ZTGD

The Surge 2 has some really satisfying moments. It’s worth an investment based on the wealth of customisation options available, solid progression and genuinely fun combat. These innovations go some way to making up for the lack engrossing story or meaningful characters. However, the overriding sense is that the positive traits of Surge 2 often feel suffocated, mainly by a lack of visual and narrative investment in the world that surrounds its core mechanics.

For a budget priced remaster, it’s still a fun time, especially if you’re a fan of the Ghostbusters. The talent behind the game and story is decent enough even if the jokes aren’t as good as the original film. The gameplay loop can feel outdated, and the missing co-op mode stings, but the promise of it coming for free is still there. I still enjoyed my time with the game and people who have never experienced it, or haven’t seen it in a long time, will still find some enjoyment out of it, and you’re not breaking the bank while you do pick it up.

In fact, the only negative I have with this game is that after a while it became repetitive. There are only so many upgrades to work towards, and although each planet has their own theme, they don’t really differ that much. The enemies do get harder as players progress, but again there isn’t that much variety. Galaxy Champions T.V. may not be original or fresh, but it does get most things right and adds enough to make the game more compelling and does a fantastic job of updating a classic game.

After a long, grueling wait, the Legend of Heroes makes its triumphant return and I am more than happy to report that the wait has been worth it as Cold Steel III delivers on all fronts with improved visual fidelity, performance and a slew of meaningful new mechanics. Led by a cast of unforgettable characters and an intriguing story arc that will have you begging for more when the credits roll.

Oninaki is my favorite Tokyo RPG Factory game to date, with its gorgeous art style and melodic music and its more appealing storyline. It may be far from perfect, but it is certainly worth a look if you fancy a slightly different take on a well-established genre.

I think GreedFall may be the sleeper hit of the year. It’s an RPG that captures the best parts of BioWare’s works while adding in their own gameplay elements and a unique setting. The side stories are given just as much importance as the main quests. The world is large despite not being one large open world experience. Combat is the perfect blend of real time action and turn based decision making. After playing Bound by Flame earlier this year I had little expectation for GreedFall. I am happy I was wrong to doubt Spiders, because it is one of my favorite games of the year.

Contra: Rogue Corps is a game a lot of people would consider Konami to make. After seemingly wanting to exit the business even with a string of classic IP, this game feels like it was made for the sake of releasing a new Contra in 2019. It has good ideas hampered with poor implementation. It is not fun to play and that is its biggest crime. I wanted to love Rogue Corps. I tried to love Rogue Corps. I simply cannot find any fun to be had with the latest in this beloved franchise.

Fight ‘N Rage is a fantastic beat ‘em up. It has simple controls, good mechanics, and a lot of diversity to go along with it. Fans of this genre should not hesitate to pick this one up and even if you only play solo, you’ll still have a fun time with it.

Link’s Awakening is yet another outstanding addition to the Switch library. Anyone who says that Nintendo isn’t killing it with first-party games this year is delusional. They seem to pump out a classic almost monthly. Being able to revisit one of the most obscure and delightful Zelda games from the past is just another reason why the Switch is so magical. I cannot recommend this title enough. It transcends history and feels like a game that would pass as a current title.

Overall Concrete Genie was something unique. With kids playing Fortnite and Minecraft and whatever else I don’t know how well this game will do, but I do think it is one of the best handcrafted experiences made for kids I have seen in a long time. Concrete Genie is a wonderful experience with a strong message of kindness and forgiveness. Anyone wanting a fairly short, wholesome experience will find a lot to love here.