Scar-lead Salvation

Scar-lead Salvation

Scar-lead Salvation has an interesting premise and some solid ideas that are rarely present. With bland environments, repetitive enemies and combat, and a poorly executed fan-service destroyable armor gimmick, Scar-lead Salvation is simply a poor experience.

Date Everything!

Date Everything!

What would you do if you could date your dining room table? your shower? or your bed, considering you sleep with them every night? Well, Date Everything has that answer and a whole lot more. Date Everything is a dating simulator worth swiping right for.

Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny

Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny

Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is a fairly by-the-numbers remaster that offers us the best version of the game, despite some opportunities to improve upon what was already there.

Warhammer 40K: Speed Freeks

Warhammer 40K: Speed Freeks

Warhammer 40K: Speed Freeks can certainly feel limited in what is available to take on, but the extremely low price does make up for some of that. Still, additional modes, and even vehicles, should be added at a somewhat regular pace if they intend to keep its player base engaged.

Monster Train 2

Monster Train 2

Monster Train 2’s variety and content does wonders for repeated runs, even back to back to back until you've lost track of time. The upgrades, equipment cards, and the synergies between the clans make for a very entertaining game, despite the forgettable story and character moments.

Revenge of the Savage Planet

Revenge of the Savage Planet

While Revenge makes some improvements over Journey, I certainly wanted more from it than what is here. The third person perspective is ideal for this series, and there is a lot of potential for a third game. However, a lack of combat focus and story hurt it overall.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2

Capcom Fighting Collection 2

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 has some of the best fighting games of their era in one amazing package. Nostalgia is certainly riding high here as the 3D visuals obviously don’t hold up, but they nonetheless are oozing with charm and personality, especially Project Justice.

Doom: The Dark Ages

Doom: The Dark Ages

Doom: The Dark Ages is often a perfect successor to the rest of the trilogy, with some fantastic weapons, a great addition with the shield, and an absolutely breathtaking aesthetic. Still, the bland soundtrack and wide-open areas can zap the energy out of most encounters.

Trident's Tale

Trident's Tale

It's a fun swashbuckling adventure that plays like a Saturday morning cartoon. The characters are fairly likeable with mixed performances, but the ship combat and fights our hero, Ocean, will have are likely where people are going to get the most out of this game, even if they lack polish and features to make them stand out. 

Blades of Fire

Blades of Fire

Blades of Fire has moments where I do tend to forgive some of its blatant issues, but around every corner is a reason I tended to lose my interest in what it was offering. The combat and weapon systems are great when they work, but those moments only come so often. If Blades of Fire proves anything, it is that the Mercury Engine is well past its prime.

Roadcraft

Roadcraft

Much like building a road, you lay the foundation to build upon what is there. This is true with how Mudrunner and Snowrunner have shaped where this series is going. Roadcraft is the culmination of those ideas, mechanics, and gameplay sections to a degree where that complexity and depth is wildly addictive.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a shining example of when a team is using their passion to carve a path of strong storytelling, brilliant performances, outstanding world-building, and a layer of depth to its gameplay that feels breathtaking with every step.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

While some questionable characters are part of this long-awaited fighter, City of the Wolves is a true competitor to the likes of Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8. That said, it does lack the content found in those big hits, coming across as a far more lean package.

The First Berserker: Khazan

The First Berserker: Khazan

The First Berserker: Khazan now takes the Soulslike crown and delivers a challenging and satisfying overall experience, all presented in a gorgeous art style and a wealth of customization for your Berserker.

Steel Seed

Steel Seed

With humanity on the brink of extinction, Zoe wakes up to find that she has been long asleep and within the frame of a new cybernetic body. With her allies in Koby and S4VI, she’ll attempt to resurrect the human race and stop a robotic threat from stopping her.

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree.

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree.

I've had my eyes on upcoming Metroidvanias as I've played and enjoyed several over the past year. From its visuals, aesthetic, and combat, Mandragora is the latest entry in a genre that has exploded in the past several years, even if it doesn't really bring much new to the format.

Hot Rod Mayhem

Hot Rod Mayhem

Hot Rod Mayhem joins a genre that is packed full of some of the best games ever made. Sadly, it brings nothing to make it stand out or add to the genre, making it very forgettable.

Ixion

Ixion

Ixion is a deep city-building strategy game that puts a bigger focus on story to set itself apart from the competition. So, if you’re familiar with the genre, Ixion is definitely worth a try. Unfortunately, given its current technical issues and less-than-optimal controller-friendly design on console, I can say it’s a decent game with lots of space for improvement.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage - Tape Two

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage - Tape Two

Lost Records is certainly enjoyable depending on whether you get the true ending or not. Its resolution is brief but wonderful, and despite a poorly executed second chapter that led to it, it’s a package of two episodes that waver greatly in their quality.

Pilo and the Holobook

Pilo and the Holobook

Pilo and the Holobook is a charming and bite-sized adventure with smart puzzles and a clever sticker system that could entertain kids of all ages. Pilo is adorable, and the lesson he learns on his journey is one that I feel is needed in times like these.