Aric Leighton
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Persona 3 Reload is a solid turn-based RPG made great by its grounded characters and the relationships you form with them. It’s a bold and ambitious remake, showcasing a level of polish that surpasses the previous entries. Despite some stumbles, Reload's worldbuilding and atmosphere immediately draw you. The repetitive nature of Tartarus may test your patience - but, in the end, Reload marks a great addition to the series.
Lies of P is one of the most interesting, polished, and just plain fun souls-likes to release in a long time. There’s much more depth than meets the eye, thanks to its easily digestible but highly customizable systems. It’s a mysterious and dark twist on a classic story that’s surprisingly engaging throughout. The humanity and lying system adds a unique layer of roleplaying in dialogue rarely seen in this genre but it all still shows a reverence to the source material. Even in a packed year, it's hard not to urge anyone that has been missing Fromsoft’s souls-like formula to check out Lies of P.
Turbo Overkill is a blast to slash, shoot, and chainsaw your way through. It stands alone in its visual style and stands its ground in gameplay and audio. The story leaves much to be desired, but as it’s a small part of an otherwise great package, it rarely takes away from the experience. Turbo Overkill knows what it is, and delivers you exactly that. It plays to its strengths and gives you a great, fresh take on the old man’s “boomer-shooter”.
Overall, Hunt the Night has promising aspects but it's held back in frustrating ways. On paper, the game is an interesting combination of classic top-down action games, a dark aesthetic, and Monster Hunter-style bosses. However, it misses critical mechanics like fluid movement and meaningful equipment customisation. The environments are well-crafted but are hampered by odd character designs that don't quite fit. Despite its flaws, Hunt the Night is an ambitious first outing for an indie studio. With refinement and attention to detail, Moonlight Games has the potential to create an excellent title in the future.