Indiana Jones is in his prime, and the Great Circle does a lot more to highlight the man underneath the fedora than popcorn-fueled excitements.]]>What makes Indiana Jones special? Is it a unique superpower? His combat expertise? Or his iconic fedora that’s recognizable even to someone who’s never seen the movies?
No, it’s always been the fact he’s a simple man with a drive for archeology and knowledge, all while beset by extraordinary circumstances, alongside a delicate layer of charm captured by the renowned Harrison Ford. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle succeeds by focusing on the man rather than the outlandish adventure.
]]>
Although the difficulty of STALKER 2 might be daunting, climbing the ladder and exploring this world is rewarding.]]>Hearing a ballet of bullets dancing around me as I hide behind cardboard held up by reinforced cement happens far more often than I’d like in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. It’s an unforgiving wasteland filled with mutants, bandits, and carefully constructed choices that can provide an easier—or more complicated—life than you already have to deal with.
Still, the difficulty doesn’t keep me from playing. On the contrary, it encourages me to consider every time the footsteps or the idle chatter of bandits are nearby. Every engagement becomes a difficult challenge, with no way to improve with a specific skill tree, similar to many extraction shooters. Instead, STALKER 2 motivates me to improve myself by relying on risking it all to get new gear and using the experience I’ve built up along the way.
]]>
The Veilguard is a fantastic return to a BioWare RPG, even if the stories and characters choose the safer route.]]>After baited breath from the Dragon Age community, The Veilguard has arrived—and it doesn’t disappoint. The return to Thedas is an excellent time and bodes well for the future of BioWare’s other projects.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an action-filled game that is fluid, crisp, and exciting. The missions are well-written and enjoyable, and the dialogue between companions is delightful. There’s a lot to like about The Veilguard, but there are a few bumps in the road. For older Dragon Age fans, it might feel odd to be planted in this mostly dungeon-based mission corridor, but the experience never feels like a grind and is mostly BioWare playing it safe.
]]>
With solid offerings of campaign, multiplayer, Zombies, and soon Warzone, Black Ops 6 is a shot of life into the decades-old annual franchise.]]>I’ve been playing Call of Duty for nearly 20 years, and I’m very happy to say that Black Ops 6 is one of the best I’ve experienced in recent memory.
With three distinct modes and quality polish galore, it’s clear that the four-year development cycle that Activision allowed Treyarch for BO6 was worth it in every sense. It should become the standard for the franchise moving forward, if this game is anything to judge it on.
]]>
Veteran or newcomer, Metaphor: ReFantazio may charm you all the same.]]>The sun-soaked streets of Brilehaven are bustling with the sea breeze and the buzz of vigorous discussions about who will be the next king of Euchronia. The nobility prepare for a grandiose soirée held by Count Louis Guiabern, the runner-up for the throne. And I’m going to stop him.
Twist a thing or two, and this scenario in Metaphor: ReFantazio might as well be an assignment for the Phantom Thieves in Persona 5. That’s hardly a surprise: Atlus’ latest RPG proudly hails from the creative minds of Persona 3, 4, and 5, with tons of shared DNA and themes between the two franchises.
]]>
Nothing is ever just black and white.]]>Frostpunk 2 is cold and dark. And I don’t mean cold and dark like your fridge when the door’s closed. I’m also not talking about the black soot and white ice of its 19th-century ice age setting either. What I’m saying is that Frostpunk 2 is emotionally cold and dark.
During your tenure as the “Steward” of a small population of survivors struggling to survive the mother of all cold snaps, you routinely have to make decisions that, whichever choice you make, result in the suffering, misery, and death of thousands of people. And it’s all just a part of the job.
]]>
Quidditch Champions is delightful at first, but the magic wears off swiftly. ]]>Harry Potter Quidditch Champions is a heartfelt love letter to the most iconic sport in the witchcraft and wizarding world. But while soaring above it all should be freeing and spellbinding, the feeling of being trapped on a broom is inescapable and gets old faster than Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans.
It’s as clear as a sunny day on the Quidditch pitch that Unbroken Studios understands the sport and knows how to make it wildly entertaining at first. The problem is that Quidditch Champions‘ novelty wears off quickly when you’re confined to the pitch and can’t explore the world beyond.
]]>
Finally, some good food for starving 2K fans.]]>One of the big issues plaguing sports sims in video games today is whether fans should expect companies like EA or 2K to reinvent the wheel—when they’re the only ones providing the wheel.
This dilemma has troubled fans of the ever-popular—and equally loathed—NBA 2K series because everyone loves a good basketball sim but hates to break the bank for what feels like a reskin. With NBA 2K25, similar fears reared their ugly head for many enthusiasts who have been burned before by purchasing a glorified roster update with slightly improved graphics.
]]>
Space Marine 2 is phenomenal, and it only gets better with a solid multiplayer game mode with friends.]]>I am not a Warhammer 40K fan. As someone who does play tabletop wargames, I’ve passively looked at it, but the sheer amount of money you have to put into the hobby quickly pulls me away. After my time with Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 and how much I enjoyed the gameplay, universe, and gigantic marines cutting through aliens, I’m glancing at the tabletop hobby and reconsidering my financial choices.
Not only is Space Marine 2 a good Warhammer 40K game, it’s a genuinely fun title that blends tactical, cooperative gameplay with hordes of enemies. It’s brutal. It’s bloody. The gunplay and abilities are delightful. Although I thought the campaign was fine and the narrative partially forgettable, the core gameplay and multiplayer modes kept me glued to the screen. I frequently said “one more mission,” after having said the same thing two rounds before. It’s a great formula that I hope thrives with the cooperative shooter community.
]]>
Years of hard work pays off in a big, beautiful way.]]>Team Asobi’s 10-year journey comes to a head in 2024’s outstanding Astro Bot. Humble beginnings began with 2013’s The Playroom on PS4—a basic tech demo introducing audiences to the loveable bot—before moving onto the immersive Astro Bot: Rescue Mission on VR and Astro’s Playroom on PS5.
Astro Bot is now well and truly cemented as one of PlayStation’s most iconic mascots. The series’ latest entry demonstrates all the desirable qualities of a platformer and is not only a Game of the Year candidate but a deserved winner.
]]>
