At the end of the day, I’m not here to judge the players or the market for this version of the game, I’m here to judge the actual game. From what I played, I can see a person picking this up and still having a fun time with it, but if I had the option to play it on another system or PC, I would choose to play it there. The resolution is an eyesore to say the least, but the gameplay is still smooth and works very well for the entire game. Take that as you will.

Even though the lackluster combat is a major detractor in an otherwise great return to form for the series, it doesn’t ruin the experience either. Despite being on hiatus for so long, this release proves that there is life left for the series, and I for one can’t wait to see what’s next in store for the world of Sakura Wars.

Making a game based on Watchmen was once thought of as an undoable task but the guys over at Deadline Games A/S did a pretty good job.

Star Wars: Squadrons is a wonderful entry in EA’s use of the license. It took long enough to get a proper dogfighting game, but the one they deliver should appease fans. The campaign is short, but sweet. The online is a blast with friends, and I hope it continues to flourish with players for a long time.

Ghost ‘n Goblins Resurrection is a great modernization of one of Capcom’s cult classic titles. Being a fan of the originals, it was a treat to ride down memory lane. Especially since I revisit this series multiple times a year and we haven’t had a true 2D entry in quite some time. I do wish the game would come to more consoles and PC as it is currently only available on Switch, but perhaps that is a future plan. As it stands Switch owners who grew up with the originals should definitely check this out, if you don’t have nostalgia for the series though, this game might just feel like yet another difficult platformer that has yet to get with the times.

A safe and predictable platformer that is surprisingly well done.

As a RTS fan I don’t hate Realms of Ruin at all, its multiplayer matches are much more entertaining than the campaign; and they even have a ranked playlist for those who really wanna prove their stuff. But as a Warhammer fan I must say I am disappointed, while I am appreciative of the knowledge, I gained about the Age of Sigmar and some of these factions, I just felt that this game sacrificed the humor and over the top nature of the 40k universe for a stoic and very serious tale. But maybe that is just the nature of the Age of Sigmar side of things, as I said this was my first entry but if players enjoy multiplayer RTS games I would recommend Realms of Ruin for its fun and thrilling multiplayer.

Headlander has a few faults, but when getting into a flow of this style of game, it turns out to be a pretty well made Metroidvania game. Filling out the map is addicting, and seeing a room I can’t enter without having a certain body usually always had me backtracking to see what exactly was in it. I still enjoyed my time with Headlander, even if the camera and combat got in the way a few times. I think everyone else will feel the same way. Give it a shot. It does have a lot going for it.

The only real complaint I had with Gunbrella was the map system, I always felt like I was lost as I wandered around cities, sewers and more, but due in large part to the fun of traversal with the Gunbrella I never really was too angry at being lost. A large part of Gunbrella’s charm for me is its atmosphere, as I said I love the noir genre; so much so that I am writing a neo-noir novel, so I thoroughly relished my time with Gunbrella. From its beautiful pixel graphics, its fantastically smart writing, and its amazing soundtrack, Gunbrella is yet another great game in the sea of great games that is otherwise known as 2023.

I cannot recommend this collection at this price. M2 definitely brought their museum quality curation to this collection with how many versions of Darius have been included in this including the extremely rare, maybe not released Sagaia (Version 2) but compared to M2’s other releases this is no more than their Castlevania Collection or their SEGA Ages releases. It’s hard to justify this price other than the fact that all home releases of Darius seem to be a bit pricey. This is made worse by the fact that this collection only has the arcade games: there’s another separate purchase for the console releases and when they are both purchased, they come close to $100. Do not get me wrong, this is a very good collection, but it is very hard to justify a purchase at full price for what is essentially 3 unique games and 4 variations.

It is more like an interactive experience for a younger demographic that manages to remain accessible and fun while not feeling too daunting for anyone. The mini-games are fun, the visuals are bright and happy and the game just oozes with personality that can make just about anyone smile.

Fire Emblem Warriors continues the excellent port of Nintendo’s franchises into the world of musou. The little additives from the franchise translate well into the genre. The art style is outstanding and the combat is just as fun (if not repetitive) as it has always been. This is another solid entry for Nintendo’s latest machine.

For what you get, this is a pretty big deal. The game is not short by any means, and there are always different paths to take on the world map. This game can easily last you into the 15-20 hour mark depending on what you want to do. The combat is still fun, and at times, the puzzle solving is enjoyable when you actually know where you should go. Paper Mario is still not back to what I want it to be, but Sticker Star is a step in the right direction.

A cut and paste version of MotoGP 3 for the Xbox and it shows that more often than not. Fans of the series will certainly find plenty to enjoy, but if you have already been down this road before there isn’t much here to solidify a purchase.

While the game lacks Portal’s fantastic character and narration, and doesn’t have quite the same atmospheric depth as The Swapper, it still retains a sense of originality through its clean design, thoughtful story and spectacular puzzles.

Dragon Quest Heroes II is a solid sequel to a refreshing take on the musou genre. I love that Omega Force has been expanding on the style for a while now. These themed entries are often much more interesting than the standard ‘Warriors’ games. Still, some of the changes feel not for the best, and the combat started to drag on the longer I played.

I overall enjoyed my time with episode 4, but as I mentioned earlier, it just feels like each game offers a different experience. Not that this is a bad thing, but the gameplay and what to expect just sort of feels all over the place. Presentation and humor stay relatively the same, and that’s great as they nailed the visual style and funny elements perfectly.

Journey of Dreams isn’t for everyone and some will likely wonder what all the fuss was about. However, fans of the original will find plenty to adore here as Sonic Team has faithfully revived the franchise and given it just enough to make it feel new and fresh.

A classic arcade action title that is almost too difficult at times to enjoy. I love the art style, slick controls and level design, but dying over and over and the unforgiving checkpoints are enough to frustrate me too much at times.

Rumble Fish 2 is a great game for people like me who enjoy solid fighting games. It won’t stick with most players beyond initial contact though. It feels like it borrows more than it innovates and in a sea of familiar brawlers that is rough. I enjoyed my time, but will likely forget it exists in a month or two. Then one day I will be browsing my game library and think to myself “hey, that was a pretty cool game!”

There is plenty of fun to be had here, especially in the online modes. If you were a fan of the original series than Turok is a must buy. For anyone with an interest in the genre Turok is a prime example of how to make a safe and solid experience.

Heidelberg 1693 is a familiar game with a unique hook and dreary art style. I loved the time I spent with it and recommend anyone with some patience check it out. It will beat you down, but once you get into the groove it is hard to put down. Definitely one of the better indie games attempting to mimic that NES glory.

Madden 26 is the biggest upgrade in years. The revamped franchise mode is great, the on-field mechanics are a welcome change, and it just feels good to play. I ran into several glitches early on, that seem to have been ironed out over the weeks after release. The game continues to chug along and I am enjoying the new stuff, but I do really hope it sees competition again someday. I feel like we go 4-5 years between meaningful upgrades, and even those usually come at a cost. Still if you are an NFL fan the game is solid. The changes are welcome, but how on Earth are we still not able to replicate a halftime show that was created 20 years ago in a $20 game. Something that continues to boggle my mind to this day…

Circuit Superstars is one of the best surprises I have played all year. It punches above its weight in almost every category. I simply had a blast every time I jumped in. There is also plenty of depth and content to make the minimal price of entry easy to recommend. If you enjoy racing games, especially competitive ones I cannot recommend this game enough. It is the true definition of an indie darling.

Arslan is a fun distraction and even more so with a friend. If fans of the warrior’s games can enjoy this story and the themes preset here, I see no reason not to love it. I didn’t know anything about Arslan or its history, yet still I was hooked.

A huge upgrade over the previous movie-based game in the series. So much so that it is almost a shame to keep comparing the two.

Personally I think I am slowly becoming a fan of the quirky duo the more I play these wonderfully charming titles.

Terminator Resistance: Complete Edition is a love letter for fans of the Terminator franchise. While the game has its fair share of flaws and glitches, making it feel like more of an AA game; this by no means is a bad thing. The gameplay is fun and addicting and what the story adds to Terminator lore is well worth a playthrough for a fan or for those who are just looking for a solid shooter with a kick ass story.