Scott Ellison II's Reviews
Gunbrella is a visually stunning and mechanically innovative, and while the narrative isn’t on even footing as its counterparts, it’s a standout title. From its stylish pixel art to its engaging gameplay and intriguing world, Gunbrella is a must-play for fans of action-adventure and retro games alike. With its unique blend of humor, mystery, and action, it’s a testament to what doinksoft does best, and does so well.
Even though this is the predecessor to Raiden IV x MIKADO remix , this remaster comes after it, and it’s easy to see that MOSS has learned a lot and even made improvements where it needed to. While I like Raiden IV a lot, I gotta say that I like the simplicity and improvements of Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX more, really enhancing Raiden III in great ways. Every game deserves a second chance, and Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX is an approachable and awesome entry in the long-running series that is well-worth the price of admission.
Starfield doesn’t reinvent the RPG genre, but it does make it quite exciting. It’s a game that feels distinct from the studio’s prior work like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout , and even represents the best of both worlds. Bethesda Game Studios managed to incorporate streamlined systems to make exploring space fun, and never a chore. There’s nothing I dislike about it. Starfield is ambitious and magical, capturing the wonder and vastness of space beautifully, and feels like a truly next-gen experience.
Frozenbyte hasn’t lost a step in the four years since the last game. Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy reminds me of a simpler time but still manages to be engaging and complex. The story presents the biggest threat to the heroes in all of its entry’s since the original, and is a wonderful adventure all around. If you’ve never experienced a Trine game, there’s no better time. Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy proves to be a delight and highlight among its contemporaries.
As someone who quicksaves vigorously, having a mechanic around that, tied to the game’s lore is so smart and encouraging. They absolutely own the stealth strategy genre, and they don’t miss. Mimimi Games is at their best when they are working with an original IP, and this being totally their own, makes this their best game yet. Mimimi’s third game with Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is sheer brilliance, where little victories lead into big smiles.
Atlas Fallen is a fun and exciting journey over the sand and under the sun with a combat system defined by enhancements and not the weapons themselves. The story is forgettable, but the experience isn't. It's a game that has a bevy of systems, yet it all feels artificially restrained for unknown reasons. I found the gameplay loop to be enjoyable from start to finish, and the game ended right when it needed to. Atlas Fallen is a little flat in its presentation, but it's a good way to spend a dozen or so hours sand-gliding and fighting as the Summer winds down.
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons is the arcade, reborn . Several games have been revitalized by returning with new ideas, and Rise of the Dragons is in peak form. I do wish the game had a little more depth in its content, but as it stands there is plenty to do and see, even though you have to grind for it. There’s a great time to be had while solo, or in co-op, as it’s just so fun. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons brings back the coin-op feel of arcades with smartly integrating the roguelite genre into the beat’em up; it’s not to be missed.
Sad Owl Studios has a great gimmick in Viewfinder , and I hope we get additional content or games around it. There’s more than one trick up its sleeve, and the game continually keeps things fresh with new puzzle elements with each new chapter. Viewfinder stumbles at the finish line but it still gets there with a successful run. Viewfinder has mind-bending and mind-blowing puzzle design, that are sure to be talked about for years to come, and will be oft-remembered for how well it pulls it off.
Like the ocean itself, there’s so much depth to DAVE THE DIVER , as there’s more that’s hidden beneath the surface. The stunning graphics, mesmerizing sound design, and well-crafted gameplay combine to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a fan of exploration games or simply have a love for ocean games, this is sure to captivate you for dozens of hours. Prepare to have your expectations blown out of the water, as it constantly introduces new and exciting things right up until the end. DAVE THE DIVER is a treasure of a find, so take the plunge on what is one of the best games you’ll play this year.
Crime O’Clock is as clever as it is cool, and offers help when needed, but not when it’s unwanted. The game is wholly enjoyable, and its only real issue is pacing and momentum due to the interruptions of finding things by the AI as it serves to move the detective story forward. It is a game that is deliberately casual, and can be played by kids and adults alike. I actually spent a lot of the game with my kids, in a race to find the object we were tasked with finding. Bad Seed smartly twists genres of hidden object and detective games. Crime O’Clock is a great way to wind down, and is one that’ll be remembered for the ages.
Fun is at the forefront of AEW: Fight Forever and should be celebrated for achieving that. This is unfortunately a game that has its issues, and whether intentional or not, is a dated experience. The arcade wrestling is great, and such a different experience to what else is out there. It’s clear this was made with the purest of intentions, and is an honest to goodness game. I think as the name implies, AEW: Fight Forever will have a long life, but the next iteration will have to see some serious improvements to be competitive. AEW: Fight Forever is a newcomer game from a veteran developer, and while there’s room for improvement, this is a solid start for what is still a must-play wrestling game.
Necrom has everything you need from story to location to characters to keep you invested in the goings on in this MMORPG for the next year. It successfully builds upon all of the expansions before it, especially last year’s. Being released at this time, it’s a summer horror with Lovecraftian vibes that really sets apart from the other content in the game. It’s got a great questline, and the two new zones are a visual delight, and doing everything is easily 30 hours worth of content. For its seventh expansion, the team is showing no signs of fatigue as this is another fantastic addition. The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom is a great reason to revisit and hang out in the Morrowind province for a summer of Eldritch horror.
Raiden IV x MIKADO remix is an incredible collection of modes and now music combined into one of the finest of the arcade era. It flawlessly combines classic gameplay with modern enhancements, delivering an experience that will captivate both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. I do think the game’s price will deter many, so maybe wait for a sale; but if you live for shmups, then there’s no reason to hesitate. The work done by Mikado Game Center is nothing short of refreshing, and all the more reason to jump in on PC or console. So grab your joystick, prepare for intense bullet hell, and relive the glory days of arcade gaming with Raiden IV x MIKADO remix .
Trepang2 is not as good as it wants to be, or as anyone would be led to believe. Trepang Studios certainly tried emulating Monolith's epic first-person shooter, and the gunplay certainly comes close to that, but they failed miserably at nearly everything else. This is a terrifically gory game, and it's great coating rooms in strawberry jam each and every time, but there's a lot of bad to get through before seeing the good. Trepang2 has only a few redeeming qualities, but even then those have been done better in other games. It's sad that Trepang2 is a pale imitation of F.E.A.R. in every way, and is a completely forgettable experience I can't recommend even a little.
The Diablo series continues to be timeless, and Diablo IV is no different, becoming an instant classic. There are so many systems in play at any time, whether it be the skill tree, paragon boards, glyphs, or elixirs, it all comes together – the devil is in the details. There’s so much game here, and there’s hundreds of hours of content, without the Season Pass even being live yet. And with everything leading up to and after the launch of the game being so smooth, the game is set for success. The complexion of Diablo IV could change in a year, or even six months from now. Though, as it stands currently, Diablo IV is a hell of a good time.
Whether you’re fulfilling a fantasy of being a driver on a famous team, racing your friends list with a custom team, or taking part of a Netflix-style docu-series; there’s lots of racing to be had. I can’t find anything about this package to be disappointed with, not even its price point, which feels warranted for once. F1 23 simplifies what didn’t work in prior years, continues a story mode that improves on the original, and expands on modes to make them more worthwhile than ever. Codemasters put on a clinic this year, and manages to top themselves year-over-year with F1 23 being the best entry they’ve made yet.
Bleak Sword DX is the rare instance where it does overstay its welcome, but if played in small bursts, is brilliant. While it doesn’t run out of new ideas, it does drain the player through its numerous arenas and modes, it’s an exhaustive amount of content that it never runs dry on. Playing something so challenging that originated on Apple Arcade, but now expanded and reworked for PC and Switch shows that it has a home on these new platforms. The dioramas that encapsulate the arenas to fight on are some of the more unique elements, to include its visual and enemy design, makes Bleak Sword DX easy to recommend.
Urban Flow ‘s translation to PC is warranted if not a little barren in terms of customization. The sometimes manic and manual control of each city’s traffic lights. That said, it can get very challenging is and good at what it does. It follows Bushnell’s Law whereby this is “easy to learn, but difficult to master”. Urban Flow is a straightforward game, yet has lots of longevity and sustainability due to its tense gameplay and decision making.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a solid first-person shooter that captures the 90s era well, it’s hardly anything revolutionary. It’s a nice homage that does a solid job of making you feel like the game existed back then, but modern things like mantling, bloom, and 21:9 support give way to its immersion. The game is unapologetically Warhammer 40K, and the weapons and enemies are true to the source material. The Warhammer 40,000 Universe has nothing else like Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun , and that’s what makes it so distinct in the space and genre.
If you’ve played The Bearded Ladies’ prior games, you’ll be happy to know that this is next best thing to a Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden sequel we’ve had yet. If you’ve never played the developers games before, this is the greatest version of what’s come before. It contains the DNA of what made Mutant Year Zero and to a lesser extent Corruption 2029, so good at their tactics and expands upon that. It’s here that you’ll find a gorgeous and enthralling mix of real-time exploration and turn-based tactics for thirty-plus hours well spent. Miasma Chronicles is The Bearded Ladies’ their finest game since their 2018 debut, and is a can’t miss.