July
Game 26: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Played on: Switch
Release: 2024
Playtime: 34 hours 51 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: No matter the era, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is still a seminal console RPG. However, the backtracking is still an annoyance.
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| Source: Nintendo |
Game 27: Tekken 8
Developer: Bandai Namco and Akira
Played on: PS5
Release: 2024
Playtime: 15 hours 40 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Regardless of your skill level, Tekken 8 is a great introduction to 3D fighting games.
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| Source: Bandai Namco Studios |
Game 28: Cat Quest
Developer: The Gentlebros
Played on: Steam Deck
Release: 2017
Playtime: 7 hours 43 minutes
Rating: 7
Thoughts: Cat Quest is a fun and highly approachable — yet pretty shallow — action RPG.
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| Source: Nintendo |
Game 29: Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
Developer: Capcom
Played on: Series X
Release: 2020
Playtime: 18 hours 18 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Although Devil May Cry 5 was already a great action game, Special Edition makes it even better.
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| Source: PlayStation Store |
August
Game 30: Air Twister
Developer: Ys Net
Played on: iPad via Apple Arcade
Release: 2022
Rating: 4
Thoughts: Air Twister is plagued by obtuse onboarding, unnecessary mechanics, and unfair difficulty.
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| Source: Nintendo |
Game 31: Ridiculous Fishing EX
Developer: KO_OP
Played on: iPad via Apple Arcade
Release: 2023
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Ridiculous Fishing EX is an excellent update of Vlambeer's mobile classic.
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| Source: Eurogamer |
September
Game 32: Jetpack Joyride 2
Developer: Halfbrick Studios
Played on: iPad via Apple Arcade
Release: 2022
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: In adding more complexity to Jetpack Joyride, this sequel gets a little too tedious and grindy. However, the excellent gameplay makes it easy to stomach.
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| Source: mxdwn.com |
Game 33: Cut the Rope Remastered
Developer: Paladin Studios
Played on: iPad via Apple Arcade
Release: 2021
Rating: 7
Thoughts: While Cut the Rope Remastered has the amazing bones of Cut the Rope, it's hidden under off-putting 3D graphics and obfuscated mechanics.
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| Source: YouTube |
Game 34: Astro Bot
Developer: Team Asobi
Played on: PS5
Release: 2024
Playtime: 14 hours 17 minutes
Rating: 10
Thoughts: Astro Bot is an endlessly joyful platformer that gives PlayStation's legacy the celebration it deserves.
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| Source: PlayStation Store |
Game 35: DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition
Developer: Ninja Theory and QLOC
Played on: Series X
Release: 2015
Playtime: 10 hours 48 minutes
Rating: 7
Thoughts: If you can get past its contentious aspects, DmC Devil May Cry is a solid action game with highly creative levels.
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| Source: DualShockers |
Game 36: The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak
Developer: Nihon Falcom
Played on: PS5
Release: 2024
Playtime: 102 hours 57 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak is a great introduction to a new arc that peaks 20 hours too early.
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| Source: Nintendo |
