Remnant 2 on PS5

I was a massive fan of Remnant: From the Ashes because too many third-person shooters attempt to borrow Soulsborne ideas with poor execution. The first Remnant offered something unique in a campaign full of planets you could reroll at any time, wiping the slate clean and starting over. Remnant 2 carries the ideas of the first game forward in meaningful evolutions.

Remnant 2 starts with your created character walking through a post-apocalyptic Earth with your best friend Cass. You are on the search for Ward 13 but aren’t sure the concept isn’t just an urban legend. After a trek too far into Root territory, you are both set upon and overwhelmed by enemies.

Pikmin 4 on Switch

Pikmin 4 challenges players to unleash their inner adventurer in a strange world where tiny heroes face towering obstacles. The game makes the ordinary feel extraordinary in the most enchanting ways. This is my first true Pikmin experience, and even as a newcomer to the series, I found myself completely enthralled by the vibrant landscapes, intuitive gameplay, and charming characters I encountered on my journey.

The game opens with a familiar hero, Olimar, crash-landing on a strange planet. After a tutorial level, you take control of a new explorer: a character you get to name and customize. Your role, with the help of friendly Pikmin and the dog-like creature Oatchi, is to seek out and rescue the multitude of castaways who became stranded in their own search for Olimar.

Everybody 1-2 Switch! on Switch

For a hybrid console that’s meant to make you the life of the party — as those initial Switch ads from back in 2017 would have you believe — it’s quite baffling that Nintendo has decided to put out a painfully mediocre party game in the form of Everybody 1-2 Switch! As someone who’s a bit of a 1-2 Switch apologist, the 2023 follow-up is uninspiring, boring, and even an occasional source of nightmare fuel.

In fact, I had spent all week sitting on the fence, trying to decide if I wanted to purchase Mario Party Superstars for a friendly get-together I was planning for the end of the month. When I was presented with the opportunity to review Everybody 1-2 Switch!, though, I thought, “Alright, maybe this could be a fun party game to play with my friends, and I could save a little bit of money,” and proceeded to boot it up. Long story short: by the end of the first session, I thought, screw it, and instantly purchased Mario Party Superstars instead.

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals on PlayStation 5

Video Game sequels can be tricky to pull off, especially when they offer a continuation of their predecessor’s story. Not only do they need to offer a continuation or conclusion to what came before them, but they also need to innovate on what came before them to show their potentially lengthy development time was worth the wait. Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is no exception to these factors, but fortunately for fans, it proves itself more than capable of meeting these expectations.

Set roughly five years after the events of the series’ first game, Night School Studio‘s title places players into the shoes of a new protagonist: Riley Poverly, a vagabond who has returned to her hometown after several years to work a job installing transmitters for a local survey project. She’s joined by Jacob Summers, a local with unfulfilled aspirations and his own inner demons to deal with.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code for Nintendo Switch

I’ve been a fan of the Danganronpa series for quite some time, from the games to the anime to the manga series. Since its conclusion, there’s been a void left by its bittersweet ending, that is, until the announcement of Master Detective Archives: Rain Code.

If you’ve been missing Danganronpa (like I have) or have been looking for a fresh new take on the detective narrative, then Rain Code is the right title for you. Every time you think you’ve got it all figured out, the storyline seems to always go in a completely different direction, with ridiculous amounts of twists and turns. 

Dave the Diver for PC

For quite some time now, I’ve been looking for a good ole’ classic slice-of-life game with a somewhat linear storyline. I’ve already had my fill with the likes of farming simulators and wanted something fresh that didn’t necessarily involve the restoration of my grandfather’s old business. Then, out comes Dave the Diver, which ultimately feels like two games rolled into one, as you take on the role of a diver by day and help run a sushi restaurant by night.

The first time I dove into the watery world of Dave the Diver, I was instantly hooked by its whimsical dialogue, vibrant 2D graphics, and addicting gameplay. However, despite the character’s 2D design, the landscape takes a different shape through its 3D environment, changing the dynamic of the overall art style. You’ll meet Dave, who often gets a double look due to his big-boned appearance, but he never lets the insults get to him and continues taking down the sea’s most fearsome creatures.

Sonic Origins Plus for Nintendo Switch

Indulge me for a moment, to give you a brief viewpoint into my origins as a gamer. Though my beginnings were firmly rooted in the treasured catalogue of the Super Nintendo, my very identity was shaped by the notion that Genesis Does.

Sonic the Hedgehog and his ilk embodied everything that a radical 90s kid would cling to immediately, defined by his sleek visage and devil-may-care attitude. Of course, without the actual portfolio to back it up, you could only get so much mileage out of biting wit (hello, Bubsy).

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective on PS4

In the years since its initial release, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective has remained a special offering even among Nintendo DS titles.

Designed specifically for the touchscreen-centric handheld device, it provided players with inventive and elaborate puzzles galore. Not only that, but it served up an engaging tale of mystery, quirky characters, and inventive gameplay which stood out even among creator Shu Takumi’s other notable titles from the Phoenix Wright series. Most anyone could find a worthwhile experience so long as they were willing to think outside the box and embrace some zanier twists and oddball problem solving concepts.

Aliens: Dark Descent for PS5

Aliens is one of those properties that has been adapted into all sorts of games. There’s been survival horror, a third-person shooter like Left 4 Dead, and an underwhelming first-person shooter. Tindalos Interactive sought to try something new by crafting a squad-based real-time strategy game that works incredibly well in the universe.

The story starts with a small act of sabotage aboard Pioneer Station. Someone posing as an engineer knocks out a worker at a terminal and opens several containers housing Xenomorphs and their eggs. Deputy Administrator Maeko Hayes is the first to notice something is amiss. She arrives at the hangar as a vessel tries to leave the nearby planet Lethe’s orbit, presumably carrying dangerous Xemomorphs onboard.

F1 23 on PS5

In a world where video games seem to be slowly moving towards longer life cycles and seasonal content, annual sporting instalments could become a thing of the past. F1 23, I’m pleased to report, does more than enough to justify its existence. It builds on F1 22 in a solid if unspectacular manner and, most of all, dials up the stakes, immersion and Formula One racing experience.

Wax and Polish

It’s probably taken as a given at this point that an EA-led (Codemasters developed) title will be refined and detailed in its approach. It shouldn’t be taken for granted in general though, with plenty of recent releases finding their way into the public domain without being ready for it. I was reminded of EA Sports’ PGA Tour in the granular detail and wealth of options F1 23 threw my way before I even got close to a racetrack.

Final Fantasy XVI on PS5

After every Eikon battle in Final Fantasy XVI, I kept asking myself “how can the next one be any better?” Only to be proven wrong each and every time.

The scale and scope of Final Fantasy XVI are absolutely staggering on every level, from the complex narrative that feels like a multi-season TV show, to the expansive action combat that grows and changes meaningfully across dozens of hours. All of this is highlighted with what might be the best boss battles I’ve ever seen in a video game. There are some minor quibbles to be had, but Final Fantasy XVI is an instant classic in a series already filled with many.

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life on PS5

Within minutes of booting up Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life, I was hit by a wave of nostalgia. The guitar-twanging soundtrack kicked in and transported me back to playing the original, Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, on the GameCube over a decade ago now. It was a heart-warming experience, encountering the cast of weird and wonderful characters all over again, but soon enough the cracks in this remake/ remaster started to show.

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life aims to freshen up the 2003 original, but the premise remains the same. You’ve inherited a rundown farm from your father and travel to the sleepy town of Forgotten Valley to give revitalizing it your best shot. In terms of changes over the original, this ‘Story of Seasons’ version adds pronouns and customization options to the character creator, gives you different outfits to purchase and wear, adds more crops to those originally on offer, adds more romance options including same gender, and enhances the various events that take place throughout each year. That all sounds quite a lot, but before my first year in the game had come to a close, I soon realized that, actually, Forgotten Valley is very much stuck in the past of the farming sim genre.

Layers of Fear (2023) on PS5

It’s a tale as old as time: The talented artist versus their turbulent battle with insanity has always been inextricably linked together. From the deeply twisted expressionism and symbolism of Edvard Munch to the bold and vibrant neo-impressionism of Vincent van Gogh, history has long painted gifted creatives in a truly tortured, troubled light.

Conceptually and thematically, this is at the heart of Bloober Team‘s latest release; a remastered double bill of its first two Layers of Fear titles, replete with all DLC as well as some additional content to keep fans busy. But are the duo of first-person horror experiences relics from a bygone era or are they truly worthy of your time in 2023? Well, there’s much to discuss!

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Switch

Few games have left a mark as profound as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild did in 2017. Its sprawling open world and innovative gameplay marked a new era for the series and became an influence for countless other games. Creating a follow up to this masterpiece was always going to be a tall order for Nintendo—how do you significantly improve upon a game that redefined the conventions of Zelda in such a way that it became one of the highest rated titles of all time, setting a new standard for the franchise? 

Somehow, Tears of the Kingdom manages to do that. The game takes us on a second journey through this iteration of Hyrule, successfully building upon the strong foundation laid by Breath of the Wild. With new abilities, a captivating storyline, and immersive gameplay, Tears of the Kingdom surpasses its iconic predecessor in many ways, even somewhat rendering the first game obsolete along the way.

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie on PC

During my initial preview of Harmony: The Fall of Reverie, I was already impressed with the complexity of its decision system and the quirky cast of characters. So, now that I’ve completely immersed myself in the official version, things were taken up a notch as the choices become more difficult with each chapter.

If you are an avid decision-based game enthusiast, you’ll undoubtedly have some fun with its unique take on the classic genre. Rather than featuring the traditional good and evil outcomes, you’ll be faced with multiple choices based on your distinct personality type, making the experience different for each player. It also helps with Harmony: The Fall of Reverie’s replay value, where even minor decisions can majorly impact the fate of the universes in the Augural timeline. 

Amnesia: The Bunker on PC

As I immersed myself in the realistic horrors of World War I while playing Amnesia: The Bunker for review. The dread, the fear of the unknown, and curiosity made me finish the game, making me want to try the most challenging difficulty even more.

As an avid fan of horror games, especially one who’s also a longtime Amnesia fan, the game takes a unique approach as you embody a French soldier who found his way into a bunker filled with mysteries of the unknown. After getting my hands on the game, My caffeine-induced anxiety made me stay on guard while I uncovered the secrets of the mysterious Bunker.

Diablo IV on PC

In a world that’s been saturated with looter shooter games designed specifically to appeal to one’s lizard brain as you mindlessly kill things in search of better gear, one has to wonder: is there still room for a game like Diablo IV? Thankfully — or, unfortunately, depending on who you ask — the answer is a resounding yes.

Diablo IV marks a true return to form for Blizzard’s storied ARPG series. As a franchise that first made a name for itself as the ultimate video game addiction that sent everyone’s parents into a satanic panic, Diablo IV looks to reclaim its throne by weaving an intricate tapestry of bloody destruction. From a purely aesthetic point of view, it’s a far cry from the comic book candyland sensibilities of Diablo III, and it certainly invokes a lot of early 2000s, grungy Diablo II nostalgia.

Street Fighter 6 on PS5

About halfway through the time I spent with Street Fighter 6 for review, it became apparent I would be playing the game for the foreseeable future.

No matter how many hours I spent fighting others in matchmaking or how well I started to grasp a given character’s move set, it always felt like I had only scratched the surface. There was always a new combo to learn, or a new way to utilize different mechanics to create traps and strategies to deal with each character from the roster. The possibilities are only limited by the player’s imagination, and I know that won’t change even as I sink months and years into it.

Planet of Lana on PC

Hand-drawn animations have relatively become a thing of the past to incorporate more realistic features into the modern gaming world. Yet, several developers try to keep this art style alive, adding a more personal touch to their storylines. Planet of Lana is a perfect example of this feat, as it brings hand-painted scenes to life in an immersive sci-fi world. 

It’s been a while since a platformer captured my attention, but Planet of Lana immediately caught my eye with its picturesque scenery. In a way, it felt like I was controlling a character in an ever-changing painting featuring its own sets of challenges that enticed me to want to play more. The epic adventure also furthers the movie-like feel of the entire narrative, taking you on an enthralling journey from start to finish.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum on PS5

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was a big surprise to fans when it was revealed a few years ago. It seemed like something that no one was asking for, but it still provided a decent concept. As a game based on the unknown movements of Gollum from The Hobbit until Fellowship of the Ring. this should’ve been something that might have broad appeal from the casual viewer to the most fervent Lord of the Rings fan. As it turns out, the game itself feels like it wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) appeal to anyone, ever.

The story starts with Gollum locked in a cell and being interrogated by a very insistent Gandalf. This then serves as the narrative frame that takes players back to Gollum’s days on the mountains of Cirith Ungol. He spends his days dodging Orcs, Ring Wraiths, and the hulking spider Shelob. This is before he is captured and imprisoned in the tower of Barad-dûr.