Immortals of Aveum on PS5

There’s undoubtedly potential for greatness in Immortals of Aveum. It’s a unique combination of cinematic fantasy and FPS fluidity, often rendered beautifully and throwing players headfirst into immersive and rewarding combat. Unfortunately, it’s often the cause of its own mortality, struggling to balance story, lore, humor, and characters. The result is a decidedly mixed bag, a game that captivates and frustrates in equal measure. 

Players are thrown into Aveum, a world that’s wounded and splintered – quite literally. Five kingdoms have collapsed into two warring superpowers, the tyrannical Rasharn and the barely surviving Lucium. Magic is at the center of these worlds, with three different types: Green, Red, and Blue. Most are confined to wielding one type but, in the case of a rare few known as Unforeseen, all can be controlled. 

Madden 24 on PS5

When August rolls around, that means it’s officially time to dust off those playbooks, shamelessly fixate over your favorite NFL team in public once again, and return to the virtual gridiron for the latest entry into the long-running EA Sports Madden franchise. We are creatures of habit, after all. If there is a Madden title to play, we are going to play it. But should we? As in, should we even have that option every year around this time? Or is it time for a break?

Now contrary to what you may be thinking, I don’t pose these questions simply to shoot down this latest installment. It is not some sort of elaborate setup to dunk on a game that I can only describe as remarkably adequate. But it is something I’ve been thinking about a lot while experiencing all Madden 24 has to offer this past week.

Blasphemous 2 on PC

If I could describe Blasphemous 2 in only a few words, it would have to be steady progress.

Though the changes made to the general design of the original might seem minimal, every tweak feels necessary and worthwhile. They come together to make the sequel that little bit better than the original, and ensure it can keep the franchise as a whole on an upward trend toward greater heights.

Baldur’s Gate 3 on PC

By the time I finished my playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3, an insane sequence of events had taken place.

Characters both minor and integral to the plot had died in a variety of ways. Entire landscapes had been altered by my choices, and different factions of characters viewed me with both admiration and disdain after grueling battles. Some quests had been finished with the best outcomes possible, while others had ended without me ever realizing they needed my attention in the first place.

Moving Out 2 on Xbox Series X

Moving Out 2 is the kind of game that I really should enjoy. I loved engaging in the culinary chaos of Overcooked and its sequel with my partner, as annoyed bickering turned into strategic streamlining of our coordinated cooking. At times, Moving Out 2 managed to scratch that itch, but in other levels, we just found it leaned towards being more frustrating than fun.

It’s a fine line that these kinds of games have to walk. The whole appeal of them comes from the clever level designs that push you towards a more chaotic multiplayer affair that’s best experienced with friends and loved ones on the couch next to you. But there’s something about Moving Out’s focus on furniture moving that just didn’t quite jive with me in the same regular cadence that Team 17’s other title did.

WrestleQuest on PC

For those well-versed in the world of professional wrestling, chances are you’ve seen both the wonder it’s capable of creating and the ugliness that’s left many scarred. With all of the information we have available to us, let alone the fact that there is a multi-season documentary series entitled Dark Side of the Ring, it’s easy to get lost in the darkness. Perhaps the loveliest aspect of WrestleQuest, though, is its dedication to the goofiness of it all.

Players are thrown into the fire almost immediately, training for matches while improving their skills on the microphone. There are countless side quests to occupy one’s time, yet this never stops reminding you what professional wrestling is about. Good battling evil; the babyface looking to defeat the heel.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical on PC

Just when I thought I had seen it all for choice-based games, Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical changes the classic dynamic with its unique harmonious twist, taking on the role of a decision-maker and lyricist. Instead of the standard choices you may be used to, you’ll control the story’s outcomes through the powers of singing, where the characters will express themselves through multiple musical numbers.

Many of the recent choice-based I’ve been playing have been centered around gods in some shape or form, including Harmony: The Fall of Reverie and Love Shore. However, since the story derives from Greek mythology, it is much easier to comprehend, with notable figures like Apollo, Eros, and Athena. Players will take on the role of Grace, who has recently gained the melodic powers of the Muse after being framed for the death of its previous holder. 

The Expanse: A Telltale Series on PC

After I rolled credits on the first three episodes of The Expanse: A Telltale series, it hit me that this isn’t the same kind of experience Telltale Games was once known for.

To be sure, all of the usual elements are there. The episodes had choices that impacted the outcome of a longform narrative, and brief gameplay segments broke up the dialogue dumps to keep the experience breezy. There were even some scant moments where it was unclear what the best course of action would be, and I had to step away in order to weigh the consequences of what I could do.

The Sims 4 Horse Ranch on PC

Like many Simmers, I’ve been around the block with the franchise’s many expansion packs, offering new ways to experience the game. While some DLCs provide a unique world filled with a ton of activities, others feel more like an add-on for items and not an extension of gameplay. The Horse Ranch pack falls in between this spectrum, where it has a ton of opportunities for animal lovers but fewer options for its overall playability.

If you are a horse enthusiast, the latest expansion pack is perfect for you, given its customization features and numerous wholesome moments. The bond you share with your stallion is where the add-on shines as you develop multiple companionships throughout your Sim’s life. The Mini Goats and Mini Sheep are also excellent family members that will cause you to say, “Aww! How cute!” frequently.

Exoprimal on PS5

Does familiarity really breed contempt? Because if that old adage rang true, I’d feel nothing but mind-numbing boredom for Exoprimal, which is yet another third-person shooter games-as-a-service title with multiplayer mechanics a ‘la Warframe or World War Z. Instead, I’m kind of smitten with Capcom’s latest dino-vs-mechs co-op shoot ’em up. I know, I know, I’m just surprised as you are. Basically, if I was to condense this review down to one sentence, it’d go something like this: Exoprimal is better than I was expecting it to be, and is a testament to how strangely satisfying shooting tidal waves of walking fossils really is.

Set in a futuristic world where mysterious rifts have randomly materialized spawning legions of prehistoric beasties, Earth as we know it has gone the way of the dodo. Coming to our defense are a bunch of burly exofighters, replete with advanced armor and weaponry, who quickly help to turn the tide of war against the hordes of carnivorous reptiles. These exosuits are designed and built by the Aibius Corporation, which is your typical shady philanthropic organization that may or may not be connected to the dinosaurs’ origins.

Remnant 2 on PS5

I was a massive fan of Remnant: From the Ashes because too many third-person shooters attempt to borrow Soulsborne ideas with poor execution. The first Remnant offered something unique in a campaign full of planets you could reroll at any time, wiping the slate clean and starting over. Remnant 2 carries the ideas of the first game forward in meaningful evolutions.

Remnant 2 starts with your created character walking through a post-apocalyptic Earth with your best friend Cass. You are on the search for Ward 13 but aren’t sure the concept isn’t just an urban legend. After a trek too far into Root territory, you are both set upon and overwhelmed by enemies.

Pikmin 4 on Switch

Pikmin 4 challenges players to unleash their inner adventurer in a strange world where tiny heroes face towering obstacles. The game makes the ordinary feel extraordinary in the most enchanting ways. This is my first true Pikmin experience, and even as a newcomer to the series, I found myself completely enthralled by the vibrant landscapes, intuitive gameplay, and charming characters I encountered on my journey.

The game opens with a familiar hero, Olimar, crash-landing on a strange planet. After a tutorial level, you take control of a new explorer: a character you get to name and customize. Your role, with the help of friendly Pikmin and the dog-like creature Oatchi, is to seek out and rescue the multitude of castaways who became stranded in their own search for Olimar.

Everybody 1-2 Switch! on Switch

For a hybrid console that’s meant to make you the life of the party — as those initial Switch ads from back in 2017 would have you believe — it’s quite baffling that Nintendo has decided to put out a painfully mediocre party game in the form of Everybody 1-2 Switch! As someone who’s a bit of a 1-2 Switch apologist, the 2023 follow-up is uninspiring, boring, and even an occasional source of nightmare fuel.

In fact, I had spent all week sitting on the fence, trying to decide if I wanted to purchase Mario Party Superstars for a friendly get-together I was planning for the end of the month. When I was presented with the opportunity to review Everybody 1-2 Switch!, though, I thought, “Alright, maybe this could be a fun party game to play with my friends, and I could save a little bit of money,” and proceeded to boot it up. Long story short: by the end of the first session, I thought, screw it, and instantly purchased Mario Party Superstars instead.

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals on PlayStation 5

Video Game sequels can be tricky to pull off, especially when they offer a continuation of their predecessor’s story. Not only do they need to offer a continuation or conclusion to what came before them, but they also need to innovate on what came before them to show their potentially lengthy development time was worth the wait. Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is no exception to these factors, but fortunately for fans, it proves itself more than capable of meeting these expectations.

Set roughly five years after the events of the series’ first game, Night School Studio‘s title places players into the shoes of a new protagonist: Riley Poverly, a vagabond who has returned to her hometown after several years to work a job installing transmitters for a local survey project. She’s joined by Jacob Summers, a local with unfulfilled aspirations and his own inner demons to deal with.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code for Nintendo Switch

I’ve been a fan of the Danganronpa series for quite some time, from the games to the anime to the manga series. Since its conclusion, there’s been a void left by its bittersweet ending, that is, until the announcement of Master Detective Archives: Rain Code.

If you’ve been missing Danganronpa (like I have) or have been looking for a fresh new take on the detective narrative, then Rain Code is the right title for you. Every time you think you’ve got it all figured out, the storyline seems to always go in a completely different direction, with ridiculous amounts of twists and turns. 

Dave the Diver for PC

For quite some time now, I’ve been looking for a good ole’ classic slice-of-life game with a somewhat linear storyline. I’ve already had my fill with the likes of farming simulators and wanted something fresh that didn’t necessarily involve the restoration of my grandfather’s old business. Then, out comes Dave the Diver, which ultimately feels like two games rolled into one, as you take on the role of a diver by day and help run a sushi restaurant by night.

The first time I dove into the watery world of Dave the Diver, I was instantly hooked by its whimsical dialogue, vibrant 2D graphics, and addicting gameplay. However, despite the character’s 2D design, the landscape takes a different shape through its 3D environment, changing the dynamic of the overall art style. You’ll meet Dave, who often gets a double look due to his big-boned appearance, but he never lets the insults get to him and continues taking down the sea’s most fearsome creatures.

Sonic Origins Plus for Nintendo Switch

Indulge me for a moment, to give you a brief viewpoint into my origins as a gamer. Though my beginnings were firmly rooted in the treasured catalogue of the Super Nintendo, my very identity was shaped by the notion that Genesis Does.

Sonic the Hedgehog and his ilk embodied everything that a radical 90s kid would cling to immediately, defined by his sleek visage and devil-may-care attitude. Of course, without the actual portfolio to back it up, you could only get so much mileage out of biting wit (hello, Bubsy).

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective on PS4

In the years since its initial release, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective has remained a special offering even among Nintendo DS titles.

Designed specifically for the touchscreen-centric handheld device, it provided players with inventive and elaborate puzzles galore. Not only that, but it served up an engaging tale of mystery, quirky characters, and inventive gameplay which stood out even among creator Shu Takumi’s other notable titles from the Phoenix Wright series. Most anyone could find a worthwhile experience so long as they were willing to think outside the box and embrace some zanier twists and oddball problem solving concepts.

Aliens: Dark Descent for PS5

Aliens is one of those properties that has been adapted into all sorts of games. There’s been survival horror, a third-person shooter like Left 4 Dead, and an underwhelming first-person shooter. Tindalos Interactive sought to try something new by crafting a squad-based real-time strategy game that works incredibly well in the universe.

The story starts with a small act of sabotage aboard Pioneer Station. Someone posing as an engineer knocks out a worker at a terminal and opens several containers housing Xenomorphs and their eggs. Deputy Administrator Maeko Hayes is the first to notice something is amiss. She arrives at the hangar as a vessel tries to leave the nearby planet Lethe’s orbit, presumably carrying dangerous Xemomorphs onboard.

F1 23 on PS5

In a world where video games seem to be slowly moving towards longer life cycles and seasonal content, annual sporting instalments could become a thing of the past. F1 23, I’m pleased to report, does more than enough to justify its existence. It builds on F1 22 in a solid if unspectacular manner and, most of all, dials up the stakes, immersion and Formula One racing experience.

Wax and Polish

It’s probably taken as a given at this point that an EA-led (Codemasters developed) title will be refined and detailed in its approach. It shouldn’t be taken for granted in general though, with plenty of recent releases finding their way into the public domain without being ready for it. I was reminded of EA Sports’ PGA Tour in the granular detail and wealth of options F1 23 threw my way before I even got close to a racetrack.