Charles Hartford
Game industry critic and reviewer
Writing For
But Why Tho Latest Reviews
Combining great gameplay that is easy to learn but challenging to master, with visuals that look great and music that always nails the tone, Lumines Arise suffers from only a few minor hiccups.
The Outer Worlds 2 comes together to deliver a fantastic journey. Despite some narrative hiccups, the worlds, organizations and individual players encounter, and sometimes kill, are always engaging and frequently fun.
Absolum delivers a truly special roguelite experience. By reining in some of the random elements, it’s able to create a smooth-running story that allows those with less than infinite time an experience they can enjoy.
HUNTER x HUNTER NEN x IMPACT struggles to find the fun. While its core gameplay concepts feel like a great framework for intense battles, the lack of balancing sucks the joy out of its 3v3 fights.
FBC Firebreak delivers an experience that is, at best, competent and, at worst, tedious. Given the glut of options in the multiplayer FPS market and the $40 price tag this game carries, it is hard to suggest it to anyone.
Sea of Stars Throes of the Watchmaker delivers a follow-up adventure to its core game that is worthy of the legacy it inherits.
Despite some hiccups on the presentation side, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves delivers in all the ways that matter most.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2: Rage delivers a ton of power in its exploration of fear, death, and friendship. It doesn’t always bring its elements together smoothly, but when it does, it delivers a summer that you will never forget.
Bleach: Rebirth of Souls is an ok game. When it’s at its best, it’s delivering exciting battles and retelling a story many love in a streamlined and sometimes overly simplified manner. When it’s at its worst, it can be a frustrating affair that leaves you feeling a need for a more polished experience and nuanced.
Avowed marks another triumph for the folks at Obsidian. Through its gorgeous world, memorable characters, frenzied combat, and intuitive yet deep customization system, it highlights player agency. Everywhere in its gameplay and narrative, ensuring that each playthrough offers something new. More importantly, it does so while never compromising the strength of its core story.