Mortal Shell II Review
Mortal Shell and Lies of P are two of my biggest blind spots in the vast ocean of Soulslike games that have claimed a relatively large mindshare for their quality and unique approach to the genre. As a die-hard fan since Demon’s Souls back in 2009, I’ve fought and died against countless vicious foes who have whittled down my patience and resolve, infrequently tempering me into a better...[Read More]
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls Review
Hello, my name is Ben and I’ve never played a Marvel vs. Capcom. But this is a safe space, right? And if we’re baring our souls, I have another confession. I am… mediocre at fighting games. Maybe decent after several hours of beating my head against a wall. Perhaps that’s a disappoint to you, dear reader, one who purports to know me so well. Over the years I’ve made n...[Read More]
Kusan: City of Wolves Review
Yeah, Kusan: City of Wolves isn’t making much of an attempt to hide its influence. But let’s be honest, Hotline Miami was not the first video game to make exceptional, near-perfect top-down action. Decades of arcade cabinets and home consoles have provided players with countless worthy titles featuring score attacks, relentless enemies, and a reliance on a quick trigger finger. Yet it&...[Read More]
Wreck Runners Review
I knew Wreck Runners would be chaotic. The first I had seen of the game was a trailer centered around the its wonky physics. Ragdoll bodies getting lobbed around. Pianos getting shoved through doorways. It seemed the stuff made for a group of friends who want to decompress, have a laugh, and want to fight against relatively dire odds with creative solutions. In the two weeks since Wreck Runners ha...[Read More]
HyperX Clutch Tachi Review
The fighting pad and arcade controller market has always been a fascination to me. As a player who is extremely mediocre at fighting games but still enjoys their penchant for speed, skill, and flair, there’s never been much of a reason to use a genre-specific device. Let’s be honest, these accessories are meant for fighting games and fighting games alone, much like a wheel set-up is on...[Read More]
Heavys H1H Headphones Review
Back in college there was an afternoon I was feeling particularly despondent for one reason or another. The only thing I could think to make me feel better was music. Because this particular memory is from almost 20 years ago, please forgive me if I can’t remember whether I used my laptop, a CD player, or a hand-me-down iPod. But what I do remember is plugging in a pair of dirt-cheap headpho...[Read More]
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu Review
I love horror. I love being scared. I love the adrenaline rush. Few mediums capture the all-consuming feelings of terror as well as video games do, and The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu has it all: the anxiety, the dread, the constant sense that something is always building just out of sight. Developer ACE Team did an amazing job with the audio design, wrapping players in a kind of torture chamber of spo...[Read More]
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Review
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is the last numbered entry in Ubisoft’s long-running series–a fact I’ve always felt has carried a significant amount of weight since its release in 2013. To this day, Black Flag is probably considered the most beloved Assassin’s Creed game. While Odyssey holds the mantle for my personal favorite and Ezio’s adventures across his tr...[Read More]
Wall World 2 Review
Wall World 2 absorbed around 10 hours of an entire Saturday. A Saturday I was supposed to spend playing 007 Last Light. Honestly, I feel like it’s high praise when your small, unassuming roguelite can draw a person in long enough to distract them from one of the highest production releases of the year. And Wall World 2 really does deserve it. A few weeks ago the game’s existence came a...[Read More]
007 First Light Review
007 First Light is an inflection point for the storied, suave spy. Though most of us likely identify James Bond with a particular actor, he is more than just a handsome face. He embodies a mood, an attitude, a way of life. Bond is not a pencil-pushing government man. He’s the mythical ideation of a spy. He goes covertly behind enemy lines. He escapes near-death scenarios. He drives the faste...[Read More]
Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker Review
Not unlike its predecessors, Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker is chock full of charm, endlessly endearing, and just plain cozy. Players can enjoy settling in with loveable characters, witty banter, and adorable design elements. I spent several hours lost in Asteria’s Drowsy Dragon and all of the adventurous tales it had to offer. Fans of Coffee Talk, Dungeons & Dragons, or just cozy games in ...[Read More]
Swan Song Review
Swan Song‘s emotional and mechanical framework rests in the confines of a solitary music box. On approach, the game is appropriately simple. A lid pops open to reveal the contents inside: dozens of puzzles that grow in complexity and a narrative about loss. A gripping story that tugs at the heart isn’t mutually exclusive to one genre or another. When delivered appropriately, players ca...[Read More]