Opinion Archives - Page 144 of 150

Devil Engine Is A Fresh Side-Scroller With A Classic Feel

Devil Engine feels like a game I dug out of my attic. The side-scrolling shooter, which released on PC and Nintendo Switch on February 21, reminds me of the games I played when I was younger. It’s like busting out R-Type DX or playing that one level of Rocket Knight Adventures if they were also…

By Heather Alexandra Published March 14, 2019

OpinionImpressions

Excellent New Detective Game Has You Snoop Around The ’90s Internet

It was right about when I scrolled past the virus festeringchunk2 (1) in my Download Manager and again heard the desktop assistant Professor Helper’s appeal to guide me to a free cruise and credit report site that I realized my computer was trashed and the game Hypnospace Outlaw is a work of genius. Hypnospace Outlaw,…

By Cecilia D'Anastasio Published March 13, 2019

OpinionImpressions

A Puzzle Game Where You Rewrite The Rules Of Each Level

Baba Is You is a puzzle game for Switch and PC, out today. You start by playing as Baba, a rabbit-like creature who can push blocks of words around to change a level’s rules. Soon, though, you’ll be playing as keys, rocks, flags, lava, or any other object you can become or manipulate by rearranging…

By Riley MacLeod Published March 13, 2019

OpinionImpressions

Damn, Yoshi’s Crafted World Looks Gorgeous

I’ve been playing Yoshi’s Crafted World for Switch in advance of its March 29 release, and the thing that’s sticking with me the most is how just plain beautiful it looks. I know we all enjoy playing our Switches in handheld mode, but you should consider docking that sucker for the duration of your Crafted…

By Chris Kohler Published March 13, 2019

Opinion

It’s Okay To Stop Playing

Sometimes the best option is to walk away from a game and come back later... or never

By Zack Zwiezen Published March 10, 2019

OpinionImpressions

The Occupation Is A Thrilling Investigative Game Where Every Second Counts

I’ve got 10 minutes until my big interview with a member of a group that’s trying to demonize immigrants and radically alter government policy. My leads are solid, but they unravel into an unsightly tangle of loose ends. Oh, have I mentioned that I’m sneaking around inside a ventilation system? And that if I get…

By Nathan Grayson Published March 7, 2019

OpinionImpressions

The Xbox One Version Of Black Desert Is Missing Three Years’ Worth Of Content

Black Desert Online, the massively multiplayer fantasy role-playing game with the gorgeous character creator, launched in North America for PC in 2016. Over the past three years, the developers have introduced multiple character classes and the game world has grown by several large expansions. The new Xbox One version doesn’t have those classes or expansions.…

By Mike Fahey Published March 4, 2019

OpinionImpressions

Ape Out Is A Violent, Musical Game About Rampaging Primates

Ape Out is one of those games where every move could be your last. Ape Out is one of those games where you shout “FUCK, ARGH, NO” all the time, but you actually mean “OK yeah, one more time.” Ape Out is one of those games where you play as an ape who shoves humans…

By Nathan Grayson Published March 1, 2019

OpinionImpressions

Baptiste Is Fun To Play, But He Probably Won’t Shake Up Overwatch Just Yet

Shortly after Overwatch’s newest hero, Baptiste, was announced, I started seeing Blizzard devs position the Haitian combat medic as a counter to GOATS, the game’s unpopular defense-oriented meta. “Alright,” I said to myself. “This seems promising.” But then I played him, and now I have mixed feelings. Overwatch’s current meta is heavily reliant on heroes…

By Nathan Grayson Published February 27, 2019

Opinion

Anodyne 2 Gets Playstation-Era Nostalgia Right

Anodyne 2: Return to Dust isn’t releasing until May, but it’s been quietly dominating my thoughts so far this year. Mixing Playstation-era visuals with Link’s Awakening-esque dungeons, it’s on track to be one of the most innovative and evocative games of 2019. The original Anodyne released in 2013, offering a world of dreamy pixel art…

By Heather Alexandra Published February 21, 2019

OpinionImpressions

Six Hours In, Anthem Has A Lot To Love

I’ve played about six hours of Anthem, a game where players fly around in mechanical suits blowing stuff up in search of ever more rare loot, and while I’m still getting my bearings I already feel a lot better about the game than I did back during its two demos. The game launched earlier today…

By Ethan Gach Published February 15, 2019

OpinionImpressions

30 Hours With Metro Exodus

Before starting Metro Exodus, I replayed the entirety of its predecessor, cult hit post-apocalyptic shooter Metro: Last Light. Exodus’ first hour felt like it could’ve been part of that game. I skulked around in train tunnels, got chomped on by mutants, and listened to underground denizens chatter endlessly about their sad, sunless lives. Then, the…

By Nathan Grayson Published February 15, 2019

OpinionImpressions

Jump Force Does A Lot Of Stuff Wrong, But The Fighting’s Fine

There are many things that bother me about Jump Force, Bandai Namco’s all-star anime fighting game. There’s the massive roster that has only three female characters. The jarring dissonance between the plastic, lifeless anime characters and the realistic textures of their clothing. The jilted gait my character affects while exploring the game’s expansive yet largely…

By Mike Fahey Published February 15, 2019

OpinionImpressions

God Eater 3 Is Like Monster Hunter But Simpler

The God Eater series is Bandai Namco’s take on Monster Hunter, and while not nearly as big or deep as the best games in that series, God Eater 3 does a good job of making up for those shortcomings with flashy combat and an apocalyptic backdrop that helps raise the stakes. God Eater 3, which…

By Ethan Gach Published February 6, 2019

OpinionImpressions

Apex Legends Adds Some Good Twists To Battle Royale

Titanfall development studio Respawn’s free-to-play battle royale game, Apex Legends, came out yesterday afternoon for PC, Xbox One, and PS4. I played it into the night and was intrigued by the ways it tweaks the battle royale format. Apex Legends is set on a futuristic map full of mountains, rivers, and clusters of buildings. There’s…

By Riley MacLeod Published February 5, 2019

Opinion

Brume Captures That Classic Adventure Game Feel

Like many kids, I used to explore the woods and get into all kinds of make-believe adventures. Often, that meant picking up a stick and questing for imaginary treasures. Brume is a low-fi adventure game that takes Dark Souls’ tough combat and adds a touch of whimsical exploration. Created by Sokpop Collective,Brume is an adventure…

By Heather Alexandra Published January 31, 2019

OpinionImpressions

Two Hours With Anthem‘s New Demo

Today BioWare’s demo for their upcoming online coop shooter Anthem went live, sort of. An apparent problem on the back end and some weird infinite load screen bug have made it difficult to actually explore the game for any sustained period of time. At the time of writing, the game still isn’t accessible for a…

By Ethan Gach Published January 25, 2019

Opinion

An Eye-Popping Neon Throwback To Classic Shooters

Bad Vibes is a colorful first person shooter that is a feast for the senses. Sometimes all you want to do is shoot some baddies and work through some negative feelings. What better way to do that then with some magic orbs and trippy sights? Bad Vibes, created by pfail, has been out since 2017and…

By Heather Alexandra Published January 18, 2019

OpinionImpressions

Bowser’s Inside Story Holds Up Nicely 10 Years Later

Anyone who hasn’t played the original on DS shouldn’t bother at this point. The remake is better-balanced and better-looking, arriving with a fair bit of extra side content as well. For everyone else, it’s worth remembering that you can still play DS games on your 3DS, and unlike 2017’s remake, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga,…

By Ethan Gach Published January 11, 2019

Opinion

SantaCorps 2 Combines Christmas and F-Zero

Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean you can’t spread some good cheer. SantaCorp 2: Starlit Waltzis a fast-paced game about helping Saint Nick and getting the highest score while doing it. If you’re looking for a neon rush that could make F-Zero jealous, this is the perfect place to find it. Created by…

By Heather Alexandra Published January 9, 2019