In our Blasphemous 2 review, I describe The Game Kitchen’s blood-spattered second coming as “a Soulslike sequel that’s as unsettling as it is unpredictable”. For the most part, that’s in reference to the Metroidvania-meets-FromSoftware-styled adventure’s brutal boss battles, its disparate themes of tragedy framed by religion and cultism, and the …
Read More »Homeworld 3 preview: The Battlestar Galactica game I always wanted
I’m an amateur fleet commander with admirable intentions: I want to dominate the stars in Homeworld 3 with a massive squadron of Interceptors, the nimble fighters that look a lot like the Vipers from Battlestar Galactica. Hitting the population cap, I’m able to arrange my Interceptors into differing formation and …
Read More »Spider-Verse producers say they had to fight to keep the best new character in Across the Spider-Verse
There were so many versions of Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse that Spider-Punk – arguably the coolest one – almost didn’t make the cut. “Some people were like, ‘Is there a way to simplify this? There’s so many characters. Do we really need Spider-Punk?'” writer-producer Chris Miller told Entertainment …
Read More »That Ahsoka lightsaber battle is a major milestone for Star Wars
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Ahsoka! Turn back now if you’re not up to date! Ahsoka episode 1 sees new villain Shin Hati and Sabine Wren go head to head in a vicious lightsaber battle. It’s been a while since Sabine was trained by Ahsoka Tano, and she’s not …
Read More »Dune 2 officially delayed to 2024
Dune 2 has officially been delayed to 2024 after weeks of speculation. Per Variety, Warner Bros. announced Thursday that Dune 2 would be moved from its original November 3 release date to an unspecified date next year. This comes just a little more than a month after Variety reported that …
Read More »Dungeons of Hinterberg preview: one of the most promising Xbox Series X console exclusives of 2024
I’ve always had an affinity for action-RPGs that draw outside the lines of the genre’s hard edges. Something like Dark Cloud, the Level-5 adventure which smartly combined procedural dungeoneering with refined city-building; Persona 4: Golden with its imitable blend of social connection and murder investigation, or Moonlighter which uses exploration …
Read More »I played Ghostrunner 2 and totally sucked at the running part
I’ve never been the most coordinated person, but in Ghostrunner 2 I’m a one-woman calamity. Playing on the Gamescom 2023 show floor was my first experience with developer One More Level’s fast-paced action series, and, suffice to say, getting the hang of one-hit insta-kills, wall-running, and grappling hook traversal took …
Read More »Worldless is a gorgeous action platformer that blends peaceful Metroidvania adventure with hectic rhythm combat
At first glance, Worldless poses a conundrum. For the most part, the 2D adventure platformer unfolds in a quiet, rolling zen-like sprawl of platforms and ledges, glowing stars, distant moons, and alien plant life. Wandering around at your own pace, there’s merit in learning the game’s physics by taking your …
Read More »Phantom Spark channels WipeOut and Thumper with its stunning and weirdly zen time trials
Within minutes of diving into the first region of Phantom Spark, I’m cursing myself. I’m watching my own ghost zoom off into the distance as I fail – again – to get the perfect line on that long curve. I know ticking off the final challenge for this level is …
Read More »Europa is what Tears of the Kingdom would feel like if Link were all alone, forever
Something about Europa is undeniably devastating. At first I was too distracted to tell, ambling about a lush green meadow and gazing out at the watercolor panorama of grass, stone, and the vault of blue sky overhead. With a dreamy soundtrack playing as I climb ledges and glide over mossy …
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