Alex McCumbers's Reviews
El Paso Elsewhere is steeped in emotion like an aged tea that took generations to cultivate a particular flavor. It’s a game that’s simple in its ingredients, constructed in a way that elevates each piece into a timeless piece of art.
Even among the never-ending mountain of shooters available these days, Trepang2 stands out by being a loud and mysterious endeavor that doubly rewards those committed to learning its ways. It’s an adrenaline-fueled roller coaster that is a ton of fun to play.
ArtePiazza and everyone involved nailed revitalizing this classic for modern audiences in practically every aspect.
All in all, Blasphemous 2 is a great game of this style... I hope –like the sculptor Montañés– that The Game Kitchen gets to further hone their latest title. There is an amazing game here that’s just shrouded in a thin veil of sawdust. An extra chip here, a little more varnish there, and Blasphemous 2 will captivate many for years to come like its elder.
My Friendly Neighborhood may not have the blood and guts that many crave out of their horror experiences but it accomplishes so much without violence in a way that feels new and interesting. The world and story are fleshed out wonderfully and there’s an amazing message behind the game’s final moments.
Yet, I am once again hoping for another game, this time a River City Girls 3, that nails the landing and is awarded gold medals across the board. For now, River City Girls 2 is an enjoyable co-op romp with some rough edges that leaves me eager for more.
This may not be my absolute favorite Star Wars video game and I still hope to see something truly unique in this medium using this setting but this is one of the best Star Wars moments I’ve been able to share and that’s what really makes storytelling in settings like this so important.
Resident Evil 4 is a must-play title of this generation and it’s a game that will likely have a lasting appeal and a measurable impact on games to come.
Like a Dragon: Ishin is a historically-rooted drama with enough to explore to keep players busy and there are not many experiences like it. This series is unique and absolutely worth trying. Ishin is also a pretty solid entry point to an extremely unique series but it might be too serious for some.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is classic Kirby for better and for worse. It’s not a student of innovation in any fashion, but rather a solid adventure spruced up with new bells and whistles.
For Castlevania-like fans, those who have enjoyed past Inti Creates titles, and anyone who enjoys a light-hearted adventure with tough gameplay cannot go wrong with Grim Guardians: Demon Purge.
It’s surprising that even as an adult Kirby still brings me happiness. There’s something special about games that offer so much joy to the world and I really hope that Kirby as a character continues to do so for many, many years. If there is a follow-up to Forgotten Land, I hope that this isometric style is further explored.
Resident Evil 4 VR is a must-have for Meta Quest owners. The game plays surprisingly well on the Meta Quest 2 headset and it captures the feel of RE4 in a way that respects the original while also adding enough elements to entice players of previous versions.
I do wish that the experience found in Crisis Core Reunion was more refined and the performance on Switch could certainly be improved but this is a great way to refamiliarize oneself with Zack, Sephiroth, Aerith, and the rest of Midgar’s cast of interesting characters. That said, Reunion might be enjoyed best on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC but it is playable on Switch.
Regardless of the criticisms I have with Chained Echoes, the fact that it was created is astounding and it is clear that the developer has a ton of love for RPGs and why they are so special. The game is unapologetically dense, making a perfect title for those that put in the extra time it takes to learn its world. This is a full-sized adventure in a classic style, making it an easy-to-recommend game for fans of the genre.
Overall, GigaBash is a fun time that is way better with the right group of friends. I wish it had a bit more substance to encourage a competitive play environment but this is a game that I will absolutely look forward to playing at conventions or parties. Anyone into Kaiju should check it out but don’t expect GigaBash to be an all-time great. However, the potential success of GigaBash could lead to a more feature-rich sequel which could become one of the coolest Kaiju games ever.
Evil West is unapologetically a game about gruff gunslingers ripping through gross nightmare monsters and that is exactly why I like playing games.
Demon Slayer - Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles is a faithful representation of the popular anime but it sticks to that path so strictly that it fails to expand beyond that framework into something more meaningful. Even with the game’s extra characters that add a little spice to the online lobbies or weekend fight nights, The Hinokami Chronicles needs more substance.
Yomawari: Lost in the Dark desperately needs a health system or far fewer run-ins with ghosts that can instantly kill the player. Honestly, allowing the player to be scared but keep trudging through would be better to keep the tone and atmosphere consistent.
I wasn’t expecting much out of this expansion but we did get a few lore details that further expand what we know of the Megamycete and the villain using it plus more Village gameplay with a character that we might see more of later in the series. That’s a great thing.