Game8's Reviews
Silksong took everything that made Hollow Knight memorable and made it even better. It’s a faster and more demanding experience that somehow feels natural for Hornet’s journey. Pharloom is a labyrinth of beauty and menace, each corner stuffed with secrets that make getting lost feel like part of the design. Bosses will break you, platforming will bruise you, but the thrill of overcoming both is what makes it unforgettable. It’s everything you’d expect after six years of waiting—and then some.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a hybrid of tactical combat and real-time interaction that reinvents traditional turn-based systems with dodging, parrying, counters, and timed attacks. Through a highly stylized visual approach, dynamic storytelling, and a deeply flexible party system, Clair Obscur delivers a refreshing take on the genre, backed by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack and surprisingly poignant character moments.
Silent Hill f is a bold step forward for the franchise, blending its trademark psychological horror with inventive gameplay systems that push survival horror into new territory. The story grips you, the visuals unsettle you, and the music seeps into your bones. While forced combat encounters and a few glitches keep it from perfection, its depth, multiple endings, and replay value make it an unforgettable experience.
Mythical. Simply mythical. This is the Odyssey to the first game’s Iliad—no cheap imitation, no lazy follow-up. It’s the natural evolution of everything that made the original resonate: the music, the gameplay, the writing, and the very soul of the roguelike. One would struggle to overstate the sheer divinity of its aura as it carves its place in history as a fine way— nay, the only way — to spend your time.
Metaphor: ReFantazio isn't just a game; it's Atlus’ magnum opus. The game surpasses its influences, Persona and SMT, not by overshadowing them but by standing on their shoulders, blending the best of their legacies into something that feels both familiar and entirely fresh. With its breathtaking visuals, innovative gameplay, and complex storytelling, this game doesn’t just honor the JRPG legacy and genre—it ReDefines it. Every moment feels meticulously crafted, with each piece fitting perfectly into a grander vision. Without a doubt, this is not just the JRPG of the decade—it’s a fantasy masterpiece that stands tall with no equal.
Episode Aigis masterfully recreates Persona 3 FES’s The Answer, adding layers of depth to the story, characters, and gameplay that go even deeper than the Abyss of Time. While some of the original flaws persist and a few cutscenes lack the same impact, this is undeniably the definitive version of the epilogue. It doesn’t just close a beloved chapter but opens the door to endless possibilities for the future of Persona. Praying to Thanatos that Atlus will reconsider including the Female Protagonist in the future.
Astro Bot is, without a shadow of a doubt, this year’s best platforming game. Hell, it could even be a contender for Game of the Year (GOTY) because of how complete the game is as a whole package. The game is visually stunning, has great sound design, has simple yet fun gameplay, makes use of the exclusive PlayStation controls, and, most importantly, has a ton of content. Sony and Team ASOBI have knocked it out of the park with this game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this game is regarded as one of Sony’s best releases to date.
Requiem is a triumph of modern Resident Evil, with alternating perspectives between Grace and Leon keeping the pacing dynamic, puzzles that challenge your wits, and exploration that rewards careful observation. The gameplay loop feels both familiar and refined, all while weaving decades of Resident Evil lore into a coherent, satisfying narrative. With its depth, content, and meticulously crafted gameplay, Requiem earns a confident recommendation as a must-buy for fans and newcomers alike.
Despite a weak, clumsy prologue, Wuthering Waves quickly proves itself with a sharp, emotional story driven by an active, memorable protagonist. Its core combat remains intact but has deepened through inventive boss design and content suited for all skill levels. Combined with standout visuals, polished audio, and a low-pressure gacha system, it feels more like a complete, carefully crafted RPG than a typical mobile title.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is the series’ most ambitious entry yet. From its well-told story to its surprisingly deep village-building system, it’s a game that fully embraces the joy of planting turnips at dawn and saving guardian deities by night. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Azuma is a harvest of everything Rune Factory can be when it dares to dream big.
What starts as a straightforward romp quickly reveals itself to be one of Nintendo’s most creative and mechanically playful platformers in a long time. Donkey Kong Bananza's level design is smart, the gameplay mechanics even more so, and the sheer joy of controlled destruction never really gets old. Even with a few performance hiccups and a main campaign that flies by quicker than expected, there’s a ton to dig into here if you’re willing to peel off its many layers (pun very much intended).
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater joins the ranks of the select few that exemplify how a remake should be done. It captures the essence of what made the original a critically acclaimed experience while updating its decades-old mechanics and visuals to meet modern standards. While the frame rate occasionally dips during heavier scenes, this remake has undoubtedly established itself as the definitive way to experience what many consider to be the best game in the franchise.
A classic made even better, Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles strongly feels like the epitome of its series, bringing in the best of nostalgia and the present time together in one game. With its compelling story made even more captivating with the addition of voice acting and engaging gameplay, it will surely be a favorite for even more gamers, thirty years later.
Hollow Knight is the quintessential Metroidvania out there, with stylish and quirky visuals, memorable music, and a gameplay loop that meshes all the elements that make the genre great. While its inherent difficulty and lack of guidance can prove to stall one's playthrough, it's a game that's absolutely worth playing, regardless of whether you're interested in the genre or not.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl nails it with a gripping story, breathtaking visuals, and gameplay that keeps you thinking at every step—because if you don’t, you'll likely just keel over and die. Sure, it turns into a walking simulator now and then, but with audio so good it feels like the mutants are auditioning for your nightmares, who cares? At $59.99, it’s practically a steal.
Until Dawn is just as fun, interactive, and narratively gripping as its 2015 predecessor—and in some ways, it even surpasses it. Now remade in Unreal Engine 5, the game has reached new heights, with impressive polish across nearly every front. It plays smoothly, offers more content than the original, and delivers the same captivating experience, now enhanced for a second time. This is what happens when a narrative-driven game is helmed by excellent writers and brought to life by talented actors. It kept me playing long past dawn—I’m sure it’ll do the same for you.
Calling Frostpunk 2 a textbook sequel doesn’t do it justice—this game goes far beyond the standard follow-up. It’s a masterfully crafted continuation of an already outstanding title, one that builds on the original’s strengths, addresses its shortcomings, and adds stunning new stylistic choices. As an experience, it’s bleak, grueling, and profoundly depressing (as it should be); but as a game, it’s one I’d willingly endure any eternal winter to play. New London hasn’t just survived—it’s thriving under new management, with all the challenges and triumphs that come with it.
To call Satisfactory simply "satisfactory" would be the understatement of the century. After six years in development, the game has used every moment to craft the ultimate automation experience—one that is unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon and will keep us engaged until that day comes. With its intuitive design, dense content, remarkable sandbox automation, compelling world-building, and stunning visuals, Satisfactory has undoubtedly earned its place at the top of the genre. I’ve been here from the very beginning, eagerly awaiting the day when the game’s final piece would fall into place. It’s truly an honor to witness the crowning of a new king in the automation genre, and Satisfactory has just ascended to its rightful throne, accolades and all.
Crypt Custodian is an amazing isometric metroidvania that does everything quite well. It has a great art style, atmospheric music, simple-to-follow gameplay, and a compelling story to boot. It’s a gem of an indie game that deserves every bit of attention, and I can attest that you won’t be disappointed. It’s perfect for those looking to play a metroidvania like Hollow Knight to take their minds off of Silksong, and even better for those looking for a great metroidvania to play.
Picture a wizard brewing up something special in their cauldron—tossing in a scoop of Undertale's charm, a pinch of Scribblenauts' creativity, and a sprinkle of Harry Potter's magic. The result? Leximan! A game that’s as enchanting as it is hilarious, with a heartwarming story, catchy tunes, and a world overflowing with creativity. It’s pure magic!