Scott Ellison II

“Escape From Duckov has a lot of quality of life improvements I actually wish Escape from Tarkov had. The game does good at making you feel more powerful with each successful raid, despite being a cutesy and approachable extraction shooter. It attempts to be tongue-in-cheek, though doesn’t go far enough like it should to stand on its own webbed feet. There’s fun to be had and I do recommend it, but Escape From Duckov just isn’t all it’s quacked up to be.”

“The carnage is on par with the base game, and there’s a modest amount of content to be found here. The levels are as big as before, but there’s far less down time. Even the jokes in this game feels more modern and relevant this time around, compared to how things felt playing the boomer shooter originally. Sadly, at least in this build of the game I played, there are no new achievements relating to anything in the DLC. POSTAL: Brain Damaged – These Sunny Daze is a fine addition, but not an not essential one.”

“The price of admission for Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights seems about right, actually. You could do far worse for $15, but there’s far too many bugs, is lean on modes, and just lacks refinement. All is not lost, this is a game that if you dig deep enough you might find something to latch onto. It reminds me of late 90s or early 2000s car combat games which offers a bit of nostalgia for those who were around then. But like those games were for me then, this feels like it’s just a weekend rental. I still don’t know where “Hot Import Nights” fits in to this game. Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights lacks anything compelling to keep you coming back, and is ultimately just perfunctory.”

“Wildgate is a bold and ambitious undertaking that succeeds at what it sets out to do. It’s something that demands teamwork, rewards tactical thinking, and delivers exhilarating moments of high-stakes action throughout every match. You won’t find this to be overwrought with monetization or collaborations, it’s a simple game that really does everything right. Moonshot Games has ensured that this is a multiplayer experience that feels fresh and exciting. The core of Wildgate is incredibly strong, and win or lose you’re bound to have a good time in the untamed cosmos.”

“Frog Legs is a solid, thoughtful game. I wish each of the games you so briskly go through offered so much more. This decidedly short game has some great ideas I wish were more fleshed out, simply because they are so fun to partake in. Frog Legs is fun, while it lasts.”

“Breakout Beyond doesn’t go beyond anything we haven’t seen before. It has its issues with paddle sensitivity and endless mode not being infinite, but both of which can be fixed in updates or patches. NeoBreakout by Digital Eclipse or any of the other games within Atari 50 collection do offer a more complete experience. Breakout Beyond is still a solid Breakout experience, in a pretty package to justify its own existence with a style and visual flair the series has deserved for some time now.”

“Whether incidental or intentional, Spilled! is contemplative and reflective of the current state of our planet, and the help it needs. It feels good to be cleaning up these waters, and it is empowering to know that you can start small to have an influence. There’s satisfying visual feedback to show you are having an impact on this world, where Spilled! is absolutely sublime in design and execution.”

“FATE: Reawakened is a solid remaster that won’t compete with Diablo IV, Last Epoch, or Path of Exile 2, but it also doesn’t have to. I wish some of the menus, UI, and other gameplay bugs didn’t bog the overall experience, but thankfully there’s still a solid game here. FATE: Reawakened is a reminder of a simpler time, and while it doesn’t hold a torch to the original, it’s still a nostalgia trip worth taking.”

“X-Out is back thanks KRITZELKRATZ 3000 and Rainbow Arts, as the legendary developer returns in a big way for X-Out: Resurfaced. I can only fathom of a few retro remakes that look and feel this good to play. It was a game ahead of its time, and the depths it goes to be an engaging and challenging shmup. X-Out: Resurfaced is faithfully recreated, and this unique shoot’em up is for all to enjoy once again or for the first time.”

“Keep Driving is a heartfelt homage to the open road, capturing the freedom, challenges, and introspection that come with long-distance driving. The management and logistics aspects are such a great fit, though the shoehorned “combat” left a lot to be desired. YCJY Games has crafted an experience that resonates with the wanderlust in all of us, offering a journey that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about reaching a destination. Keep Driving is a unique and rewarding adventure that’s well worth the trip.”

“Reality Break is a really clever with its rewrite mechanic, allowing you to play the game as a roguelite on your own terms, or simply as a traditional engaging space ARPG. There’s endless possibilities here, and Element Games gives you a power fantasy you’re in complete and total control of. Once you wrap your head around it, you’ll clamor to see all the ways you can break the game and tips the scales in your favor. Reality Break lets you reshape the universe with a prestige loop concept that , is an absolute gem.”

“There’s some genuine moments in While Waiting that can pull at your heartstrings, where no words are ever spoken. But emotions are conveyed eloquently with no interpretation. It’s hard to sit back and let things play out, because everyone wants to control the uncontrollable. But that’s life, you don’t get to shape how things go every time. While Waiting is a true exercise of patience, understanding, and acceptance that you should experience for yourself.”

“Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is the quintessential winter escape, the tight controls paired with breath-taking vistas are this game’s bread and butter. While progression can feel slow, playing the game is anything but. I am looking forward to what more will be coming to the game in terms of updates, but for what’s here at launch, is a careful balance of challenging but fair slopes. Simply put, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is gnar, top to bottom.”

“However, in its current state, Mirthwood is a game that only the most patient and forgiving players will find truly charming or amusing.”

“Drova – Forsaken Kin is a compelling isometric RPG experience that delivers a hefty dose of atmosphere, challenging combat, and a world brimming with secrets to uncover. While some minor UI issues and a lack of voiced dialogue might hold it back from true greatness, Drova offers a captivating world for you to explore. Drova – Forsaken Kin is a game that since its release has been overlooked but not underrated, it’s a gem that’s waiting for you to uncover.”

“Goat Simulator: Remastered is a decent refresh of a cult classic. It’s not going to win any game of the year awards, but it’s a guaranteed source of goofy fun for a short while – just don’t expect anything groundbreaking. If nothing else, shows how far Goat Simulator 3 has actually pushed the series forward, and gave it some focus it sorely needed. There’s a lot of game here with all of the DLCs and improved visuals that give it new life for a new generation. Goat Simulator: Remastered is now a solid and less buggy game, but it’s still as aimless as it was before.”

“Slayaway Camp 2 is a masterclass in taking a winning formula and making it even better. The game’s darkly comedic tone, intuitive yet challenging puzzles, and violent deaths are nothing short of amazing. Blue Wizard Digital went hard on this one to make it endlessly enjoyable, and it’s incredibly silly as it is gory. Slayaway Camp 2 is much bigger and more diverse of a game, making it an intensely satisfying sequel with an absolutely perfect execution.”

“Botworld Odyssey is a delightful Pokémon-like with a surprising amount of strategic depth. The vibrant world, the diverse cast of bots, and the robust crafting system offer a compelling gameplay experience and steady treadmill to climb. While random difficulty spikes and repetitive quest design hold it back from greatness, the overall package is a charming and engaging adventure that deserves your attention. This is a quirky and strategic creature collector with a touch of mechanical mayhem. I’ve traditionally never been a fan of this genre, but it hit all the right notes, and Botworld Odyssey is built with all the best parts.”

“The horror is pervasive, and it’s absolutely worth the three hour runtime and $13 price tag. Every character is complicated and interesting, and you’ll have to pay close attention to every detail or you’ll miss something. There’s so much to revisit and deconstruct, it’ll have your brain buzzing long after credits roll. Mouthwashing is as compelling as it is unsettling, and this psychological sci-fi horror has heart that beats for this genre.”

“Despite some minor stumbles, Parcel Corps is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, though the price of admission is a little steep. It’s a game that revels in its own silliness, offering a nostalgic blend of fast-paced action, exploration, and laugh-out-loud humor. If you’re looking for a game that will test your reflexes, tickle your funny bone, and keep you coming back for more, Parcel Corps is a more complex Crazy Taxi, and ride worth taking.”