2021
Sable was on the collision course to be one of my top favourite games this year. The traversal, art direction, music, world building, it is all top notch. Unfortunately the game experience severe technical issues on Series X (Even though it has the "Optimized for Series X" sticker???". Because I loved it so much, decided to put it down for the moment and come back when it is more playable.
2021
The combination of the pixel art, colour choices and music that hits a deep nostalgic nerve for me. Not to mention the timeline roughly follows my age and the character grows up with the same Nintendo consoles as my life. The gameplay while on paper is puzzle, is instead calming and low fi. Silently one of the best games released this year, showing a unique method of storytelling that I haven't seen done before.
2021
Back 4 Blood doesn't quite capture the magic that was Left 4 Dead. With that said, it is still a well constructed co-op action experience that kept me and my friend group locked in through the whole campaign. After we completed it, we didn't feel the need to stick around, but we still had a fun time, with some stand out great moments. The game looks great, plays well and has a few set pieces and levels that are memorable. The progression system is odd but does incentivize creating your own play style that works for you and your character.
2021
As a longtime Arkane fan, Deathloop expands on their game design formula but keeps their distinctive style. Level design is top notch. Characters, world building, art and music are all in perfect unison. The gameplay offers depth that continually unfolds with systems interacting endlessly with each other.
Amazing game that everyone should play. My biggest recommendation is to turn off quest markers from the very beginning, it is a much better game without the over-the-top bread crumbing.
Amazing game that everyone should play. My biggest recommendation is to turn off quest markers from the very beginning, it is a much better game without the over-the-top bread crumbing.
2021
Twelve Minutes is a neat concept with good visuals and music. I was engaged for about an hour before it all went to shambles. It is possible that there is a great game in here, but after not long, I found myself complete stuck, not knowing how to progress. I like open ended games that allow you to experiment but Twelve Minutes was an exception. It was boring and one I won't be seeing to the end.
I have visited Morrowind every couple years since it came out. And I will continue to for the rest of my life. Each time I venture back, I find new previously unseen areas, discover new quest lines and characters. This magical game blew my mind when I played it as a kid, and no matter how far games have come since 2002, none have replaced Morrowind as my favourite world and offered a completely immersive experience.
2021
Lake has a warm and cozy opening and first hour or two. A simple premise but enough to lure you in until you get grabbed by the charm of the town and the characters. A couple things kept me from coming back, primarily the controls and the performance. But Lakes story grows soporific and the gameplay unsurprisingly repetitive.
2021
Habroxia 2 isn't doing anything new or innovative. However, it is a strong iteration on the genre it pulls from. With great visuals, sound, level design and controls, I was happy to play this game until the end. My biggest complaint would be the difficulty. After a few upgrades to the ship, I ended up sweeping the last few levels with one try. Could have used some balancing touch ups but overall an enjoyable experience!
2021
One of a kind experience. Everyone should play this game, and go in without spoilers!
Inscryption has so much to praise. The setting is mysterious and unsettling and thrives under the creepy pasta tone. The card game mechanics are solid and let the player "break" the game in endlessly satisfying ways. It is the way the game constantly re-invents itself, and subverts expectations that kept me dialed in from hitting continue to scrolling credits.
Inscryption has so much to praise. The setting is mysterious and unsettling and thrives under the creepy pasta tone. The card game mechanics are solid and let the player "break" the game in endlessly satisfying ways. It is the way the game constantly re-invents itself, and subverts expectations that kept me dialed in from hitting continue to scrolling credits.
2022
Weird West is fantastic. I have been in love with everything Arkane has made and it's amazing to feel that love follow some Arkane vets over into this game.
The level of freedom and player choice, the layers of interaction between systems. It made the game fun through out its runtime, even if some locations were duplicated or certain encounters were on paper repetitive, I just loved the minute to minute gameplay that I wasn't bothered.
I wish the game had full voice acting as I felt it hard to connect to certain characters and it made what was otherwise an immersive world feel too quiet at time. With that being said, going on 5 adventures as separate characters and the way it's all tied together into one package is impressive and had me captivated from start to finish.
I cannot wait to see what WolfEye does next because Weird West is the exact kind of game I want to play.
The level of freedom and player choice, the layers of interaction between systems. It made the game fun through out its runtime, even if some locations were duplicated or certain encounters were on paper repetitive, I just loved the minute to minute gameplay that I wasn't bothered.
I wish the game had full voice acting as I felt it hard to connect to certain characters and it made what was otherwise an immersive world feel too quiet at time. With that being said, going on 5 adventures as separate characters and the way it's all tied together into one package is impressive and had me captivated from start to finish.
I cannot wait to see what WolfEye does next because Weird West is the exact kind of game I want to play.
Pixel art and music are top notch. I'm not a TMNT guy whatsoever, I couldn't even match which name goes for which turtle. I'm also not a fan of the beat-em-up genre.
But it was the top notch aesthetic that brought me in and I'm so happy I played through this game. My favourite game in the genre, with an expansive moveset, solid level design, character variety and not overstaying its welcome. The frantic online adds an extra layer to this game that while making it easier, made the experience that much more fun. Big recommend
But it was the top notch aesthetic that brought me in and I'm so happy I played through this game. My favourite game in the genre, with an expansive moveset, solid level design, character variety and not overstaying its welcome. The frantic online adds an extra layer to this game that while making it easier, made the experience that much more fun. Big recommend
I'm a big fan of the Mario Strikers games. And Battle League is a welcome addition. It takes a different approach by increasing the skill cap, and changing up how you build your team (both character wise and gear). I like that Battle League doesn't make the old games obsolete, but you could also say that occurs because this game lacks content.
The addition of several mechanics makes this game have a lot more depth, visuals and music are strong as well. Online is also a focus point for this new entry but its limited.
My biggest complaint with this game is the amount of content. 10 characters is not enough, especially when all characters are on the same tier, instead of having a a captain and side kicks. 5 maps that are visual only is also disappointingly low.
I do love this game, and hopefully I can revisit this review after the free updates and can commend the game for its new additions but I'm keeping my expectations low on that front.
The addition of several mechanics makes this game have a lot more depth, visuals and music are strong as well. Online is also a focus point for this new entry but its limited.
My biggest complaint with this game is the amount of content. 10 characters is not enough, especially when all characters are on the same tier, instead of having a a captain and side kicks. 5 maps that are visual only is also disappointingly low.
I do love this game, and hopefully I can revisit this review after the free updates and can commend the game for its new additions but I'm keeping my expectations low on that front.
2022
After having not touched any of the previous games in the series, Sniper Elite 5 being on Gamepass has been my entry point. And I'm wishing that someone had convinced me to check it out sooner!
Sniper Elite has just enough in common with the recent Hitman trilogy in terms of large sandbox level design, multiple objects, stealth, different ways to play and more. But it sets itself apart in ways such as the setting and better action.
This game has a lot going for it, but above all for me is the level design. I've had so much fun exploring all of the hiddens corners of these elegantly designed levels. I've not gone through them all including the DLC map and will be going right back to the game to complete them in different ways.
A hidden gem as far as I'm concerned, and this entry easily sold me to go back and check out the previous games in the series.
Sniper Elite has just enough in common with the recent Hitman trilogy in terms of large sandbox level design, multiple objects, stealth, different ways to play and more. But it sets itself apart in ways such as the setting and better action.
This game has a lot going for it, but above all for me is the level design. I've had so much fun exploring all of the hiddens corners of these elegantly designed levels. I've not gone through them all including the DLC map and will be going right back to the game to complete them in different ways.
A hidden gem as far as I'm concerned, and this entry easily sold me to go back and check out the previous games in the series.
2022
Cool concept with the controllable terrain in the form of tetris-like blocks. Unfortunately, I feel that almost everything surrounding that doesn't do much to elevate the concept.
You can utilize the system to do some cool tricks in combat but it never feels quite right. The feel of movement and combat is decent but once again the game feel isn't quite there.
I love the visuals, from the pixel art and environments to the UI. Characters and world are a combination of dark and silly that works for me.
What is stopping me from coming back is that it lacks the gripping replayability that roguelikes desperately need. I hope to see this game get a sequel or for another developer to take the general idea and further it in another project in the future.
You can utilize the system to do some cool tricks in combat but it never feels quite right. The feel of movement and combat is decent but once again the game feel isn't quite there.
I love the visuals, from the pixel art and environments to the UI. Characters and world are a combination of dark and silly that works for me.
What is stopping me from coming back is that it lacks the gripping replayability that roguelikes desperately need. I hope to see this game get a sequel or for another developer to take the general idea and further it in another project in the future.
2022
Golfing and roguelike, mashed together. As a golf game, Cursed to Golf is totally fine. As a roguelike, it is at least a double bogey.
There are some cool ideas here but its clear the game lacks balance as it throws shots at you and the lack of interesting choices means that this is a one and done. After finishing one run, I don't see myself picking up the clubs again.
Love the pixel art and music!
There are some cool ideas here but its clear the game lacks balance as it throws shots at you and the lack of interesting choices means that this is a one and done. After finishing one run, I don't see myself picking up the clubs again.
Love the pixel art and music!