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However, despite its few drawbacks, it's a near-perfect tribute to Sam Raimi's creation as the game is groovy fun whether you play as a survivor or a demon. It has a great foundation so here's hoping Saber Interactive keeps us coming back with plenty of post-launch updates.
However, if you look hard enough, there are some clues that can build a larger picture. As a PlayStation 5 title, it uses the console’s features well, especially the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback. While it may not be for everyone, The Pedestrian is worth a shot. It stands out from the crowd in so many ways, leaving a positive impact on me in the end.
However, unless you just really need something new to try out, I might wait for either a sale or to see what Romero Games does to update it post-launch. There were moments where I had an absolute blast, but the entire package is a bit lacking. So, just like my sad attempt at cooking my own Thanksgiving dinner back in college, essentially. To my credit, Spam is a valid substitution for turkey and you can’t change my mind.
There’s so much to love about Sackboy: A Big Adventure. The levels are so inventive, creative, and fun to play. The game is filled with so much content, including levels that continue to unlock once you’ve completed the main story. There’s also the ability to purchase costumes, re-do missions to get a higher score, and so much more. Levels are filled with so much variety yet each one fits into each world so well. With each level I played, I could tell Sumo Digital put a lot of thought and love into each aspect of the game. From Sackboy’s moveset to the enemies and locations, it feels like a step up from other LittleBigPlanet games. While there are already so many great PlayStation 5 games to play, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is one you shouldn’t sleep on.
Despite some technical issues and wanting more out of the game’s map, Bugsnax is a fantastic follow-up to Young Horses’ Octodad: Dadliest Catch. It’s unlike any game released this year, and it feels like a breath of fresh air as this year ends. With 2020 being a hard year for me and everyone else worldwide, playing Bugsnax helped me forget about what's going on for a moment and provided nothing but pure joy. With such heavy hitters like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls on the PS5 at launch, Bugsnax is a delightful experience that no one should skip out on.
So, at the end of the day, FIFA 21 feels like a game with a ton of potential that’s being held back by its engine. Konami decided to take the year off and switch to Unreal. I can’t help but feel like EA really needs to do the same. For all the bells and whistles the team adds every year, the on-field product leaves so much to be desired.
Paper Mario: The Origami King is far from a bad game; it’s just not one that meets its potential. This feels like a solid first step from Intelligent Systems to finally find a new groove for the franchise. Hopefully the team continues to iterate on the design and deliver a follow-up that finally mixes that classic Paper Mario tone and feel with quality gameplay that fans love. It can, and arguably should, be different from the original games, but it needs to be more than this.
Personally, I’m willing to put up with a lot of jank, meaning Under the Skin was mostly worth it for me. However, I fully recognize I’m likely in the minority. Blacksad: Under the Skin will probably only appeal to fans of the comic or anyone looking to jump into them. This is too bad because the developers had a chance to bring a whole new audience to Juan Diz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido’s excellent series about a street-tough cat detective and his universe of interesting animal pals.
None of this is to say that Children of Morta is a bad game. In some ways, it’s very good. The way it interweaves the familial unit throughout the story and the game’s mechanics is an awesome touch. In motion, the game is absolutely gorgeous. That said, I think there are better roguelikes in which to sink your teeth. The Bergsons were a great family to visit, but much like a crazy aunt, I wouldn’t want to live with them forever.
And ultimately, I think playing Neo Cab takes a mood. When you’re tired after a long day and can’t bring yourself to deal with anything more challenging or more involved, Neo Cab will be there. It isn’t going to amaze you with ornate animations or deep gameplay, but it might calm you down. It’ll get you to think about life and society, and it’ll take you on a bizarre trip through a futuristic town and the fragile psychological state of its denizens. Be prepared, though, for a game that is entirely devoted to storytelling. What gameplay it offers is just icing-on-the-cake, and it could probably use a bit more sugar.