Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Switch)
In late September, I was just as surprised as you when it was officially announced that Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) was being remade for PS5 and that it a Switch port was being released to tide us over. As one who had never played the original (on XBOX, PC, iPhone, or Android), I was cautiously optimistic about what was in store. I knew that KOTOR had a cult following, I had a v...[Read More]
Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan Review
I’ve done my best to avoid being political in my reviews, but writing this particular review has proven to be challenging. As someone who has dabbled (and subsequently published) media research, I’ve spent several years of my life defending the notion that video games do significantly change our behavior. In more advanced terms: the “hypodermic needle theory” is bunk. IR...[Read More]
The Bear & The Admiral (Nintendo Switch)
A few weeks ago, fellow editor, dear friend, and head honcho Nathan Stevens reached out to me and asked if I was interested in playing The Bear & The Admiral. I hesitated, as I had never heard of it, nor its sole developer and publisher, Jack Boylan, nor had I seen much about it online. At time of publishing, it looks like there are no other critic reviews on Metacritic, either. I found a men...[Read More]
Flynn: Son of Crimson (PlayStation 5)
I love dogs, but I am sadly allergic (making my dream of owning a gigantic fluffy canine one that might never come to fruition). I recently followed a Twitter account whose sole purpose is to tell me if “I can pet the dog” in a game (or fox, if you’re playing Ghost of Tsushima); I use this Twitter account as a way to decide if I should pick up a game with a gigantic pupper in its...[Read More]
Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods – Part 2 (Switch)
I know I was not the only one who was frustrated by the cliffhanger at the end of The Ancient Gods – Part 1. Perhaps frustrated is too strong a word; I was perplexed. After slogging through the annoying final boss that was Samur Maykr, I was left to learn that Slayer (Doomguy, if you’re nasty) went through all of this trouble to make…AN EVIL TWIN?! Thankfully, The Ancient Gods &#...[Read More]
Bravely Default II (PC)
The best JRPGs are those that give you a good reason to “grind” away through enemy encounters beyond “git gud.” Over the years, I’ve invested countless hours grinding through Final Fantasy and Tales games to “level up” my characters, often disappointed in how much time I was spending repeatedly defeating monsters for an upper hand in a massive (and potenti...[Read More]
Ion Driver (PS4)
I have hope for the future of the sci-fi racing genre, although fewer and fewer games that would fall into that category are released every year. While I did not play any of the F-Zero games that nostalgic Nintendo fans rabidly discuss on Reddit, I did play my fair share of the WipEout franchise from the PSP onward. The idea of obtaining insanely high speeds and making tight maneuvers in futuristi...[Read More]
NEO: The World Ends with You (PlayStation 4)
Fourteen years ago, Square Enix and Jupiter released the World Ends with You for the Nintendo DS, an action-JRPG set in modern-day Shibuya that very quickly became a best-selling DS game in Japan and North America. In 2018, TWEWY was ported to the Nintendo Switch, reminding players of an incredible JRPG from before 2010. Now, fourteen years after the release of the original game, Square Enix has b...[Read More]
Paint the Town Red (PS5)
You find yourself in a bar packed from floor to ceiling with blockheads (not stupid people, mind you, but actual folks with blocks for heads). You’re here for a drink. At the far end of the room, a cover band is playing what you think is rock music, but their dreams of musicmaking need not leave the premises. You need a drink. The bartender is overwhelmed with unruly customers, and there is ...[Read More]
Mushihimesama (Nintendo Switch)
When I was in high school, I remember coming across a Youtube video of an expert Touhou player surviving what seemed like an impossible boss. I was surprised by how they were able to precisely navigate their character through a screen that was nearly full of bullets. I was enchanted by the possibility playing a game that looked so difficult yet so simple. This started my love for bullet hell games...[Read More]
Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods Part 1 (Switch)
Doomguy, if you thought that your job as the Slayer of all demons was done after completing the campaign of Doom Eternal, you would be mistaken. The world needs you once again to save us from Hell! Now that Doom Eternal is out on the Switch, owners of the game should be pleased to know that its first expansion, The Ancient Gods Part I (TAG1), is available as well. If you’ve beaten Doom Etern...[Read More]
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
I am a good friend. Back in 2017, I came across Doki Doki Literature Club! (DDLC!) on happenstance; a popular Youtuber uploaded a spoiler-filled (and edited) playthrough. I jumped at the opportunity to see a benign literature-driven dating sim come to life and take an unsuspecting player by surprise. I recommended to all of my friends to play the game, since I am apparently sadistic. I even watche...[Read More]