If you go into Resident Evil Requiem without expectations, you’ll find it’s a great game. However, many long-time fans of the series did expect that Requiem would be a celebration of the series’ 30th anniversary. Capcom hasn’t done a great job so far, and using the game to advertise a $215,000 car and a couple of $1,500+ limited-edition watches has me questioning whether the company has once again lost touch with its fanbase. I’m hoping Requiem is a setup for a major twist that rewards fans for their knowledge of the franchise and propels the series into its next phase. Because of just how odd a taste this game left in my mouth, my score is mostly (and optimistically) based on the gameplay and the story, outside of its connections to the series as a whole.
Even with the flaws, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a masterpiece that sets a new standard for the classic JRPG genre, bringing over all of the expertise Atlus has with the Shin Megami Tensei series. A lesser game would have crumbled under the weight of such precariously loaded subjects — politics, governance, discrimination, injustice, religion — but Metaphor is able to navigate through them without becoming preachy or predictable. The epilogue in particular addresses the assumption that a hero who can fight villains would know anything about statecraft and tempers the game’s main conceit about the importance of fantasy. On that front, Metaphor’s maturity and self-awareness are real enough.
Silent Hill 2 Remake sets a new golden standard when it comes to remakes. The story is carried over completely intact, honoring the original narrative while adding depth where appropriate. I absolutely loved exploring the expansive, redesigned environments, which are more immersive and atmospheric than ever before. The enhanced graphics and excellent sound design contribute to an experience that is both haunting and beautiful.
Exploring the galaxy in Star Wars: Outlaws is a blast, and the open-world gameplay perfectly fits the franchise. Kay might not be the most exciting protagonist ever, and the main story suffers as a result. However, the environments are well-crafted, and the gameplay is entertaining enough to compensate for it. Massive managed to avoid many issues that Ubisoft titles are often criticized for, and Outlaws is a must-play for any Star Wars fan.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a fantastic expansion to one of the best games ever. It slots into the overall journey well, and despite introducing a new map, it feels like a natural ramp-up to the conclusion of your Tarnished becoming Elden Lord. It’s easily 40-50 more hours of content, which is a steal at $40, and FromSoftware has once again proven that it’s the master at proving both quantity and quality that most other AAA studios struggle with.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a stunning game that bridges an excellent start and what’s sure to be a thrilling conclusion. Unfortunately, being stuck in the middle puts a lot of weight on the game, which makes it strain in some areas. However, it’ll only be possible to appreciate its merits once the final chapter is complete. Only then will we have the context to see how well Rebirth succeeded or failed. For now, I’d lean toward it being a resounding success that translated the original material wonderfully while also adding a few twists that will have even long-time fans wondering what will happen next.
Even among other Persona 3 remasters, Persona 3 Reload is the new definitive version of the original game. Though I replayed Persona 3 a few years ago, I was still surprised by the sheer number of improvements and additions in Reload. For the sake of completion, Atlus should consider adding DLC that adds an option to play as the female protagonist from Persona 3 Portable. That would make me reload the game all over again.
After Yakuza: Like a Dragon soft rebooted the series, I presumed the next entry would focus entirely on Ichiban. After all, the Yakuza were finished, Kiryu had his curtain call, and a new generation of heroes and villains took the stage. However, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth seems like a step backward for the series narratively. Instead of the Yokohama gang getting a new adventure without eight games worth of lore weighing them down, Infinite Wealth spends around 50% of its runtime saying goodbye to Kiryu yet again. Fortunately, improved combat and excellent side activities compensate for Infinite Wealth’s narrative struggles.
Tekken 8 is a competent and appealing entry in the series that shakes up its familiar combat system without making it too unbalanced. Apart from the story campaign, the offline modes sadly aren’t as strong as they could be. But the PvP modes work fairly well and will keep the community afloat, even if crossplay is a bit finicky and the online connection crashes on occasion. Tekken 8 provides a solid base for additional content until the next entry, be it more characters, customization options, or extra modes. Either way, we’re ready for the next battle.
Overall, Armored Core 6 is excellent for newcomers and longtime fans alike. It serves as a great introduction to the series, and you don’t need to be familiar with past entries to have a great time. On the flip side, the gameplay and mechanics are familiar enough that you’ll feel instantly at home here if you played AC5 or Verdict Day. Given the positive response to AC6, I hope we see more of the series sooner rather than later. It deserves to be one of FromSoftware’s cornerstones as much as the studio’s Souls games do.
