Tomb Raider: Anniversary PC Game Reviews

Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a homage to the original game that does far more than simply slapping on some high-resolution textures. Instead, it makes use of the Legend engine to ensure that the game looks and plays much smoother than ever before. Most levels retain the spirit of the originals but have been redesigned to accommodate Lara’s new move set and grappling hook. Unfortunately, the game does have some technical issues and the controls, as well as the camera, doesn’t always cooperate, which makes it an occasionally frustrating experience.

Gameplay: Stays true to the original game, but gives everything a modern makeover.

Graphics: Makes use of the Legend engine to give the original game a visual revamp.

Sound: Decent music, sound effects, and voice acting

Forgotten Trace: Thanatos in Nostalgia PC Game Reviews

Forgotten Trace: Thanatos in Nostalgia

Forgotten Trace: Thanatos in Nostalgia is a visual novel with an interesting premise, but some parts feel padded out unnecessarily. It is also the first part of what was supposed to be a three-part series, but there is no sign of the other two parts yet. This makes it hard to recommend the game as there is no guarantee the story will ever be completed. It’s a pity as Forgotten Trace does have some nice elements and the art style is good, despite the low resolution.

Gameplay: The story is interesting, but ends on a cliffhanger and can be a slog to read at times.

Graphics: The resolution is fixed at 1024×768, but the art style is decent.

Sound: Japanese voice acting and decent background music

Lust for Darkness PC Game Reviews

Lust for Darkness

Lust for Darkness attempts something a little different with the horror genre by combining it with erotic and occult themes. Unfortunately, it struggles with pacing and the overall experience is very short. There are still some good elements, such as the great environmental detail and design of the alien dimension you get to visit, but the gameplay is very shallow. Hopefully, all the issues will be addressed in a sequel as there is a lot of potential with the story and setting.

Gameplay: A walking simulator with some mild puzzles and a few enemies to evade.

Graphics: The environments are almost photo-realistic, but character models and animations are very rough around the edges.

Sound: The voice acting is not very good, but the soundtrack is decent

Chuusotsu! 1st Graduation: Time After Time PC Game Reviews

Chuusotsu! 1st Graduation: Time After Time

Chuusotsu! 1st Graduation: Time After Time is a kinetic novel that features three girls who end up living under the same roof while trying to regain their place in society. It is set in a future where aptitude tests determine your career for life and those who fail end up as worthless outcasts called chuusotsu. The game features bright, colorful visuals but the story can veer into unexpectedly dark directions. It is certainly an intriguing tale and hopefully, future installments will reveal more of the world and characters introduced here.

Gameplay: This is a kinetic novel, so there is no interaction beyond reading the story.

Graphics: The backgrounds are detailed and the character sprites look very nice.

Sound: Both the voice acting and background music is decent

CARRION PC Game Reviews

CARRION

CARRION is a great, although brief game that gives players the chance to go wild in a research facility as a flesh-eating tentacle monster. The game is extremely bloody, but between all the mayhem there are also plenty of puzzles to solve. Your creature can unlock a ton of new abilities, which opens up new areas to explore, but the lack of a map could frustrate some players. Despite some repetition and a few small niggles we thoroughly enjoyed our time with CARRION and the game comes highly recommended.

Gameplay: Plays like a very violent Metroidvania, except without the platforming elements.

Graphics: The pixel art looks great and the animations are smooth, but more unique locations would have been a big plus.

Sound: Atmospheric music and great sound effects

Toki PC Game Reviews

Toki

Toki is a great looking update of a classic arcade game, but despite the visual gloss and re-orchestrated soundtrack, it is still as tough as nails. This is not a game for players who demand infinite lives and saves, but fans of the original will get a kick out of this high definition version. Although it is a very short game, it is going to take a while for players to complete it, especially on the higher difficulties.

Gameplay: Tough as nails, but also a lot of fun.

Graphics: The updated visuals look great, but remain true to the original.

Sound: Features some lovely re-orchestrated music as well as the original tunes

Primal Light PC Game Reviews

Primal Light

Primal Light is a linear 2D platformer with great pixel art and punishing gameplay. It is very much an old-school title, so you can expect limited lives, checkpoints, and having to redo the entire level with each continue. Most platformers have eased up on these things, which means Primal Light can be enjoyably challenging or frustratingly difficult, depending on your skill level. However, the game was updated after its release, making the easiest mode more accessible to less skilled players.

Gameplay: The game can be brutal at times, but it’s nothing that can’t be overcome with some patience or playing on the easiest mode.

Graphics: Primal Light captures the 16-bit aesthetic perfectly.

Sound: The soundtrack for this game is moody and eerie

Shadowrun Returns PC Game Reviews

Shadowrun Returns

The Shadowrun license lends itself perfectly to an in-depth and complex role-playing experience, but unfortunately, it feels like Shadowrun Returns just skims the surface. The story is interesting enough, and there are a handful of great characters to interact with, but at times, it does feel like the game was dumbed down a little too much for casual audiences. The 2D artwork looks great, and the soundtrack is very atmospheric, but we were left wanting more by the end of the 12-hour campaign.

Gameplay: The game is a lot of fun but not as in-depth as we had hoped.

Graphics: The 2D artwork looks great, but the 3D character models could have been better.

Sound: While it lacks voice acting, the soundtrack fits the game perfectly

Pokémon Sword Console Reviews

Pokémon Sword

While Pokemon Sword doesn’t quite live up to the expectations of Pokemon fans, it is still a very enjoyable title. It does lack half of the Pokemon in the National Pokedex but features plenty of new ones as well as some interesting features, such as Dynamaxing. The story is a little weak, but the Pokemon battles are as enjoyable as always and the gym battles are some of the best in the series. As long as you don’t mind the fact that not all the Pokemon are present in this outing and that the game is maybe a little too easy you will have fun with this title.

Gameplay: It is still a lot of fun as a Pokemon title, but doesn’t quite live up to its high expectations.

Graphics: The game looks great but not as great as some of the other Nintendo Switch titles.

Sound: The lack of voice acting is disappointing, but the music and sound effects are good

A Plague Tale: Innocence PC Game Reviews

A Plague Tale: Innocence

A Plague Tale: Innocence is not only a great looking game with a unique setting, but the strong narrative focus makes it very engrossing too. The combination of stealth and puzzle-solving could easily have been very annoying, but barring a few frustrating sections the game is actually quite entertaining. It is also unrelentingly grim, which might deter some players, but between all the horror there’s also some heartwarming moments. Single-player narrative focussed games such as A Plague Tale: Innocence is becoming rarer, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to play this one.

Gameplay: A nice mixture of stealth and puzzles that never really veers too far in either direction.

Graphics: The visuals are extremely detailed and the environments surprisingly varied.

Sound: Good voice acting and some soaring tunes