Nevbear1206

As of typing out this review, I have finally completed two of the greatest video games of all time, Portal and Portal 2. Conceptually, having these games on the Switch is a no-brainer, since they are seemingly simple puzzlers with oftentimes a cozy and satisfying feel. It's hard to say anything about Portal that hasn't already been said, but the narrative sweeping through both games is phenomenal, the characters are perfectly voiced and written, the music is fittingly atmospheric, and I haven't even touched on the gameplay. I wish I was smart enough to have run through both titles without any online help but when given enough time and peace of mind, I would recommend completing as much blind as possible. My mind was consistently blown by clever puzzles and meta-game design, and the humor throughout is genuinely hilarious. Must-plays for all gamers; with my favorite credits sequence of all time as a little bonus.

I have been transfixed by the world of Jak and Daxter for a long time, and finally being able to purchase the trilogy and jump right in has truly been a joy. Such a beautiful and innovative game for its time, I can say that the Precursor Legacy truly retains much of its original magic several decades later. Jak feels awesome to control; some of my early frustrations with combat or exploration were quenched by finding new moves or combos that make the world a joy to venture through. The boss battles, while few, are clever and unique for a 3D platformer. The collecting is genius; menus clearly show you where to look for power cells or precursor orbs, which are smartly placed across each area. The animation and voice-acting are all perfect and brilliant; it's incredibly easy to fall in love with these characters, and I can't wait to play the next titles to learn more. Overall an underrated PlayStation joy that more people should be talking about and re-visiting so that a new title is possible.

A step-up in just about every way from the first Toree game on Switch. Still a remarkably cheap game that you can jump right into and have fun with, the levels are much better and more creative this time around with the same quality music and movement. There's even a boss fight at the end. All Switch users should try out this indie gem.

For its price point alone, this is a great platformer that every Switch owner should have and play. A short, unique, creative, fast-paced, fun 3D platformer reminiscent of past N64 titles with great music and movement. While there are not too many levels and some are stronger than others, Toree 3D is a fun, inoffensive time.

While I have completed this game multiple times over the past couple of years, I just recently achieved one of my greatest feats in gaming, completing the Pantheon of Hallownest and truly conquering this insanely hard yet incredible game. The three talented and hard-working individuals that makeup Team Cherry deserve all of the praise in the world for crafting such a polished, beautiful, and wildly fun Metroidvania platformer that I have gladly poured several hundreds of hours into. There simply is no other game quite like this, especially at its low price point on such a wide variety of platforms, with this amount of content, replayability, and true sense of wonder. The combat is tight and difficult with many possible builds, spells, and charm combinations. The exploration and overall world is purely magic; words cannot justify its excellence and splendor. The sound design and music are all perfect, epic, and atmospheric. One of my favorite games of all time; if you play video games, playing and falling in love with Hollow Knight is inevitable.

An absolute triumph in the increasingly impressive world of indie gaming. As a huge fan of videogamedunkey, I couldn't be more pleased to see that the first game from his publishing studio is a true masterpiece in game design. Utterly captivating, the pixel art and atmospheric music are all gorgeous, with unique lighting effects crafted within an original game engine. I have never seen physics and game mechanics quite like those seen in Animal Well; everything has been carefully crafted and thought of. Each additional discovery seems to flip the world onto its head, making you rethink past areas and puzzles. While the world is open-ended with no restrictions, the clear map and fast-travel system allow for immersive exploration around every turn. Everything is seamless with perfect performance, and some secrets are so well-hidden and deep that it has taken teams of reviewers and gamers alike to discover everything. Must be experienced blindly; something to behold.

A great Pokemon title and an incredibly nostalgic game that I watched countless hours of and collected all the cards from before actually getting my hands on it myself. The visuals are great and hold up nicely, making for a smooth transition from 2D to 3D graphics and legitimately looking much better than the recent Switch titles. The new Pokemon are all great with fun moves and abilities, and the addition of the Fairy type was genius. The addition of Mega Evolution is even better, making for insanely cool Pokemon alterations and animations. The exploration is decent with some fun puzzles, although I was never a fan of how TMs functioned in the overworld. The gyms are aesthetically pleasing and mostly clever as well. The majority of this game is too easy for sure until the late and post-game, making for some fun challenges. The supporting characters are all great and fit nicely within an interesting narrative with amazing lore. Anyone offset by cheesy writing or moments should play the campaign through since the post-game missions are phenomenal in every aspect. Fast travel allows for easier completion and exploring the city of Lumiose is genuinely immersive, even making for some cinematic moments. I look forward to my future with what is so far my personal favorite Pokemon title.

Naughty Dog finishes off the Uncharted series (for now) with a shorter and less narratively interesting game than the others, yet one that retains the superb graphics and gameplay of Uncharted 4. As essentially a spin-off story that adds on to 4, at its retail price, the flawed writing and less varied writing keep this from being a strong standalone title. However, the puzzles are just as unique and fun, the combat is just as responsive and chaotic, and the larger-than-life set pieces are just as breathtaking and bombastic. Chloe Frazier also makes for a gorgeous and surprisingly interesting protagonist. I hope that Naughty Dog truly challenges themselves with their next title.

The beginning of the strongest PlayStation franchise to date, God of War on the PS2 is a remarkable achievement, delivering great visuals and cinematic yet engaging gameplay for its time. Kratos, who also happens to be the best PlayStation protagonist, handles quite well throughout tight combat encounters and movement-based obstacles. Enemy variety is strong and the gameplay loop of obtaining new weapons and spells to upgrade and use against foes is very rewarding. Some quick-time-event aspects of the combat can be finicky, but overall it works well. The narrative has become a classic tale in gaming, with great animations and performances from voice actors. The camera works very well to show off sweeping vistas and far-off titans or temples. Overall an incredibly fun and solid title, aside from some janky sections and balance issues.

I first saw Ghost of Tsushima after playing it at my best friend's house. That day, he claimed that it was his favorite game of all time, something that has personally rung true for him years later. Now that I have personally experienced **** Punch's greatest title, I can confirm that it is an amazing game with plenty of joyous aspects. First off, the visuals stand tall among all else. Exploration is always enjoyable on horseback due to an incredibly immersive setting with gorgeous scenery. Fast travel is instantaneous, and clear winds guide you to your next destination at all times. Rather than creating an endlessly empty world, the developers chose to create a smaller, more streamlined map that is dense with activities and quests. The combat is the next best part of Ghost; the swordplay is incredibly fun, addicting, and surprisingly deep, taking advantage of multiple stances and extra items. I would personally recommend playing on a higher difficulty to push the action to its greatest heights. There are also bows for long-range combat and a wide variety of abilities that keep the general gameplay from feeling cramped or unimaginative. The narrative is solid with several familiar beats while some truly great characters have darker, more impactful storylines of their own. The included DLC area contains a decent story with amazing duels as well as additional activities and cosmetics. Besides some repetitive activities and gameplay sequences, my main gripe with Ghost comes from the characters themselves; many of them are simply animated poorly, largely detracting from the cinematic experience that first-party PlayStation games provide. With a larger budget next time around, I guarantee **** Punch will deliver a title that doesn't miss on any fronts.

My first experience with a traditional Kirby title was an amusing and entertaining one, but it was not without its flaws. Initially jumping in, I was immediately impressed by the crisp visuals from my base model 3DS screen; each texture is rendered beautifully, and the adorable art style adds loads of cute charm. As far as the gameplay, Kirby handles well, but quick movements demanded by obstacles are often difficult due to his floaty nature. The levels and collectibles are both hit-or-miss; some are excellently designed, and some are incredibly frustrating. The general Nintendo polish is always appreciated, helping each of the numerous power-ups to work as intended, as well as the great boss fights. Overall a great game and a solid Kirby title with a few rough edges.

For what it is, this is a solid entry in the series, especially considering the quality of the last few Silent Hill titles. Focusing on the negative first, the chase sequences are occasionally frustrating and often unclear, tending to be trial-and-error with no clear end. The protagonist also ends up being the least interesting and most annoying character with incredibly whiny dialogue. On the bright side, the atmosphere is phenomenal with greatly detailed environments and music that perfectly fits the environment. The gameplay is simple and borrows slightly from the infinitely better P.T. but still manages to be enjoyable and enticingly pulls you farther into the narrative. As far as the story goes, the developers deliver a self-aware tale of suicide and social media that fits well into the world of Silent Hill. A solid horror title and a great time when you recall that it cost you nothing.

While many look to acclaimed Sony studios such as Naughty Dog and Santa Monica for cinematic and impactful stories in gaming, the importance and influence of Rockstar cannot be understated within the medium. Not only is Red Dead Redemption a ridiculously fun time and an incredibly immersive game, its true strength at its core lies with its phenomenal characters and overarching story. The passion for this storyline has been shown by the hasty development of a sequel that grants further context for the motivations and past events of certain characters. As far as the gameplay, Red Dead contains many similar ideas to those seen in the Grand Theft Auto titles but with a genius Western twist. Being able to freely roam the entire world on horseback while coming across new areas and activities is truly liberating, and each side mission is carefully laid out within the main story. The map is of decent size and naturally opens up as you progress. Handling your horse and John himself is smooth, and the gunplay is particularly satisfying thanks to the Dead Eye mechanic. For 2010, the graphics hold up surprisingly well, and there is luckily a new remaster to smooth over certain textures. The sound design is also phenomenal, with great music throughout the entire journey. Narratively, I can only gripe that John spends a bit too much time with annoying characters that do little to further his adventure. From a gameplay perspective, I wish that there was a bit more variation to overall missions. My true complaints that keep this game from being a masterpiece stem from technical issues; I struggled with auto-saving problems, janky AI, and was forced to restart the console once. A bit more polish would have gone a long way for an otherwise outstanding game.

Despite a slow start and some repetitive content, the immense creativity and truly revolutionary mechanics of Arkane's latest great game make it a must-play for all FPS fans. Starting with its technical achievements, it flawlessly takes advantage of the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the DualSense controller while looking great; the assets are shockingly high definition and each locale is beautifully rendered. The gunplay is phenomenal, with decent variety and great customizability. The powerful abilities allow for hilarious situations and plenty of ways to take advantage of the canonically idiotic NPCs. At the end of the day, Deathloop delivers a ridiculously immersive, addictive, and fun experience that should not be missed.

Since my knowledge of and experience with multiplayer FPS titles is limited, my review is for the campaign of Titanfall 2, which is truly phenomenal and remains the gold standard for concise single-player components of multiplayer titles. Respawn delivers a cinematic experience full of incredibly varied gameplay encounters and rich mechanics, drawing from and expanding on strong aspects of highly influential FPS titles that came before such as Half-Life and Halo. The visuals remain impressive, the gameplay is addictive and fun, and each additional mechanic from the time-travel to the general mech combat is revolutionary and fully polished. If only it all lasted a bit longer.

An expertly crafted platformer created by someone who is truly a fan of the genre, Super Meat Boy requires extreme precision and can be punishingly difficult, but each level feels possible and makes clear what the player must do and how they must use each polished mechanic to their advantage. The art style and soundtrack are spectacular, creating a unique feel that has since been seen in Edmund McMillan's other titles. The boss fights and extra levels are particularly great, with some of my favorite bosses in a platformer of this nature. A revolutionary indie title that remains fun and easy to jump right into.

The greatest roguelike of all time remains an incredibly fun and addictive game for those just picking it up and for those who have been playing for over a decade. Classic dungeon-crawling gameplay coupled with hundreds of items, bosses, and rooms with Edmund McMillen's hilarious style and genius game design make for a true indie masterpiece.

Bloodborne remains one of the most beloved souls-like and PlayStation titles for a multitude of reasons. Year after year, millions of gamers await the announcement of a remaster that would fix the technical and visual issues that plague this game, such as a poor frame rate and low-quality textures. At its core, Bloodborne is still a phenomenal experience, providing the greatest gothic horror world with a massive variety of fascinating characters and enemies. The narrative continues to enlighten fans, with truly incredible storytelling and lore. The soundtrack remains one of the greatest of all time, consisting of elaborate orchestral tracks that are massive in scale and set a prestigious yet ominous tone. Of course, the gameplay remains the strongest aspect of Bloodborne. FromSoftware takes their perfect souls-like combat, making it more aggressive and better suited for enemies of all shapes and sizes. Replacing shields for firearms remains a bold and genius move that fits the feel of the world. While there are several mediocre bosses, the vast majority are phenomenal and immensely iconic to this day. Each system is well-thought-out and immersive, even if the altered healing system remains polarizing. Simply put, Bloodborne is an incredible evolution of the souls-like genre and remains infinitely enjoyable for all PlayStation fans.

Nintendo delivers yet another 2D Mario title, but this time, one with more charm, creativity, and game-design genius than any title since Super Mario World. Mario has never handled more fluidly, and the addition of badges that add abilities from gliding to grappling allows for more varied gameplay and replayability. Adding characters such as Daisy and Toadette makes for a rich cast, even if some were added as easier alternatives to play with, such as Nabbit and the Yoshis. The new "Wonder" style establishes a silly and unserious tone for the game, mostly to its benefit; all past platforming cliches are put to rest as Piranha Plants have singing routines and Bowser morphs into a flying castle. Some aspects of the aesthetic can be jarring, but it mostly shows Nintendo's willingness to adapt and reinvent. There are a multitude of truly incredible platforming sections with the Wonder Flowers, and the attention to detail within this new world is refreshing. While power-ups are few in number, the ones that are present each flip traditional Mario platforming onto its head. There is a great selection of levels with some decent challenges, even if the boss fights against Bowser Jr. tend to largely feel shallow. Completion is standard and without tedium, and the final-final gauntlet is truly despicable. Overall, an exceptional Mario experience that furthers my excitement for the follow-up to Odyssey.

The classic and timeless masterpiece from Valve, Half-Life delivers a phenomenal first-person shooter campaign that combines excellent combat and environmental puzzles with a mysterious and fascinating world, delivering scripted cinematics and abstract storytelling to maintain pacing throughout. While the graphics may seem dated by current standards, the sound design remains excellent, and the innovative use of physics and gameplay elements such as teleportation display true genius in Valve's game design. The vast array of unique weapons and large-scale combat encounters keep Half-Life tense and exciting when resources become scarce. While some chapters contain frustrating sections or dated gameplay elements, Half-Life remains a must-play and its notable impact on gaming as a whole cannot be understated.

Valve delivers a graphically and technically impressive tech demo to celebrate the launch of the new handheld PC, the Steam Deck. While I myself played this on my laptop with a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, my experience may have been less than ideal, but I still found a clever, slightly humorous, bite-sized game with just enough Portal flair to make it enjoyable. The extremely short length leaves much to be desired and the gameplay could have been more inventive, but at the end of the day, it's a very charming and very free title that Valve themselves put out, by some miracle.

Bethesda's first entry in the Fallout series is mostly a success and undeniably a bold, intricate, thought-out RPG title. Focusing on the positives, the Wasteland makes for an engaging setting, especially when first starting out; I was constantly intrigued by the grotesquely mutated enemies, the memorable yet devastated landmarks, and the wide variety of interesting characters. Every person you come across is well-written and well-acted, making the desolate world feel truly alive. Within the writing specifically, there is plenty of humor and creativity. Every RPG mechanic is fully fleshed out, with many different possible character builds; making progress through leveling up is consistently rewarding and fun. The graphics are solid for the time, even though lighting can be an issue. The core gameplay is a mixed-bag for some; with the VAT system, melee and ranged combat feels strategic and cinematic; without the VAT system, all forms of combat feel clunky, imprecise, and unpolished. There are plenty of bugs and imperfections, an inevitability with Bethesda at the handle, but most are minor and even add character. I personally found the looting and inventory management enjoyable, while others may disagree. Strangely enough, where Fallout 3 feels truly lacking is in the narrative; the main campaign is rarely surprising or interesting, and it's over far too quickly. I personally wish that there were stronger motivating aspects behind the main quest and that it explored more of the sizable map. I had much more enjoyment simply fleshing out my character and exploring the Wastelands aimlessly. Regardless, a good Fallout game, a great Bethesda game, and a true gaming novelty.

As a huge fan of the Wizarding World since 2011, I was beyond excited when Hogwarts Legacy was announced, and I eagerly counted down the days until its release. After finally finishing the title, I can say that it has very much exceeded my cautious expectations. The main story takes you across all of Hogwarts, interacting with all kinds of students and teachers, as well as the sizable world map. Surprisingly, I often felt that the campaign was lacking in real heart and intriguing moments, greatly made up for with the amazing relationship quest lines. Going down the morally questionable side quests based on learning and wielding curses were personally the real highlights. The visuals are great along with the score, reminiscent of the Harry Potter films. Voice acting across all characters is also surprisingly good, given the number of people you interact with. Combat is a mixed bag; while it’s great fun to utilize all of your different spells to create unique combos, it oftentimes feels janky and chaotic. There are also some technical issues that could have used more polish, such as unstable frame rates, loading times when simply walking into new areas, and characters acting strangely or simply looking off. All of these grievances are minor, but present. However, the greatest part of Hogwarts Legacy is by far the Room of Requirement. Obtained early on and constantly evolving up until the end of the story, your personal magic haven is truly magical. The customization is endless and thoughtfully designed, and caring for your collection of beasts throughout different environments is amazing. Overall, Hogwarts Legacy is a great title for all and a must-play for any fans of the Wizarding World.

One of the first FPS titles that pulled me in from the start and refused to let go. A truly massive variety of weapons and addicting gunplay coupled with a brilliant artstyle make for a high-octane open campaign that could simply never bore. The RPG mechanics are thoughtfully implemented with fun methods of progression without getting too grindy, and most boss fights are engaging. However, Borderlands lacks heavily in story; there is never any real motivation to meet new characters and discover new areas besides wanting to find new enemies to demolish, and the campaign comes to a sudden and unsatisfying end. As far as the Xbox 360 version, which I played entirely split-screen, there were definitely some performance issues. Regardless, the great combat and stylish visuals keep Borderlands a fun time, and I'm excited to play through the sequels.

A lengthy yet consistently entertaining and creative platformer with masterfully designed co-op gameplay. The detail and polish applied to every individual feature and minigame found throughout the journey of May and Cody is very impressive. No two areas are even remotely similar, and the wide variety of items and tools keeps things fresh. No matter who you play this game with, you will come out of it knowing you experienced something special.

This game will forever remain in the shadow of its infinitely better predecessor. However, this is still an amazing title from Naughty Dog, and a true technical showcase for not only the PS4 but for gaming as a whole. The breathtaking visuals stand tall amongst many "next gen" entries, and the layer of polish that comes from a 6-year long development process is much appreciated and apparent. Exploration is improved upon with huge, sweeping areas that contain all kinds of collectibles and resources to gather for your next combat encounter. Combat itself feels phenomenal, with immense layers of depth and freedom for any specific playstyle. The soundtrack is once again perfectly atmospheric and fitting, serving as an extension of the music found in the first game. Where this game fails to be a true masterpiece is in its narrative. This is a disheartening, disgusting, and unnecessary story that should have never been told. The Last of Us stood on its own two feet as a perfect gem, not needing a sequel or any more content. Each character from the first title has been stripped of their soul and humanity, leaving this game feeling hollow and empty by the end rather than climactic and beautiful. While I am disappointed by the choices made by the producers and developers, I would be a liar if I said that this was truly a horrible game that was lacking in any other aspect. The Last of Us goes out with a whimper after an amazing ride. I hope Part III never comes.

An incredibly nostalgic title for myself, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team never fails to be a fun and charming RPG with engaging mechanics and surprising depth. The creativity applied to platforming sections, enemy design, and gameplay features outside of combat is amazing and keeps the story interesting, even when it begins to drag on. Combat is simple yet often punishing until attacks are understood, for better or worse in several boss encounters. The world is wonderfully designed with colorful visuals, fun puzzles, satisfying exploration, and a great soundtrack throughout. There is also some genuinely hilarious humor and self-aware writing. As with any RPG, there are slow moments and huge cinematic events, maintaining a solid balance, despite a frustrating amount of tutorials and hand-holding at times. Regardless, this is a fun and engaging title that both RPG and platforming fans would enjoy.

A pleasant indie experience brought together by a simplistic and colorful artstyle, fun and chaotic gameplay, and a number of cute, clever puzzles that often have hilarious outcomes. The premise of playing as a goose who wreaks havoc on local townspeople and city-goers is amusing, and definitely delivers, despite some hiccups with hitboxes and some annoying characters with odd habits. I played in co-op, and while certain puzzles are made easier (or harder) for better or worse, it was an undeniably fun few hours of unique and amusing gameplay. Definitely a great try for anyone.

An incredibly unique and inventive title, Scribblenauts Unlimited combines platforming and a fun art style with a vast compendium of possible items to magically conjure into gameplay. This makes for an experience of shallow yet pure fun when allowed to freely explore the possibilities of Scribblenauts. Main quests can be clever, engaging, and quite humorous, with the occasional monotony and lack of polish, yet this never takes away from gameplay. Overall a lighthearted fun time that's suitable for anyone.

A charming story with surprising emotional depth considering the physical nature of the characters. Platforming feels immensely satisfying as each level increases in difficulty with well-designed puzzles. Combined with a great soundtrack and pleasantly minimalist visuals, Thomas Was Alone makes for a brief yet enjoyable indie title.

A masterclass in visual storytelling, simplistic gameplay, environmental puzzles, and everything else that this perfect platformer sets out to achieve. Each section is more engaging than the last, with a finale that has gone down in gaming history. I was continuously amazed by the sheer attention of detail and polish that was carefully imbued into this title. Indie mastery.

Very short yet very sweet. While the core game can easily be completed in less than an hour, the polished controls, stylish yet retro visuals, rewarding collectibles, and endearing story make for a delightful title.

A delightful indie experience with more charm and polish than any recent triple A titles. The core gameplay is fun and addictive while the puzzles are engaging and clever. Visually, the black-and-white color palette looks great while the phenomenal sound design further immerses you into Toem's concise world. As my first platinum, this amazing title has been great to delve into.

While the internal creator is surprisingly well-designed and fun, the same can unfortunately not be said for the main campaign. The visuals are often great with many creative locations (especially within the DLC campaign The Journey Home), yet every aspect of the gameplay suffers. Collectibles feel cheap and don't create any motivation to explore entire levels while the new mechanics and tools sprinkled throughout do little to make the experience any more enjoyable. The 2.5D platforming is often janky and annoying, and while the new characters are fun additions to gameplay, they are comedically underused. A lacking title as a first-party PlayStation exclusive.

The greatest video game of all time has received a sequel, one that somehow improves on all aspects to provide one of the most fun and rewarding gaming experiences ever. Exploration is at an all-time high with a more meaningful story this time around. Each mechanic has been fully fleshed out and can be used in a variety of clever puzzles with a large degree of freedom. The sheer size of Hyrule with the sky islands as well as the depths makes for enough content to last well over 100 hours for any completionists out there. The polish added to every aspect of this game, especially the insane physics and building mechanics, is satisfying to see in an era where game developers seem to either rush their titles out for release or focus on what will generate immediate profits such as microtransactions. Nintendo once again delivers a title of sheer gaming brilliance.

A video game in its absolute purest form. Incredibly immersive with amazing exploration and sheer freedom for the player to have fun however they see fit. Without the perfect music, atmosphere, art style, and combat, this would still be one of the greatest games ever made due to its masterful approach to open-world game design. Nintendo solidifies themselves as the best once again.

The phenomenal movement of web-swinging and the immersion within a bustling New York City as Spider-Man himself make for a great time and a game that is a joy to jump into. The story is surprisingly deep and emotional at times with some strong pacing and fantastic cinematics. Unfortunately, this experience is not without its flaws; the city makes for a gorgeous yet hollow video game setting with poor collectibles, combat is often chaotic and repetitive, and there is a slew of miserable stealth encounters throughout. Insomniac still delivers a fun and technically impressive title that is sure to delight any fans of the web-slinger.

Bayonetta's few flaws in level design and structure are buried deeply under immense amounts of creative charm and beautiful yet brutal aesthetic. Some of the greatest combat of all time coupled with over-the-top demon action, phenomenal boss fights, great writing, fantastic music, and a story with some real heart makes for an all-time high within the hack-and-slash genre.

One of the most unique and breathtaking gaming experiences one can have. Clever mechanics, puzzles, and controls combine with beautiful music amidst an incredible art style. The cinematic nature makes this brief title somewhat hard to replay, but this doesn't affect much. Everyone should play once.

A powerhouse title for the PS4 with some of the greatest graphics to grace any console, Naughty Dog delivers another technical marvel. Incredible action sequences, great exploration amidst huge areas full of treasure, and new mechanics for improved gameplay are the real selling points for this massive title. That being said, I do prefer the combat of Uncharted 3, and there is almost too much narrative content behind some classic Druckman writing. Still an amazing experience and a PlayStation must-have.

A sheer platforming joy, Astro's Playroom would be an amazing game even if it wasn't a free "tech demo" for all PS5 consoles. Great use of the DualSense controller makes for an awe-inspiring experience that I love to let my friends play and have fun with. While brief, the amount of quality content and fun collectibles make this a great title.

As someone who has defeated every boss and completed every aspect of this game, I can ensure that it is still an amazing title, even if it doesn't hold up to other FromSoft titles as far as consistent levels of balance and quality. Controls take some getting used to, several bosses are mediocre or flat-out bad, and the main story isn't as engaging as those of Dark Souls or Bloodborne. Yet the world of Drangleic is huge and sprawling with an incredible hub in Majula. NPCs and covenants are also the best in the series, and there are some great weapons and spells to make for an incredible RPG experience with tons of content.

A consistently creepy and intriguing title, the visuals and sound remain impressive on the Switch while load times suffer occasionally. The overall story is fascinating, while the DLC chapter adds a great layer of new mechanics and narrative depth to the package. The enemy design is magnificent, with the main "boss" creatures serving as specific highlights. My main gripes are with puzzles, which can often be either too simplistic or too confusing, and controls, which sometimes feel quite good when navigating corridors and tight areas but are frustrating and restricting more often than not. Still one of the best indie horror titles out there, just not a perfect one.

As my first Ratchet and Clank title, I was consistently impressed and engaged by the colorful visuals, vast array of fun weapons, and scale of each planet with their collectibles and simple puzzles. This game maintains satisfying pacing without much filler while never overstaying its welcome. There are also few boss battles, yet what is here is of great quality, especially the final boss. But as far as the story, writing, and characters, I was also consistently let down by the lack of heart and inspired narrative content. A great time, just don't expect to be emotionally invested in any part of it.

A work of indie mastery. Inspiration is taken from all the best 2D platformers of the past to create a truly modern title that constantly throws fresh ideas at the player that all work effortlessly. My expectations for future 2D platformer controls are sky-high after playing as Madeline for dozens of hours with her smooth and immensely satisfying jumping, dashing, and climbing. Collecting strawberries and hearts is always entertaining and fun, while completing B-Sides and C-Sides is always challenging and perfectly frustrating. A true modern masterpiece.

Focusing on what this Zelda title excels at, dungeons are clever and don't overstay their welcome, the visuals are vibrant and impressive for the system, the music is great, and the story is quite heartfelt and impactful. As far as the rest, mechanics could have been more creative, some quests feel uninspired, and I often felt discouraged by using my finger to control Link while lacking a stylus where I wish I could have just used the D-Pad/circle pad. Still a great title overall, just one that could have been better.

Nintendo reminds everyone that they are the greatest around when it comes to platformers and just video games in general with Super Mario Odyssey, arguably their biggest and boldest 3D Mario entry yet. Controls are the greatest they've ever been with slick and smooth movement and tons of possible moves, especially with the genius addition of Cappy. Controlling iconic Mario enemies and even otherwise inanimate objects is a joy and adds a whole new layer of fun to the package. Every kingdom is packed to the brim with life and charm, not to mention the hundreds of clever and engaging puzzles. On top of incredible visuals, music, and one of the most "Mario" stories to date, this game is a must-play for anyone who enjoys gaming at its most pure state of sheer fun.

One of the most revolutionary FPS titles of its original era, Halo proves to still be a joy with its fun weapons and open areas despite some age felt with repetitive gameplay and settings.

My personal favorite of the four mainline titles, Uncharted 3 brings the best combat, the best puzzles, and arguably some of the best action sequences. Nathan Drake does not hold back in this intense and heartfelt entry, improving on the previous two games in just about every way.

This game was a labor of passion and love, felt in every line of dialogue, every combat encounter, every song, and everything else. The humorous and emotional writing, the beautiful and engaging music, the fun and addictive combat system, the endearing stories of humanity and morality, Toby Fox proves to be an RPG genius, taking inspiration from gems of the past to create the greatest game of its genre.