Story-driven sports RPGs such as the early Mario Golf and Tennis games, or most recently Golf Story, have slowly come back in vogue. Brought to life with the art of veteran animator Ivan Friere and Brazilian studio Pocket Trap, Dodgeball Academia is a confident combination of Shonen anime, sports games, and Saturday morning cartoons, creating […]
Twelve Minutes Review – Stuck In Hell
Getting stuck in a narrative time loop game is a unique sort of hell. On the one hand, being stuck creates a connection between mechanics, story, and player engagement rarely possible in video games; like your protagonist, you’re trapped, both caught in a never-ending cycle you are unable to break. On the other hand, the […]
Axiom Verge 2 Review – Lost In Another World
Thomas Happ’s 2015 Axiom Verge is a triumph of both singular vision and nostalgia. The scope of that project was astounding, as it was accomplished almost entirely by a single person. That release also earned its reputation as the most Metroid-like game ever released that didn’t actually bear the name. Years later, the sequel is more […]
The Forgotten City Review – A Narrative Masterpiece
A Roman city resides within a large mountain, hidden from light and prying eyes. Only 23 people call this secret society home, and they appear to live harmoniously together, but looks can be deceiving. Time has taken its toll on each soul, but they can never leave, and more pressing yet, cannot sin, for even […]
Winds & Leaves Review: A Peaceful Kind Of Progress
Winds & Leaves can be overly simple, but its solemn woodland walking hits the mark. More in our Winds & Leaves review. Note: At the time of publication, Winds & Leaves has some serious bugs on PS5 that hamper gameplay and outright prevented us from seeing the final cutscene. As such, we’ve decided to keep […]
Tarzan VR Review: Lord Of The Fumble
Tarzan VR might be VR’s strangest game yet, but oddball hilarity doesn’t disguise incredibly shallow offerings. More in our Tarzan VR review. I’ve done a lot of strange things in my time covering VR. I’ve made out with aliens, saved Baby Shark and braved the nauseous dangers of Rollercoaster Dreams. But none of that even […]
Lightning Bolt 360 Review: Gunnar’s Most Comfortable Gaming Glasses Yet
Gunnar Optiks has had a fascinating journey over the last several decades as its product line of gamer glasses continues to grow. Years ago, you might have seen a pair of Gunnars at Best Buy that looked like safety glasses. These days, Gunnar offers dozens of styles and types of glasses for a variety of […]
Sentenced Review: A Brilliantly Bloody Bit Of VR Theater
Sentenced’s bloody executions could use some sharpening, but its powerful ideas cut through. More in our Sentenced review. The blade lies in wait. Unruly chatter of gathered crowds lingers in the air, the scornful voice of the town Beadle cutting through it. The sinner kneels, embracing fate, the drum pounds to the pace of your […]
Mario Golf: Super Rush Review – Sun’s Out, Tees Off
Pitching, Putters, Wedge, Lob, Duff… Golf, to me, could be an entirely alien language. I don’t know what a Birdie is – only Birdo – and the only time I’ve ever heard the words “Double Bogey” in person, I was prompted to wipe my nose. I’m not sporty and I don’t get golf, but somehow […]
Umurangi Generation Review: Finally A Game Without Politics!
Fuck The Police – there’s my Umurangi Generation review. Read on if you want to see my thoughts on the game’s various modes, progression, level design, and aesthetics, but nothing will sell what the game is at its very core more than those three words. In some cases, “fuck the police,” can seem like quite […]