Geek Culture Podcast
HomepageGeek Culture Podcast's Reviews
RUINER is a competent cyberpunk shooter, dripping in stylish presentation and teeming with ruthless engagements. These components manage to provide enough of a reason to see the journey to the end, filling the void left by the all-but-absent narrative, and enjoy the time spent doing so. RUINER is an exceptional, adrenaline-filled diversion bathed in neon lights that is sure to please as long as you don’t expect to find more under the surface.
Most players know what to expect from Telltale Games by now and they have delivered for the most part once again with Batman: The Enemy Within Episode 2 – The Pact. Being given only one real puzzle in the episode is certain a letdown after past episodes. The introduction of new enemies from Batman’s rogues gallery and another suspenseful cliffhanger that brings back a familiar character from the first game though will leave you awaiting the next episode after finishing up Batman: The Enemy Within Episode 2 – The Pact.
While Team Bondi may be no more, L.A. Noire still lives on with this remastered version. It may not get the 4K support that is available on Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, the Nintendo Switch version brings the portability factor while still looking very good itself. For those that missed out on the original release, you should definitely look into investigating L.A. Noire on the Nintendo Switch.
Nioh: Complete Edition houses some impressive gameplay designs and mechanics that are partially undermined by its development choices. Depending on your preferred control scheme for PC gaming, Nioh will either mark an addictive addition to your library or the very bane of your existence. Assuming you can forgo the use of a mouse, this comprehensive Nioh package has plenty to offer that manages to rise above its faults to deliver a memorable offshoot that is able to define itself in a world where the “Souls-like” label usually engulfs all identity.
For those that already played through Doom on other platforms, getting the game for Nintendo Switch isn’t a must buy in the way that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was. Even so, this is a very admirable port that gives Switch owners another AAA option to pick up just in time for the holidays.
With once again fantastic combat and movement style, Attack on Titan 2 is definitely worth checking out for fans of the series.
Call of Duty: WWII – The Resistance is a solid foundation to build future content on and sets a high bar for all future DLC related to the fourteenth installment of the franchise. This is what players want to see when it comes to downloadable content — gameplay, maps, weapons and an evolution of the original experience seen in the base game. Everyone should be looking forward to where the DLC goes next and, of course, how the story of zombies continues to develop.
Musou style games often struggle to stand out from the rest of the pack as a result of the similar gameplay and mission structures. Dynasty Warriors 9 goes against this trend by managing to expand on the typical musou formula with a big open world experience for the first time in the series that pairs well with the familiar gameplay and story, which all combine to make a very enjoyable game that are built for veterans and newcomers alike.
Burnout Paradise offers all the excitement and crashes you remember from the original release. Now the game is upped to 60 FPS support and 4K, which adds to the experience. It wasn’t a whole complete overhaul of the 2008 release, but the opportunity to return to Paradise City and it’s accompanying Big Surf Island is one that many won’t (and shouldn’t) pass up, especially if you plan on bringing a few friends along for the drive.
Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition brings the renowned installment to the PC in stunning detail. The all-inclusive offering is easily the definitive version of the title, stepping above the console counterparts with its platform-specific enhancements. The game has evolved not only the series, but also itself since release thanks to added content and cutscenes that help the narrative feel more cohesive. Because of this more realized form, there has never been a better time to experience Final Fantasy XV.
Onebitbeyond has crafted something special here. It rips one of the early 90’s most iconic titles and brings it into the modern era with meaningful additions to the beloved formula. The world is rife with an intoxicating personality and entertaining adventure, beautifully wrapped in eye-catching imagery. The Swords of Ditto does require commitment and acceptance of failure to see through to the end, but it is worth the investment.
Even with very little being new in Dragon’s Crown Pro, it still manages to be the same great game that it was before. For those looking for a fun beat-em-up with a twist for your next party, Dragon’s Crown Pro might be just the game for you.
The original Unravel surprised many people when it originally released and Unravel Two is an excellent continuation of that game. The game may feel quite similar to the first one, but there is still plenty new here to enjoy for both those that played the first or those who didn’t and just want a fun new puzzle platformer.
Destiny 2 has been trudging along, kept alive by the weekly log ins of its most faithful Guardians. Forsaken makes Destiny 2 fun again, giving more meaning to those log ins. The Tangled Shore and Dreaming City are visual treats and the Barons make for deserving recipients of those new Supers, but it may be the hefty collection of smaller changes that accompany Forsaken that make it feel all the better. The weapon slot revisions, return of random perk rolls, and other back-end modifications bring Destiny 2 closer in line with what it was expected to be from the start.
Building on the good and fixing some of the worst from recent entries, WWE 2K19 finally breaks through and gives us our first legitimately good WWE game on current generation consoles.
While LEGO games rarely change much outside of the characters and setting, LEGO DC Super-Villains does try some new things that manage to work out. This isn't going to be the game that changes the minds of those who already do not like the LEGO formula, but LEGO DC Super-Villains is still one of the best LEGO games to release in the last few years.
All in all, Insurgency: Sandstorm is a competent, exhilarating tactical shooter. Even after countless hours of capturing objectives and eliminating aggressive AI, each battle maintains its high level of tension. The weapon behavior and audio work beautifully in tandem to provide an offering that is difficult to find elsewhere currently. The small flaws that crop up occasionally do little to detract from the overall experience, although they don’t go completely unnoticed. New World Interactive has crafted a quality FPS that builds emergent war stories in every battle. Here’s hoping they someday release the cancelled single player/co-op story mode. One could only imagine what their advanced grasp of sound design could do in a structured, nail-biting narrative.
Even though it doesn’t bring anything incredibly new to the table, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition is without a doubt the best way to experience this RPG classic that is still well worth playing today.
Even without the series' signature tag mode, Dead or Alive 6 is still a blast to play with a large roster of characters and enjoyable game modes like story and the brand new DOA Quest. The tantalizing nature of DOA may show a little restraint as well, but it is still ever present in Dead or Alive 6 for those that are looking for it.
While we may be waiting on the jump to new platforms for future entries, Atlus brings together a greatest hits package in Etrian Odyssey Nexus for its farewell outing on the Nintendo 3DS, which is the definitive version of the series to date.