Jonathan Ammerman
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Game Rant Latest Reviews
After replaying these classic 3D Mario entries, there is little doubt that Nintendo knows how to make 3D platformers, and that Mario is and always will be fun. It is disappointing that Nintendo chose not to update the titles in Super Mario 3D All-Stars for 2020, as some of the blemishes in the design of the three games are made more obvious so many years after their initial releases. That being said, the games are still excellent, with Super Mario Galaxy feeling like a perfect game. Additionally, the nostalgia of childhood gaming will likely allow players to look right past any small hiccup, as it is still a joy to explore Peach's Castle, hover over Delfino Plaza, and fly throughout the Galaxy.
NBA 2K21 has a plethora of things to do. Some will gravitate to MyLeague for grand-scale teambuilding in online competition. Some will play solo through MyCareer, slowly building up an NBA legend. Others will head to The Beach and spend tons of time breaking ankles and taking it to the rim in ProAms. In a year in which it would have been easy to copy and paste the last NBA 2K game, 2K21 has a lot of "new" going for it. However, once players dig deeper, additions like The Beach don't really feel any different than the old Neighborhood from previous years. And other changes, such as the shooting mechanics, are a step in the wrong direction. Overall NBA 2K21 feels like a bit of an off-step, but it is still a solid basketball experience.
Windbound is a pleasant oceanic indie. It does a very fine job of balancing itself between being a calming experience in a deserted island world and a title that is genuinely tense thanks to its survival and permadeath nature. The inventory management is extremely frustrating early on, but eventually, the crafting nature of the game clicks and it becomes enjoyable to create helpful tools and a resourceful boat to explore the world. The objective of the game, unfortunately, becomes repetitive just as the other aspects of the title come into their own. But simply traversing the islands, discovering new materials and recipes, and surviving in the charming world of Windbound is fun enough to outweigh some of the game's shortcomings.
Madden NFL 21 is an imperfect game, with some modes like Franchise and MUT lacking any meaningful upgrades. Fans of those modes will still have fun, but they will have to wait for next year's Madden to see where the major evolutions take place. Meanwhile, Face of the Franchise is awkward from a story perspective and lacks player agency. But the core gameplay experience feels better than ever, with things like the new Skill Stick controls allowing for creatively on the field. Lastly, The Yard is so good it could be its own stand-alone game.
Playing on real-life courses in PGA TOUR 2K21, scoring a perfect hole in one, and hearing the crowd erupt is special. Career mode is a blast, and beating Justin Thomas (cover athlete and number one player in the world) to the FedEx Cup is great. The difficulty level of the game can be brutal, with the timing of the swing being a legitimate pain. But the options that are available allow players to progress at their own speed, which is nice. Thanks to this, a deep multiplayer experience, and endless course options from the Course Designer, PGA TOUR 2K21 is about as replayable as a golf game can get. PGA TOUR 2K21 is a very fun game, and with it, the golfing simulator is officially back.
West of Dead elevates its experience thanks to to the storytelling and art design. Some aspects of the game can be frustrating, but the total package is generally rewarding in its gameplay and beautiful in its design. And as William Mason himself says, "they say a hero dies only once, but I say a hero keeps coming back," and coming back for each playthrough in hopes to finally pull off that perfect run is a mighty fine time in West of Dead.