A vanguard is defined as “the foremost part of an advancing army or naval force”. The game follows a motley crew of the ‘best of the best’ military operators from the Allied nations. This team is tasked with doing the things a whole army can’t, all the while getting there first. Sledgehammer Games returns to World War II, but offers a modern take on the historic war with Call of Duty: Vanguard. By combining real-world events with fantastical characters and gameplay, it has mixed results with not all parts working the way they should. Call of Duty: Vanguard features one of the better campaigns in recent years, but has a disappointing zombies mode and an anachronistic multiplayer offering.
The successor to Steep by Ubisoft Annecy is Riders Republic, a game that puts social at the center of everything it does. A steep improvement by being more attractive and has the most important f-word in gaming: fun. With so many options available to you, this extreme sports adventure is in your hands. One minute you can be racing down a mountain in a bicycle, and the next collecting one of the many collectibles, then visiting a landmark. Riders Republic’s seamless blend of multiplayer, coop, and singleplayer action works on such a massive scale that it’s astounding.
You’d think free falling out of planes, jumping massive distances, and smashing boards would be tiring after all these years. Truth is, it’s not even close. Even the more usual aspects like clearing a checkpoint or a speed trap at a high speed, is just as exciting now as it was back in 2012 when Forza Horizon debuted. Playground Games avoids series fatigue through its timeless gameplay being accessible and creative every time. Forza Horizon 5 is easily the biggest and best open-world racer yet, for an unparalleled and truly next-generation racing experience that’s a definite must-play.
I love dogs; that’s it for the review. This game is dog-focused, and I love dogs. Hold on; our Editor-in-Chief is telling me that I need to elaborate. Ok, fine, Scott, here goes: To the Rescue is a fun take on a management sim where you’re running a dog shelter. Dogs come in; you place them in safe and spacious crates, take care of their needs, and offer potential adopters the choice of pet friends to take home. The game can get chaotic at times, but it will satisfy that management itch if you have one Satisfying like a good head scratch.
Contrary to popular belief, I am not in fact dead. Unless I happen to be playing Hollow Ponds’ I Am Dead, and thusly assuming the role of Morris Lupton who is in fact somewhat recently deceased and is learning to embrace the tranquility of not living in the afterlife. There’s no shortage of media or games that explore themes of death and dying, and while many take a melancholy glance at the life that was, I Am Dead is all about celebrating the lives that continue, and embracing the fate that awaits us all.
My first exposure to hidden objects was with the “Where’s Waldo?” books. I rented them from the library, but some jerk always circled him in pen. I then got my own books so that they would be clean. The satisfaction in finding Waldo was huge, whether it was my first or thirtieth time doing so. The motif has transitioned into video games naturally. Wind Peaks from Actoon Studio mixes hidden object with light puzzle solving, it’s an awesome blend. I loved scouring the massive levels looking for each object, and trying to find all of its secrets. Wind Peaks is an obligatory pleasure of discovery and wonder.
Pumpkin Jack was released back in 2020 on PC and previous-gen consoles. This New-Gen edition freshens up the ole Pumpkinhead to better suit the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Scott reviewed this game last year on the PC, and you can read his impressions here.
Marvel has a vast roster of heroes, and in the video game space, we’ve mostly stuck to those here on Earth. With Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Eidos-Montréal is taking us for a ride into the cosmic parts of the Marvel Universe. But with Square-Enix’s own Marvel’s The Avengers encountering mixed feelings since launch, a shadow looms over the Guardians title. Let me shine some light and ease some concerns; Guardians has NO multiplayer and has NO live space. What it does have is exceptional storytelling and gameplay that works well with the team aspect.
Gas Station Simulator is exactly what it says in the title. You’re operating a gas station. As with many others in the simulator genre, it takes the idea of running a mundane, daily activity and trying to get some entertainment out of it. Gas Station Simulator does a great job of blending in some engaging mechanics and a gameplay loop that kept me playing through multiple sessions for hours.
Where No More Heroes was a first swing at satirizing popular culture of its day, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle feels like a proper refinement of the formula that helps it grow to meet its potential and become the game that its predecessor wanted it to be. Dropping you straight into the action from moment one and never letting off the gas, you begin the game as Travis Touchdown once more, hellbent on revenge following the murder of his best friend. Nothing can stand in the way of his quest to ascend to the top of the UAA rankings for a second time, egged on by a promise to help him seek vengeance against the person who took his friend’s life.
The top-down racer rarely appears, but is alive and well. After its stint on Steam Early Access, Circuit Superstars from Original Fire Games and the Square Enix Collective has now taken to the grid with a full release. It’s an eclectic mix of racing styles across different eras and terrain. It’s a challenging game for those who want it, yet it is still approachable for those need it. Circuit Superstars has unique handling for every car type which has a wonderful feel, and looks great while doing it.
Lake is a relaxing breath of fresh air in a saturated market of tense-filled, stress-inducing, action entertainment. Completing the simple tasks they ask of you, delivering the mail is so peaceful and soothing. But along your journey to finish this game, you get to learn more about this little town and your character Meredith Weiss.
Turtle Rock Studios not only revitalized the coop shooter, but also zombie games back in 2008. Just when things were getting stagnant, they made a game and it’s sequel that are still played to this day in large numbers. Back 4 Blood is a spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead, and the key word is successor. Taking the core formula and expanding on that, it surpasses them in every way. It’s a deeper and more rewarding experience. Back 4 Blood lets a new generation experience their gory genius.
The sixth mainline Far Cry game isn’t full of too many surprises, but it’s got the series’ greatest hits in its playlist. Tonally, Far Cry 6 is all-over-the-place: funny when it wants to be, and serious when it needs to be. They can be hard shifts, but there’s a compelling narrative in here. You’ll be rallying those around you to fight an actual army by partaking in guerrilla warfare to unseat politician hungry with power. Activities have you hunt animals, win races, and even find hidden treasures. If this all sounds familiar, I’m willing to bet you’ve never taken over a military base with a blood-crazed rooster by your side. Far Cry 6 is a joy ride without wearing a seat belt.
After receiving my monthly PC Gamer magazine with the included demo disc in the mail, I excitingly ripped it from its plastic and installed the Diablo II Demo. It was my first introduction to the isometric action RPG genre, and I was immediately enthralled. It wasn’t long until I bought the full game, and has been one of my favorite kinds of games to play. With the release of Diablo II: Resurrected, I’m able to relive those moments from 21 years ago, as it’s a complete remastering of Diablo II and its only expansion, Lord of Destruction. This remaster is everything you’d want it to be, and more; offering an uncompromising experience for veterans, and a stiff, but great introduction for newcomers.
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