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While there are a few hiccups, AO Tennis 2 feels like a fairly good tennis game. There are still a couple of things the developers can improve on, like tightening up the controls to finally hit that perfect balance, but as is, it certainly scratches that itch for tennis. The other slightly glaring issue is how there aren’t really that many “real life” tennis players here. That isn’t to say the real-life Australian Open has any particular stipulations in registration and participation, but when you can have about 128 players in the virtual Open and only 25 of them are real life figures (12 men and 13 women), it feels like there isn’t much variety in actual real-life participants. But at least you have Rafael Nadal, so if you like watching him in action, you can enjoy using him.

In the end, I solely admire that Game Freak managed to create what was clearly a passion project. However, there are quite a few flaws with the game. Primarily the gameplay being overly big and messy while also being quite tedious. Plus the bland character doesn’t really help as well. However, there is some aspect that helps it a lot like the magnificent soundtrack, enjoyable dialogue and great visuals. If this game gets a sequel and fixes these issues and tweaks a few other aspects of the game. Little Town Hero could be something special in the JRPG community.

While there are some aspects that I enjoyed, such as the core mechanics of puzzle solving and explorations and the game’s visuals, I do wish there was more emphasis on a coherent story or goal and more noticeable music. And I truly wish I didn’t have to deal with the obnoxious touch controls. I’m going to give this game a shot on my PC or phone, but for now, I’m going to judge my experience on the Nintendo Switch port. If you like games like Myst or The Witness, you might want to give Eyes of Ara a shot, but I suggest playing on a different platform or waiting for the touch pen accessory.

John Wick Hex provides a unique take on the tactical top down game, and by adopting different systems, is able to capture the fast pace renowned in the films. The fun gameplay combined with the art style make John Wick Hex a fun, but albeit short, and occasionally awkward experience.

Circling back around, I ask again, what makes for a good remake of a classic game? Honestly, I don’t think there is a single correct response. But what I do believe is The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (2019) serves as a prime example of one way to do it: treat the source material as irreverent as possible and stick to a script that worked before. While the game doesn’t necessarily do anything especially risky in this remake, I don’t think it needs to because it excels by sticking to the formula that made it work so well on the Gameboy. Link’s Awakening is a bizarre game with some incredible ideas and an unexpectedly emotional plot. It was well deserving of a remake, and I’m very excited that a new generation can experience this gem in the Zelda series. Even though the experience as a whole is marred by some truly unfortunate performance issues and an extra dungeon creator, I can say without a doubt this is the definitive way to play The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening in 2019.

Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince is a return to what Trine fans love about the series. The unique puzzles are set in beautiful locales, and the characters are really fun to use. What ultimately holds it back is the feeling that the team at Frozenbyte played it safe after Trine 3. Due to long levels and slow progression, it can at times feel as though the game drags. While I wish there had more to the game, you can do much worse than to pick up Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince.

If you came late to the series, never played V2 and are a fan, Sniper Elite V2 Remastered is a must-play and a great deal with all of the bundled items including the DLC. For those who have followed the series since the beginning, V2 Remastered does look much better and play much better but whether you wish to play through the same adventure again is a matter of personal taste. Just be aware that the gameplay is exactly how you remembered it, a far cry from the sequels.

Despite the potential that Fade to Silence has, there is no denying that this is a bad game. It suffers from poor game play, poor development, lack of polishing, a useless narrative, unbalanced difficulty, a lack of focus, outrageous levels of repetition, the problems with this game just go on and on. However, this doesn’t change one thing. I had a ton of fun with this game. The $49.99 price tag is really steep for the quality of the game you’re getting. But for a second, imagine that really god awful movie, that you love to death because of how fun that movie was to watch. That was Fade to Silence for me.

Overall, Bow to Blood: Last Captain Standing is a fun game, albeit flawed. The combat has a lot of potential, but it’s hurt by poor pacing. The story is also the bare minimum at best. For only $19.99 though, it has enough content, and quality, to leave you satisfied.

In my time playing Zombotron I experienced some really high ups, but also very annoying downs. I really love the aesthetic this game is going for and I think the gameplay is really fun once you give it time and become acclimated to it. The first run through the spaceship is really fun. I enjoyed getting more comfortable with the weapons I had and progressing through the rooms filled with a combination of aliens and zombies was a blast. Once I hit that first boss though, I instantly stopped having fun with the game and it honestly went downhill from there. The experience with the bosses really soured any goodwill I had towards this game. Without them, it’s not bad. I just cannot overlook how aggravating the experience with them is.

I found Battle for the Grid‘s gameplay to be a blast when playing locally with a friend. The easy inputs help new players get into the action quickly without having to overcome a huge learning curve. Power Rangers fans will love this game if they have someone they can consistently play with. The gameplay is smooth and the action is fine-tuned to allow for fast-paced combos. Sadly, everything else about this game makes it painfully clear that this was a budget title. Battle for the Grid is fun because of nWay’s devotion to creating an approachable fighting game with nods to its many predecessors. Other than that, I would not recommend Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, especially if you’re looking for a game with a good amount of content and decent netcode. **** is your source for great review, news, podcasts, op-eds and more! Also, be sure to check out my other reviews of my interview with Black Panther’s voice actor James Mathis III or Shades of Magic author V.E. Schwab.

And that is really what it all comes down to. You may make nitpicks that previous entries did this or that differently or that the graphics aren’t perfect. Heck, you could even choose to focus on how insurmountable everything can feel at times. But Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is just a joy to play. Sure, there are things to become annoyed about. I had too good of a time to put much stock in it. And if you let yourself have fun with EDF, you will.

It is one of those games that fills a niche genre; being that of an action, co-op side scroller. With that said, if you have a friend who plays action games with you, then yes, it fills that void well. Being a great source of mindlessness and door kicking. But for anyone else, this is not the game for you.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a fantastic game, that both previous and newcomers to the game’s style will be able to hop in and enjoy. The game is marked for it’s intense combat, strategic thinking, and beautiful world design, while only suffering from some minor polishing issues as well as a questionable amount of replayability.

Overall, Aragami: Shadow Edition delivers what it sets out to. An immensely good stealth-based adventure. While the rest of the game isn’t anything spectacular, stealth fans looking for a challenge will find one with this game. If you’re unfamiliar with the genre, or aren’t too keen to it normally, the story and game play won’t be enough to make it worth it, and the art and music won’t be enough to keep you invested. And the price won’t help justify it for many either.

The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame is an adventure best taken on your own terms. It’s a fun and imaginative experience that is at its best when you are collecting every character, item, and Master Piece in the game. The only things that hold it back are the long load times and the existence of previous MORE expansive titles in the LEGO Videogame franchise. So, while not everything in this game is awesome, it’s a journey I’m glad I made.

Treasure Stack has something going for it. It’s fun and seriously challenging and has a good and varied multiplayer. With some post-launch support, this game could easily become a must-grab. Treasure Stack makes its big splash on March 1st, 2019. It will be released for both PC and Console platforms. The game was developed and published by Pixelakes LLC and sells for $19.99.

Overall, Trials Rising has a lot to offer, I found myself spending loads of hours just grinding through tracks and listening to awesome music while I was at it. From challenging courses and challenger events to filming movies while performing 12 backflips at once, Trials Rising offers the player just enough crazy to draw them in and keeps them occupied by making them feel like a racing god. This is by far one of my favorite Trials games to date. Definitely pick this one up if you want to spend a couple of hours at a time being a stuntman. After all, it is only US $34.99.

Far Cry: New Dawn is a rather simple, uninspired game, but it manages to capture an important aspect of a quality video game very well. Being fun. It isn’t the best in the series, and I would recommend playing Far Cry 5 before jumping into this. It’s a direct sequel to 5, so that background would help. Far Cry 5 is also generally a better game and is a more traditional Far Cry experience. But don’t let that stop you from picking up New Dawn. If you’re a Far Cry fan then chances are you will enjoy this game. Despite it being a practical DLC to Far Cry 5, it manages to save face by being $40, rather than $60. It means Ubisoft is able to acknowledge that this entry is lacking in many areas compared to the standards the previous games have set.

Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy is a diamond in the rough. It is very enjoyable in some aspects, but has not aged well in others. Remastering the game further to correct some issues with the game would have went a far way into making this a better experience.

Jon Shafer’s At the Gates is a great 4X game that is promising and will keep you coming back for more. It’s beautiful, it has deep engaging systems and it’s flexible enough for players to experiment and optimize their playstyle and builds. Hopefully, At the Gates minor flaws can be worked out with post-launch support or by the time the next installment comes along.

Overall, Future Grind is a bit too flawed for long play sessions, but as a game to take on the go it’s fun. In short spurts, there is enough depth to continue playing occasionally. I don’t see the game having much of a long life, but there is enough of an interesting foundation that could be improved to create an excellent sequel.

While 2084 feels good at the surface to play, there is no substitute for a good story-driven game. In current form, it’s “just another zombie game.” The game has a lot of potential, and given time it can be good. The graphics aren’t really a problem, it’s more level design and enemy interaction. We look forward to when this game comes out of early access. For only $10, it’s not a terrible game to check out by any means, but as someone who plays FPS games regularly, this feels like a pass.

The Book of Demons is the first of the Return2Games franchise set in a world of complex mazes and levels of hordes of enemies. Unlike the typical hack’n’slash though, it rewards players who are smart and tactical, with varying degrees of play with the card and class systems. Despite it’s cheerful and paper aesthetic, it is quite dark and a very unique world. I truly recommend this for fans of hack’n’slash games, or for those that like to try creative works of art.

Unfortunately, Just Cause 4 is a real let down. From a poorly constructed world to a confusing & basic story. There is nothing new here. Steer clear of this one unless its on sale or gets many updates. DO NOT PLAY ON PC!

Nidhogg 2 is an improvement on its predecessor in almost every way. While the core gameplay is still the same, there is an added depth that gives the sequel even great variety. The single-player is not as noteworthy as its multiplayer, but if you regularly host guests, Nidhogg 2 is a great time.

Ancient Frontier: Steel Shadows is a mixed bag. While the gameplay is somewhat enjoyable, it is let down by a lackluster story and frustrating UI. The lack of any sort of tutorial whats so ever only compounds frustrations, and overall the UI design seems better suited to a mobile game than a full PC game.

Hitman 2 is another substantial entry in the franchise that plot-wise is becoming very intriguing to say the least with the twists this chapter introduces. There is no real major changes to the gameplay or the mechanics, which is a probably a good thing considering IO Interactive has the formula on lock and has for many years. With all the plotlines, ways to solve all of the contracts and new content arriving soon, the replayability factor is off the chart. Plus, the first Elusive Contract is Sean Bean himself. How often you can execute a hit on Boromir in The Lord of the Rings, Alec Trevelyan from Goldeneye, Chris Da Silva from Silent Hill or Eddard “Ned” Stark from Game of Thrones all in one go? The Starks will endure? Not if Agent 47 has anything to say about it.

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is as great for adults as it is for children. Adults will have their nostalgic urges satisfied and will sink hours into all of the secrets tucked into this collection. Children will fall in love with the colorful world and the wild cast of characters that inhabit it. Toys for Bob takes the core Spyro series and brings it right into 2018. These games have never played better, have never looked better, have never sounded better than they do now. Spyro is a beloved icon for children of the 90s, and now he’s back for a new generation. Skylanders may have brought him back into the spotlight, but the original Spyro has returned. In some respects, the Spyro games haven’t aged completely well, but those instances are few and far between. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy shows that great gameplay can make or break a game. With the love and care put into this collection, hopefully, it’s the start of a new life for the little purple dragon.

Review Summary ROCKETSROCKETSROCKETS is a fun space shooter that suffers from a lack of content. The singleplayer can get boring over time, and while multiplayer offers a few additional modes, it still does not offer much else. Playing with friends is really fun, however, this is a game that’s better for parties and is best experienced in short bursts. The game is fun and is only $5, however, you probably will put this game down after only a few hours due to the lack of content.

As sci-fi godfather Isaac Asimov did, starting with the seminal I, Robot, Detroit: Become Human raises a lot of intriguing questions. Can you abuse or kill something which is not technically alive, such as an android? Should androids, robots take over human tasks and which ones? Is an android with corrupt programming or a virus responsible for its actions, no matter how heinous they are? How do we determine whether something is alive or not? Should self-aware androids have inalienable rights like humans? It is these curious quandaries and more that filled my thoughts during and long after I finished the game. Detroit: Become Human will get you thinking and that is always a good thing.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with MLB The Show 18. It’s as close to living the dream of being on the field during a Major League game as I’ve seen. Is it going to be a hit with non-baseball fans? Probably not, simulators have a history of only being for hard core fans of a sport. For those hardcore fans, though, MLB The Show 18 is going to be a hard act to follow.

My sessions with Sea of Thieves were fun. A sense of great wonder overcame my crew and I as plundered ships and fought the undead. Unfortunately, that marvel fades as each expedition slowly starts to feel just like the last. Simply put, the content in Sea of Thieves feels thin. Games often like this one are usually a “wait and see” type of deal. Right now, Sea of Thieves harbours some interesting ideas. Only time will tell if this ambitious title will reach it’s full potential.

As an old school gamer who remembers such titles as Myst, Police Quest, the Gabriel Knight series, Quest for Glory and others with such fondness and admiration for their storytelling, it is great to see the genre make such a strong return with Telltale Games and other developers like Big Bad Wolf leading the way. Based on the first episode alone The Council would fit in with the best of those old school classics. It also brings something new to the table and establishes such an intriguing plot. Its especially appealing to someone who appreciates history and great mysteries, such as myself. Agatha Christie would surely give a tip of the hat to The Council.

Nintendo finally coming of age and including more mature titles like Doom, Resident Evil: Revelations, Skryrim, L.A. Noire and Payday 2 is a step in the right direction for the Switch. In this day and age, the Switch and actually any console or gaming device needs to be versatile and appeal to more than the Mario and Zelda crowd; those hard-core gamers who also want adult games with adult content. While it may not be the perfect experience for veteran Payday players, the port brought that unrestrained intensity and uncensored mayhem I was looking for.

Overall, Remnants of Naezith is definitely one of the hardest platformers you’ll come across. But that’s part of it’s charm. The ability to provide something so staggeringly difficult that keeps you HOOKED is truly an art (pun intended). While this style of game isn’t for everyone, it’s surely a gem to add to the list alongside the likes of Cuphead, N+, and Super Meat Boy.