DarkZero

If you’ve never played a Fatal Frame game before, this remake is the perfect place to start. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a well-done rebuild of a classic that I feel does well walking the line between preserving its identity and modernising its gameplay. While some of the original’s raw tension is softened by updated controls and systems, the core feel remains mostly there. What matters is getting that horror feel right, and Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is an atmospheric, slow-burning horror that still manages to unsettle. It may not fully replace the original for purists, but for newcomers and some fans, it stands as a strong revival of one of the genre’s scariest games.

Nioh 3 feels like a natural evolution of the ideas that Team Ninja has been refining for years in not just Nioh, but their other action RPG titles as well. The expanded exploration, new combat styles, and improved systems give the game a greater sense of scale without losing too much of its identity that defines the series. What ultimately makes Nioh 3 excel is how rewarding its combat feels once everything begins to click. Switching styles mid-fight, managing Ki efficiently, and making smart use of abilities creates an exhilarating flow that few action RPGs hit. While some players may miss the tighter level design of previous entries and others may find the layered mechanics daunting, the overall experience remains incredibly rewarding. In the end, Nioh 3 refines what the series has always done best, Its deep combat, making it one of the most enthralling Soulslike action RPGs to play today.

Visions of Four Heroes is very much more of the same, but that is not a criticism when the foundation it builds upon is solid. Dynasty Warriors: Origins laid a strong baseline for the series with its refined combat, improved presentation, and more focused storytelling. This DLC chooses to expand that storytelling, one of the strongpoints of the original game. The additional story content offers deeper insight into familiar figures, while the gameplay remains enjoyable taking down 1000s of soldiers in battle. Although it does little to push the formula forward, it successfully delivers more of what already worked, making it a decent expansion for those who enjoyed the main game.

Anthem#9 is a stylish, compact roguelite that somehow works by doing less, but doing it well. No doubt it comes with a bold visual identity and an imaginative gem-chaining combat system. The lack of permanent updates might not be one for people who have become accustomed to the modern roguelite design, but this does mean the game is solely focused on offering a game that is purely about the player’s skill. Although the game’s tutorials and explanations can feel underdeveloped, the satisfaction of mastering its mechanics outweighs the early learning curve. In the end, what I found is that Anthem#9 delivers a surprising amount of depth wrapped in a striking, but simplistic presentation.

As the credits rolled after my four hour and 30-minute journey, I found myself a little lost trying to decipher exactly what had happened, but the experience getting there was the compelling next step of the gameplay seen in the previous Little Nightmares titles. Even if the puzzles remain simple and the controls occasionally stumble, these minor flaws hardly detract from the overall package, which includes striking visuals, tense encounters, and richly varied environments. Reanimal delivers a grim, beautiful, and unsettling time. Whether played solo or in co-op, this game proves Tarsier Studios are able to keep delivering little nightmares time and time again.

Despite taking Carmageddon in an interesting new direction, this game did not need to use the title, since its mechanics are more a spin-off entry. The beta handling changes were a step in the right direction, as I was ready to give this game a 4 until those changes came, which means hopefully the team at 34BigThings keep improving what they have here. The core loop is occasionally fun and the carnage is great to be a part of, but repetition sets in far too quickly and the lack of endgame content leaves little reason to return once beat. The handling fixes help, but they cannot disguise a thin roguelite built around a narrow selection of events. There is potential here and future updates may yet realise it, but for now, Carmageddon: Rogue Shift is spinning its wheels, struggling to get to the finish line.

Twinkleby is a decent and relaxing cosy game that delivers charm through its island‑building mechanics. The low‑poly dioramas style gives it a warm personality, and the freedom and ease of decorating islands and adjusting the islands make it inviting for casuals. However, the game is held back by slow unlock pacing in the early hour and frustratingly limited control over villagers, who sometimes wander on their own schedules and ignore the important items they desire, even when placed in front of them. Fans of cosy and casual games will find enjoyment in its gentle pace, making it great to play while listening to a podcast or watching some YouTube videos, but it doesn’t offer enough to be anything more than a cosy pastime, which feels very much like the experience it was created to offer.

Gunfire Reborn offers a solid mix of roguelite progression, creative weapons, and fun hero abilities, making it a good pick for fans of loot-focused first-person shooters. Its low system requirements and co-op gameplay further enhance its accessibility, and it makes for a great Steam Deck experience. However, the highly repetitive level design is a weakness that can’t be ignored. While expansions and seasonal systems add variety, they feel like compensation for the bland environments rather than a true fix. Overall, it’s a good game that is enjoyable, but not without some flaws that stop it short of greatness.

In summary, Out of Time warps into the Survivors-like genre with a mix of chaotic, era-mashing, auto-action, and a gear-based skill system that sparks creative builds. The Tether mechanic encourages co-op play, which is the better way to play the game. Future updates, including new Eras, gear, and modes, should help give the game legs for the long haul. Yet, repetitive missions, and simplistic and mundane map design, and minor hiccups keep it from standing at the top of the genre. For genre fans with time to spare, Out of Time is a fun ride, but it will not stop the clock as a true standout in the genre.

Ultimately, Killing Floor 3 delivers a solid cooperative shooter foundation. It’s fun, frantic, and mechanically good but it needs time to mature through content updates and system refinements to evolve into something great.