Video Game Reviews

From The Ashes Expansion - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

From The Ashes Expansion - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora was a solid entry into bringing the films to life with an original story. Now, From the Ashes continues a key moment in the film franchise with the introduction of the Ash Clan. So’lek takes on both RDA forces and the Ash Clan in an action-packed standalone adventure that, while familiar, is wonderfully done.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon

Trails Beyond the Horizon is the 3rd entry into the Van Arkride saga, acting as the penultimate entry into the Legend of Heroes story. As a planned mission to space is on the horizon, Van, Rean, and Kevin Graham all take their respective allies to places all over the Calvard Republic to understand the truth behind this mission.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

After wrapping credits and achieving the “good” ending, obtaining about 70% of all upgrades, I can confidently say that I was beyond disappointed with it. While the name Metroid is on the box, Samus’s newest adventure felt more like a mediocre Halo game than what I wanted from a Metroid experience.

Pokémon Legends ZA

Pokémon Legends ZA

Pokémon Legends ZA is a sequel to Pokémon X and Y, and the follow-up in the Legends series to Arceus. While it features a fantastic combat system, it lacks in almost every other area. With a boring city to explore, and buildings that are nothing but a series of repeated Jpegs, Legends ZA is simply not worth it.

Clawpunk

Clawpunk

For players who enjoy chaotic action, challenging roguelite gameplay, and replay-driven progression, CLAWPUNK is a standout indie title. While its steep difficulty curve may not appeal to everyone, those who embrace its style will find a ferocious, synth-driven experience that’s hard to put down.

Sonic Racing: Crossworlds

Sonic Racing: Crossworlds

Crossworlds highlights the Sonic series more so than just being a catch-all mascot racer for the whole publishing line, and highlights the creativity of the world around its notable platformer, with a solid racer that, while its gimmick isn’t terribly impressive, the customization and gameplay around its racing is nonetheless engaging. 

Princess of the Water Lilies

Princess of the Water Lilies

If you are craving a cute and whimsical fairytale to play, I urge you to give Princess of the Lillies a chance. Aside from the frustration of the difficulty spike and screen movement, I loved this storybook adventure. I really feel that developer Whyknot has created something really special here, and I am eager to see what they might create in the future!

Monster Hunter Stories: Remastered

Monster Hunter Stories: Remastered

While this remaster could have rebuilt some environments to feel like dated, there is still a charming approach to preserving the 3DS visuals, even if it usually conflicts with what I prefer for a remaster of an older game. Still, Monster Hunter Stories is a vivid and colorful world to explore, and the addition of voice acting, really provides the game with an added boost of personality

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Despite a somewhat inconsistent story in its execution, Monster Hunter Stories 2 is an engaging adventure with a ton of Monsties to tame, adventures to be had, and a combat system that is just as thrilling as its real-time sibling. Stories is certainly a beast of its own with a fun cast of characters and its own take on the Monster Hunter formula.

Dispatch

Dispatch

At the core, Dispatch tells a tale of humanity, togetherness, and teamwork. It does so with immense quality across the board. From beginning to end, right down to a satisfying conclusion that both leaves space for expansion of these characters and the universe, but also works fantastically as a one-off narrative adventure.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment tells the story of Zelda being transported back in time during the early events of Tears of the Kingdom. While we saw glimpses of this story during that adventure, Age of Imprisonment tells the full story across a fantastic campaign.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel Remaster

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel Remaster

While it was somewhat commonplace back then to overlook so many of the original’s issues, it is downright impossible now with the wealth of titles releasing every day. Sacred 2 deserved a much better effort, and this is frankly one of the most disappointing remasters in recent history.