JJ
74
Avg Score

Joe Juba

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Knights and Bikes sends players back to when life was more magical. In this world, treasure maps are real, local legends come to life, and your bike is an extension of yourself. Though the game is set in the ‘80s, nostalgia for a specific era isn’t the centerpiece; developer Foam...

Game InformerGame Informer·September 3, 2019
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In the world of Oninaki, death is inevitable, but the aftermath is different. Spirits who are grieved may become shackled to the living world, so everyone tries to approach death with a practical stoicism. However, when playing Oninaki, maintaining that kind of measured neutrality is impossible. This is an action/RPG...

Game InformerGame Informer·August 23, 2019
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The ‘80s were hugely influential years in video game history, and we see that reflected in the abundance of modern games that appeal to our nostalgia for the era. With new twists on old formulas, many current titles are inspired by the ’80s, but they don’t necessarily feel like they...

Game InformerGame Informer·June 28, 2019
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In horror, mystery and uncertainty are useful tools. However, when properly deployed, knowledge and context have even more power to transform simple scares into pure terror. Imagine you’re walking through a haunted house. Doors spring open every few steps, each one hiding a faceless corpse, and in the background you...

Game InformerGame Informer·May 24, 2019
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What’s the most terrifying thing about a samurai assassin squaring off against a room full of gun-toting goons? The sword. Out of all possible deadly weapons, the samurai chooses a blade that requires unerring precision and close range, even when facing a hail of bullets. That choice conveys a lot...

Game InformerGame Informer·April 18, 2019
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My Time at Portia strives to emulate the charm of a simple life, similar to games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing. At first, the experience seems to line up closely with expectations set by those other simulations; as a newcomer in the community, you do chores, socialize with townsfolk,...

Game InformerGame Informer·April 16, 2019
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The Devil May Cry series began with Dante, a lone demon hunter. Today, he’s not so lonely; other playable characters have rotated in over the years, including Vergil, Nero, Trish, and Lady. Devil May Cry 5 expands the cast again with V, a mysterious man who uses demonic companions to...

Game InformerGame Informer·March 6, 2019
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It may not be complex, but the core of Earth Defense Force 5 is accessible and entertaining. You are a soldier who (along with the optional assistance of co-op buddies) fights off an invading horde of giant bugs, frogs, UFOs, and more. You customize your loadout with weapons that range...

Game InformerGame Informer·December 7, 2018
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Not every game makes it as far as release. Even the biggest and most successful studios cancel projects when they aren’t shaping up. Those games may never see the light of day, but curious gamers can find footage of many abandoned titles online – and The Quiet Man reminds me...

Game InformerGame Informer·November 9, 2018
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Many mythological traditions involve some form of demigod, an exceptional individual born from the union of a human and a deity. These heroes accomplish astounding things thanks to their divine heritage, but their mortal sides keep them from joining the ranks of true gods. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey exists in the...

Game InformerGame Informer·October 1, 2018
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At its best, Octopath Traveler reminds me of my favorite 16-bit role-playing games. Strategic turn-based combat tests your skills, a job system gives you the freedom to tinker and optimize, and a fantastic retro aesthetic brings the world and creatures to life. However, Octopath Traveler isn’t always at its best....

Game InformerGame Informer·July 18, 2018
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When I was a kid, I tried assembling a model car. This was back before “Nailed it!” was a meme (and before the internet in general), but I remember being disappointed by the disparity between the picture on the box and my final result. Compared to the idealized image, my...

Game InformerGame Informer·June 19, 2018
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