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This unapologetic soulslike punches well above its price tag in the areas that matter most, providing a deep and satisfying combat system that sustains through its 30 hour runtime. While AI Limit certainly supplies ample value, its limited budget shows in several less crucial areas.
Karma: The Dark World is a fun interactive story that has you explore the darkest reaches of the human psyche with excellent surreal horror and an interesting story to uncover.
Dollhouse: Behind the Broken Mirror features an interesting premise but just about every aspect of playing it makes it a monotonous experience.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition lives up to the name and delivers the best version of the legendary game, with almost across the board improvements.
The developers deserve credit – it would have been far too easy to do the bare minimum and call it a day. However, Bleach: Rebirth of Souls is a legitimately compelling and well made arena fighter, that allows for some very thrilling fights. While other parts of the package are weaker and drag it down, this is the rare anime adaptation that can be recommended even to those who may not already be fans of the property.
The First Berserker: Khazan nails its combat and presentation fundamentals but skimps on the narrative, loot and Khazan himself. Not terrible, but it could have been so much more.
Atomfall concocts an engrossing story in a world full of intrigue and whimsy, while delivering a gameplay experience that is defined by strong world design, rewarding exploration, and an impressive emphasis on player agency. Utterly gorgeous and wonderfully eccentric, Rebellion's post-nuclear dystopia is well worth checking out, even with some issues in combat and stealth.
MLB The Show 25 may not impress hardcore fans expecting deeper changes and better visuals, but it's still a polished effort and the definitive baseball game.
Assassin's Creed rises to the occasion once more with Assassin's Creed Shadows, an expertly crafted entry that blends the strengths of the old and new styles of Assassin's Creed title alike to deliver one of the best outings this long and storied franchise has ever had.
While WWE 2K25 tries to be more than just a yearly roster update thanks to its new features, the game tends to trip over itself with its ambitious new stories, while also hamstringing the PC release with strange decisions like hard-capped frame rates and locking cutscenes to 30 FPS.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Enlightened Land is far from the best entry in the series for newcomers, but it's certainly the largest and most accessible.
If you want a break from Valorant, Bad Guitar Studio's FragPunk is an entertaining distraction. Just don't count on the same level of tactical depth.
Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars brings the two beloved classics to modern platforms with smart and sensible updates that only reinforce all the reasons the series was so beloved in the first place.
Rise of the Ronin's PC release is marred by performance issues which should hopefully be fixed through some patches focused on optimization. Underneath, however, there's still a game with excellent combat, albeit with a bland story and quest design.
Even if I can't fully piece together what kind of an experience Everhood 2 wants to be, it's a rhythmic odyssey of bizarre proportions.
PGA Tour 2K25 is a strong return to form for the franchise, even when it's hamstrung by terrible progression.
Split Fiction pretty much nails it on the gameplay front, but falters regarding its predictable and flawed story. The one-dimensional villain and cliche character dynamic between Mio and Zoe can't be ignored due to their presence through the adventure. Don't miss the Side Stories, as these supply some of the game's most memorable and charming moments.
The addictive gameplay loop of going on expeditions for exhibits and maintaining existing ones provides newcomers enough tools to tackle objectives, and veterans the kind of in-depth skill ceiling they clamor for. I just wish the controls for the PS5 version were a bit more responsive and efficient. While Two Point Museum doesn't reinvent the wheel of management sims, that characteristic Two Point charm and smooth gameplay loop make it a solid entry in the series.
A pretty straightforward remaster of an excellent 90s shoot-em-up set in the depths of the ocean. The enhanced visuals of the deep sea stages look vibrant and faithful, though a classic graphic toggle would've been nice. A new mirror mode, some added cheats, and a preconfigured submarine loadout screen are nice additions and all, but the lack of save options or online co-op is a missed opportunity. Still, what's here is solid stuff, especially if you like a well-earned challenge. This is a strong recommendation for fans of the game or shoot-em-up enthusiasts, but the $20 price tag might be too much to swallow for others.
Monster Hunter Wilds is a fresh start for the franchise, even as it channels a respectable chunk of Monster Hunter World. The endgame could use a lot more, but it's still a top-tier action RPG with some incredible moments.