Ken McKown's Reviews
There is so much more I could say about both of these games. I got into the series with Golden and have been wanting it to expand to more consoles ever since. It is great to finally see it everywhere and I hope the series continues that trend going forward. It is by far one of the best RPGs available and should be played by anyone who has ever had a passing interest in the genre. Do not skip this collection, while Persona 3 is a little rough in this day and age it is still an amazing game and Persona 4 Golden is well, the gold standard. I cannot recommend this package enough.
Crisis Core Reunion is a wonderful upgrade to the original game that makes it better in some areas while showcasing some of its shortcomings at the same time. It is also weird to release a piece of this series on consoles that cannot continue the narrative unless they swap to another console. Final Fantasy VII is a classic for a reason and I did love a lot of the games that spawned from it. The story is fantastic and it is nice to see the series return to Xbox and Switch.
The Breakers Collection is a lesson in how to bring back games and do it right. The addition of online cross play and a bevy of special features really round out this package. The fact that these games are also of incredible quality doesn’t hurt either. If Street Fighter had not been the juggernaut it was, I feel like this series might still be going. They are really fun to play even with the steep difficulty and anyone who enjoys fighting games owes it to themselves to snag this collection. It is available everywhere and cross play just sweetens the pot.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider stands out among the pack of games looking to capture that 16-bit nostalgia. It is not just an art style. There are so many pieces that go into making a modern retro game and JoyMasher continues to prove they are better at it than most. I highly recommend this game and don’t let it slip through the cracks. It is definitely one of the better ones available.
High on Life is a fantastic experience hindered by some technical shortcomings. The world and characters are simply fantastic and it is genuinely hilarious, which is one of the hardest things in gaming to achieve. This game shot up my list of the best of 2022 from the outset and it didn’t disappoint by the end. I really enjoyed my time with it and look forward to what the team works on next. The fact that it is available on Game Pass is just icing on the cake. I can’t recommend this game enough, it is a wonderful way to end the year and more than worth playing through.
Rumble Fish 2 is a great game for people like me who enjoy solid fighting games. It won’t stick with most players beyond initial contact though. It feels like it borrows more than it innovates and in a sea of familiar brawlers that is rough. I enjoyed my time, but will likely forget it exists in a month or two. Then one day I will be browsing my game library and think to myself “hey, that was a pretty cool game!”
Jitsu Squad is the definition of a pleasant surprise. I only learned about the game a month ago, the console launch has brought it to more platforms and I had an absolute blast playing through it. If you are like me and cannot get enough of the genre Jitsu Squad is a must own. I find myself revisiting this game over and over and learning the nuances of combat. That is a great sign of a great game. Definitely do not sleep on this colorful brawler.
Gungrave G.O.R.E. is a game that feels stuck in the past. The design is excellent, the characters are fun, but the game just gets so repetitive and boring far too quickly. It isn’t a long game either and it feels like it is. That is not a good sign. I wanted to love it more than I did as I love the universe and have fond memories of those older PS2 games. This just feels like a continuation of those without the modern design and control scheme, and that drags down the fun factor over time.
WRC Generations retreads a lot of familiar ground while adding enough new to make it feel fresh. It has been a solid series for years and I am sad to learn it won’t be returning after this entry. Still this feels like a solid swan song to end on and I can tell the developers really poured their hearts into this final entry. I do wonder what they will build next and whatever it is, they have my attention. I have always loved rally games and this is one of the few simulation offerings that I have enjoyed over the years.
Evil West is a strong game that simply lacks enough diversity to make it a classic. It is visceral with fun characters that never takes itself too seriously. I had a blast playing it, but definitely could have done with a little more variety. Still it is an unapologetic romp that is a blast to play. There are not a lot of games willing to focus on strictly game play and I respect that. Combine that with the setting that is also highly underused and this is a game definitely worth checking out.
Heidelberg 1693 is a familiar game with a unique hook and dreary art style. I loved the time I spent with it and recommend anyone with some patience check it out. It will beat you down, but once you get into the groove it is hard to put down. Definitely one of the better indie games attempting to mimic that NES glory.
This collection goes above and beyond any other to date. Digital Eclipse continues to outdo themselves with these classic compilations each time. This one sets a bar though that will be nigh impossible to outdo. Not sure what is next on their docket, but I cannot wait to play it. As it stands this collection is a must for anyone who calls video games their hobby. It is absolutely incredible on every level and I spent hours just absorbing all the content here. Sure I would love some DLC (Ultra Vortek anyone?) but what is here is more than worth the price of admission.
Sophstar is a fantastic game that feels like it was made by a team that loves shooters. Being someone who will play just about any one released, this one stands out among the pack with its unique teleport mechanic and addictive Cadet School mode. There is a lot here to enjoy and for less than $10 it is a no-brainer for fans of shooters. Don’t sleep on this team’s debut game, cannot wait to see what they deliver next.
God of War Ragnarök is an outstanding game with some questionable pacing and flow at times.
Shadow of Rose is a neat package with a solid campaign as well as new features for the original game. At $20 this is a solid pick-up. It was great revisiting the main game and the new content really fleshes out Rose’s role in this whole universe.
Do not sleep on this wacky adventure. It is truly unlike almost anything I have ever played. It never failed to entertain me and I hope we see the two old games also ported to these new consoles. Give me all the Travis Touchdown.
Sequels are hard. Team Asobo has managed to make a more compelling world with even more compelling characters and wrapped it in a gorgeous bow. There are issues for sure. The game doesn’t innovate nearly enough and performance on next-gen consoles is disappointing, but this game continues to prove that this team of developers is extremely talented. I hope we continue to see them flourish and create new experiences. A Plague Tale: Requiem is a truly exceptional experience that everyone should check out. It is on Game Pass so the barrier to entry is lighter. Definitely give it a shot.
Atari Mania is a great trip down memory lane with a unique twist on the micro-game genre. There are misses here, but there are just as many hits in the mini-games. For kids like me who grew up with these consoles it is fun to see them interpreted in a new way. I wish it was more polished, but this has truly primed me for the massive 50th Anniversary Collection set to release in November.
Them’s Fightin’ Herds is one of the best ideas in the fighting game scene in a while. The roster could use a boost, but everything else here is fantastic. The fighting feels great, the modes are plentiful, and the design is excellent. I hope support continues for this game and with crossplay and rollback netcode the online scene could become massive. If you love the genre you owe it to yourself to check this game out. Even if the idea doesn’t set with you, I promise there is plenty here to love.
Asterigos is a weird game in that it feels like it was so close to being excellent. The weird mix of mechanics do not gel well and parts of the game simply feel unfinished. Still it is a fun romp that could get much better with some patches and tweaks. I think the team behind it did a great job for their first game and hope they continue to get chances to make more. There are good ideas and characters here, it just feels like it needed more time or a bigger budget to reach their vision.