Ravi Sinha
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GamingBolt Latest Reviews
As far as premises go, Kiln follows the standard Double Fine formula by being completely unlike anything else out there. It's just a shame that it doesn't lead to a compelling pseudo-MOBA, party brawler or anything else in between.
Returning characters may find some appreciation from long-time fans, but Lord of Hatred is just another tired, safe addition to Diablo 4 that fails to really excite.
Saros is an incredible step up over Returnal in every way imaginable. The rogue-lite progression and quality-of-life improvements are great, but it's the more complex bullet-hell system, bolstered by a compelling world and some masterful level design, that truly elevates it.
You'll want to take in Replaced's retrofuturistic version of dystopian USA as much as possible, but the phenomenal visuals can only do so much to make up for the above-average combat and puzzle-platforming.
Ghost of Yōtei: Legends doesn't significantly reinvent the gameplay loop present in Tsushima: Legends, instead offering new mechanics and mission types to go with a familiar gear grind. Despite some difficulty pains, it works very well and serves as a strong foundation for what's to come.
Even within its own genre, Marathon is niche - bristling with outlandish color combinations and likely to reject those looking for something more relaxed. Stick with it, however, and the stellar gunplay, intriguing characters, fun mechanics, and tense scenarios will draw you in.
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando doesn't break out so much as cater to the Left4Dead-leaning, even with its more open-ended approach and use of vehicles. It works more often than not - just don't expect it to aspire to much more.
Looking back once more on Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game, it's still incredible how it managed to deliver a great beat 'em up experience within the confines of its property. Scott Pilgrim EX can be fun, but it lacks that additional level of oomph that could see it stand side by side with the original, and that's without getting into all the ways it simply falls short as a video game. It may have served genre fans well ten years ago, but compared to some of the greats of today, like Absolum and even Tribute Games' own Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, it aspires to be simply good rather than outright incredible.
Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf isn't a massive leap in terms of storytelling, and the core puzzle-platforming gameplay remains. However, it's still a well-rounded experience with appreciable characters.
Even if it's the definitive way to experience Ys 10 with some genuinely fun new content, Proud Nordics only further showcases what could have been.