Jake Valentine
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DualShockersLatest Reviews
Not every mode in WWE 2K25 is a home run; MyFaction still feels like an UltimateTeam-inspired mode that's designed for whales, and The Island gives the same vibe as well. Despite those issues, WWE 2K25 stakes its claim as not just one of the best wrestling games ever made but also an all-time great sports game. There's an impressive amount of content that will keep you busy long after WrestleMania season ends. Showcase is an excellent love letter to The Bloodline, MyGM will keep me busy for who knows how long, and MyRise blew me away with how much I enjoyed the story. For those looking to consume more WWE content with its boon in popularity, you can't go wrong with WWE 2K25.
Avowed isn't what I expected, but I loved every second. It's the type of game I'll gladly play through again and again, a feat made easier by its somewhat short runtime. Avowed proves that bigger isn't always better. Instead of making a game that tries to outsize everything on the market, Obsidian stayed true to its vision and delivered a polished experience that I fell in love with. As someone who replays Oblivion every year, it'll be hard to go back to those older Elder Scrolls games after enjoying my time with Avowed's combat and characters. This is the RPG experience I've been wanting on Xbox, and Obisidian delivered big time.
There's a fantastic game somewhere in Civ 7 that I'll easily spend 1,000+ hours with. Even in its current state, I can see myself playing this for years to come, though nowhere near as much as I did with Civ 6. There are too many frustrating issues that need addressing. At least that's what I keep telling myself, only to come back to boot up another game. Firaxis made a gigantic gamble with the changes to Leaders and Ages, and somehow, it paid off. If they can improve the game's flaws with future updates, we'll have another iconic entry in the legendary 4X strategy series.
Closing Thoughts: Thanks to the return of the infamously poor camera system, it's not the "definitive edition" Team Ninja was hoping for. And yes, there's still a reduced number of enemies compared to the original, but I find that inconsequential. At the end of the day, despite its somewhat dated gameplay, I was still impressed by the time the credits rolled. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black reminds us why the franchise was formerly the gold standard for 3D action. It's fast, furious, and a bloody good time. I can't think of a better way to prepare for Ninja Gaiden 4.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is still a great game, but it's not quite worth its hefty price tag if you've played it before.
It really makes you feel like Spider-Man.