Immortals of Aveum (Review)

Developer: Ascendant Studios
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Available On: PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S
Reviewed on PlayStation 5

Whether it’s a group of people making their very first video game, or a team of industry veterans forming their own studio to create a passion project, I love seeing debut games from new teams set in worlds that offer fresh and original stories and characters that aren’t based on pre-existing IP. In the case of Immortals of Aveum, the first project by Ascendant Studios (a team comprised of talent from Electronic Arts, Sledgehammer Games, and Telltale Games), the first-person shooter is reimagined not as a power fantasy with deadly firearms, but as a Metroidvania-like adventure with an array of magical spells and abilities. Unfortunately, it was released at a poor time last year, ending up in the same release window as massive titles like Baldur’s Gate III, Armored Core VI, and Starfield, making it hard for the game to find an audience and a moment to shine. It was also made fun of all over social media and YouTube for stupid reasons, like the haircut of the protagonist and some of the jokes in its dialogue not landing. This rough launch also led to about half of the studio being laid off, which is utterly heartbreaking. As someone who loves developers and thinks they’re rock stars, I wanted to honor the hard work of this team and check out their game and (assuming I liked it) use my platform to try to bring it some extra recognition. That being said, I had a great time with Immortals of Aveum and think it may be one of the sleeper hits of last year.

God of War: Ragnarok – Valhalla (DLC Review)

Developer: Santa Monica Studios
Publisher: Sony
Available On: PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5
Reviewed on PlayStation 5

Rumors of a potential DLC for God of War: Ragnarok had been riding the cold Norse wind for the past few months, but at The Game Awards on December 7th we finally got confirmation in the form of a trailer for Valhalla, a new roguelite expansion set after the events of the main game. As if the reveal of this DLC wasn’t enough, fans were in for some great news: it was coming out the following week and would be completely free of charge. Now that Valhalla is available and I’ve been able to play through it, I think there’s a lot to unpack and that people are going to be surprised by just how meaty it is.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (Review)

Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Available On: PlayStation 5

Few games have been released with a greater sense of confidence than 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man. Insomniac Games (the studio behind Spyro, Ratchet & Clank, Resistance, and more) crafted a stunningly detailed New York City that served as the ultimate playground for the friendly neighborhood Web-Head. From perfect controls that made web-swinging feel like an exhilarating dream, to a heartfelt story that truly captured the essence of the character, Insomniac proved they were the right team for the job. Following up with a smaller spin-off centered around Miles Morales at the launch of the PS5 in 2020 (along with a remaster of the first game), Insomniac then went on to release a brand new Ratchet & Clank adventure just a few months later, making a name for themselves as one of the fastest working studios in the industry. With Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, it’s made apparent that Insomniac is using everything they’ve learned from the previous releases on the console to deliver an absolute showpiece that not only proves the power of the PlayStation 5 as a next-gen system, but the power of their team as well.

Fort Solis (Review)

Developer: Fallen Leaf, Black Drakkar Games
Publisher: Dear Villagers
Available On: PC, macOS (Coming Soon), PlayStation 5
Reviewed on PlayStation 5

Pitched as a tight sci-fi thriller at Summer Game Fest last year, Fort Solis is the first project by co-developers Fallen Leaf and Black Drakkar Games. Designed with the power of Unreal Engine 5 and featuring the voice talent of industry legends Troy Baker and Roger Clark, Fort Solis instantly wowed with its high visual quality and megastar cast, an unusual combination for a first-release indie game. As the game crept ever closer to its release, it was clear that it was keeping its cards close to its chest. There were few trailers, interviews, and videos about the game, so much of what it was remained to be seen. Sadly, now that the game has been released and I’ve been able to uncover the mystery at its core, it’s also clear that the execution of the experience doesn’t match its ambition.

Sea of Stars (Review)

Developer: Sabotage Studio
Publisher: Sabotage Studio
Available On: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S
Reviewed on Xbox Series S

While there has been no shortage of retro-inspired video games over the last console generation or two, none have captured my imagination and won me over as immediately as Sea of Stars. Ever since its debut in the E3/Summer Game Fest/Nintendo Direct cycle of the previous few years, it’s been impossible to deny just how perfect this game looks. With its gorgeous visual style inspired by the 16-bit RPGs of the ’90s, a timing-based combat system that draws from the likes of Super Mario RPG, and the promise of a grand story à la Final Fantasy, everything about this game looked like it was firing on all cylinders and made the leadup to its launch equal parts exciting and excruciating. Now that it’s been released and I’ve spent the past few weeks working my way through it, two things are clear. Sea of Stars was well worth the wait and its developer, Sabotage Studio, deserves to be a household name.

Bramble: The Mountain King (Review)

Developer: Dimfrost Studio

Publisher: Merge Games

Available On: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S

Reviewed on PlayStation 5

One of my favorite parts of the horror genre is its ability to deliver a sense of fear and prey on the “flight or fight” sensation without actually putting you in harm’s way. There’s something about the safety of a controlled environment that makes being scared fun, and the interactivity of video games often makes that feeling stronger than watching a scary movie. For Bramble: The Mountain King, the team at Dimfrost Studio have crafted a horror narrative based on Scandinavian folklore, and while that unique setting is perfect for memorable visuals, haunting atmosphere, and an intriguing narrative, the game constantly gets in the way of itself and dulls any feeling of horror.

Dordogne (Review)

Developer: Un Je Ne Saia Quoi, Umanimation
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Available On: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S
Reviewed on Xbox Series S

Few things in life are more slippery and elusive than a memory. As time passes, our recollection of events that once seemed important can shift and erode, either taking on a new form or leaving us entirely. At the same time, maturing with age can help us reexamine events from our youth and see them for what they really were. Things that once seemed confusing or scary can become easier to grasp with the passage of time, and even though it may hurt to confront those feelings, we can at least begin to understand them. It’s this exploration of the murky hold of memory that finds itself at the heart of Dordogne, a French-developed indie adventure game that shifts between the childhood and adulthood of a single character’s life, examining the events that happened one fateful summer in her youth and how it’s affected her into adulthood.

Venba (Review)

Developer: Visai Studios

Publisher: Visai Studios

Available On: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S

Reviewed on Xbox Series S

I don’t know if I’ll get in trouble for saying this, but as a white American I think our food culture is embarrassingly awful. While other cultures have robust flavors, delicious spices, and a legacy of rich family memories and history passed down through their recipes, all we have is mayonnaise, baloney sandwiches, and an unhealthy obsession with salt. Our food is bland, tries to rip off of other cultures while minimizing the flavor, and if you’ve been paying attention to the news then you’ve probably seen “white people food” trending due to it being made fun of as a viral trend. If I haven’t lost you yet then the reason I bring all of this up is because of Venba, a new cooking game about Indian immigrants in Canada. It’s a brief experience that can be completed in an hour or two and the way it teaches you how to make authentic Indian dishes is not only entertaining and educational, but also drives home the importance and power of cultural connection through food, something I feel my fellow white people are slow to the party on.

DOOM (1993) – (Review)

Developer: id Software
Publisher: id Software
Available On: Virtually every platform under the sun
Xbox One version reviewed on Xbox Series S

While there are earlier examples, the original 1993 release of DOOM was how a significant amount of gamers were introduced to the first-person shooter genre. Along with a ripping soundtrack, ferocious demons to slay, and an arsenal of powerful weapons, DOOM quickly made a name for itself as one of the most hardcore and beloved games of its time. Now, 30 years later, the influence of DOOM is still felt in the industry, even if the actual nuts and bolts of the genre have been modernized and updated. However, despite its age, DOOM still holds up and is as engaging and badass now as it was then, and with it being released on just about every platform imaginable, it’s never been easier to play it.

Marvel’s Avengers: Definitive Edition (Review)

Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Publisher: Square Enix
Available On: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S
Reviewed on PlayStation 5

With the announcement earlier this year that support was ending for Marvel’s Avengers, I decided it would be a good time to jump in and check it out. Like many, the reason it’s taken me so long to get around to this game has been largely due to its overwhelmingly negative reputation. Ever since its launch in 2020, Marvel’s Avengers has been widely criticized for its live-service functionality, heavy use of microtransactions, a roster of heroes that all feel too similar, and a slow and repetitive endgame that drags any and all enjoyment to a halt. It’s become the shining example of how NOT to handle a massive and adored IP, and while the final “Definitive Edition” update does address some of these complaints, it appears to have been too little too late.