A gorgeously rendered remake that feels effortless despite the major jump in polish and fidelity. With an astonishing attention to detail, Metroid Prime pioneers the modes of expression thought possible in first person gaming. An immutable classic.

Scorn will test your limits on the boundaries between interesting visual style & drab mechanical design. Rarely are there moments in scorn that are enjoyable to play or even enjoyable to think about. However, its best-in-class visuals and iconic art direction carry the boring and often-times frustrating design elements to transcendental heights. If there's anything i respect about scorn, its the bravery in which it argues its own case - this is not a game for everybody and that is okay.

Its interesting premise and high budget visuals should have saved me from the absolute heights of boredom experienced in my playthrough of this game. Lance reddick's performance is a welcome oasis in this by the numbers, boardroom devised test tube baby of a videogame.

Signalis manages to elevate the ps1 survival horror template through slick visual design and simple mechanics. Its devilishly paced runtime is never short on twists and turns, making the already short length feel almost instant.

Thrilling synthesis of gameplay, music and narrative. At times, Metal Hellsinger manages to harness the limits of its campy european aesthetic and create something truly transcendent. Fans of remedy deep cuts will be pleased.

God of war wins the award for most improved reboot (Prey does not count) but does little to shake up the current open-world/RPG/Prestige TV meta landscape. The game is able to hold my attention between its many gorgeous setpieces, but ultimately feels like a chore between its by-the-numbers progression systems & rote call and response combat design.

Immaculate vibes are hobble by crude, undercooked gameplay in the world's greatest cat game. Stray continually fails to find any meaningful pathway to justify its slick presentation and visual design - between the amateur puzzle design and caveman primitive stealth encounters, the game never quite finds its feet in its short runtime.

Triumphant blend of first year philosophy class & historical sci-fi. One of the hardest-to-put-down page turners i've played in recent memory and some well earned twists and turns.

Still having fun at the fourth expansion. My least cynical example of video games as a rube goldberg machine.

One of the most engaging boring games i've played. Surprisingly sharp writing with subject matter that is easily fumbled.

Excellent dune flavour minus a few neckbeard nitpicks (tf is going on with the fremen voice lines). 4X at a level so simple that even i can grasp it.

Masterclass in videogame fundamentals by Fromsoft at what seems like their zenith.

More destiny and i love it

Immaculate use of raekwan and ghostface. Shredder's Revenge understands the assignment - a simple, not shallow themepark ride best enjoyed for 1-3 hours at a time.

Some of the most delectable prose in video games since Disco Elysium. The game does an homage to Coppola's Dracula within the first minute of play. There's an associated sludge metal album released simultaneously alongside the game.

Serious narrative chops & a keen eye for utilising videogames as its own particular medium.