Bobby Pashalidis
Game industry critic and reviewer
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Directive 8020 is the start of a new season for the Dark Pictures anthology, and it’s's off to a good start. The massive leap from Earth to space effectively gives us a way to experience terror and mostly works. Still, it's often undone by dreadful stealth sections that quickly scuttle the tension due to overreliance on staying quiet. However, for the things I don't enjoy, Supermassive Games delivers a great game with a vital sense of tension.
phelion's held back by frustrating controls and gameplay that often works against you. Even with an emotional score and a decent narrative, it isn't enough to save what could have otherwise been a memorable experience. Unfortunately, Dontnod's latest falls short on many accounts, but it's propped up by some great performances and music.
Invincible VS has a ton of potential to make a splash at tournaments. It's brutal, frenetic, and fun, and it's clear that Quarter Up made this with fighting-game love for the source material. It is incredibly easy to pick up and play.
Housemarque’s Saros feels like a proper evolution of Returnal’s mechanics. It’s bold, it’s exciting, thrilling even. Each time Arjun heads out in search of answers yields clues to the truth behind Carcosa and those burdened by its existence.
Coming in fast and furious, Milestone's Screamer is an excellent arcade racer. It's a successful reimagining of a beloved '90s series, and it looks, plays, and feels incredible. It is a competent racer, providing enough challenge to test all skill levels around every bend. As far as arcade racers go, Screamer is technical, stylish, and immensely capable of offering thrills at breakneck speeds.
One of the most fascinating things about Resident Evil, as a franchise, is how often these games take on different interpretations as the series progresses. We don’t think of Resident Evil 5 the same way as when it came out, or Resident Evil 6, or Village. This is one of the few gaming franchises that meaningfully uses the past, both narratively and from a design standpoint. These are games integrally shaped by their place in time, the world, and the larger series. And similarly, I think Requiem is a game that we’ll be talking about for years to come, reevaluating more than once.
Reanimal is both beautiful and horrifying, carving out a unique identity. The blend of co-op mechanics and atmospheric storytelling mixed with nightmarish creature design creates an experience you won't soon forget. Despite playing solo, I enjoyed my time with Reanimal but felt I would've appreciated the gameplay much more with someone I know to help me navigate the island. Ultimately, Tarsier's penchant for telling bone-chilling horror stories is why they continue to make a lasting impression.
Nioh 3 fractures Team Ninja’s formula, pushing players to master brutal Samurai power and lethal Ninja agility in every demanding encounter.
Ultimately, what matters in Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is the journey. Every character you meet, every party member you recruit, has a tale you want to experience. With reworked combat and vocations, a stellar party, and dozens of memorable locations in need of help, Reimagined is one of the finest games in the series.
Cairn wasn't on my list of must-play titles this year, but it needs to be on yours. It's a puzzle game disguised as a climbing game, as no two climbs ever feel the same or offer the same solution. Cairn is just this incredible game I can't put down.