My main issues lie with the fact that this is the fourth game this year to be released under the DR2 label. There is a great package here for the price, just be sure you are not burnt out on the series before taking the plunge.

A fun romp that fans of action games will enjoy. If you have already visited the town of Willamette there is little reason to return, but if this is your first experience you will not be disappointed.

Overall, this collection is not bad; I just feel if you have wanted to play these games, you have already done so. If you haven't, and you want to play some old school hack and slash with a friend, or you are the leaderboard chasing kind of person, there is a decent amount of content here for the ten dollar price of admission. They could have botched this re-release, but this time SEGA has released a more standout update that it has done in the past, and we can certainly thank them for that.

Sure it is aimless, frankly quite off-the-wall-zany, and definitely a little repetitive but it also manages to be kind of fun.

It certainly isn’t genre defining, but it is a solid effort into a market that is by and large untapped.

Well, if you play these games solely for the campaign, skip it and find a YouTube playthrough. The narrative experience is just too short and doesn’t do anything really new and exciting. Modern Warfare 3 ended up turning out how most feared and that is it just feels like a DLC with the developers focusing on the nostalgia of MW2 instead of pushing the genre and game forward.

With a full explorable River City, a story with multiple endings and the surprise Double Dragon fighting game; there is a lot on offer in Rivals Showdown. Unfortunately, it’s held back by an overly repetitive soundtrack which will start to grate on one’s nerves, and some very uneven combat until the late game. These games are usually good for some fun beat-em up action but it takes so long for this entry to hit its stride with the combat that by the end I was just running on auto pilot. I think there is a lot here for fans to discover but this isn’t going to bring in any new fans, especially when the last two entries in the River City Saga were much better.

Arctic Awakening is a solid mid-tier narrative adventure that doesn’t overstay its welcome. It nails atmosphere, gives you a memorable companion, and packages everything into a format that’s easy to pick up and finish. It won’t wow you with innovation, and it’s not going to become a genre-defining classic, but it doesn’t need to. If you’re craving the loneliness and mystery of Firewatch but with a colder, stranger backdrop, this is a good pick. If you admire The Long Dark but bounced off its punishing survival mechanics, Arctic Awakening might hit the sweet spot. It’s a game that feels like spending a weekend in the cold; you won’t stay forever, but while you’re there, it’s an experience worth having.

Excite Truck offers plenty to see and do and is just flat out fun at times. The lack of a solid multi-player component is the game’s worst enemy, but if Nintendo manages to fix that this could easily become a staple franchise for the company.

There is a lot to like about Doreamon: Story of Seasons; the characters and the world they live in are well defined and a joy to experience. However, the game doesn’t push the genre forward in any way, and even takes the odd step back. But fans of the Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons franchise will definitely have a great time, as will fans of the anime.

Ravenlok feels like the culmination of all the work this team has done using voxel tech. It is a beautiful game, one that evokes images of various Disney/Pixer type worlds and just as vivid. Each of the worlds offer side quests and various characters to interact with that was all enjoyable. Aside from the easy combat I enjoyed my time with Ravenlok and if you are looking for a quick fantasy adventure, I can’t recommend it enough.

Aside from the repetitive enemies and locations, I enjoyed my time with Inkbound. It’s a different breed of rogue game, one that not only allows for layers upon layers of strategy with how players can approach each battle but the inclusion of 4 player co-cp makes for even greater strategizing with friends. With a whimsical graphical style and a great soundtrack to match, Inkbound can for sure be a fun game, if you are alright with fighting the same types of enemies again and again.

WWE 2K Battlegrounds is a fun romp that I enjoyed a lot more than I anticipated I would. Again, take it with a grain of salt as I am not a wrestling fan anymore. This reminded me of the more friendly spectacle of past games like WWE Arcade and Superstars. I wish there were more legends to be found and the models weren’t so creepy at times, but as a whole this is the best use of the license in years.

Penarium is a great title that channels that addictive nature of “just one more” in its game play. It is just challenging enough to keep me coming back, and forgiving enough to annoy me at times.

Even with its missteps, I really enjoyed Need for Speed. It tried to return to form in some aspects and it really scratched that itch I was looking for with a car customization game.

The games are still great, and for any newcomers to SEGA or just games in general I say buy this to experience these titles because it’s the most forgiving any of these games have been. As an archival look at SEGA’s glory days though this is yet another fumble and I can’t wholeheartedly recommend it, especially when a more complete collection has been available on Steam for years and was updated to share the same features as the console release (and it has more games in it).

Need for Speed Undercover is a solid if not predictable step for the series. The lack of difficulty and frame rate issues are at the top of the list of its problems, but if you are a fan it is worth checking out.

For those who may have wandered away from Destiny 2, the choice on Forsaken may come down to whether or not friends are jumping in. For newcomers, the Destiny 2 Legendary Collection is $60 and includes the base game and all expansions to this point, which is a ton of content for an enjoyable if flawed shooter.

If you are looking for a good musical game and don’t want to spend 90 bucks, Boom Boom Rocket is worth checking out.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure HD is exactly what it set out to be; a re-release of one of the most obscure fighting games of our time. The price is really ridiculous, and obviously set to take advantage of the rare group of players who really want the game.

At the end of the day, Rising Tide accomplishes precisely what it needed to for the Civilization franchise: it provides a good reason for those players who drifted away to potentially jump back into Beyond Earth, and it provides a timely injection of new content for those players who needed something more to continue sticking around.

Hyrule Warriors Legends feels rough in several areas, and most of it is likely due to the hardware constraints of Nintendo’s handheld. There is simply too much going on at a time for the little system to keep things in order.

The Splatters is a solid game that simply didn't capture my attention. That doesn't mean it won't capture yours. I highly recommend checking out the demo and deciding if this is your type of puzzle game. On a strictly functional level, the game does everything right, and it does it well. It is hard to fault a game that has nothing structurally nothing wrong, but to me, The Splatters just lacked that magic to make it my next addiction.

Road 96: Mile 0 wasn’t a very long game at all but I mostly enjoyed what I played. As I said it’s a prequel so I know there are things that I would have appreciated more had I played the original; that being said those fans looking forward to this will find a decently developed game. No real bugs are issues other than the juggling of the tone of the game, the rollercoaster ride of emotions wasn’t necessary in my opinion.

DS gamers looking for a fresh take on narrative and storytelling should definitely give this game a look, but be warned it is very text heavy. The blend of the two genres is a mixed bag.

Mutant Football League is a nice throwback to those games. The problems lie in that it feels sorely lacking in the presentation department. I would love to see it do well enough to improve upon the foundation, but for $20 it is hard not to recommend for fans that have nostalgia for those classic titles.

This is as close as we are going to get to a proper Dr. Mario sequel for a while, so while the prescription doesn’t cure all woes; it does help dull the pain.

This collection is more than worth the time even if the digital version feels incomplete. It was great revisiting these classic shooters all in one place. They are not as in-depth as other shooters, but are still a ton of fun. Definitely worth checking out for anyone that still clings to that classic genre.

In the end Sparklite feels like a game that could have been great, but ended up just being good. It leaned too heavily into shoehorning in mechanics that did not need to be there. With a little more focus and some expansion on its ideas it could have been something special. As it stands it is yet another pixelated indie game that I will enjoy experiencing, but be hard pressed to remember.

SoulCalibur V was a disappointment to me. Not because it lacked polish, but more because it felt like it didn't take any steps forward to advance the series. Everything here feels old-hat and reused. I was expecting more from a series that has defined itself over the years as being progressive. Still, if you are in it for the solid fighting mechanics and awesome create-a-fighter, this game has more than enough to warrant your purchase dollars. You could literally spend months online mastering the ins and outs of the system. If you were expecting the next evolution of the series, though, you might come away a little disappointed.

Even though I enjoyed the actual racing and especially the story campaign in Lego 2K Drive, but for me a player who loves to play online this game gives me pause. I don’t get a lot of time to spend on games between reviewing them, my kids and just life overall. So, sitting down to play and seeing my opponents all have super tricked out rides; I just know I am in for a loss. I don’t have an issue with microtransactions in games, but I do have an issue when players can just purchase power making it unfair for those who can’t or just won’t. If you plan on strictly playing Lego 2K Drive single player, there is a lot to enjoy here…. Even with the wonky drifting system.

It took me a while to really get the gameplay loop for Deadlink, I have played so many of these types of games and this one didn’t help things by having some confusing controls. But once I was able to wrap my head around everything, Deadlink is a pretty fun experience in small spurts. With a narrative that isn’t presented well in my opinion and a high difficulty level there really is no draw to spend hours in this world in one sitting; but in small spurts, I think fun can be found in Deadlink for some.

I love a lot of what Rift Rally is offering. There is a healthy amount of content and the setup is fairly painless. It is worth mentioning though this is not a cheap entry. The standard edition clocks in at $130 which feels steep for those only mildly interested. There is also a Collector’s Edition that comes with a special RC car, a Hot Wheels Die-Cast car, and a special unlockable car in the game for $150. The price is fair, but be sure you have the interest and more importantly the space before diving in.

Sonic: Lost World is a solid game that simply tries to do too much. The variety keeps things entertaining, but also frustrating at the same time. Still it is a step in the right direction. Wii U owners are starved for games, and this one is definitely one they should check out. It has its moments of brilliance, and is a treat for Sonic fans.

Still, for those looking for a punishing experience on console or PC, 1001 Spikes definitely delivers on that promise.

At $15, it is hard to wholeheartedly recommend a game that, while pleasantly quirky, alienates you, but there is no denying that underneath the bumpy mechanics is a game that aims to please.

Despite having some of the best combat I have seen in a 2D game and loving the dark and dreary art style I just couldn’t vibe with Have a Nice Death the same way I have with other games in the genre like Hades. While there are a few weapons to try and some combos to create with curses, It just never reached the same heights as the latter did for me. I will say that the writing here is top notch, and the commentary on display whether on purpose or not was genuinely funny. While I may not have loved this game personally, I do think there is a lot here for others to love not the least of which is the jingle that plays when Death spawns back in his office after having to RIP (Rest In Paperwork).

For the fans who are invested in the series there is a lot to find in Necrom, it even works if players have taken a break and want to jump back in. I fall on the latter side of things but as much as I enjoyed my time with the new class and in the new expansion, I don’t think I will be a full-time resident. It’s not that the game is bad at all, I just think the mission structure and all the ‘fetch quests’ to gain levels were a bit tedious for me. Necrom may be my ‘arrow in the knee’ as it stands for ESO. But that’s solely a me thing, I can say with some surety that long time fans of ESO are going to enjoy everything Necrom is bringing, and they can spend the next year thinking about the bombshell that is revealed during the story until the next expansion update.

From the simplified difficulty to a lack of online play it is clear the game was not designed for the hardcore. But what it does do is take a recognizable franchise and make it fun for the whole family, and in that it succeeds remarkably.

Wuchang has some neat ideas, but the inconsistent difficulty and confusing story really made it hard to enjoy a lot of times. Still, I love the world, and combat feels great and responsive. This is a solid effort from a first-time studio, and I think people who really enjoy the genre have yet another one they can get into. The campaign is long, clocking in at just under 50 hours with plenty more once credits roll. Fans will love it, but for those like me, this one doesn’t do enough to overcome my issues with the genre.

Even though AquaPazza isn’t the best looking or best playing game on the 2D fighter market, it’s worth a look if you’re in the mood for a weird, albeit entertaining experience.

Pacer is a good game on its own merits but it is nothing special, and when Wipeout HD Collection is still being sold for half the price of Pacer (and the other titles I mentioned at the beginning of this review are also less than Pacer) it is extremely hard to say this game that is just “good” is worth your money when competitors are out there for less. Pacer does not exist in a vacuum, and therefore I can not recommend it over other Wipeout inspired titles, which there is at least one on every current platform.

Rogue is a title that released at a terrible time and on consoles that a lot of people had already put in storage. It is nice to see this game get a second chance. It is a great entry in the series, and one that takes the story in places it had never gone. Mix it with the addictive sailing of Black Flag and I definitely recommend it to fans of the series. Don’t sleep on this title. It is definitely worth checking out.

This game is for the fans of comedy and slice of life anime series. You won't get high octane action, but you will get a decent RPG if you keep an open mind. It is very much a niche title that I would suggest for only anime fans and RPG players. I'll be the first to admit, this game is a huge improvement over the first game. I actually had a decent time playing Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2.

Avengers has the legs for a good games as a service model. It can stand on its own for a while, and with new content coming as soon as this month, it should keep things fresh. Now, that doesn’t mean monotony won’t set in, it most certainly does. Especially after finishing the best part of the game – the story missions. These types of games live and breathe on their player base and so far, it’s been alright. Only time will tell, and we’ll see how long Avengers is supported. While right now, Marvel’s Avengers is a good game that has a few issues here and there, but a fun time nonetheless, in a year’s time, it could very well be a great game with more varied content. There is most certainly the potential for that here. Let’s hope it actually happens.

Spintires: Mudrunner is an interesting game in a genre nobody knew existed. Believe it or not, there has been previous games in this series. It is a niche title landing at an inopportune time. Released when the flow of Fall releases are not flooding the market might have helped its chances. However, anyone who digs in is sure to find a gem buried underneath the mud.

Madden NFL 24 is a solid entry that simply doesn’t do enough to push it forward. I feel like EA really needs to take a year off, do a roster update, and build an entirely new game. This copy paste stuff continues to bring down the advancements made. It is wild that we say the same stuff every year and each year it rarely changes. Like most people though, I play it every time because there simply isn’t another option, and it isn’t a bad game, far from it, it just feels on cruise control. I want the game to get better, and it does, just not enough to warrant yearly iterations.

State of Decay 2 feels like a pretty run-of-the-mill sequel. It packs in more while refining less. The addition of co-op is great, I just wish they would have focused more on streamlining and cleaning up some of its technical issues. Still with this game free in Game Pass and only carrying a $30 price tag I feel like it lives up to expectations. For those that enjoyed the original game, this will certainly satisfy. For those that didn’t care for the original’s design, this sequel will not change your mind.

Starship Troopers: Extermination is an enjoyable game, but unless you plan on truly playing to follow its progress, I’d wait for the full release which hopefully also includes consoles.

Mario Golf Super Rush feels rushed. There are no bones about it. I feel like they could make it a great game over time with more content, but I worry the tail of this particular game won’t be as long as some other Nintendo titles. You wonder how much the pandemic was involved in its lack of content, but for the first time in a long time this feels like a $40 Nintendo game, and that just never happens.

Citizens of Space is a solid follow-up to a truly unique RPG experience. There is little else like it, especially on Xbox One. It is a game that can be played without having to worry about the first title and it is definitely worth the time. I just wish it took a little less of it. It feels padded in the places that make it drag on occasion, however the writing and performances pick up the slack, making this one diamond in the rough that should not be missed.

Hello Games achieved what they set out to do. They have crafted a massive galaxy of planets for players to explore. That feat is nothing short of extraordinary, and I think everyone who enjoys games should experience that. Whether you come out of it with a smile or a frown, it is entirely dependent on how much you are willing to put up with to explore a nearly endless galaxy.

Those who really liked Dishonored and want to try it again on the new systems can have a decent time with the Definitive Edition. People who missed out get a complete package, but need to keep in mind that this game is not easy, and manually saving after each section will become a priority while playing.

The Prisoning is an interesting and unique game and really goes a long way to justifying the return of Acclaim. It feels familiar enough, yet sprinkling in a host of flavor to make it stand out. I really enjoyed playing through the game. The boss fights are the highlight for sure, and I wish it was a bit more fleshed out, but this is a novel title that breaks the standard on several levels. Definitely worth checking out.

This is by far the game that should have been released originally, and even while the giant T-Rex fight is still ridiculous, I had a ton of fun slicing enemies in half as the original ninja warrior.

So long as the player expects nothing more from Xeodrifter than what it is very upfront about providing in terms of content, retro-aesthetic and gameplay, then it will be hard to feel disappointed after playing this game. It’s not perfect, but there is a sincerity here that is likely to charm even the most skeptical of gamers.

In the end AI3 will deliver to fans of the series; the obvious improvements are a welcome addition and the fast-paced combat and quest system is a nice diversion from other games in the genre.

Gravel is a fun game that I siphoned a lot of enjoyment out of during its brief stint. I wish online was more populated and I wish the single player was a bit more meaty, especially at full asking price. Still when it hits a deep sale Gravel is worth a look for those that enjoy the off-road arcade racing we used to be flooded with on consoles.

Dangerous Driving feels like the little engine that could. When it works, it is a fantastic experience. It felt like Burnout never left. The lack of music and compromised original consoles though really drags it down a notch. I wanted to love this game a lot more than I did, but as it stands it is an incredible throwback to the glory days of Burnout racing. I hope Three Fields eventually gets to where they want to be and makes a true AAA Burnout clone. I would buy it day one. For now Dangerous Driving is the best alternative we have had in years.

The 3D really does work very well with the game. Still, I only suggest this for the hardcore 3DS players and Out Run fans.

Someone jumping into this game now and expecting something more refined or suitable to today’s standards will be disappointed. Yet for players familiar with the game or those willing to explore the dark world it presents, there is plenty of story and interesting moments to appreciate. Just go in knowing that it’s a relic of the past, and that it plays as such. Those ok with that will find that an interesting world awaits.

This is not a bad collection; the games are a lot of fun and play well, but like its Arcade counterpart I can’t recommend it at this price, especially when I feel this is the weaker of the two collections. M2 does great work and it’s on display here, but I think these two collections should have been bundled together and sold at full price, not in two separate collections bundled at full price each.

While I enjoyed my time questing, the fact that I barely gained a level and found almost nothing of value the entire time was really disheartening. Overall I had fun, but the experience fell short of what it could have been.

Zanki Zero’s unique premise and the way it connects to the various mechanics surrounding the game is noteworthy for its ambition and creativity. However, the shaky foundation of its overly simple combat engine and level designs holds it back from greatness.

There is fun to be had, as I have said, and if you have an itch for nostalgia that needs scratching, love role playing games and have a ton of time to play this summer, then Rainbow Moon is definitely worth the fifteen dollar admission price.

Summer Stars 2012 is as generic as its name, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun. For the price, it delivers on the core aspects such as being fun and completely playable.

Dead Rising 4 feels like yet another one of those games. I love the series, and DR4 will satisfy my thirst for yet another entry. It felt good to get back into Frank’s shoes, and the Christmas theme is fantastic. The lack of story co-op is the biggest offender, and I wasn’t a fan of how much the game seems to throw at players. This seems like a perfect example of less could be so much more, but as it stands Dead Rising 4 is a solid entry in the long-running series.

Blade Kitten is far from an abomination. In fact it packs enough charm to make it worthy of a purchase for fans of the series, or action fans that enjoy the eccentric platformer.

Blade Kitten is far from an abomination. In fact it packs enough charm to make it worthy of a purchase for fans of the series, or action fans that enjoy the eccentric platformer.

Vampyr is a game I feel a lot of people will be discussing in a few years. It will be remembered fondly with its interesting ideas and brilliant storytelling. I wish the hindrances were not so apparent though. I feel like a lot of people will be turned off by the poorly paced intro and combat. Still if you are like me and can look past those blemishes, Vampyr is an amazing ride well worth the journey.

Deadpool is fun. I cannot stress enough how much I value an entertaining experience, which is what High Moon delivers here. Fans of the character will love it, and if you are like me and are only vaguely familiar, the tropes and meta humor carry it through the brief campaign.

This is one game that you can't just pick up and play. It takes a large level of commitment to get into. The small story that is there is forgettable, but it does try to explain what's going on.

Much like this review this collection is short and sweet. Arcade junkies will appreciate these two niche titles finally being available outside of tracking down the cabinets, and the Wii is the perfect platform to release them on.

As a whole, I enjoyed this season, but the final episode fell a little flat.

Technical things aside, this is one rather impressive game when you get to the bottom of it. Zombie fans both in action and in strategy will find a decent time here. Just remember, the camera will fight you, and some glitches will pop up, but if you can make it through that, it is one unique zombie game.

The DLC isn’t the best I’ve played but it’s not the worst, it got me really excited, but then was over before I knew it.

Waging war with unlimited ammo has its fun, but it gets repetitive fast and sweet nostalgia can't really support the mundane.

Rime is a beautiful game with some ugly drawbacks. Still, I recommend checking it out. The world is gorgeous and the adventure worth seeing. I hope the developers make an effort to clean up the frame rate at some point, but I also hope to see a follow-up with some of the issues addressed. There is too much beauty for this game to not return.

The average core mechanics combined with some novelty touch-screen innovation makes a game that just feels too safe and too familiar. However, if you're a fan of the franchise or fancy a throwback to the days of property exploitation, then you can't go wrong with this title.

If one was to ignore the technical issues and consider it in isolation, Pillars of Eternity 2 could be deemed a solid game. Whilst on the surface it appears to offer depth and choice, effectively the content is relatively simple and linear. Nevertheless, there are some great side quests and locations to engage with, and a large number of stories and peoples to encounter. However, given the optimisation woes and the illusory depth offered by the main story, I lost interest in what I was doing fairly early on.

Perhaps this is due to my less than favorable inclination for puzzle/platformer action games as I seldom search out for games of this genre, but Hob felt lacking an identity- a clear element to call its own that really makes it standout amongst the rest of the games in the genre. While it most certainly looks pleasing to the eyes and feels competently made, I never felt excited to get back into the world of Hob after picking up a controller for another play session. As much as I would love to say that Runic Games went out after creating their best work yet, I cannot in good conscious as Hob is a solid, albeit unremarkable game.

All in all TOHU is an okay point and click adventure. I think there are far better ones out on the market but I don’t know if there are many prettier than TOHU.

Some may say that there is no place for Sonic in 2010 and that that the game is dated and boring by today's standards. But I say Sonic should be given a chance, and that there are plenty of people out there who have never played a Sonic game the way it was meant to be played.

Abiotic Factor is ambitious and often fun, but it’s also clunky and uneven. When it clicks, it really feels like what would happen if Gordon Freeman never picked up a crowbar and only used science. When it doesn’t, you’ll feel the grind, the jank, and the imbalance drag things down. It’s still easy to recommend to survival fans looking for something fresh and cooperative, and the fact that it’s on Game Pass but know going in: this feels like more of a brilliant experiment than polished product.

With its odd and yet striking visual style, State of Mind presents an intriguing world, in the precipice of a revolution. Following the exploits of a deeply flawed and complex character, the journey through the streets of Berlin is a fruitful one that I’m sure to remember. However, a myriad of pacing issues as well as a lack of interesting gameplay elements makes it very unlikely that I’ll be visiting the year of 2048 anytime soon. Perhaps we’ll see in thirty years.

Some may say that there is no place for Sonic in 2010 and that that the game is dated and boring by today's standards. But I say Sonic should be given a chance, and that there are plenty of people out there who have never played a Sonic game the way it was meant to be played.

De Blob is a solid title that feels good to return to. Why they remastered the original as opposed to the sequel seems like a weird choice, but for those that never had a Wii it is a good pickup. It might get swallowed during this time of year, but I recommend giving it a look once things settle down a bit.

Metal Slug Tactics successfully reinvents the classic Metal Slug series by incorporating strategic elements and roguelike mechanics. While there is a story here, it never really felt like anything more than a reason to continue to push the player forward. I mean ‘stopping a megalomaniacal man who is all about world domination’ is pretty straight forward. But where this game truly shines is in the excellent strategic elements, even if they are more difficult than I would have liked. MST might not be the return to the Metal Slug series that many fans are hoping for, but it is, nevertheless, a fun and worthy entry into the series ongoing legacy.

For what it is Silent Hill: Homecoming truly does fit its namesake in bringing the franchise back to its roots.

Visually, the game packs a solid punch with the Euphoria physics engine as the highlight of the package.

The humorous dialogue and quirky cut scenes are enough to keep you entertained, but the steep learning curve and frustrating checkpoints will kill the arcade vibe.

In the end Commander is a combination of good ideas that just don't seem to click, it may be the result of an overly grand scope but the Commander is sadly not greater than the sum of its parts.

This was a title that was built to be played on the Vita, and it needed a lot more attention in the way the controls and display resolution were handled, but it felt like very little care went into porting this title.

While the simplistic controls and lack of any real challenge ultimately hurt the game, it still manages to be fun if only in small doses.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian features a fun combat engine and many fanservice cameos that long term fans of the series will surely appreciate. However, as a direct sequel to a now defunct mobile game, it can’t quite shake the feeling like it was created just to try and salvage some money from the failed predecessor by reusing models, music and boring randomly generated dungeons. For those die-hard fans of the series like myself, there is definitely fun to be had here but for everyone else, perhaps I could recommend another title in the series instead.

I enjoyed the original Tails of Iron, its hand drawn art and the story is what really did it. Tails of Iron 2 delivers more but polishes some of the rough edges that the original launched with. The new setting of the game is nice as well as the additions to the combat. The best addition by far is the ability to dial down the challenge, I love that we are seeing these sliders more and more in “soulslike” games. Whiskers of Winter is a solid sequel, even if it played it safe by not really making drastic changes to the formula from the original.