Video Game Reviews

The 9th Charnel

The 9th Charnel

The 9th Charnel feels unfinished despite a good attempt and breeding atmosphere. Saikat Deb has set a somewhat decent foundation here, but its execution has resulted in a boring, broken, and bland experience across the board.

Eldegarde

Eldegarde

Extraction-style games have rarely enticed me, largely due to the player vs player systems and the prospect of having them take away much of the progress I’ve made on my gear. However, when games like Eldegarde offer up PvE throughout its offerings, it certainly changes my mind about the genre and gets me intrigued. 

REANIMAL

REANIMAL

Ultimately, the game’s few technical issues are completely overshadowed by Reanimals' excellence across world design, environmental storytelling, and set-piece moments, not to mention its eerie use of audio, especially via headphones.

Romeo is a Dead Man

Romeo is a Dead Man

Romeo is a Deadman is certainly a Suda51 game, and while it is Grasshopper’s best in years, I do wish the No More Heroes jank didn't follow itself here and infect combat and general movement. Still, the craziness that is Romeo is a Deadman is sound, and those looking for another bizarre fever dream are likely to be pleased.

Ride 6

Ride 6

So, when it comes to gameplay, Ride 6 is a solid title that sits somewhere between a full-on arcade racer and a true-to-life simulation. Its physics system and focus on bikes make it stand out from the competition, but the learning curve for cornering might be too steep for casual players.

Apartment No 129

Apartment No 129

I enjoyed Apartment 129 despite the few flaws that drew me out of some moments. The developers, Dead Witness, crafted a great psychological horror experience that I recommend any aficionados of the genre try.

Winter Burrow

Winter Burrow

Winter Burrow is a cozy survival sim as you play as a mouse, desperate to survive the winter in your once occupied home, however, on this journey you will assist and befriend a bunch of different critters that would normally be quite removed from each other and incompatible.

Nioh 3

Nioh 3

If you haven’t played Nioh before but you enjoy soulslikes and character action games, then this is definitely a game you need to try. Its focus on player choice in approach, combined with more cinematic storytelling than its competition have made it my favourite game in the genre so far.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined

I was unsure going into Dragon Quest VII Reimagined whether the game would meet my expectations and if I would cherish it as much as many players have for years. Ultimately, I have loved my time with this reimagined classic.

Cairn

Cairn

Cairn reaches not only the peak of its genre but the peak of gaming itself. Built on top of the foundation of climbing is one of the most beautiful, transformative experiences I’ve ever had in life, not just gaming.

Philna Fantasy

Philna Fantasy

Cast down from orbit, you’ll find your purpose in the Adventure’s Guild, tasked with uncovering a conspiracy that sees the King of this land kidnapped. With real-time combat and a fantastic progression system, Philna Fantasy does have some engaging moments of gameplay, with only a lacking story and cast of characters really dragging it down.

I Hate this Place

I Hate this Place

I Hate This Place tells a new story set in the confines of this richly detailed world. As Elena, you'll battle monstrosities and horrors as you attempt to find your missing friend, Lou, after a ritual goes horribly horribly wrong. To be fair, have rituals in horror stories ever gone right? Yeah, didn't think so.

Nova Antarctica

Nova Antarctica

Nova Antarctica is a great time, and I enjoyed my time in these harsh lands. The fun of learning what you need to do to survive, and saving any animals I found, was a fun challenge. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who loves to challenge themselves to survive in hostile lands and wishes to push their supply management to the test.

Ancient Farm

Ancient Farm

I have always been drawn to ancient Egyptian settings. I marveled at their ingenuity and have often wondered how their day-to-day farming homesteads may have functioned before the invention of modern tools. When I first heard of Ancient Farm and how it was predominantly focused on those aspects, I was instantly intrigued.

Ebola Village

Ebola Village

Ebola Village is clearly a game built around its inspirations, but that is putting it mildly. When it isn’t ripping on other game’s ideas, it is providing awful movement, poorly modeled zombies, and a general lack of care across the board for almost anything it does.

MIO: Memories in Orbit

MIO: Memories in Orbit

Despite some poor choices and an unreliable mechanic, not to mention the annoyance that are the tremors, I still had a great time with Memories from Orbit, basking in its gorgeous visuals and memorable characters, and consider it as one of the better Metroidvania titles in years. 

I am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival

I am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival

I am Future is exactly what it says on the tin, it is a cozy apocalypse survival game, and is a nice alternative to what we usually see. It isn't always engaging, but the bright visuals, comfy music, and charm do a lot of heavy lifting here, making this one rooftop party worth attending.

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.

Ink Inside

Ink Inside

Ink Inside is a good attempt at bringing this story to life, but a host of technical issues greatly hold it back. However, aside from its performance woes, there is a solid RPG here with some interesting combat and engaging characters.