I never could have imagined that this would be one of the most demanding 3D platformers I have experienced in a hot minute. It's not that difficult to reach credits, but to 100% this one you'll have to master it completely.

There is a level of mechanical depth here that is so infectious. Chaining jumps, quickly zipping around a level is so chaotic and fun. I hope the speedrunning community for this has a field day.

It's also just a visual treat. It's another game proud to be a video game and I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being the best soundtrack of 2024.

It sticks the landing and my biggest fear is that people either avoid this one for how simple it appears, or abandon it before the gameplay really clicks. If you love 3D platformers don't skip this one.

From 2014-2022 Rick Remender released "Deadly Class." It was a graphic novel series that spanned 56 issues abouts youths whose lives were molded and twisted through the horrors committed by the adults around them. Setting them off on a path of self-destruction and violence.

Anyone familiar with that work will feel a sort of connective tissue with Children of the Sun's presentation. If not for the supernatural element it would be easy to mistake it as apart of that world. Color choices, cutscene framing and of course sound design feel very raw. The act of setting up your shot, pulling the trigger and making contact with a target all have a massive impact. The bullet piercing through the air has this drone noise that overpowers the action. I found myself holding my breath at times, only realizing it when a level was finished at that triumpant exhale.

The story is simple but incredibly effective. Your motive is clear from the start. You are a woman on a mission that can only be accomplished by leaving a trail of bodies in your path. I found myself pulled along for ride not wanting to put the game down.

The main idea of bouncing your bullet between targets adds an addictive arcade feel. On the fly decision making tests your metal with great level design and an effective/straight forward mouse only control scheme.

I highly recommend this one. It's short but it takes its simple concepts and ideas and just runs with it. It's a wild, violent and strategic time.

The original title didn't have any additional content aside from the PS3 exclusive playable Joker and a few challenge maps. So this is basically just a higher resolution version of the 2009 epic. It's probably the definitive way to play this game moving forward but I will admit I miss the hazy visuals of the original. It added an almost grimey texture to the whole experience.

Despite sounding negative here this is still an excellent time and I'm happy I finally went and got the platinum. I'd be inclinded to do it again with the original release if Batman would just break his no kill rule on the Riddler.

While you'll see everything the game has to offer in a very short amount of time, the level of mental manipulation going on here is incredible.

It's the classic case of the house setting you up for failure. Building your expectations, giving you satisfying wins all in the name of taking it away from you when you get too cocky. Whether it's a blank or live ammo every time that trigger is pulled you feel impact.

If you're looking for that high stakes rush of betting all on red, without the real life consequences than I strongly recommend Buckshot Roulette.

Its presentation is all aces. The narrator is captivating, the colors fantastic, the environments beautiful. It's a treat for the eyes and ears as the score matches everything so perfectly.

It's a curated experience that allows for some solid weapon pairing. You're not limited to a melee and ranged option. You can mix and match abilities, passives and weapons and that really adds to the experience. It doesn't drastically change gameplay but it adds more variety which is always a plus.

It starts and ends on a real high note. Strong intrigue echoes throughout the adventure and I loved its ending. Supergiant's first game is still a great one and it shows clearly from the start that this studio knew what they were doing. I highly recommend Bastion.

Sable is a beautiful and often brilliant adventure that tells a gripping coming of age story that forces you to reflect on the quiet moments of life. It's sense of exploration is strong and it's ending feels like it meaningfully confronts you on the memories you have made. Visually it's stunning, with colors especially captivating you while you travel across the waste. With all that said I really do love what this game accomplished, but it's in a state that is hard to fully recommend.

I ran into a ton of immersive breaking bugs. Nothing absolutely game breaking but some things that just pulled me out of it. Two of the quests I was unable to finish, audio crackling, NPCs walking into walls while talking. Your Mileage may vary but you'll likely run into at least a few of these issues.

If Sable was more polished it would be an easy 5 stars and a highly recommend. It's an incredible journey that is partly undermined by its technical state. I am disappointed that my first experience with this title suffered from these issues, but it is an adventure I will return to one day for more because what is here is just that good. Overall I recommend Sable despite the problems.

Dead Estate is a really strong Twin Stick Roguelike that I would highly recommend to some and passively recommend to others.

If you're looking for a chaotic, fast paced and unhinged time you'll find it here. Impressive sprite work and memorable characters perfectly punctuate the experience as a worthwhile one. I was especially a fan of Chunks, the nemesis like creature that stalks you if you spend too long on a floor.

But if your looking for an especially polished time I would say look elsewhere. UI elements get in the way sometimes and it can be difficult to understand your positioning. Additional weapons also felt kind of useless. I mainly just stuck with the starting weapon for whatever character I chose to play as.

But overall I had a blast. It provided that "one more run" feeling I love and at the time of writing I've achieved the true ending with best girl Cordelia. It's a game I'll periodically jump back to and one I highly recommend you give a shot.

Industria is a really short and rather uneven adventure that presents a lot of great ideas, but doesn't really provide a conclusion to any of them. This feels like a really great first chapter in a longer game.

I did like it but overall the experience will be mixed for many. I think if it focused on its mystery more and provided a concrete resolution to its story this would have been an easy recommend. As it stands it's more of a "maybe check it out on sale" and that's a shame because what's here is really good.

While Chroma Squad may be a casual recommend as a strategy game due to its repetition, it's an absolute must play for Power Rangers or Kamen Rider fans.

What starts as a fun parody of the entertainment industry turns into a pretty compelling Sentai love letter. Filled with all the tropes, references and over the top personality you'd come to expect. You'll feel like a kid again watching your team flip over each other to battle incredibly goofy enemies.

If Sentai isn't your jam I'd say look elsewhere as the strategy gameplay isn't deep enough to carry this alone. This is a game by fans for fans. It's not here to convince you it's cool, you kind of have to go in already thinking it is. Personally I love this shit. If you do too pop in that old Power Rangers VHS to set the mood and enjoy.

I am very mixed here. I found the writing and performances to be absolutely excellent. The atmosphere was incredible. There are strong gut wrenching moments and even though you can see the ending coming it hits you like a truck.

But the way this story was told was disappointing and there isn't much else going on to substitute that. Most events involve little more than just standing around blankly staring while the characters talk. When interaction is at play its so limited like its almost an after thought. The strongest example is during the car repair scene when the hitman is just staring at the engine. He never interacts with it but eventually just says it's all fixed. Moments like that just took me out.

It's a shame because there is a lot of little touches to appreciate. The hitman has a cold stare but a warm voice that feels very sincere. You can hear his footsteps right behind you as he follows you around the farm, but it still felt like you were walking with a friend. It's a balance between threatening and comforting.

I recommend you play it because that narrative is great. I just wish it had more going on besides that.

Red Dead 2 frankly suffers from a lot of problems. It's gunplay and cover mechanics are archaic issues not new to Rockstar. It's narrative suffers from pacing problems that make the adventure feel bloated. There are mechanics that never feel fully realized and plenty of "should have been cutscene" game design moments. Overall the open world and the main story clash so often that this game shouldn't work.

But it does due to its story, characters and little moments. Arthur Morgan is one of the best written and performed characters in fiction. The setting is elevated by its atmosphere and there is a strong balance between levity and pain. It's a story and world worth exploring at least once. One about being apart of a world that doesn't want you anymore.

Red Dead 2 is a great game that I will never call a masterpiece. But it's a work of art none the less.

Playing Pseudoregalia is like experiencing a lucid dream. Having full function while being mesmerized by the world around you. Absolutely incredible controls, fantastic movement and a beautiful atmosphere. I think the only thing that holds this one back is the combat. If that had been perfected to match the other skill set I think the game would be perfect. But as it stands it's pretty damn close. When it was all over I only had one question....



Why they make the main character so thicc?!

Its destruction mechanics are just incredible and gunplay feels absolutely top notch. But it suffers from severe balance problems across its classes and the content added post launch doesn't feel very substantial.

The use of AI voice acting also just feels icky, and I'll never understand the drive to buy skins for your character when you are playing entirely in first person.

Did I have fun? Absolutely! But right now I don't think this game has the staying power to keep most people's attention.