Charles Hartford
Warhammer Chaosbane sets out to take players through an action filled adventure in the heart of the Old World and, baring technical difficulties, it mostly succeeds.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted succeeds in creating a world that fits the theme it is shooting for, it just unfortunately fails to do much with it. Mired by poor controls, and frustrating mechanics, the only way I can see anyone getting enjoyment out of this would be possibly as a quick party experience with a few friends.
The Invincible is ultimately a sub-par experience. While it delivers flashes of quality in its cast and its attention to some details, the narrative is ultimately weighed down too much.
When it’s at its best, Detective Pikachu Returns delivers the charm and cuteness that have always been hallmarks of the Pokémon franchise. However, all too frequently it fails to reach those heights thanks to shallow gameplay, a bloated story, and repetitive missions that feel lackluster, no matter what age demographic they are targeting.
When it's at its best, Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition delivers an enjoyable fantasy tale that is accompanied by a unique gameplay system. However, overly random elements mar the player's sense of agency within these battles, greatly diminishing the thrill of victory and leaving them wondering if each defeat was truly deserved.
In the end, Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is a mediocre platforming experience. Inconsistent level design and restrictive ability access holds this game back from being a truly enjoyable experience. I will continue to remember Bub and Bob fondly from my youth, but this outing does little to build upon the legacy.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is a flawed experience that tried to rejuvenate a fan favorite franchise from yesteryear. However, instead it serves only to tarnish the memory many of us hold so fondly.
So while there is certainly some points of innovation to be appreciated in Escape the Universe I walked away from my experience underwhelmed.
it flounders in stale gameplay, and a forgettable story. Leaving only it’s lovely visuals to lean on. And those just aren’t enough.
Invincible Presents: Atom Eve delivers a mostly enjoyable look at Eve’s life during season one.
Redfall never manages to be anything more than fine. My time playing through its single-player campaign rarely wowed me once the skillful crafting of the world itself wore off.
Souls of Chronos delivers a mixed bag of an experience. While I’m intrigued by the world and charmed by its main duo, lackluster combat and a narrative that felt at odds with its visual tone and star’s personality never allowed the game to truly come together in a way that feels satisfying.
With its frustrating controls, and questionable AI the enjoyment that can be gained from Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is severely limited. If a player is looking to romp through a strongly realized D&D world, and a classic story of heroes scrambling to stop the legions of evil, it may be worth keeping the game on easy just to enjoy the setting and story. However, if you are looking for a full-fledged action RPG experience there are far better offering out there.
I believe there are gamers out there who will find much to love in Masquerada. A compelling story, placed in a fresh and fully realized fantasy world, without the concern of struggling with unforgiving combat is certainly a description I can see being in some people’s wheelhouses.
Project Nimbus: Complete Edition has plenty of game to offer for the $20 price tags even if it’s execution is less than flawless.
While Afterparty provides some charm and fun it was ultimately a let down for me.
Convoy: A Tactical Roguelike gives moments of fun, decision-based adventure, even though it has some significant stumbles along the way.
For the right kind of player, someone who just wishes to explore and live in a gorgeously designed fantasy setting, this game will offer countless hours of enjoyment. However, if you are like me and when you are presented with a quest to undertake you simply wish to follow that quest in a way that feels fluid and rewarding, this game has some huge hurdles to overcome.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon brings with it a mixed bag of elements. While I enjoyed my time with the game overall, it does have some sizable shortcomings. Any player more interested in gameplay than the story should probably think twice about picking it up. At the same time, those who wish to experience a well-executed tale about friendship and overcoming one’s fear set in a unique, dark fairytale world may want to pick it up, as long as they can accept a few bumps in the road.
So, while I enjoyed my experience playing Just Dance 2023 its value feels like it will vary greatly from person to person. While it has a sizable track list from a solid variety of artists, how much play you can get out of this game will depend greatly on your desire to chase high scores and unlock simple cosmetics, how many friends you have to clown around with, or if you are want to work it into your routine as a way to get some exercise in that provides a bit more fun than a morning jog.