Callum Williams
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And hopefully, the Judgement series will get to act as a continuation of that formula for a long time to come, as Lost Judgment proves time and time again that it's worthy of carrying the traditional, action-heavy direction of the series. Its detective elements may be lacking and its third act is slow, but it more than makes up for it, offering spectacle-heavy set pieces, an engrossing mystery, and a bounty of fantastic side missions. Whether a diehard fan of the Yakuza franchise or a newcomer looking to see what all the fuss is about, Lost Judgment is a thrilling adventure that shouldn't be missed.
But Gnosia overcomes these issues because it's such a well-put-together package. Combining the visual novel and social deduction game and attempting to turn the pair into a poignant, single-player, narrative-driven adventure feels like a nigh-on unachievable goal. Yet, Gnosia somehow manages to make the unorthodox blend work. From its compelling characters and unique gameplay hook to its stunning art style and engaging story, Petit Depotto has created a wholly original sci-fi thriller that's worth enduring a few late-game pacing issues to experience.
That being said, Superliminal is still a really solid puzzle game. Its innovative main mechanic is worth the price of admission alone, with Pillow Castle taking the time to evolve and experiment with the feature so no two levels are ever exactly the same. What it lacks in challenge, story, and length it makes up for with its commitment to its perspective-based premise, carving a genuinely fun puzzler that's sure to leave aficionados of the genre satisfied.
Instead, it seems the idea here was to make an accessible, stunning, and fun-focused racing game that opens the door to new players as the next generation begins, and in that regard, Dirt 5 knocks it out of the park. Its driving is exceptionally precise, making players feel like a master behind the wheel, while the sheer variety of gorgeous, globe-hopping tracks with treacherous terrain to conquer creates a wonderfully diverse gameplay experience. It runs out of steam towards the end of its campaign and lacks much meaningful vehicle progression, but on the whole, this is one of Codemasters' most confident racing packages to date.
Ultimately, players' enjoyment of Pumpkin Jack will crux on how nostalgic they are for the 3D action platformers of yesteryear. The makings of a great game are definitely here, with witty dialogue, a wonderful selection of fun mini-games, and some serviceable platforming. But, outside of its clear homages and lofty inspirations, Pumpkin Jack feels like it has nothing new to say and no modern insights to add. It ultimately winds up a jack of all trades but a master of none, offering plenty of ideas rife with potential but never honing in on one long enough to make it stand out.