Bobby Pashalidis
Game industry critic and reviewer
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Console Creatures Latest Reviews
Lost Soul Aside is eight years too late to resonate with today's sensibilities, and it lacks a coherent vision to really be memorable.
Cronos: The New Dawn is a culmination of over a decade of experience from Bloober Team. Through the years, the studio has risen to the challenge, and this trend continues with its newest franchise, which is a mix of some of the biggest survival horror games to exist. The campaign is brutal and challenges you to survive in a bleak, failed world where a virus has wreaked havoc in Eastern Europe, and the sci-fi elements present a fun twist on the formula.
Hell is Us is an exciting game thanks to its player-pattering system and otherworldly enemies. Exploring Hadea is often player-driven, so discovery feels natural & earned. Combat rewards patience & commitment to stopping the terrors plaguing this war-torn country.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is already a great game, and Star-Crossed World adds more of what works. Not only does it upgrade the base game for the Switch 2, but it also adds a fun expansion with new powers and tons of Kirby charm.
Like a ninja, Shinobi: Act of Vengeance sneakily delivers one of this year's best 2D action games. It smartly and stealthily showcases its brutal and spectacular mechanics that consistently up the stakes. While the story is the weakest aspect, the stylish action shows how promising 2D action games can be today.
Mafia: The Old Country is a no-nonsense, back-to-basics experience, and its dedication to authenticity serves as its best attribute. By sticking to a tight, linear experience, The Old Country allows the performances and writing to do the heavy lifting without losing the allure of the Sicilian countryside. By bringing to light a specific place in time that few movies or games have gone before, there's a wealth of details you'll come to appreciate.
Drag x Drive is fun, but it doesn't pack enough content to retain players. The three-on-three matches are a blast with the right teammates, and nailing some sweet tricks for bonus points is satisfying, but the magic quickly wears thin.
Dead Take is a surprise standout experience from Surgent Studios. It's got a stacked cast with a focus on storytelling over anything else, using the allure of Hollywood as the gateway to unconventional horror. While there are some predictable moments, the environment, the performances, and immersion make up for it. It is an emotionally charged horror experience that punches well above its weight and serves as a commentary on ambition and exploitation.
Shadow Labyrinth is an idea with immense potential, but it has some growing pains to work through first.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 does a lot to reenergize these two games from the early 2000s. At the time, the series was something every kid would talk about with their friends. Now, the series is given another moment in the spotlight, offering a new generation access to a series that feels as timeless as ever, thanks to its eclectic gameplay, excellent music, impressive skaters, and memorable levels. The personality, humour, and flow of these games are all still intact, and that makes them unforgettable.