Destructoid

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga doesn’t reinvent the wheel and the subject matter is limited because the narrative mostly adheres to the film trilogies (when can we get a Rebels LEGO game?), but it’s a fun way to relive them as an adult and show them to kids at the same time.

NORCO takes you on a wild, bizarre journey that makes you feel like you’ve really gone through something when you come out the other side. In a sea of point-and-click narrative adventures, it oozes style, polish, and earnestness in a way that makes me think it will become a staple of the genre in years to come.

Weird West presents a bizarre world to tell a story about real, human struggles. It might have some hitches and messiness, but it’s a journey worth taking if you’ve ever been nostalgic about the good ol’ days. Or you just like the idea of charging into a group of enemies as an unstoppable fantasy monstrosity, shotgun barrels blazing, with electric western riffs ringing out in the distance. Saddle up, pigman. That’s your cue.

It’s the torment that Golden Light nails in every aspect. It’s the perfect interactive demonstration of what it’s like to have a mind that never lets the light shine. The fact that it simultaneously manages to be a unique and enjoyable experience is probably a very important fact that I’m too busy staring at my shoes to appreciate.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is more Borderlands, and the lighter fantasy fare might actually get people to dive in for the first time. With that in mind, it’s still more Borderlands, so the same basic formula isn’t going to magically change your stance if you’re a lapsed fan.

It’s convenient, optional, and if the second player dies, their life bar slowly refills and they respawn: easy. It’s a perfect way to involve a family member whenever they feel like joining you, but I can’t help but wish that co-op had a meatier presence. It would have been even better if there was a character select option that highlighted different playstyles, as the person controlling Kirby is constantly swapping around and doing drastically new things multiple times per level.

Dawn of the Monsters is a fine time that is shy of greatness, though not for lack of trying. 13AM’s tribute to a timeless cinematic genre captures the majesty, scale, and nihilism of its inspiration, stamping its own mark with smart combat and fantastic visuals. Unfortunately, repetitive missions, undemanding challenge, and slow pacing may dishearten solo players or those who prefer their scrappers on the speedier side. Regardless, anyone with a case of Atomic Breath should find some cataclysmic fun within.

I do like Rune Factory 5. It has a great cast, a wealth of activities, and much of the farm sim experience I love. But every time I found myself smitten with the game, something would come along to point out just how underwhelming it is as a whole.

It’s a brilliant approach to the horror genre. It keeps you feeling perpetually vulnerable. There is nothing to help you and absolutely no escape. Your only option is to keep pressing ahead, as there’s no rescue until the job is done. Don’t get distracted, ignore the sounds. Hurry, but be careful not to bash into a wall.

Overall, I think these eight tracks are really effective in preparing players for what to expect with the Booster Course Pass. Some are old favorites, others are finally getting a chance to be played the proper way. They may not feature the same radiant art style as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s core tracklist, but they look good. And some, dare I say, even look great.