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Splintered Fate transparently aims to munch your time. All of its combat and replayability ideas give the appearance of a sturdy shell, yet the cracks in its execution undermine what is otherwise a lovingly crafted representation of the TMNT.
After a long build of anticipation for College Football 25, EA Sports kicks it right through the uprights. They give us the opportunity to live out our biggest college football dreams in a beautiful and atmospheric journey through multiple modes. Between Dynasty Mode, Road to Glory, Road to the CFP, and Head 2 Head; there's something here for every type of player. If you loved NCAA 14, this game is everything you would want and more.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is by no means a bad game, but in a sea of other Souls copycats, this one does very little to stand out. Put into the perspective of its multiple delays and overall unpolish, it's clear that this is an easy skip to play better options out there. Or at least wait until it's heavily discounted…
Modern Horizons III is one of the best Magic: The Gathering sets in recent memory. The designers at Wizards of the Coast have created an amazing set while balancing somewhat opposing goals. As a set adding cards into the Modern format the draft was always going to be secondary to ensuring a healthy constructed format. As a draft set MH3 is Magic at its finest providing deep and engaging gameplay. The overall draft environment is just fun. The games are complex, but that is to be expected with any set dealing with Modern format cards. Wizards once again reminds people that they are masters of game design and I hope to see as much care in future products as MH3. Even at its higher price tag I absolutely recommend you draft some Modern Horizons III.
SCHiM is a wildly inventive platformer with a unique minimalist aesthetic, which is bolstered by creative gameplay and a steadfast focus on the human experience. I was surprised by the amount of emotional depth hidden within SCHiM's shadow hopping platformer shell and appreciated becoming a small part of this world and its inhabitants. Though the premise is simple, SCHiM keeps things unique by constantly adding new challenges which utilizes light and darkness in creative ways, and I found myself consistently intrigued by where the story would go next.
Kunitsu-Gami is a striking game both conceptually and visually, exactly the kind of experimental game that I wish we got more often. I just also wish it pushed itself a little further than it does. Offense runs the show in Kunitsu-Gami, which unfortunately undermines some of its potential strengths. Still, the game keeps itself engaging with its hybrid of action and strategy, as well as the courage to change up its structure.
SPRAWL is a very solid newcomer to the movement-based FPS subgenre. Boasting some great abilities, solid gunfights, and an engrossing atmosphere, fast-paced shooter fanatics are sure to love this one.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is very messy, but still greatly enjoyable. Wuk Lamat is a lovable character who I hope sticks around, with a satisfying character arc tying in with the expansion's themes. Viper is a blast to play, and every dungeon or trial holds something new and unique. While the expansion isn't the best FFXIv has to offer, it has so much heart you can't help but smile.
I think it's fair to say that Spy X Anya is for a very specific crowd of people. If you like Animal Crossing and you love the Forger household along with some of their compatriots, this is probably the game for you. You might play a pretty decent chunk of it like I did, and get your money's worth. But honestly I can only recommend picking this up on sale. What's here is perfectly functional yet barebones and I don't think that's enough to rate it highly. With over 32-story missions, 49 side missions, and 51 challenge missions, you have a lot of game to enjoy if this sounds appealing to you. Or maybe giving Yor a ponytail for the entire game gives you gender euphoria and that makes Spy X Anya the perfect game.
Despite the bite-sized mission structure and constant interruptions, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is still a great game, full of funny moments, quirky segments like Luigi humming along to the background music, and a gorgeous HD makeover which leaves no hint that this is a port of an 11-year-old handheld game. I admit that I was a fan of Dark Moon when it was first released on the 3DS, so my judgment may be a bit biased, but I still believe that Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is well worth picking up and that this HD remaster has done a fantastic job bringing a handheld classic to modern consoles.
Sometimes you just need to slow down, and Simpler Times is a great game for that. It's a vibe, a "stop and smell the roses experience". Some may be disappointed in a lack of gameplay depth, but those who want a game resembling a break will be pleasantly surprised.
While Still Wakes The Deep doesn't boast the biggest narrative draw, what will really pull you in is the eerie atmosphere it manages to envelope you in. Fighting for your life against the churning sea and the strange creature that rose from the murky depths provided some truly surreal and hair-raising moments.
Beyond Good & Evil is an absolute classic, and the 20th Anniversary Edition makes it easier than ever to appreciate why. The characters are endearing, the visuals are mostly amazing, the music is incredible, and the gameplay is a ton of fun on top of all that. If this is your first time stepping into Jade's sneakers or your 20th, now has never been a better time to explore the beauty of Hillys.
Banana Rumble shows the value of adding a new spin on a tried-and-true formula. This series has wallowed in its past for a long time, so I'm glad to see the new Spin Dash mechanic propel it into new and exciting places. As far as Super Monkey Ball sequels go, this one is easily the top banana.
When Riven was first released in 1997 it was heralded as a majestic piece of art. Now almost 30 years later, Cyan Worlds returns to that world, bringing it to modern standards using the tools of today. Once again, they've created a majestic piece of art, and a world worth exploring all over again. It'll test your mind, it's a feast for your eyes and ears, and if you enjoy deep puzzles, it's a game you absolutely cannot miss.
Broken Roads is a solid effort that falls short of capitalizing on its central mechanics. While it takes some ambitious steps, it doesn't realize them in execution. Community engagement suggests patches will address the big rocks soon, but know that it's a moving target thus far.
Where some teams would stay safe in their additional downloadable offerings, building on the foundation laid by the full game, Remedy has gone wild. This is exactly the kind of episodic content I'm looking for. While I'm sure the upcoming Lake House DLC will further our connections to Control, I'm glad Remedy took the time to make something wholly unique, which is what that studio is.
Star Wars: Hunters does a great job of creating fast paced matches with unique and balanced characters. Each level is well thought out and keeps the games moving at a steady pace. The game modes, while straightforward, are interesting and full of detail for Star Wars fans. If you like Star Wars, you'll love this free game with new characters and plenty of explosions.
I'm both happy and sad that Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and last expansion for Elden Ring. On one hand, it's a masterfully woven experience that expands on the contents of the base game, whereas on the other it leaves much more to be desired with its disappointing final boss. That being said, it's still very much worth your time if you're craving some more Elden Ring.
Destiny 2 is back, baby. The Final Shape's exhilarating and heart wrenching main story quest, beautiful and twisted new destination, terrifying new enemy faction, and plethora of insanely powerful gear solidify this as the new peak of the Destiny experience.