Monster Hunter Rise basically does what you'd expect. The core experience is relatively unchanged, there are just more tutorials and certain elements were simplified to make it more accessible. This is a massive bonus for anyone hoping they don't run into a clueless online player, though it can make the first couple of hours drag. Thankfully, the new mechanics and elements breathe new life in the franchise and is certainly enough to hold someone's attention for a substantial amount of time.
Overall, Immortals Fenyx Rising is a fantastic game and one of the better open-world exploration titles in recent memory. Combat is great, puzzles are fun and there is so much to see and experience that it's easy to get sidetracked. It would be nice if some of the puzzles were a bit less tedious, but I can hardly fault them for trying to offer a more engaging experience. So if you want a lovely world to explore, look no further than Immortals Fenyx Rising.
If you haven't played Final Fantasy X by now, it's the perfect time, especially if you own the Switch. If you haven't played it by now, Switch is the perfect platform to try, given the portability and smooth experience. Unfortunately, those who played it recently or want something new might be disappointed, though it's hard to please everyone. Especially when PC and PlayStation 4 have been out for a while and are much cheaper.
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition retains the charm of the original, despite being 10-years-old.
God Eater 3 might not be perfect but it's a lot of fun. The new gameplay mechanics make for a faster experience, something that works really well in this world, along with enough depth to keep players interested. By retaining some key elements, such as guns, power ups from enemies, online multiplayer and crafting, there is more than enough to keep most people interested for a fair amount of time. When you consider there is also a rather interesting, albeit anime-esque, storyline, it makes for a fine adventure. Sure, it isn't perfect or going to beat Monster Hunter: World but there is more than enough to have fun or join others in overcoming some obstacles.
As mentioned above, Cat Quest was pretty good to begin with, so it isn't surprising the sequel is also great. It combines the simple yet effective combat with a new story, additional quests and a few new mechanics that make it feel fresh. While more experienced players will find it rather easy, less skilled or younger players will likely feel at home with the combat. It offers enough challenge to test your skills but not enough to overwhelm. Toss in a cute art style and tons of side quests and it's easy to see why it's fun.
It's almost impossible to hate Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville. From the goofy way characters move to the delightfully random attacks, it's sure to put a smile on your face. Story mode makes it easier for newcomers to get used to combat or give kids a way to have mindless fun. Costumes and other rewards add a fair amount of replay value, especially if you want to stand out. So, if you're looking for a nice change of pace, consider giving it a try and see if you can resist the charm.
Pokemon Sword and Shield is a decent mainline entry and a good attempt for their first home console Pokemon game. The new pokemon are lovely, the cinematic experience is phenomenal and it does most things quite well. Newcomers will have plenty to enjoy, while veteran fans will likely be disappointed. Add in the lack of a national dex and it's a shame but not enough to say it kills the experience.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is the Star Wars experience fans have been waiting for. With several already considering it the best single-player Star Wars experience to date, there is plenty of reasons to be excited. From a captivating plot, challenging combat and plenty of secrets, Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order makes up for previous disappointments.
Similar to the original Wii U version, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore remains an experience worth playing. It might not appeal to everyone but if you can get past the idol elements and some of the rough parts, it's a challenging RPG that has plenty of style and charm. Enough to warrant playing and certainly enough to keep most players invested in the long haul.
It goes without saying the darker themes and bleak elements won't appeal to everyone, but those willing to give Death end re;Quest 2 a chance will be rewarded. Not only is it a lot of fun to play, the story immediately hooks you and there is a lot to see. Combine that with improved visuals and some nicer touches and it's a great experience that might be a bit of a niche but certainly interesting in its own way.
Needless to say, Hitman 3 manages to stick to landing. The story concludes in an interesting and fun way, while holding true to what made the franchise so great. The additional options are welcome, as is the attention to detail, though those who couldn't get into the previous titles will likely dislike it. Toss in a lot of fun and alternate ways to complete a mission and it makes for a methodically fun time.
Overall, The Medium is able to evoke the same kind of feelings you might expect from a game like Silent Hill. There are tense scenes and an eerie atmosphere that is engaging from start to finish. Naturally, there are some flaws, such as difficult puzzles, clunky controls or subpar stealth mechanics, but the deep story through the two worlds more than makes up for it, making it start as a strong showing for Xbox this year.
Overall, there really isn't much to say about the improved version of Judgment. It has some of the same shortcomings, such as a rather slow story, with performance being substantially better. I would say anyone holding off for those reasons should strongly consider the upgraded version, with current owners gaining very little. Yes, the experience is more refined, the world looks so much more real and models were improved substantially, it just isn't different enough to warrant double-dipping.
Alan Wake Remastered does a good job standing the test of time. While combat has aged a little bit, Remedy Entertainment’s exemplary storytelling will keep you interested. For these reasons and more it’s easy to suggest Alan Wake Remastered to fans and newcomers alike. Especially with Remedy Entertainment looking to expand this world and it’s important to know how things began.
It’s great to see Square Enix reach into their past and allow a new generation to experience some of its best titles. While there are some negatives to Live A Live, such as weak combat and bite-size adventures, these quirks work in portable versions favors. This version loads slightly faster, so many performance quirks are part of the software. Since this isn’t quite a complete remake, the differences are marginal at best.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a reasonably safe AAA experience. Combat can be fun, especially if you’re good at it. For those who need more help or want to slice down foes, there is also a difficulty for you. Locations might have some derivative mechanics, yet that doesn’t stop me from wanting to explore them. Add in what fans love about Star Wars, and it might not be revolutionary, but it is an experience fans of the franchise or sci-fi itself will almost certainly enjoy.
At its core I think Unicorn Overlord is a great experience. Between the amazing visuals, gripping narrative, and depth there is a lot to experience. It's unfortunate it makes some annoying choices like overbearing tutorials, but these are quickly forgotten long term. In the end enjoyment comes down to whether you like the gameplay loop or not. Some will love the quasi-RTS battles, whereas other people will find the lack of control annoying. Where you fall on this range will likely dictate how much you enjoy Unicorn Overlord.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a heartfelt homage to the Suikoden games, seamlessly blending nostalgia with fresh experiences. While it effectively captures the essence of Suikoden, offering familiar storytelling and visuals that resonate deeply with fans, the presence of bugs and occasional performance issues may detract from the overall enjoyment. Nevertheless, these minor setbacks do not overshadow the game's true strength—its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia while delivering a new and captivating adventure. With its rich narrative and familiar gameplay elements, Eiyuden Chronicle feels like a true Suikoden game with a new title, making it a must-play for fans of the beloved series.
Shenmue I & II are two great games that allow players to experience just before the sequel releases late next year. There might not be much for returning fans, besides nostalgia or as a refresher, but they're good enough for that to be more than enough. While I doubt many have played the original Dreamcast releases, the sequel likely piqued the interest of many. Sure, the game is two decades old and it has aged, but if you can get past the shortcomings, you are in for great storytelling and an enjoyable brawling experience. For a remastered release, it's the best one and certainly good enough to warrant a purchase.