Hayes Madsen
Game industry critic and reviewer
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Screen RantLatest Reviews
While I enjoyed exploring the world and mechanics of Xenoblade 3, the story is what stuck with me. This is the best Xenoblade story yet, and that’s really saying something. When Xenoblade Chronicles 3 wasn’t bringing a smile to my face, it was breaking my heart over and over again....
As someone that thoroughly enjoyed my 200 hours with Fire Emblem: Three Houses, I never expected Three Hopes to meet, let alone surpass that experience — but it does. Three Hopes’ systems all coalesce into something truly special, and the war-driven story allows the world and characters to shine their...
The gorgeous orchestral soundtrack also deserves special mention, consistently elevating the emotion of scenes. What’s even more impressive about the music is that it’s often tailored to each time period. For example, one chapter revolves around a club in the 1970s that prominently features a singer. The music of this...
Chaos Gate Daemonhunters is an intensely challenging XCOM-like that fully embraces the aesthetic and tendencies of the Warhammer 40K universe.
I truly wish Rising’s gameplay systems were more engaging, as the story and characters had me genuinely engaged. There’s nothing about the game that’s particularly bad. But outside of the story, there’s nothing that’s particularly exceptional either. The flood of backtracking and busy work feels ripped right out of a...
Skywalker Saga succeeds most when it captures that Star Wars feeling, which it does often. Visually the game is an absolute delight, and of course, it’s filled with all the authentic Star Wars music and sound effects needed. There’s fantastic humor and gameplay design in the main missions, but at...
If you watched any of this game’s trailer and thought “I’m into that!” then you absolutely will not be disappointed. Strange of Paradise is a bizarre experience with a kitschy appeal, leaning into its assumed cult status with gusto. While it may not be perfect, Stranger of Paradise is one...
Babylon's Fall is a baffling game that lacks any distinct vision, both in terms of gameplay and artistic design.
Chocobo GP feels like a game that wants to be Mario Kart with Final Fantasy, but it simply doesn’t have the creativity or mechanical chops to back it up. There are certainly worse racers out there, but unless you’re the type of Final Fantasy fan who’s really into games like...
Despite some sluggish pacing near the beginning, Triangle Strategy is nearly everything I could have asked for from a new tactical RPG: a massive story filled with politics and intrigue, dynamic choices, a complex battle system that puts your skills to the test, and a gorgeous art style filled with...
Reverie Knights Tactics feels like a run-of-the-mill strategy game that isn't quite bad but fails to do anything particularly memorable.
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is the game's most ambitious expansion yet and feels like both a fitting ending and a new beginning all at once.
