Analog Stick Gaming

“If you love bikes the same way that the team at Milestone does, then Ride 6 may feel like a dream, and there is an enjoyable game here; I just wish it had more in-depth content to keep me ripping down the tarmac for months to come.”

“Philna Fantasy has a lot going for it. The progression systems are great, and really allow you to customize your character and tailor them to what you want from them. The game has plenty of environments to venture through, bosses to defeat, and a solid combat system to devour. However, part of what makes a good RPG is its story, its cast of characters, and an engaging reason for your hero to take on this journey, and sadly, Philna Fantasy suffers the most in these crucial categories.”

“While I was drawn in by the peaceful/educational premise of Ancient Farm, the pinnacle of what can be experienced and subsequently enjoyed is too quickly achieved. In the face of this, though, the developers do give me hope with their active hands on approach, and perhaps in the future, could add more to the game. Until then, I will play Ancient Farm as a way to relax for a bit after a stressful day, taking in captivating Egyptian scenery.”

“I am Future is exactly what it says on the tin, it is a cozy apocalypse survival game, and is a nice alternative to what we usually see. It isn't always engaging, but the bright visuals, comfy music, and charm do a lot of heavy lifting here, making this one rooftop party worth attending.”

“So'lek's journey is a deeply personal one, one that feels incredibly well told with a great respect for the source material. It certainly helps to have seen the last two films, but it certainly doesn't lessen the experience in significant ways if you've yet to watch them. From the Ashes provides a very similar feel to the base game, with unfortunately little to really have it truly stand alone. So'lek's journey is wonderful, but it colors inside the lines of the original just a bit too much.”

“While the Terrifier series has a massive cult following, I don't see the game having the same treatment. It is surprisingly shallow and feels as if no testing was done to have some balance to its difficulty. While playing with friends does soften some of the issues, there are just better games in the genre that provide far more variety than what they give you here. Terrifier: The ARTcade Game may have had great intentions to provide a fun game for its audience, but it simply falls flat and feels like a quick-to-market licensed game that doesn't do the film franchise any favors.”

“Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow is a visually good-looking game, and there is a lot here that feels at home with the license. It's just a shame Legacy of Shadow is as barebones as we see with most VR titles. There is always some interesting hook that has a game built around it, but Legacy of Shadow lacks a hook to lay the foundation. The subtle nicking of items is fun, but a game built around this beloved license simply deserved more.”

“For players who enjoy chaotic action, challenging roguelite gameplay, and replay-driven progression, CLAWPUNK is a standout indie title. While its steep difficulty curve may not appeal to everyone, those who embrace its style will find a ferocious, synth-driven experience that’s hard to put down.”

“CloverPit is a fun luck-based rogue-lite that requires strategies and careful planning to be able to beat. It is easy to pick up, and the quick attempts make for a fast and fun experience that many can enjoy. If you enjoy rogue-lite style games, I would recommend giving it a try, to see if you can get out of a hell of your own making.”

“If you are craving a cute and whimsical fairytale to play, I urge you to give Princess of the Lillies a chance. Aside from the frustration of the difficulty spike and screen movement, I loved this storybook adventure. I really feel that developer Whyknot has created something really special here, and I am eager to see what they might create in the future!”

“With engaging combat, crafting, and the ability to turn this simple cartographer into a worthy soldier, Of Ash and Steel became an adventure worth taking on. If you like Euro-jank style RPG’s this one is definitely for you.”

“If you take Strike Force Heroes as an arcade experience, with minimal depth to its systems, there is a solid shooter here that feels like the perfect marriage of something like Contra meets Smash Bros. With a robust multiplayer suite, a fun campaign, and some decent customization to your soldier, Strike Force Heroes is fun, while it lasts.”

“While it was somewhat commonplace back then to overlook so many of the original’s issues, it is downright impossible now with the wealth of titles releasing every day. Sacred 2 deserved a much better effort, and this is frankly one of the most disappointing remasters in recent history.”

“Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking Beard may entertain younger gamers who are obsessed with the films, but I truly wonder how big of an audience that is. The Switch has hundreds of platformers, and dozens of those that are widely acclaimed, so choosing this over any of those would likely be a rare occurrence. The game sadly doesn't stand out or offer anything competent in its bland design. While the movies likely have some sort of personality, this brief four hour journey sadly does not.”

“Fast and Furious Arcade is a wild ride that brings the best qualities of Cruis'n Blast to a vehicle-centric film franchise. While more could have been done to honor the films, or even properly represent them, as well as adding new levels or more cars, Fast and Furious Arcade is still incredibly engaging and feels great to play. I just wish there were more here to keep my interest beyond a few days.”

“With four-player co-op, a competent track builder, and a great feel to its gameplay, Hot Wheels Let's Race Ultimate Speed is a solid racer with a “Kart Racer” feel. Fans of the show, or the genre in general, will find a lot to like here. That said, one question still remains: who gave these kids their driver's license?”

“I still appreciate that Just Dance is still around, but the year after year installments do little to excite when you really are just updating the game rather than buying something shiny and new. Just Dance is in dire need of a complete reinvention, from a ground-level UI upgrade to its deeper catalog finally being added. Just Dance 2026 is fine, but it’s barely Just Enough.”

“Deep Rock Galactic has a great, simplistic look, and it carries over here in spades. The game is full of fun enemy designs, and a ton of color and variety in its biomes to really push past much of the game’s repetitive nature. It offers some truly engaging progression, while not really pushing past the boundaries of what the genre offers.”

“Jotunnslayer excels at creating a solid gameplay loop with considerable replay value in regard to progression. Each class has its own abilities that truly feel unique, even if they still rely on the varied Norse Gods' powers in the same way. Fans of the genre may be burnt out by the wave of copycats within the genre, but with the impressive visuals, addictive God powers, it certainly helps it stand out from the pack, and its time to refine itself in Early Access has paid off significantly.”

“In all, Grand Emprise 2: Portals Apart is very rough around the edges, but the concept the game has is a good one, even if it feels unfinished. Though the length of the game makes it a bit of a one-and-done type of experience, as it took me just under five hours to beat. I feel the game is best suited for those who are just starting out in survival games, as the journey gives a good taste as to what most of these games expect out of the player. Just don't go in expecting much.”