Games Reviews News, Tips, Tricks, Ideas

It’s only been a few days since I loaded my copy of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door onto my Nintendo Switch, but I’ve already played through the entirety of what I can cover in this preview, and let me tell you – it’s been a blast. The Thousand Year Door is one of my favourite, if not my absolute favourite, video game of all time. To see it remade on the Nintendo Switch is amazing, and while some like to grumble about paying full price for old games, Nintendo has done enough here I think to justify the price being charged.

I watched the trailer for Tales of the Shire yesterday, and instantly decided it wasn’t going to be my thing. You know what it is? Exactly the kind of gaming adaptations we need.

The Fallout TV series is very popular, and people are hungry to enjoy the games that inspired it. Four Fallout games were in the top ten on Steam in Europe following the show’s debut. So it’s fantastic news that the next game is probably still a decade out.

Fallout the video game was about the world after it ended. We never really found out why the world ended. We saw maybe a little bit before it ended and then the game was set all the way after. Fallout Season 1, on the other hand, goes into the origins of the world of Fallout. We find out who was responsible for the end of the world and why.

Oh lord, keep with me on this one, people. Tipping is controversial at the best of times. A suggestion that we bring a tip option to video games is going to be met with all kinds of resistance. But you know, it makes sense.

Lara Croft has been named the most iconic video game character of all time by the BAFTA Games Awards and my first thought was “what?”

There’s an interesting thread over at Resetera where a poster has dug out the remaining games not yet officially announced from the infamous Geforce Now leak.

GamesReview is always excited when we are considered for Kickstarter preview coverage, but we still only choose to preview games we think we will enjoy. The trouble with doing preview work is you walk that fine line between being a marketing tool and actually providing solid coverage on a game. Thankfully, I’ve been having a blast with Welcome to Meeple Beach from the Table Golf Association, so everything you are about to read is my legitimate thoughts!

Two things have come out of an understandably muted Game Developers Conference. The first is that the keyword is growth, and executives everywhere are trying to find it. The second is that this year’s PS5 Pro hasn’t done enough to sell itself.

Developed by Evan Tor Games and published by JanduSoft, this is a Sci-Fi mystery shooter that everyone has to try. Rebel Transmute is the Metroid of our year. It is a take on a classic Metroidvania with a kick of colors and extreme exploration. While it is revolutionized, I think that the graphics and audio really kicks us off back into the feel of the 90s, giving both old and new gamers something to enjoy.

If you’ve been following the website and my YouTube channel, you know how excited we have been about Mythwind. While there are definitely aspects we don’t love, we quickly put in dozens of hours and now cannot wait for new content to drop for this game. And guess what everyone – if you missed out on the first campaign, this is also a big reprint, so you can get everything you missed out on!

Over the past few weeks, I have been playing Star Wars: Unlimited a lot, and one of the common factors across all my games is that I’m using a plethora of GameGenic products day-in and day-out, and all of them are must haves for those looking to invest in this game. From playmats to boxes, here is a quick review of all the products GameGenic was nice enough to send to us to review!

Ostia Pirates on Kickstarter is in its final 24 hours and the campaign has done incredibly well. With over 400,000 CAD raised, it’s further proof that even lesser known publishers can make a big impact on the board game space, and highlights how important Kickstarter and GameFound are.

I toyed around with the idea of whether or not Garden Geckos, a game that is yet to be available to the masses, should get a review or a preview. The game was sent over by a fellow Ontarian who created and is publishing the title, and this review is for their upcoming Kickstarter campaign which is set to launch soon! This one from Tin Robot Games is shaping up to be a phenomenal light weight addition to your library. While I wonder how much traction it will get in the hardcore board game space, I cannot think of many better games to introduce to board game novices. Let’s take a look!

I toyed around with the idea of whether or not Garden Geckos, a game that is yet to be available to the masses, should get a review or a preview. The game was sent over by a fellow Ontarian who created and is publishing the title, and this review is for their upcoming Kickstarter campaign which is set to launch soon! This one from Tin Robot Games is shaping up to be a phenomenal light weight addition to your library. While I wonder how much traction it will get in the hardcore board game space, I cannot think of many better games to introduce to board game novices. Let’s take a look!

Baldur’s Gate 3 has been a runaway hit, and rightly so. When a game comes out that raises the bar as much as that has, it’s nice to see the developer rewarded for it. That’s not always the case.

With only one week to go, your chances to back Ostia Pirates is slowly fading away. Listen folks, take it from me, if you want to pick up a game from UCHIBACOYA you do not want to wait. These games generally will not hit retaliers in the West, and I’ve already disappointed myself by missing out on their games multiple times. Yes, the price might be a bit concerning, but these are games that hold their value and will be something you are happy to have in your board game collection!

The Steam Deck is a very cool little handheld, and one that’s becoming increasingly popular. Only one thing is stopping me from buying it: I want to play everything on my TV.

Wow. Nintendo went all out for this MAR10 DAY. Not only did they announce a new Super Mario Bros. Movie, but they also gave release dates for Paper Mario (May) and Luigi’s Mansion 2 (June). And we got three Gameboy games coming to the Nintendo Switch Online on the 12th: Dr. Mario, Mario Golf, and Mario Tennis.

Princess Peach Showtime is coming out this month. And so last night, Nintendo released a demo of it. We checked it out and here are our impressions of the game.

Get ready to level up your play with LEGO® Super Mario™! March 10th, is MAR10 Day, a global celebration of the beloved Super Mario™ franchise.

Arkham Horror – The Roleplaying Game Starter Set – Hungering Abyss to Launch in August 2024

The latest set of Unmatched: Slings and Arrows features William Shakespeare and three of his compelling characters.Sunrise, FL – March 4, 2024. Today, Restoration Games announced details of the next Unmatched set, Slings and Arrows. In addition to William Shakespeare, the set includes Hamlet, Titania, and the Wayward Sisters as playable heroes. The heroes are brought to life by the incomparable art of Zoë van Dijk, who illustrated Battle of Legends, Vol. 2. The battlefield, the world-renowned Globe Theater, was illustrated by Nastya Lehn.The set will be available for preorder the company’s website (restorationgames.com) on March 4 (shipping early May) and will include a free foil promo version of one of the set’s cards. The retail release date is June 12.Unmatched: Slings and Arrows features two decks that were entries in the design contest Restoration Games held in 2020. William Shakespeare was one of the winning decks, designed by Jonathan Guberman, and rewards players for completing lines in iambic pentameter. The Wayward Sisters deck was a runner-up and designed by Jason Hager, one of the designers of the recent cooperative version, Unmatched Adventures. This multi-hero deck brings the witches potion machinations to life with cunning coordination.“Slings and Arrows has such a vibrant theme with some of the most compelling characters in all of literature,” said Justin D. Jacobson, president of Restoration Games. “In the vein of the highly successful Cobble & Fog, these heroes will challenge players’ preconceptions about what an Unmatched deck can do and reward them for mastering their unique playstyles.”

As Sony’s concerns over profit margins were discussed and rediscussed the web over, there was one mantra that it was hard to escape from. That mantra was BRING BACK GRAVITY RUSH.

The latest set of Unmatched: Slings and Arrows features William Shakespeare and three of his compelling characters.Sunrise, FL – March 4, 2024. Today, Restoration Games announced details of the next Unmatched set, Slings and Arrows. In addition to William Shakespeare, the set includes Hamlet, Titania, and the Wayward Sisters as playable heroes. The heroes are brought to life by the incomparable art of Zoë van Dijk, who illustrated Battle of Legends, Vol. 2. The battlefield, the world-renowned Globe Theater, was illustrated by Nastya Lehn.The set will be available for preorder the company’s website (restorationgames.com) on March 4 (shipping early May) and will include a free foil promo version of one of the set’s cards. The retail release date is June 12.Unmatched: Slings and Arrows features two decks that were entries in the design contest Restoration Games held in 2020. William Shakespeare was one of the winning decks, designed by Jonathan Guberman, and rewards players for completing lines in iambic pentameter. The Wayward Sisters deck was a runner-up and designed by Jason Hager, one of the designers of the recent cooperative version, Unmatched Adventures. This multi-hero deck brings the witches potion machinations to life with cunning coordination.“Slings and Arrows has such a vibrant theme with some of the most compelling characters in all of literature,” said Justin D. Jacobson, president of Restoration Games. “In the vein of the highly successful Cobble & Fog, these heroes will challenge players’ preconceptions about what an Unmatched deck can do and reward them for mastering their unique playstyles.”

How much would you spend to be able to smell the things you can see on your screen? If your answer was a sensible “absolutely nothing”, you’re about $150 off. That’s exactly what GameScent is offering. And no, we don’t know why.

Shenzhen, February 28, 2024 — OnePlus, a global tech brand, in partnership with acclaimed global interactive entertainment brand HoYoverse, today launched the OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition during MWC.

It’s shocking to think that within a day or so we’ll be playing Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. But I’ve checked the calendar a good few times, and it’s definitely true.

I love playing Trading Card Games (CCGs) but sometimes I’d rather play with more people than just one other person. We have attempted to play games of Disney Lorcana over the past six months with little success. It just doesn’t work. As I’ve watched Fantasy Flight Games show off their Twin Suns multiplayer mode, I’m very excited for a gameplay system that seems like it will work with more than 2 players!

We have a number of writers here at GamesReviews who have looked at hundreds of games over the past few years. Few have been as loved as Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. What’s crazy, however, is how much hate this game got. So when Nintendo reached out and asked if we wanted to look at Sparks of Hope as part of the Games to Play This Winter, we went outside of our office and had a guest writer who had NEVER played either of the Mario + Rabbids game take it for a spin. Here is what they wrote for the site.

February 26, 2024, Dallas, TX –– Global technology company OnePlus launched its OnePlus Watch 2 during Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. The OnePlus Watch 2 is a stunning flagship smartwatch, and it utilizes the latest version of Wear OS by Google (Wear OS 4). The device features a unique Dual-Engine Architecture with two chipsets, Wear OS’s hybrid interface, market-leading battery life of up to 100 hours in full Smart Mode, and a premium build and design. The OnePlus Watch 2 represents a big step forward for the smartwatch market.

GameGenic is making some of the best components for Collectable Card Games (CCGs) and their most recent partnership with Star Wars Unlimited has me very excited. I love branded products for CCGs – the deck boxes and card sleeves for Disney Lorcana, for example, aren’t the greatest things I’ve ever used, but I like them none-the-less. Thing is, while Ravensburger has attempted to do everything in house – and have done an adequate job – Fantasy Flight Games has said, “We aren’t in the accessories business, so let’s get someone who knows accessories to make accessories for our game!” Enter GameGenic.

February 14 was only a week ago, and Hollow Knight fans around the world united in disappointment when there was no news in sight of Silksong. When Nintendo announced their Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, I had very little faith in even seeing the slightest news on our beloved game. However, while we didn’t receive any news of Silksong, don’t put on your clown noses just yet,  Metroidvania fans were given a wonderful surprise, a long awaited sequel to the most beautiful beloved game Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, only this time called Ender Magnolia, Bloom in The Mist.

Exclusivity is changing. When I was a kid, I desperately wanted a PlayStation to play Tomb Raider. I drew pictures, I read magazines. I had a Sega Saturn, and could’ve played it perfectly well there. But six-year-old me didn’t know that, and nothing I saw convinced me otherwise. I had a PlayStation that Christmas.

I’ve been really excited about Fantasy Life ever since it was announced for Nintendo Switch. Fantasy Life on the Nintendo 3DS was one of my favourite games on that platform, and I played it a ton, potentially too much! The unfortunate news from the Nintendo Partner Showcase, however, was that we would need to wait until October to get our hands on the newest title in the series!

I feel like it has been a while since we had an open-world pirate game, but we got one for 2024. Ubisoft and one of Ubisoft’s Original Games Skull and Bones which was first announced back in 2017 by Ubisoft Singapore at an E3 event. I remember because I was there when it first got announced and I was excited because I love video games that incorporate wooden ships and pirates. This game when I first heard about it, I remember when I was a kid I used to play a lot of Sid Meier’s Pirates which still to this day is one of my favorite pirate games ever. Even though Skull and Bones is nowhere on the same level as Sid Meier’s Pirates, it has some good elements, and that is something we will talk about right now.

I’ve been playing Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden for review. I just got the game this week and I’m still early in it, but I wanted to provide our readers with some impressions of the game.

Four Xbox will come to PlayStation, Game Pass will continue getting day one releases and the next Xbox will be the “biggest generational leap yet”. Those were all announcements at the Xbox business update podcast, and it was fair and well-explained.

Four Xbox games will be coming to PlayStation and Switch, it has been announced.

Last year, GamesReviews had the pleasure of previewing one of Tin Robot Games titles called Cities of Venus. It was a fantastic worker placement game where players built out their space ships and tried to score the most points. We praised the game for easy to understand mechanics, as well as fantastic components and production value. The game successfully funded on Kickstarter, and Tin Robot Games is heading back to the crowd funding platform for their upcoming game called Garden Geckos! Let’s take a look at what comes in the box, and review the quality of these components!

I’m firmly in the camp that not all good and classic board games need to have a Special Edition. Far too often we see overproduce special edition games that, while look pretty, are prohibitably expensive and don’t really have universal appeal to longtime fans and new players alike. Think, for example, of the 3D Settlers of Catan releases. Beautiful, yes! Practical? Not at all. Accessible to the wider gaming audience? Nope. Castles of Burgundy hits very differently, however, making a few really good improvements to the game table presentation, while also being a very good package for people who are less familiar with the game. Let’s dive in and see why this Special Edition gets so much praise from us here at GamesReviews!

As odd as it might seem, we’ll learn about the future of Xbox through a podcast on Thursday evening. That’s how these things are done now.

Nature themed games have been a huge hit in recent months (years?) and yet another title is soon to hit store shelves, this time coming to us from Studio Libellud. As the above quote says, Harmonies is all about, well, harmony. Harmony in nature, between all elements of an ecosystem. It’s not the nitty gritty that keeps everything in balance, like the food chain, but the idilic view we have of nature as a whole. And I’m here for it, both in theme and mechanics.

One of the most visually stimulating games of the year, Ultros delivers the most unique and unexpected twist on the Metroidvania genre. Developed by Hadoque and published by Kepler-Interactive, you’ll only experience this psychedelic, vibrant, narrative Metroidvania once, but will want to keep coming back to replay it again.

In my opinion, the thing that separates board games and video games is that one of these experiences is very singular and solo, while the other is more social. Video games happen on a TV, where your experience is dictated by the console you have access to, or the connection of your internet. Board games are very tactile, and the experience you have is similar to the experience anyone else is going to have in a purely physical way. Video games are virtual. Board games are physical. You don’t get to enjoy the physical and tactile when on Board Game Arena!

The evidence is mounting. Switch 2 is coming this year, and could be announced as soon as next month.

It’s been fascinating to watch the fallout from the Xbox third party rumours this week. But what’s been more fascinating is Microsoft’s complete lack of response to them.

It’s been fascinating to watch the fallout from the Xbox third party rumours this week. But what’s been more fascinating is Microsoft’s complete lack of response to them.

Xbox look set to release all of their games onto PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, and in the very near future. And despite a large amount of theorising, that’s about all we know. But that is bad enough.

In the ever-evolving world of gaming, enthusiasts are constantly seeking new ways to elevate their experiences. Enter REALMZ™, a groundbreaking line of uniquely collectible gaming accessories that not only serve as controllers and headsets but also transport gamers into the heart of their favorite virtual realms. Let’s delve into the exciting features that make REALMZ™ a must-have for any gaming aficionado.

Champions! offers a unique twist on the party game genre, immersing players in a whirlwind of crazy tournament-style duels where characters chosen by the players battle it out for the coveted title of Champion! The game’s play style revolves around predicting which of the eight candidates will emerge victorious through three intense rounds of play, making it an engaging and unpredictable experience for all involved.

I was on Twitter (yes I still call it Twitter) and the amazing Bex, reviewer and gamer, mentioned that they were going to review a game called Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. I had never heard of this game. I went and look up a trailer. Oh my god. What! This game looked amazing.

I went into last night’s State of Play excited to see what I might be playing on my PlayStation in 2024. And on that front I was disappointed. But man, 2025 can’t come fast enough.

Exciting news! Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been unveiled as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 24! Not only a phenomenal baseball player, but Guerrero also embodies the finest qualities of the sport. Coming from a baseball-centric family, his passion for the game and dedication to community service make him the perfect ambassador for MLB The Show 24.

Yesterday was the first peek we got of what Sony has planned for Playstation Fans in 2024, and I for one am mostly excited about what I saw yesterday!

Photo Tour is an upcoming game from Timashov Publishing, a Canadian board game company based in beautiful British Columbia. Their focus is creating high-quality family board games with exceptional artwork and engaging gameplay. As the name suggests, the card art is simply stunning in Photo Tour, and the gameplay looks pretty interesting as well. Let’s take a look!

The Ranger is a unique character that can spend time away from the town on expeditions. These expeditions, depening on which difficulty you pick, can range from 3 days away in the wilderness to 5 days away. When not out exploring, you will spend your turns adding stock to your inventory so that you can bring more and different items with you on your next adventure.

I’ve been playing a ton of Mythwind over the past few weeks, and as I move into Month 13 (that’s the beginning of Year 4!) I’ve had the pleasure of playing all the characters in the core box. With The Merchant, I think I have found my favourite. I love manipulating the market to make things work in my favour, but the unpredictability of customers and rivals keeps you on your toes, and keeps the game fresh.

I’ve never been a huge Dungeons and Dragons fan, nor have I played many 5e RPG experiences. Why? Honestly, perhaps it is a lack of imagination, or a lack of desire to play something I’m not really familiar with. I’m sure I’m missing out on a great time, but it’s really how I feel. When Free League Publishing reached out and offered us the chance to try out the Lord of the Rings RPG, I was instantly intrigued. I love Lord of the Rings, and from reading everything Tolkien has ever written, and watching the movies and show, I knew this world was something I could get into.

The second Mythwind dropped on my table I began creating content for it, and I don’t regret it for a single minute. While not everything is perfect in Mythwind town, the overall experience has been incredibly positive, giving me that “just one more day” feeling I always had when playing Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley.

I recently finished God of War (2018) and very much enjoyed it. I know this isn’t going to be news to most people, but it’s really rather good.

Warner Bros. Games and DC Comics have treated fans to an exhilarating glimpse into the upcoming third-person action-shooter, “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,” through the recently released third and final episode of the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Insider video series. This installment sheds light on the game’s post-launch content, promising an immersive experience for players eager to extend their adventure beyond the main storyline.

As part of Xbox’s Developer Direct, Square Enix Ltd. shared exciting details about Visions of Mana™, marking the first mainline entry in the Mana series in over 15 years. During the developer showcase, Mana Series Producer Masaru Oyamada and Mana Series Creator Koichi Ishii introduced players to the reimagined world of Mana. They provided insights into the game’s development process and showcased its action-packed gameplay. Scheduled for a Summer 2024 release, Visions of Mana will be available on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PC via STEAM®.

In about 50 days, one of the more unique game I’ve ever seen is going to hit GameFound, and this title is Meeple Inc. In Meeple Inc., players will be creating their own board games, hiring help, and attempting to win prestigious awards in order to be the best board game developer at the table. To be fair, it’s a bit more complicated than that (in a good, board game kind of way), so why not check out this summary from the development team behind this unique title!

Asmodee Canada and Fantasy Flight Games sent over a copy of The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game prior to the holiday break, and my father-in-law and I quickly played through all the scenarios in the box using the pre-established decks suggested in the Learn to Play guide.

Here is a bit of information from the games publisher, Asmodee:

“The Spy Who Shot Me” is a first-person shooter (FPS) game that combines classic spy action with a touch of humor. Developed by independent game developer and publisher Retro Army Limited, the game pays homage to the spy genre while adding its unique flair.

The Xbox Developer Direct will be on January 18th at 2pm central. It will feature four games: Indiana Jones, Avowed, Ara: History Untold, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2. The Direct will go to each of the game’s studios and look into the making of the games and show off footage.

For the first time ever, the NES version of Tetris has been beaten. It’s been done by a 13-year-old teen from Oklahoma. And that is a hell of an achievement.

The last couple of days of 2023 are upon us, and that means we can click over to a new year of gaming news. 2024 is going to be a quieter year in terms of games, but will it be as quiet in terms of news?

Christmas is over, and soon 2023 will be too. Hopefully it’s been a good year for you, and you had a very merry Christmas.

Whether you’re opening new consoles this morning or reading this on a brand new phone or tablet, everybody at GamesReviews wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

GamesReviews.com is giving away a ton of Xbox games this holiday season and you can win! We’ve had a great time here on the Xbox front, with Daniel and Kevin posting a ton of great Xbox content over the past 12 months. We’ve had the privilege of reviewing a ton of great games, a few of which we have highlighted below!

I really like Pokémon Scarlet. I also liked its first DLC. And so I was excited for The Indigo Disk…

Grand Theft Auto 6 has been unveiled and it looks amazing. But as is standard, it’s led to a standard reaction in some of the more reactionary parts of the internet. So let’s put it to rest right here: the Series S will play GTA6 just fine.

As a longtime fan of board games, it was shocking to me that I’d never played something from Arcane Wonders. My eyes were opened to all the fantastic games they have on offer at GenCon 2023, and over the past few weeks I’ve been making my way through their catalogue? Here are my two favourite titles from Arcane Wonder as of writing!

The words affordable and board game table are likely things you never expected to be in the same sentence. Even if you wanted one of the impressive Game Toppers for your standard table, you were still going to spend over 1000 dollars for a 3×5 table. Most tables today are in the range of 2000-3000 dollars, and that’s before you pay to ship a product weighing hundreds of pounds.

With 2024 rapidly approaching, we ask what seems like an easily answerable question. Is it worth getting a new PC in 2024? Well, yes, it is.

A new year, and another look at the state of PlayStation. And it’s an interesting one. PlayStation stand on the edge of massive changes, and whether you should buy depends entirely on your use case.

As we end what was supposed to be Microsoft’s first big Xbox year in a while, there are questions (some fairly trolly) about the future of the brand. And besides that, the green team are making it easier than ever to play their games without needing to buy a console. So should you buy their box?