Reviews
UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection (PC) Review
Oct 28, 2022
Sony has been pushing their exclusives hard to PC, the third this year (and not even the last) is UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection. Consisting of a pairing of the last two games in the series, with 2016’s UNCHARTED 4: A Thief’s End and 2017’s UNCHARTED: The Lost Legacy. These two PlayStation 4 games were gorgeous when they released, and five years on these games are more breathtaking. The remastering and bringing of these games to PC shows how Naughty Dog perfected the formula of their action-oriented adventures. UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection is simply a blast and well worth your time in getting to know Nathan Drake for the first or last time.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Review
Oct 27, 2022
In one of the most surprising and unlikely crossovers (and genre mashups) ever created, 2017’s Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle proved to be an exciting, fresh take on the turn-based tactics genre that was almost universally adored. It was one of those titles that felt like it was lucky to even exist, and that we were all lucky for having the opportunity to play. The story of how Mario + Rabbids came to be was certainly a long one, and nobody will forget the scene of the game’s director, Davide Soliani crying during its unveiling at E3 in 2017. So understandably, the prospect of a sequel to something so improbable is a tantalizing one, but does Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope deliver on its potential, or was Kingdom Battle just lightning in a bottle?
Gotham Knights Review
Oct 26, 2022
For seven years, we’ve had a Batman and Arkham-shaped hole in our hearts. Now that we have Gotham Knights, that hole is not quite filled with something as meaningful or impactful as what the Arkham series offered. This is an open-world action RPG with an emphasis on loot and crafting, a departure from expectation. There’s a good game in here, but WB Montreal makes you work for it, and while you do you’ll be longing for what Rocksteady did so well. Gotham is a moody, seedy, and fascinating city to patrol and investigate. Gotham Knights however, is a bland co-op loot brawler where the ambition outweighs the execution.
ROCCAT Syn Max Air Review
Oct 24, 2022
I think it’s finally happened, I’m in love with a headset that doesn’t have me tethered to a mix amp or wires, and ROCCAT makes a very compelling argument with the Syn Max Air. It’s a powerful headset where the audio is the forefront of what it does best, providing an excellent soundscape in addition to long-lasting comfort. The ROCCAT Syn Max Air has a lot to offer for the price that’ll best its rivals in every category. ROCCAT is killing it with their hardware releases this year, and the Syn Max Air is simply maximum enjoyment for your ears.
CULTIC Review
Oct 21, 2022
Solo developer Jasozz Games has Blood on the brain, and for good reason. It was the toughest and last of the “holy trinity” of Build Engine games to come from 3D Realms, topped with a horror movie vibe throughout the whole thing. Now with the resurrection of the legendary publisher is something special, a second coming of Blood with the release of CULTIC. It’s among the wave of retro shooters we’ve seen over the years, but this one doesn’t try to use an old engine or stick to a certain style or even nostalgia to get by. CULTIC is a pulpy shooter that’s a completely fresh take on the boomer shooter, and a satisfying one at that
Autonauts vs Piratebots Review
Oct 19, 2022
The Autonauts are back in Curve Game’s and Denki’s sequel to the 2019 coding-based, automation, and management-heavy title, Autonauts vs. Piratebots. This time, they are tossing a new mechanic into the mix with the Autonauts being attacked by those pesky Piratebots. Your job, build up the Autonauts to defend against and dispatch the invading Piratebots.
The Jackbox Party Pack 9 Review
Oct 19, 2022
It’s that time of year when we sit down with friends and family, gather around the cozy glow of our TVs, and stare lovingly into the mobile devices glued to our hands with browsers set to jackbox.tv. Yes, the Jackbox Party has returned with the Jackbox Party Pack 9! The game that’s been a banger for parties, hangouts, sleepovers, and streams for years on end drops by to give us even more, party games to enjoy. Do they hit another slam this time around? Yeah, I think they do.
ROCCAT Vulcan II Max Review
Oct 17, 2022
It has felt like wait for a new keyboard ROCCAT has been years in the making, and while partially true, they did release keyboards early last year. But the time spent in the incubator has done wonders, because the Vulcan II Max is everything I want out of a keyboard and more. This full-size, 100% keyboard is a USB-connected command center at your fingertips. It consolidates where it makes sense, and the new two-LED is the most informative tool in gaming. The ROCCAT Vulcan II Max doesn’t mess around, and it goes for the jugular on the competition.
Chasm: The Rift Review
Oct 14, 2022
While Chasm: The Rift might not be a household name, this is lovely remade version of the original due to the apparent loss of the original source code will get people talking. As a result of that, this takes on a unique form of video game preservation that we don’t see a lot of. Chasm: The Rift was originally developed by Action Forms, and this was the Ukrainian developer’s answer to Quake. Playing the 25 year-old game today evokes nostalgia that was never present for me, but holds up surprisingly well and is fairly unique regardless of its influences. Chasm: The Rift is an inventive and quirky first-person shooter that doesn’t overstay its welcome, and is a blast from start to finish.
LEGO Bricktales Review
Oct 11, 2022
LEGO Bricktales takes me back to when most LEGO games were about creating your designs. Building structures that came from your imagination. But building in a 3D space is nowhere near as easy as physically placing blocks together. So older LEGO games have struggled with their controls. Thankfully Bricktales attempts to alleviate these issues and simplify those controls, helping to give you a more enjoyable experience and one that includes a fun little game to boot!
Dakar Desert Rally Review
Oct 07, 2022
Dakar is an annual event organized by the A.S.O that takes place every January, where an arduous and exhausting two weeks of survival and endurance tests the world’s greatest drivers. Dakar Desert Rally is one of only several video games made about this event. The last time we saw a game about it was four years ago with Dakar 18, a solid attempt that didn’t review well. Many improvements can be found here in this year’s game, but it too has its fair share of problems. While it’s true that the issues hold Dakar Desert Rally back from greatness, I maintain that it’s an exhilarating and harrowing style of racing you won’t experience elsewhere.
TRAIL OUT Review
Oct 04, 2022
TRAIL OUT was undoubtedly made with love, where developer GOOD BOYS have put forth a solid effort to make the next FlatOut, a potential evolution on that series. That potential is squandered pretty quickly, as the story is forgettable, the voice acting is laughable, and the physics are often unreliable. All that to say, I can’t help but appreciate the game for all that it tries to do, even if it doesn’t itself all the way there. TRAIL OUT is good fun when things are going well for you, but when the fun stops due to unpredictable physics and a grindy campaign, so does the willingness to continue playing.
ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Review
Sep 30, 2022
Like the Roman god this is named after, the Vulcan II Mini from ROCCAT is forged from fire and metal for a masterwork. This is the first gaming keyboard from ROCCAT catering to keyboard aficionados who want to reclaim desk space and have a littler footprint for their deck of choice. It’s a 65% keyboard, which omits the numeric keypad, and condenses the function and extra keys to alternate key presses without dedicated keys. The form-factor is small on size but big on features, making the ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini an acquired and satisfying taste.
Dome Keeper Review
Sep 27, 2022
Media properties around ‘domes’ have not been especially successful or kind over the years. You’ve got the 1996 film “Bio-Dome” that was panned by audience and critics alike. Then there’s the 2013 television series “Under the Dome” that lasted a handful of seasons, but declined in ratings as it couldn’t find an audience. Thankfully Dome Keeper from Bippinbits doesn’t have either of these problems, with the trifecta of being a roguelike, miner, and defense game. It’s quite the romantik little game, because there’s so much to love. Dome Keeper has my attention with its systems and compelling gameplay loop, that has me excited for how the next run will play out.
Shovel Knight Dig Review
Sep 23, 2022
Will we ever tire of Shovel Knight games? After eight years since his debut, the answer seems to be a resounding ‘no’, and the quality has maintained. The second spinoff game, featuring a partnership with Yacht Club Games and Nitrome has seemingly struck gold. Shovel Knight has gone rogue.. like with Shovel Knight Dig, a surprisingly fitting mold for a new take on the action platformer. This entry sees the shovel-wielding hero in blue out to save the day once more, but his fondness for gem chasing is the means for progression through a hostile underground. Shovel Knight Dig is a simplified roguelike that emphasizes fun, encourages persistence, and an effervescent snack-sized adventure.
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