Along the way, a helpful companion aids you in solving environmental puzzles and discreetly guides you toward collectibles that expand the narrative. As you ascend, swing, and advance, you’ll traverse stunning biomes, find solace in tranquil melodies, and gain a panoramic view of the myriad obstacles you’ve conquered.

Don’t Nod has a reputation for crafting immersive narrative-driven games where player choices wield influence over the storyline. Jusant diverged from this, opting to convey its narrative primarily through text based collectible items, which can be ignored at one’s discretion. While the collectibles encountered in the game contribute to narrative depth, they were a bit too lengthy for my taste. And since I didn’t stumble across every item, my understanding of the storyline was hindered, and quite frankly, I’d prefer traditional storytelling altogether.

WATCH THE JUSANT VIDEO REVIEW ABOVE

While the narrative quality in Jusant varies, the gameplay is where it truly shines. From the moment you embark on your ascent, you encounter straightforward yet captivating controls. You’re constantly using the triggers for each hand, setting pitons for swinging or safety, monitoring stamina, and leveraging your companion for environmental puzzles, providing an engaging and physically interactive experience. Though my fingers underwent a substantial workout, the title’s simplistic gameplay formula kept me enthralled and interested throughout.

This game doesn’t throw traditional puzzles at you. Instead, you’ve got to be a bit strategic in how you progress. You’ll have to know when to double jump, use your companion’s special ability to get climbable plants in range, or even place your pitons to assist with your swing. It’s also easy to get in the groove and completely forget about your pitons, which slowed me down. Throughout my playthrough, reminders constantly popped up to assist, which I definitely needed.

The soundtrack does a fantastic job of creating a soothing vibe that sets the perfect tone for the game. Even though I see Jusant as a kind of “chill dad game,” the music is truly outstanding. Whether you’re wandering through dark caves or facing off against wild winds, the soundtrack really adds an emotional layer to your adventure. It can go from subtle and mellow to bold and powerful at just the right moments, and I absolutely loved that about it. I also completely gushed over the visuals here as the soft color palette helps paint each area in a significant way. It’s truly beautiful to overlook the mountain and truly take in the view. Outside of one biome, each section has a sense of calmness to it and blends in seamlessly with the music.

Jusant is a refreshing departure from the norm. Featuring straightforward yet highly enjoyable gameplay, captivating biomes and landscapes, and an OST brimming with character, it offers minimal room for critique. My biggest concern about the game is its duration. Completing the game in a single session is effortlessly attainable, and left me wanting more. But for those seeking a casual, visually striking, and notably distinctive experience, Jusant should 1000% be on your radar. The is available now Ion Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS5 and PC for $24.99. It’s also set to launch day and date on Game Pass.

For our video review of Jusant, as well as so many more games, check out our new 3 Minute Reviews YouTube channel.

Watch the Review in 3 Minutes for El Paso, Elsewhere, a neo noir 3rd-person shooter developed and published by Strange Scaffold.

El Paso, Elsewhere Review Transcript

El Paso, Elsewhere is a neo noir 3rd person shooter developed and published by Strange Scaffold. You step into the shoes of James Savage, a gun toting, pill popping badass. His mission? To thwart the sinister plans of Draculae, the vampire lord, who is on the verge of unleashing a world-ending ritual. The twist? Draculae happens to be James’ ex-girlfriend, and their past is far from ordinary. As you embark on this journey, you’ll make your way to a motel in El Paso and magically descend 46 stories – killing monsters, werewolves and much more.

The game may evoke memories of Max Payne with its slow-motion dives and PS2-era aesthetics; however, its gameplay takes a different route. It leans more towards the frenetic action of Hotline Miami, with maze-like levels. As you advance, you gain an arsenal of weapons, including a shotgun, an assault rifle, and molotovs, each performing as expected, allowing seamless gunplay transitions. Running low on ammo? Well, stakes provide instant enemy takedowns. You’re always well-stocked with healing items, ammo, and stakes, ensuring you’re never left in a tight spot. 

However, this is where the gameplay might lose some of its appeal for me. After 4 to 5 hours, the action falls a bit flat due to some repetition and less challenging difficulty. While it’s true that you can tweak modifiers to your liking, it doesn’t fully address the issue when there’s an abundance of ammo, healing items, and predictable AI foes. Another aspect that didn’t quite hit the mark for me was the slow-motion feature. While it certainly adds some flair to the game, it often feels unnecessary. Dispatching enemies with regular speed and employing dodge rolls often proves more efficient than relying on the slow-motion mechanic altogether.

Fortunately, I found the plot to be a real highlight of the game, thanks in large part to James’ introspective monologues. It’s a dark and cryptic narrative that gradually reveals its authenticity. Initially, I was skeptical of these moments, finding them somewhat cheesy and forced. However, as I played on, the execution grew on me. These intermissions between levels provided a welcome change of pace, especially when the gameplay started to feel a bit repetitive. These monologues not only injected narrative depth but also offered a glimpse into the complex dynamics of the former lovers’ relationship, which I thoroughly appreciated.

While the gameplay can become repetitive, I must commend the game’s visuals and level design. The levels maintain a consistent layout, transitioning from simplicity to complexity seamlessly without causing any confusion. As you descend further, the levels evolve into edgier and more interesting environments, which adds significant value to the overall experience.

While exploring El Paso, Elsewhere, I had mixed feelings about the soundtrack. On one hand, I appreciated the instrumental tracks, which effectively contributed to the mood and theme of each floor. However, I couldn’t quite get on board with most of the original songs featuring rap vocals. They felt out of place and disrupted my sense of immersion, often bordering on cringe-worthy. Eventually, I resorted to muting the audio to regain my focus and fully immerse myself in the gameplay.

Outside of the plot, El Paso, Elsewhere falls short of making a significant impact. The AI and its accompanying modifiers are underwhelming, making the slow-motion feature seem somewhat redundant. The gameplay gets repetitive and dull, and the less said about that original soundtrack, the better.

El Paso, Elsewhere is available now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC for $19.99.

Watch the Review in 3 Minutes for Party Animals, a chaotic ragdoll multiplayer party game developed by Recreate Games and published by Source Technology.

Party Animals Review Transcript

Party Animals is a chaotic ragdoll multiplayer party game developed by Recreate Games and published by Source Technology. The concept is straightforward: engage in some hectic battles against your opponents to either stay alive or accomplish the unique objectives in each game mode. If you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the fun of Gang Beasts, you’ll feel right at home here. Expect wonky physics, wild and unpredictable combat, and a delightful sense of chaos whether you’re going solo, enjoying some local co-op action, or teaming up online featuring crossplay between Xbox and PC.

In Party Animals, you play an adorable assortment of dogs, sharks, ducks, monkeys, and many other critters. There’s over 200 cosmetics in the game that range from new animals and outfits, and my goodness everything featured is incredible. Whether you fancy dressing up as a whimsical owl reminiscent of Harry Potter or a Darth Vader Duck, there’s an abundance of charm to discover. 

These cosmetics are purely for aesthetics, and can be earned through in-game currency acquired by playing or purchased if you prefer. The icing on the cake is that players can easily unlock 70% of the cosmetic items using in-game currency, known as Cookies, which you earn while playing. There’s no cap on how many Cookies you can earn, so you’ll have plenty to snag most of the items on offer. While these outfits are perfect for standing out in the crowd, it’s the exhilarating combat and game modes that truly steals the spotlight here.

There are three game modes to choose from – Last Stand, Team Score, and Arcade. In Last Stand, your goal is to be the ultimate survivor in intense brawl-focused matches. Team Score pits teams of 4 players against each other in various map-specific objectives. For example, the Soccer map adds a thrilling twist with combat while Lollipop Factory challenges you to secure candies for your team and thwart your opponents. Lastly, Arcade grants teams 10 lives, and the last team standing emerges victorious. All modes are entertaining, chaotic, and beyond fun, especially when playing with friends.

The only minor inconvenience I encountered with Party Animals was the limited control over match variety. It wasn’t possible to queue up different modes or maps seamlessly, necessitating a return to the main menu. However, this is just a minor hiccup in an otherwise enjoyable gaming experience.

Regardless of the game mode you choose, you’ll have a blast running, punching, jumping, headbutting, drop kicking, and wielding an array of weapons to take down your foes. Can’t land those kicks? Don’t worry, you can grab a taser, tennis racket, or even a lollipop from the ground to knock out your competition. It’s fun as hell to toss a downed enemy to their doom. And even if you find yourself out of the game, you can still spice things up by hurling bananas, bombs, and fish at the remaining players. This is a rare party game where winning or losing doesn’t matter, because you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time.

I wholeheartedly recommend Party Animals for fans of chaotic party games. With its straightforward yet entertaining concept, quirky physics, diverse game modes, and cosmetic options, plus the unpredictable 10-to-15-minute brawls, it’s an absolute winner. It doesn’t matter your age or skill set, there’s a hell of a good time to be had here.

The standard edition of Party Animals drops on September 20th on Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S for $19.99 with the Deluxe Edition costing $29.99. It’s also set to launch day and date on Game Pass.

Watch the Review in 3 Minutes for Spyro the Dragon, Insomniac’s classic PlayStation platformer, 25 years after it released on September 9th, 1998.

WrestleQuest is a pro wrestling RPG developed by Mega Cat Studios and published by Skybound Games. You play as Muchacho Man Savage – not to be confused with Randy. In typical fashion of wrestling narratives, your objective is to ascend to the pinnacle of the wrestling world by showcasing your skills within the independent circuit. As you progress, you’ll also step into the shoes of Brink Logan, who shares similar ambitions albeit stemming from a contrasting privileged upbringing. As the plot shifts between Savage and Logan, you’ll forge alliances with managerial figures and tag team companions, all while striving to ascend the ranks and secure your place on the upper echelons of the wrestling realm.

To begin with, this game is brimming with an abundance of charm. The employment of a JRPG approach, where you navigate an expansive overworld map connecting different towns, is a remarkable homage to the SNES era. Noteworthy names such as Jake the Snake Roberts, André the Giant, and Macho Man Randy Savage are prominently featured. The wrestlers are basically toys, each encompassing distinct gimmicks reminiscent of the late 80s and early 90s, just before the attitude era emerged. Regrettably, despite these commendable aspects, WrestleQuest sandbagged its pure potential.

Both main stories are extremely dense and lack a proper hook. While there are instances where your choices hold the potential to influence the course of the plot, these decisions fail to rescue rather lackluster storylines that struggle to captivate. I never felt like a heel or a babyface; instead, I often felt more akin to a figurine reciting repetitive and vexing voice lines. In fact, the characters’ tendency to annoyingly repeat phrases become tiresome almost immediately, to the extent that I found myself yearning for a version of the game without any voice acting at all.

I have mixed feelings on the battle system. It offers players the option to execute regular strikes, utilize abilities for impactful maneuvers, orchestrate tag team tactics, and employ specialized moves requiring AP. Managers also add buffs to the party to assist in bigger brawls. However, I didn’t struggle due to the lack of challenge. Throughout my gameplay, I seldom encountered situations where victory seemed uncertain. Even the application of items aimed at bolstering base statistics failed to significantly impact the gameplay, likely due to the prevailing ease of battles.

As a result, matches feel dull and uninspired. Despite the incorporation of bothersome QTEs to potentially amplify damage or ensure a pinfall triumph, the combat mechanics quickly lose their luster. Traversal mechanics are equally bad, with a subpar radar system that merely provides a rough direction of your goal. Whether walking or sprinting, the movement pace is regrettably sluggish, leading to a sense of discomfort. During quests, the experience often mimics maneuvering through a dungeon, engaging adversaries at every turn. These seemingly inconsequential battles appear to serve the sole purpose of padding the gameplay duration, a decision that, in my opinion, detracted from an already dragging experience.

As a die-hard wrestling fan, I wanted to love all 30 hours of WrestleQuest. Unfortunately, the dull plot, frustrating traversal mechanics, and lackluster gameplay failed to get over with me and needs to be buried to the absolute bottom of your wishlist.

WrestleQuest launches on August 22nd on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, and PS5 for $29.99.

If you’re interested in other new games, check out the rest of our Reviews in 3 Minutes.

Moving Out 2 is a physics-based moving simulator developed by both SMG Studio and Devm Games and published by Team17. In this sequel, players embark on a journey akin to the original game, assuming the role of a new recruit aspiring to become a skilled Furniture Arrangement & Relocation Technician also known as a FART. After successfully completing the training, which also doubles as a tutorial, you and your team are all set to serve the town of Packmore, but unexpected challenges arise when the gnomes enter the picture.

The gameplay remains delightfully simple, yet chaotic, resulting in an immensely entertaining experience.  The goal is simply to move objects from point A to B in the fastest and most efficient way, but it’s easier said than done. Heavier items require two people, some levels will slow you down with obstacles, and my goodness, if you aren’t adjusting your gameplan on the fly, you’re wasting valuable time. Everything flows seamlessly and even accidental interactions with surrounding items contribute to the enjoyment. Embracing human error adds to the fun, and the game truly shines in its local or online multiplayer mode, accommodating up to four players, ensuring a continuous stream of laughter and madness. While I have personally only explored the solo and local co-op gameplay, I eagerly anticipate the same absolute fun and chaos in the online multiplayer aspect.

Seeing that the story is so light and in an effort to avoid spoilers, I won’t talk too much about the Gnomes. However, I loved the addition of them and appreciate how they impacted the plot and locations that you visit. Some of these levels are super zany while others will require strong communication skills and even stronger coordination. Notably, Snackmore boasts particularly challenging levels that left me pondering over strategic approaches, and conquering them brought a profound sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. 

The level design is a step up from the original and gets my highest of praises due to cleverly chaotic design. A prime illustration of this ingenuity can be found in the level called “Hibernation Hostel,” where players navigate a vast area with multiple doors. Though seemingly straightforward, the catch lies in each door’s unique opening direction, demanding players to memorize and react swiftly. This implementation adds an exhilarating layer of stress and urgency to the gameplay, elevating the overall experience to new heights. The game’s ability to provide such engaging challenges is commendable and adds to the overall enjoyment of the experience.

My main annoyance is the FART level limitations. Essentially, if players haven’t attained a particular level, that requires them to revisit previous levels and accomplish specific objectives to advance. While this approach aims to enhance replayability, it can be disheartening when exciting moments come to an abrupt stop. Though I understand having the wall increases replayability, it’s still disappointing when fun moments have to come to a screeching halt.

That minor annoyance aside, Moving Out 2 offers a zany and lighthearted plot that effectively directs the spotlight towards the gameplay. While that gameplay may not introduce groundbreaking innovations, it remains incredibly smooth and ensures a highly enjoyable experience. 

Plain and simple – If you loved the original Moving Out, picking up Moving Out 2 is an absolute no brainer.

Moving Out 2 launches on August 15th on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 for $29.99.

If you’re interested in other new games, check out the rest of our Reviews in 3 Minutes.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series is a narrative adventure game developed by Deck Nine and Telltale. You assume the role of Camina Drummer, the Executive Officer on the renowned vessel, the Artemis. You and your crew stumble upon a mysterious wreck, driven by the pursuit of valuable items for potential sale. As the tale unfolds, you’ll have the opportunity to delve into the lives of your  shipmates, discovering their aspirations and distinct attributes that could serve as noteworthy indicators of who you can and cannot trust. In true Telltale fashion, it incorporates a decision-driven system where characters retain memory of their choices, shaping the course of the story.

Fans of the TV series will relish the fact that actress Cara Gee makes a triumphant return as Drummer in the game. However, even newcomers like myself can seamlessly immerse themselves in the experience without any prior knowledge.It’s worth noting that the esteemed authors of the Expanse series, James S.A. Corey contributed to the game’s story, imparting an additional layer of authenticity that fans of the Expanse universe are sure to appreciate. The game grips players from the outset with a tantalizing hook, although it only takes approximately 10 minutes for players to acclimate and grasp the unfolding narrative. For those seeking deeper lore and context, the game offers opportunities to interact with additional items throughout the journey.

Full disclosure: My access was limited to three out of five episodes in its adventure, yet within just an hour, I found myself surprisingly engaged in the experience. While the plot may appear more contained in scope when juxtaposed with other Telltale offerings, it remains remarkably well-defined. Initially, I disliked every character, but as I delved deeper and grasped the nuances of everyone, my respect for the narrative direction grew substantially.

Visually, the game impresses approximately 90% of the time. Whenever you find yourself aboard a ship or in enclosed spaces, there is a commendable attention to detail, offering a polished experience that readily captivates players. However, the immersion is momentarily disrupted during space exploration segments, where the background assets exhibit a noticeable drop in quality. While this disparity isn’t a game-breaking flaw by any means, the contrast can be somewhat jarring, leaving room for improvement in these specific areas.

Fundamentally, the gameplay adheres to the well-established narrative format, prioritizing engaging conversations and offering limited exploration opportunities. Quick-time events and pivotal decision-making moments that I can’t get into without spoiling –  continue to be prominent features throughout every episode. A noteworthy addition this time is the inclusion of zero-gravity mechanics, allowing players to navigate across surrounding walls. While navigating without gravity doesn’t significantly enhance traversal mechanics, it does introduce intriguing and enjoyable avenues to explore and interact with items in a novel and creative manner. The controls could benefit from some refinement, the experience of floating in zero gravity and navigating these environments remains exceptionally enjoyable and one of the biggest highlights of the experience for me.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series marks a commendable comeback for the publisher. Staying true to its roots, the game delivers an engaging narrative that successfully captured and maintained my interest throughout the experience.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series is available now for $39.99 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Epic Game Store. The Deluxe edition, which includes Episodes 1-5, an extra DLC episode, and soundtrack, is also available now for $44.99.

Watch the Review in 3 Minutes for the first three episodes of The Expanse: A Telltale Series.

Fall of Porcupine is a story-rich cozy game developed by Critical Rabbit and published by Assemble Entertainment. You assume the role of Finley, an anthropomorphic pigeon who becomes a new doctor at St. Ursula Hospital. Throughout your work hours, you’ll provide care to patients, learn more about your colleagues, and navigate through unexpected challenges. During your free time, you can socialize with friends, discover the charming town of Porcupine, and delve deeper into the lives of its key residents.

It’s incredibly difficult to find any fault with the storyline of Fall of Porcupine. As I delved deeper into the review, I found myself becoming increasingly engrossed in the narrative. The game tackles profound themes like mental health, mortality, and grief with a heartfelt approach that truly resonated with me. It prompts players to reflect on the preciousness of life and the importance of cherishing moments with loved ones. I must admit, this heartwarming experience brought tears to my eyes on multiple occasions.

The gameplay is straightforward and requires minimal effort to enjoy. As a doctor, your primary focus will be on completing tasks during your work hours. These tasks may involve engaging in conversations or navigating around the workplace. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to assist patients through low-stress minigames, such as adjusting medications, monitoring heartbeats, and administering shots, among other activities. Before each procedure, clear instructions are provided, which are designed to be easily understood and self-explanatory.

After a day’s work, Finley has the option to either return home or spend quality time with friends, depending on the progression of the narrative. This choice allows you to further explore the lives of other characters and gain insights into their unique personalities and interests, which I found truly delightful. Personally, I cherished the moments I shared with Mia, one of your colleagues, as it provided a deeper understanding of her passions and allowed me to see her as an individual beyond the workplace. These interactions added a simple and authentic layer to the overall experience, amplifying key narrative points along the way.

I had the utmost pleasure in experiencing the art and sound direction in Fall of Porcupine. From the opening moments, it exuded a warm and cozy ambiance, which was further reinforced by the charming and adorable art style. The soundtrack, acting as a comforting background, effectively established the serene atmosphere throughout most of the gameplay. Without diving into any spoilers, I must commend the inclusion of a particular track that seamlessly weaved into the game’s narrative, evoking a simultaneous feeling of warmth and heartbreak. Its execution was nothing short of masterful.

Fall of Porcupine is an exceptional game that left a profound and unexpected impact on me. Its heartfelt story delivered a powerful emotional punch, while the characters’ narratives felt authentic and natural. The gameplay, though simple, was enjoyable and accessible. If you’re in search of a game that offers a cozy and immersive experience, complete with an excellent narrative that evokes both tears and introspection, Fall of Porcupine is an absolute must-have and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Fall of Porcupine launches on June 15 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and GOG.

Watch the Review in 3 Minutes for Fall of Porcupine.

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is a 2D narrative game developed and published by Don’t Nod. You play as Polly, a young woman on a quest to find her missing mother. Upon returning to your hometown, Polly uncovers her clairvoyant abilities, granting her a profound connection to the realm of Reverie, where she assumes the role of Harmony. Guided by the wisdom of six ancient beings called Aspirations, Polly will shape the fate of her community and face pivotal decisions that leave an indelible impact on both worlds.

Don’t Nod has established a reputation for developing captivating games that excel in storytelling, where player choices hold significant weight, and Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is no exception. This title offers a compelling allure, as the major choices you make have a profound impact on the storyline, leading you down immersive narrative paths. Once a decision is made, there is no turning back without replaying the game. Will you collaborate with unfamiliar allies to overcome a shared adversary, or will you opt for a spontaneous change in strategy? The concept of freedom or the illusion thereof is an integral and enjoyable aspect of this game, serving as its core strength, and I loved how the plot unfolded in my initial playthrough.

This game offers a highly engaging narrative experience complemented by outstanding voice acting that enhances the storytelling. The semi-3D backgrounds exhibit unique styles and effectively contribute to the connection with the Aspirations and other characters. While there is limited variation in character models and their positioning, resulting in some repeated clothing and physical stances that may not align perfectly with the dialogue’s intent, I personally found these aspects tolerable. However, I understand that some players may find them frustrating. Overall, the game succeeds in delivering an immersive narrative with its own distinctive charm.

In terms of gameplay, the interactive elements in the title are somewhat limited. Player interaction mostly occurs when advancing through dialogues and making choices, which are presented in a menu format. Each branching decision offers essential information, including the overall choice, any prerequisites, and whether the final decision can be made based on crystals earned through previous choices associated with aspirations. Without an adequate amount of crystals, the node will remain locked and inaccessible during the playthrough. Certain narrative branches may be concealed, while others are completely locked, depending on the progression of the storyline. I enjoyed this aspect, as it encourages multiple playthroughs and keeps players engaged in the storytelling process.

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie stays true to Don’t Nod’s successful formula, offering a captivating story-driven adventure set in a vibrant world populated by well-crafted and intriguing characters. It differs from the Life is Strange series in terms of player agency, with limited control over the protagonist and a heavier reliance on reading, which some players may find less appealing. However, personally, I loved every bit of it. I had high expectations for a compelling narrative experience, and I emerged thoroughly impressed and somewhat saddened that I completed the game, as I wanted more.

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie launches on Steam and Nintendo Switch on June 8 and on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on June 22 for the price of $24.99 with a 10% launch discount.

Watch the Review in 3 Minutes for Harmony: The Fall of Reverie.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a traversal puzzle game developed by Daedalic Entertainment and published by Nacon. The game takes us to the perilous outskirts of Mordor known as Cirith Ungol, and it’s currently overrun by menacing Orcs. Set six decades after Bilbo Baggins cleverly acquired the Ring, our tormented protagonist Sméagol, known as Gollum, yearns to reclaim his cherished possession. You’ll embark on a quest to recover your precious from Bilbo’s clutches and navigate intricate prison escapes, all the while skillfully evading the relentless wrath of Sauron.

While the story concept appears promising, the execution falls short, resulting in a rather chaotic experience. As someone with limited knowledge of the Lord of the Rings series, the initial introduction felt like a captivating crash course that held my attention. Unfortunately, the pacing of the game is severely lacking, and the anticipated “big” story moments turned out to be underwhelming. On a positive note, I did find some enjoyment in the dialogues where Smeagol and Gollum engaged in heated arguments, striving to influence each other towards a critical decision. Regrettably, even this aspect becomes repetitive and loses its allure after a 12-hour playthrough.

The visual presentation of the game leaves much MUCH to be desired. The character models are outdated, resembling stale assets reminiscent of games from a decade ago. The locations lack the visual charm and allure that one would expect, with poor level design being a significant drawback. Too much time is actually spent in jail throughout the game, which is disappointing since these environments feel unremarkable and uninspired. One can’t help but wonder if this lackluster visual quality was unintentional, giving the impression that the developers spent most of their budget towards acquiring the IP, leaving limited resources for the visual department.

The gameplay is atrocious and unengaging to say the least. Throughout the majority of your playthrough, you’ll find yourself engaged in activities such as crouching, jumping, hiding, and interacting with items and AI, which quickly becomes tedious. Traversing the game world can be frustrating, as the controls often feel unreliable. Instances of being frozen after crouching and ignored inputs leading to numerous deaths were frequent in my experience. Furthermore, the game crashed during a cutscene resulting in a corrupted save file, forcing me to start anew. In short, the gameplay offers no sense of fulfillment or reward.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is quite possibly the worst game I’ve played in 2023 so far. Even with upcoming patches to fix bugs and glitches, at its core, the game is still disappointing. The story lacks depth and fails to captivate, while the gameplay fails to spark interest. Additionally, the optimization and the visuals are underwhelming and feel incomplete. Even if you’re a hardcore fan of Lord of the Rings, I would recommend avoiding this game like the plague.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is available now on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S for $59.99 and scheduled to come to Nintendo Switch later this year.

Watch the Review in 3 Minutes for The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.

After Us is a 3D adventure platformer developed by Piccolo and published by Private Division. You play as Gaia, the animating force of vitality, who is entrusted with the duty of reviving the world’s spiritual essence to a semblance of its former glory. With this goal of global rehabilitation in mind, you must explore beautifully crafted, abstract environments and rescue the lost souls of extinct creatures trapped in desolate locations.

The game explores the profound topic of human impact on the environment and offers a ray of hope for restoring life on Earth. However, the story failed to resonate with me because it lacked the necessary setup to establish an emotional connection with the spirits. After a brief interaction, all traces of life disappear, which felt like a missed opportunity for Gaia to demonstrate her personality and connect with the player. The narrative progresses into a massive fetch quest that seemed rushed.

The game’s aesthetics and audio elements are impressive, with stunning, otherworldly settings that evoke a sense of hopelessness and desolation. Although the character models could have been more polished, the interesting environments make up for it entirely. The visuals are perfectly complemented by the soundtrack, which is soothing and mellow, setting the tone for the game. The background score is mostly subtle and blends seamlessly with the gameplay until it intensifies during emotional cutscenes, adding to the overall impact.

After Us impresses with its exceptional platforming mechanics, skillfully executing the core fundamentals with remarkable finesse. Initially, the gameplay is straightforward as you get familiar with the basic moves, such as jumping, dashing, and gliding. However, as you progress through the levels, new elements are introduced, and the challenges become more intricate. The game includes great features, such as running up walls and using your ability to remove hazards by surrounding yourself with grass temporarily, which I enjoyed. The puzzles in the game test your platforming skills and contribute to a well-crafted and entertaining gameplay experience.

One of the issues I had with the game is the enemy design. Although they were intended to serve as a roadblock and add tension to the gameplay, I found them to be more of a nuisance than a challenge. Players can easily evade them by sprinting, and defeating them requires minimal effort by spamming the heart-tossing ability. Even when caught, escaping is as simple as spamming a button. Overall, the enemies feel out of place and do not contribute significantly to the game’s experience.

Despite wishing that the story and enemies were more engaging, After Us is a good time. The gameplay is enjoyable, with simple mechanics and additional abilities that add diversity to the gameplay. The level design is clever and strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and complexity, resulting in a fun experience. The game doesn’t introduce any new elements to the platforming genre, but it doesn’t need to. If you’re in the market for an engaging platformer that tackles the topic of global rehabilitation, After Us is definitely worth considering.

After Us launches on May 23 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for $29.99.

Watch the Review in 3 Minutes for After Us.

Ravenlok is a three-to-four-hour 3D action RPG developed and published by Cococucumber. You play as Ravenlok, a young heroine who moves to the countryside with her family.  After coming across a magical mirror, you’re transported to a fanciful realm overrun by the ominous shadow of an evil queen. From there, your journey commences as you discover the mystical realm, aid unfamiliar companions, and battle against fearsome beasts — all with the goal of defeating the wicked queen and returning to your homeland.

To my surprise, I found myself enjoying the simple storyline of Ravenlok. Initially, the beginning of the story reminded me of Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire  (moving to a new land full of adventure), but as the plot developed, it became evident that it incorporated many elements from Alice in Wonderland, such as characters and settings. The enchanting fairy tale-like journey was both familiar and comforting. Unfortunately, the plot is rather brief and the conclusion doesn’t tie things up well enough to provide a satisfying ending – especially since you don’t spend enough time with each character.

The visuals and soundtrack of Ravenlok were a complete delight. The voxel art style the game uses is truly magnificent and stands out in every biome. Regardless of whether you find yourself in the Mushroom Forest or the Mask Mansion, the attention to detail and level of refinement is visually stunning. The soundtrack complements each location well, adding a flair of identity and personality to each. The music for the boss fights also creates a thrilling atmosphere that fits each challenge.

I was not impressed by the gameplay at all for various reasons. After getting your sword and shield, you learn how to fight, block, and use items. However, I never used my shield during my review. I just kept attacking and dashing in every battle. The game doesn’t give you any other weapons, resulting in repetitive and easy gameplay. Even the four magical skills you learn throughout the game don’t add much variety or challenge to the combat system.

There are a few puzzles in Ravenlok but nothing too brain-wracking. For example, some puzzles will require you to have a keen eye in surrounding locations for certain symbols to progress. Later in the game, a similar puzzle near the greenhouse presents itself, requiring the player to reexamine their surroundings. These unconventional puzzles make you backtrack a little, but they don’t require much thinking. Similar to the gameplay, there isn’t much of a challenge with these puzzles, which is a letdown due to how swift the title is to begin with.

The best way to describe Ravenlok is “beautiful but minimal.” I’ve had a great time diving into the plot and, to a degree, spamming my enemies until I was victorious. However, the gameplay and puzzles were too elementary for me and deserved an injection of difficulty and diversity to stand out. If you’re looking for a simple fairy tale action RPG you can complete in one sitting, Ravenlok might just be up your alley.

Ravenlok launches on May 4 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, Xbox and PC Game Pass, and PC via the Epic Games Store for $24.99.

Watch the Review in 3 Minutes for Ravenlok.