Between the engaging base management and tense espionage missions, Phantom Doctrine is genuinely excellent at times. However, the frustrating combat and often unhelpful tutorials slide this tactical-stealth release down a few pegs.
Boasting an excellent progression system, top-notch gameplay, and gorgeous art design, Dead Cells is a remarkable achievement. If you consider yourself a fan of platformers in any shape or form, you owe it to yourself to grab Motion Twin's masterpiece.
Despite suffering from a gamut of technical issues, Ripples is a solid bounce-back for The Council. The plot continues to unfold in an interesting way, and the stronger focus on character interaction was a welcome development for this episode.
The Spectrum Retreat is a perfectly serviceable puzzler, but it rarely rises above mediocrity. There's potential within the ground of the Penrose Hotel, but it's never capitalized on.
The Crew 2 improves upon the many missteps of the original. The controls have been significantly improved, the grim story has been abandoned and the graphics are better than ever. However, thanks to limited online play and a lack of open-world activities, this sequel feels strangely unfinished.
Unravel Two improves upon the original title by not only introducing co-op play, but by also refining the series' uncompromising mechanics. It's a shame that the perplexing story can't match the emotional beats of the last Yarny adventure, however.
Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is a misfire in just about every way. The gameplay is dull and simplistic, the art and sound design are low quality, and the story is not only unfunny, but also surprisingly offensive. In other words, it's exactly what you would expect a Shaq Fu sequel to be like.
Aggressively unpleasant and a chore to play, Milanoir is a bloody dud of a tale. A slick visual style is the only positive to take away from this lousy slog of a game.
Although slightly lacking in features, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is still a well-put together set that brings together 11 arcade-perfect versions of the some of the best fighters ever developed.
The overarching story of The Council remains as eerily enjoyable as before, but the tedious puzzles that drive Hide & Seek ignore what made the first chapter such a delight to play through.
