Digital chumps

Ballionaire from developer newobject and publisher Raw Fury is a masterpiece of fast and fun entertainment. It hits all the intriguing and addictive notes with its scoring and strategy while keeping it light and funny to tone down any potential frustration.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from developer MachineGames and publisher Bethesda Softworks is a solid entry into the Indiana Jones game universe. The story is solid, the characters are engaging and intriguing, and the gameplay is well-designed and executed. Not all of it is gold but it’s a great start to another chapter in the Indiana Jones game universe.

Fantasian Neo Dimension from developer Mistwalker and publisher Square Enix is a fresh concept in how turn-based RPGs should be. It features deeply strategic fighting mechanics, a bevy of enemies to go up against, and a fun story to hold it together. The controls need some improving, and the dialogue could probably be toned down just a bit, but the game has more positives than negatives at the end of the day.

Spirit Mancer is a wonderful first attempt by Sunny Syrup Studio to craft a unique game built on familiar mechanics and classic platformer moments. Behind its overly complex and stuffed systems, there’s a beautiful game possessing stellar art and a lot of heart. Those wanting a different kind of platformer will find a haven here. And hopefully these foundations will be put to use again in an equally robust, confident game.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a superb JRPG. Studio Zero’s debut effort maintains the velocity of Atlus’ past two decades of work. It is not a reskin of Persona nor an embellishment of established concepts. Familiar mechanical beats exist but are captured in a unique world and, better yet, an original IP which feels increasingly rare. While it may only be for a brief moment, it feels like a saving grace we are allowed to step foot in this fantasy merely to temporarily escape from a reality that often seems so bleak.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake from developer Artdink and publisher Square Enix has set a new standard with how remakes of old RPGs are done. The release improves and tweaks elements of gameplay while maintaining the core structure that made the original release great. Add in a creative visual comprise between old and new school with a gorgeous soundtrack underneath, and you have yourself one of the better remakes in 2024.

To finish with a comparison: A game like Light de Deux highlights what can be achieved when an indie developer properly scopes out their resourcing limitations and works within that. No AI, no case of scope overwhelming the capabilities of the developer. It was a smaller-scale game, but a complete, lovely little thing to actually experience. Lovecraft wrote many smaller-scoped stories and the developers of Innsmouth 22 could have retold. It might have been a better idea for them to work towards Innsmouth 22 over a period of time after first starting with some smaller efforts that would get their creative processes, art assets, and cash flow working first. Sadly first impressions count, and no matter how intriguing the game project, if this developer makes a second I’m going to be much more wary about giving it my time.

Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town from developer h.a.n.d., Inc. and publisher Neos Corporation, is a wonderful introduction to open-world games for a younger gaming audience. It features beautifully drawn animation, fantastic environments, deep gameplay, and plenty of exploration to keep players engaged and locked in.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered from developers Guerilla Games and Nixxes is a worthy update from the 2017 game. The update brings many visual enhancements, improves environments, and creates better character interactions. It brings a great game up to PlayStation 5 standards and helps bridge the gap between the original and the sequel.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure brings back Max Caulfield for a new adventure, allowing Deck Nine to incorporate everything they’ve learned from the series so far. It captures the raw emotion of True Colors and the intriguing mystery of Max’s inaugural journey. But even with new powers, the emotional stakes are the same as ever for Max and the player as Double Exposure proves life can always get stranger.