I feel like I’m being a little generous with this rating, as 99% of what I enjoy in Lost Ark is the promise of what comes after the level 50 grind. Lost Ark certainly isn’t a bad experience before reaching the end-game content, there’s definitely a lot you can enjoy on your way there. It’s just hard for me to suggest a game on the merit of “Once you get 20 hours into the game, it really starts to pick up!”
Total Warhammer III has some flaws in its core gameplay loop that can make long-drawn-out campaigns feel a little tedious, and I find myself starting more new games than I do finishing them. However, what this game does for the Total Warhammer series makes it undeniably the best of the three, and the factions available to play are by far my favorite in the franchise.
Elden Ring takes the Souls-like franchise in a new direction, much in the same way Sekiro did. It provides you with a world that’s incredibly beautiful, better than any Souls game to come before it in my opinion, and exploring it is as rewarding as it is satisfying.
Freedom of choice combined with a wealth of content makes for a game that can be a little intimidating to tackle, but the lack of commitment or direction frees you up to explore it at your own pace. ESO can be a very relaxing game to play, and that’s why I continue to return to it after nearly eight years of playing.
Wobbledogs is a fantastic game, and there aren’t a whole lot like it. The combination between cute pet interaction game and horrific evolution simulator makes it a niche game that both pet and simulation lovers can enjoy in equal measure. Just remember to clean up after your Wobbledogs, or your next Pupation might be a little weird.
Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel is the best you can get from a digital version of the Yu-Gi-Oh TCG. However, the game is remarkably unfriendly to new players. If you don’t have a detailed understanding of every card in your deck, games can be a little slow. An experienced or meta-conscious player, which Master Duel has a lot of, can win a game in one turn, often after a frustratingly long series of plays that you can do nothing but watch. If this doesn’t deter you, or you’re someone who’s happy with Yu-Gi-Oh’s current competitive state, Master Duel is the game for you.
This game is disappointing. It doesn’t commit to its story enough, and the gameplay mechanics it chooses to make vital parts of the game are lackluster or strange choices that the game would have been better without. To the game’s credit, however, it’s only disappointing because it managed to build up an expectation. If it could deliver on its own promises, it would truly be one to remember.
Wonderlands is an outrageous, comedy-filled adventure that manages to both return to Borderlands’ roots while also offering fresh new takes on the iconic formula of the series. It’s packed with the irreverence the series is known for, and manages to capture a lot of the heart as well.
Nightmare Reaper is an indie gem, the kind of game we don’t see very often, and it would be a shame if more people didn’t get to appreciate it. If you don’t usually play games like this and you’re contemplating giving Nightmare Reaper a try, I highly recommend giving it a shot, you might just find yourself a new favorite.
Strangers of Paradise is a game that feels a lot like an experiment, and it wasn’t exactly a failure. If I could give the production team at Square Enix some advice, it would be that their storytellers should return to their roots, and their gameplay developers should keep the new ideas coming.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut is better than Death Stranding. Beyond that, there’s not really a lot I can say about it. If you didn’t like Death Stranding, you’ll find this game a little bit more tolerable. If you did like Death Stranding, you’ll enjoy this upgraded version; Or you won’t. Seeing as the point of Death Stranding was to struggle, maybe a less frustrating version of the game isn’t what fans want.
If you know exactly what you’re getting into, Coromon is still a decently good time. It lacks depth, and it feels like it drags on too long for what it is, but if you’re just looking to play an incredibly pretty Pokemon game it is kind of hard to argue with Coromon’s price.
Campy and full of action, Evil Dead: The Game still manages to throw in plenty of scares and tense moments as a human player, and playing the Demon offers a truly strategic experience where you still feel challenged. Powerful you may feel, but never overwhelmingly so, as humanity’s defenders can easily overcome a cocky and careless demon.
If you’re a fan of puzzle platform shooters, you can’t go wrong with Soda Crisis. The game simply does everything wonderfully. From the atmosphere, to the visuals, to the fast-paced and varied gameplay, you can tell Soda Crisis was made with passion, and I expect that same passion to be reflected by the game’s player base.
I was starting to drift away from the Elder Scrolls Online, but High Isle brought me back. The wealth of new content is enough to keep any current player interested, but the story itself really makes this expansion stand out from the rest. Returning to its roots, this Elder Scrolls adventure deserves to be remembered alongside the greats, and I hope they take notes from this expansion for future content in both ESO and the Elder Scrolls 6.
Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a game with great bones. The foundation of this game was built well, lacking any major bugs and ready for some really great meat to be added. Unfortunately, it feels like the game was released before that step. We can only hope some much needed content will be added with future free updates. Until then, maybe pass on Terran Command unless you’re a major Starship Troopers fan.
I can’t, in good conscience, recommend this game to anyone playing on PC. Loyal fans of the Madden franchise probably already own Madden 22, and won’t be getting anything new, and those looking to make Madden 23 their first Madden game would probably be better off buying 22 instead. Console players should feel free to pick up 23 and experience all of its promised next-gen features, but PC players should wait until EA (hopefully) patches their promised updates into the game.
While I miss the edge of the original Saints Row games, this reboot stays true enough to the tone and, if nothing else, is a fun game worth the $60 price tag. My biggest gripes with it come from comparing it to the hype of its own series, but if it wasn’t called Saints Row I probably wouldn’t have any problems with it.
Midnight Suns is a truly unique game that, for the right player, will scratch a very specific itch that they’ve been missing out on. The target audience for this game will appreciate it, and find a lot of replayability and enjoyment in the title.
So many good ideas went into making this game, and it leads with such a strong opening. Unfortunately, The Callisto Protocol can’t help but fumble in the second half. As disappointing as it may be, the game will definitely appeal to some players, and the flaws shouldn’t be glaring enough to stop those who loved the game’s opening to see it through to the end, though they might be disappointed.