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In NBA 2K24, some thoughtful additions to gameplay visuals and mechanics get deeply overshadowed by some minute growing pains with ProPlay, some major hurtles dodging gacha pop-ups, and plenty presentation hindrances that keep you from playing the actual game. Behind all that is still a fantastic basketball game, even if it doesn't feel different enough from last year to merit a must-buy status, even for basketball fans.
Lies Of P is one of the best Soulslike games to enter the genre, and on multiple occasions builds on the games that inspired it, adding refinements that result in a better gameplay experience. However it emulates its influences a little too closely, and fails to hit the same highs as the games that it has clearly used as a skeleton, inviting comparisons that aren't always flattering. Along with an incredibly disruptive difficulty spike, Lies Of P stands as a game that is very nearly great, and will scratch the right itch for fans of the genre to stick with it.
Whilst Mortal Kombat 1 has a lack of content, and a frustrating unlockable system, it is the most streamlined iteration to date. Refining the gameplay, the new kameo system, combined with a blockbuster story mode that has shaken the lore up, Mortal Kombat 1 is the most interesting it has been since Mortal Kombat 9.
There's no denying that MythForce absolutely laser targets old crusties like me that used to sit cross-legged in front of a boxy CRT, with cereal pouring down my face as I sat agape at the Saturday morning heroics that were playing out in front of me. Peer beneath its attractive audiovisual presentation however and though a satisfyingly enjoyable roguelite soon reveals itself, it's also one rife with flaws which hint at an offering that has a wealth of presently unrealised potential.
Mixing Persona with real-time combat, Eternights delivers a robust package with charming characters, intimate romance, quirky writing, vibrant visuals, and an engaging gameplay loop. Despite it's flaws, Eternights makes a valiant effort in being one of the many games you will enjoy this year, and is a must play for RPG fans!
The Legend of Nayuta Boundless Trails doesn't have the kind of depth many RPG fans may want. At the same time, there's a universality to the gameplay loop that still works well when compared to the modern mobile game formula. While combat gets finicky and the aesthetic is somewhat dated, the complete package makes for a fun diversion and an intriguing spinoff from the Trails franchise.
Somerville has some enthralling set pieces backed by some stellar sound design. While its narrative may be too much for some to decipher, its nuanced way of conveying emotion and drawing the player into the mystery is really excellently pulled off. Grab a headset and enjoy this experience to its fullest.
Enchanted Portals takes the foundations of a familiar game in both style and substance, yet fails to provide a compelling experience in either regard. There's clear effort being put into this game in terms of the art and animation, yet the gameplay feels far more unpolished than appearances would have you believe. Random level designs and frustrating enemy placement leads to a game that irritated far more than I would have hoped, with a good amount of my losses not feeling close to my fault.
There's a solid foundation to build upon here but far too many decisions feel contrived and confused for a strong recommendation to anyone other than the most diehard Touhou fan. Far too many mechanics can be borderline ignored, and the game hardly evolves throughout, leading to a game that struggled to keep my attention throughout its runtime with some nice visuals only doing so much to alleviate this tedium.
Nour: Play With Your Food is an interactive work of art that lets you create your own playful, vibrant and artistic images, with an inviting soundtrack that's all packaged in a cozy game you can take at your own pace, but it ultimately feels lacking and the gameplay loop just didn't ever feel enticing enough.
Taking inspiration from Jet Set Radio, this game effortlessly carries on its legacy. With great gameplay mechanics, a deep story, and fantastic music Bomb Rush Cyberfunk raises the standard for indie games and making it one of the best indie games you'll play this year.
Baldur's Gate III is a generational game that manages to amaze at every corner. When you think you've done everything you can do, you find more and more ways to be imaginative in combat and exploration. Baldur's Gate III features some of the best writing and character development you'll experience in an RPG and the true freedom of playing just how you want to. Nothing is impossible in Baldur's Gate III; you are only limited by your imagination.
No Son of Mine does a lot right, combining a fantastic setting with vivid graphical fidelity and stellar low lighting. Some ideas don't meet in the middle, such as combining combat limitations with far-too-frequent encounters. Either way, horror fans need to check this out. Those of you new to the genre can also get a solid experience here without being massively overwhelmed.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge: Dimensional Shellshock is an interesting addition that provides a new Survival Mode to the core game. However, it provides you with fun access to play with your bosses of the game and a fun upgrade system utilizing crystals. Its difficulty holds it back, and it feels like it was designed specifically with the most hardcore audience in mind. Adding two new characters doesn't add enough to the core game to warrant a purchase.
Daymare 1994: Sandcastle is a fun title that improves on almost all the issues from the original. It provides an excellent atmosphere and fun combat situations where you can use cryo abilities. It's not a perfect game, though, with some bad voice acting, really dark lighting, and being unable to dodge attacks leaves you open to strikes. Invader Studios will hopefully build on these qualities for the promised third instalment in the series.
Crossfire: Sierra Squad isn't Call of Duty VR and neither is it an ultra-realistic, tactical shooter in the vein of Pavlov VR. What it is however, is an eminently enjoyable appreciably straightforward arcade FPS that fees great to play, respects your time and has bucket loads of progression and replay values for folks looking to get stuck in over the long term. Crossfire: Sierra Squad is quite the pleasant surprise to say the least and sets down a compelling blueprint for other arcade style FPS offerings on PSVR 2 to follow in the future.
The presentation and content of Shotgun King will put a lot of people off. However, if you like chess and rogue-based games it is well worth a bash. I adored its presentation, it reminded me of games form my youth, yes, I am that old. Pairing one of the oldest games on the planet with rogue-lite elements works far better than it has rights too and Shotgun King is truly unlike anything else I have played. We need more games like this, its what drives the industry forward in a sea of cut and paste shooters and RPG's.
While imperfect, The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation combines much of what made older horror games memorable with some welcome modern ideas.
As arguably the biggest, full-fat PSVR 2 first-party release since Horizon: Call of the Mountain, it's clear that Firewall Ultra doesn't quite match the deservedly lofty expectations that have been set for it. This is thanks in no small part to a modest amount of content and a progression system that is currently grind-heavy to say the least. However, it's also clear that this is a gorgeously realised tactical shooter that approaches excellence when everything falls into place with your fellow human players - it's just that, as of right now, such occasions are more fleeting than I would like thanks to so much for Firewall Ultra's promise being locked behind promised future updates that have yet to arrive.
Sea Of Stars is an excellent, retro-inspired RPG that I would recommend anyone play, with feel-good characters, intricate and engaging combat, a stunning soundtrack, and beautiful world with a wonderful sense of adventure, friendship and love. While the story doesn't break any molds, its characters are all charming and endearing, to the point where I feel like I'd follow them to the ends of the world and beyond.