The Horizon series has had a rough go. Despite being one of the best new PlayStation franchises of the last decade, garnering tons of awards nominations and selling very well, it hasn’t really hit the zeitgeist in the way many expected. Part of that may be its perpetual bridesmaid status, …
Read More »'Dead Island 2' is a Mindlessly Gory Slog Better Left in the Grave
After 10 years in development, Dead Island 2 is finally here. The zombie-themed action role-playing game underwent four studio changeovers before being dragged across the finish line by Dambuster Studios. With a development cycle about as long as vaporware legend Duke Nukem Forever, a title with a similarly troubled and …
Read More »'Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon' is a Psychedelic Witch's Brew of an Action-Puzzler
On paper, nothing about Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon should work. Developed by Platinum Games and directors Abebe Tinari and Hideki Kamiya, it serves as a companion piece to the main Bayonetta trilogy ,but like other Nintendo-published co-productions — namely Cadence of Hyrule and Metroid Dread — it …
Read More »'Resident Evil 4' is a Bombastic Resurrection of a Horror Camp Classic
Released in 2005, Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 revolutionized the survival horror genre as we knew it. A masterful blend of intense action, gripping storytelling, and unforgettable characters came together to create a truly captivating experience. At the time, it wasn’t exactly what survival horror buffs wanted, but it was what …
Read More »'Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe' Review: A Candy-Coated Balm for the Soul
In an infinite sea of remakes and remasters, the latest re-release for the Nintendo Switch, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, doesn’t even qualify. It’s essentially a port, albeit with some added content, akin to the console’s best-selling Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and Super Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Like …
Read More »'Horizon: Call of the Mountain' is the First Must-Play Game for the PlayStation VR2
As both the flagship title for the newly launched PlayStation VR2 and the next installment of the acclaimed Horizon series, Horizon: Call of the Mountain has massive expectations to overcome. For many, it could be their first experience with the franchise – or even with virtual reality itself – and …
Read More »'Octopath Traveler II' Shows the Unlimited Potential of JRPGs
Octopath Traveler II is a mesmerizing free fall into why traditional JRPGs are an irreplaceable art form. The sequel from Square Enix and Acquire hits every note that the 2018 original so carefully illustrated – the eight co-protagonists, the hyper-stylized turn-based battle systems, and “HD-2D” visuals that make Final Fantasy …
Read More »'Like A Dragon: Ishin!': An Eccentric Action RPG Vision of Edo-Period Japan
Like a Dragon: Ishin! originally debuted in 2014, just before its parent series Yakuza got its big break outside of Japan with Yakuza 0. While entries after that game quickly came westward (and now launch the same day worldwide), Ishin remained out of reach for audiences outside Japan until now. …
Read More »'Metroid Prime Remastered' Is a Reminder of a Bolder Era of Video Gaming
Released in 2002 for the GameCube, the original Metroid Prime feels like a concept that frankly wouldn’t be made by modern Nintendo. At the time, the Japanese company was coming out of their first ever major defeat in the console wars with the Nintendo 64 having been outsold by Sony’s …
Read More »'Hogwarts Legacy' Is the Biggest Game on Twitch — But It's Facing Culture War Fallout
Hogwarts Legacy, a hotly anticipated new role-playing video game set in the magical world of Harry Potter, is already breaking records. Its early access launch made it most popular title on the streaming platform Twitch, even before its official Feb. 10 release. But with the fantasy franchise increasingly tarnished by …
Read More »