Kraven

I am constantly tempted by Gotham Knights. I know a lot of critics were harsh on the game, but the public seems to think it is pretty solid. I think I’ll probably look up more reviews and see if it might suit my tastes.

I’ve heard good things about this game so I’ll definitely check it out.

I’m okay with a May release date. There are plenty of other games coming out, particularly on Game Pass, that will take up my time. A few of those games are Persona 3/4, Atomic Heart (a game I’ve been clamoring for for years now), and although it’s not a Game Pass title, Star Wars Jedi Survivor. All of those games including what’s currently in my backlog will keep me plenty busy.

I’m also expecting Microsoft to have a showcase this month. I don’t know why, but it’s just a suspicion of mine considering the lack of AAA presence at the Game Awards and the rumors following since. I genuinely believe we are in store for a few surprises between now and May.

This will be an interesting choice for some on this site, but I’ll definitely give it a go. I played it originally on the PS5 and loved it, and had it downloaded for my Series X but uninstalled it because I wasn’t playing it and had to make room for other games, so this will be a good incentive to download it again.

Chained Echoes. I’m going to beat this drum for a very long time. It’s one of the best JRPGs in recent memory. If you enjoy turn based RPGs that is inspired by Chrono Trigger, FFVI, and Dragon Quest - this game is for you. It’s incredibly well written, with each character having an evolving backstory that gets concluded if you do all the side quests. The combat is fantastic, and is constantly expanding so it doesn’t get stagnant. And the story is very good, and deep. Seriously, I would have never expected this to be my GOTY over Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarok, and A Plague Tale, but my goodness, it surprised the hell out of me.

I finally beat Chained Echoes (Xbox Series X), and I consider the game to be an absolute masterpiece. It’s one of the best JRPGs I’ve played in a very long time. I have a feeling this will be a game I play annually, probably around the Christmas time.

What I find so fascinating about the game is how there are many characters in the game and many join your party; however, they all have fleshed out backstories and motivations. Hell, even a particular merchant that is an NPC - if you talk to him every new place you visit, you’ll discover his history. Furthermore, their storylines get concluded as well. The fact that one individual made this game blows my mind. I can see why it took seven years to develop. The creator, Matthias Linda, really took his time with the writing and it shows in spades. I can’t wait to see what he does next.

I’m not sure what I want to start next. I have a plethora of games to choose from: Prodeus, Crisis Core Final Fantasy 7 Reunion (say that five times fast), Signalis, and Marvel Midnight Suns. The latter is tempting and calling my name, but we will see. I don’t want to start a super lengthy game because I want my focus to be on the Dead Space remake when it releases.

This looks so freaking good, and it’s easily my most anticipated game for 2023.

Personally, I found this to be one of Xbox’s stronger years in terms of indie games and Game Pass. Sure, the lack of AAA exclusives being released compared to Sony and Nintendo is disheartening, but Xbox is on the right track.

@Floki That is a valid point; however, all of those games I mentioned are available on Game Pass. Moreover, they are generally released day one. If I had to choose between Game Pass or actually buying the game on my PS5, I’d have to choose GP because it’s much more accessible, and saves me money in the grand scheme of things.

I actually agree. I know people are complaining about the lack of AAA games on Xbox, and rightfully so, but I think this year has been fantastic for the ecosystem. I don’t understand this narrative of Xbox had nothing to offer in 2022.

Just a few games I loved this year off of the top of my head:

Tunic
Sniper Elite 5
TMNT Shredder’s Revenge
Persona 5 Royal
Pentiment
High on Life
Signalis
Chained Echoes
Vampire Survivors
Weird West
Prodeus
Immortality

And there are so many more. I’ve played my Series X more than my Switch and PS5 combined. I think this year is arguably one of Xbox’s best, but that’s just my opinion.

A Plague Tale is my number 1, but Elden Ring is is just as fantastic! It’s a shame Chained Echoes isn’t on here, but it’s understandable. I’m happy to see High on Life on here, though. Overall, I think it has been a fantastic year for Xbox thanks to Game Pass and the excellent additions they’ve added over the year.

I won’t be playing much because I’ll be out of town with my wife for the holidays, but with the little time I do get I’ll be continuing my journey through Chained Echoes (Xbox Series X). I think it’s official for me - this is my GOTY. It continues to get better and better, and it’s a wonderful blend of Chrono Trigger, FFVI, and the Dragon Quest games. To me, it’s one of the best JRPG’s in the last five years or more.

Other than that, I am dabbling in Midnight Fight Express (Xbox Series X). I wanted something to play that was primarily gameplay oriented and this game has not disappointed in that regard. It’s a mix between Sifu and Hotline Miami, with combat similar to the Batman Arkham games.

There’s a lot of replayability, with tons of challenges to complete, skills to unlock, and various outfits to procure. My only complaint is the amount of dialogue — not voice acted, by the way — that you have to continue to skip manually, and it is constantly interrupting your fighting throughout the level. If it wasn’t for that, I would absolutely love this game even more. With that said, it’s definitely worth a play if you enjoy isometric beat-‘em-ups.

Awesome news! The game is really fantastic, and I had an absolute blast playing it on my PS5. I never finished it because I was playing Horizon Forbidden West and Elden Ring, so this will give me the perfect excuse to complete it on the Series X.

This weekend I’m playing Chained Echoes on my Xbox Series X via Game Pass. I’m nearing the end of Act 1, and I have got to say - this game is phenomenal and deserves more attention. It’s essentially a love letter to throwback SNES JRPGs. It’s best compared to Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI in that regard.

The combat is fantastic and is always evolving in unique ways as the game progresses. There is also an overdrive meter that (admittedly some people aren’t a fan of, but I am) creates a nice strategic balance in combat. It’s one of those mechanics that really keeps each combat encounter engaging rather than spamming the same action prompt. When it comes to combat, you acquire SP points after the battle and those can be used to upgrade your skills since traditional leveling up via experience points isn’t a component in this game.

As you roam the world, you’ll collect items and come across battles that will reward you - kill this amount of enemies; receive this prize, and this will give you material to craft different gems to put into your weapon and armor to make you stronger. Everything has a propose.

Furthermore, the game offers an incredible amount of lore. The first few hours of the game creates a sense of scope, and builds on its world and characters. And, as many typical JRPG tropes do, there’s a variety of characters that have intertwined stories and they all eventually connect and create a party. However, it’s their back stories and motivations that really create more than a one note character. With that said, I wish there was more emphasis on character expressions and reactions when something occurs.

Other than that quibble, there is not much that is wrong with this game, including the great soundtrack - a must have staple in any classic JRPG. I hope more people play this game and review it. Those who have critiqued the game have praised it tremendously. It’s definitely a diamond in the ruff and a true hidden gem.

I’ve never even heard of this game but it’s on my radar now. I might have to check this one out.

@Titntin I wasn’t trying to sound rude, so I apologize if I came across that way. I was just wondering, in your opinion, what makes the gunplay not that good? Is it the controls or something deeper? I’m just curious so I can try to understand the view point of others.

@Titntin I don’t understand what makes the gunplay so poor? It plays just like any other first person shooter in my opinion. Maybe it’s just me - I simply haven’t had an issue with it, and I think it’s pretty solid with a variety of weapons that are fun to use and spice up different combinations.

The game is phenomenal. I played some of the DLC last night and it’s so, so good. I’m itching to play more tonight after work.

@GhanaViking I recommend Tiny Tina’s as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the game when it released earlier this year. As for Gotham Knights; I’ve heard it’s actually a solid game, and I will probably pick it up. I’ve been tempted by it several times, so hopefully it’ll be a fun time sink.

I’ve been on Microsoft’s side this entire time regarding this Activision/Blizzard deal; however, I find this argument of their’s silly. It is not Sony’s or the FTC’s problem that Microsoft doesn’t have as many exclusives. That’s a you problem. If you want more exclusives, tell your first party studios to make them … and make them good.

Microsoft seems to have this laid back approach to gaming which is fine, and even appealing, but they also need to be a business and knuckle down on studios who aren’t producing.

I’m a manager at my job. I’m quite laid back and I treat my employees fairly and joke around with them. That said, I’m also their boss. Sometimes, I have to have uncomfortable conversations with them if they aren’t doing their job or if their performance is slacking. That’s part of the gig. Microsoft seems to forget that part of the business.

Get your affairs in order. It’s not Sony or the FTC’s problem that you don’t have has many exclusives; that’s your problem.

1) A Plague Tale: Requiem
2) Elden Ring
3) Vampire Survivors
4) High on Life
5) Sniper Elite 5

That’s my list. Personally, I think this year, and Game Pass as well, has been fantastic. I know as a whole it’s been lacking, but I’ve played my Xbox Series X more than my Switch and PS5 this year, and that’s very uncommon.

@EvenStephen7 You should try the game out yourself. I think the game is swing and a hit.

@AstraeaV I have to agree. Over at Eurogamer, the reviewer basically stated that anyone who enjoyed this game is a “d*******”. And now, this review on this site, is essentially saying anyone who likes this game must like the comedy style or words “peepee” or “poopie”. Honestly, even though the reviewer did address other issues with the game technically and its gameplay, this is still one of the most unprofessional reviews I’ve read in recent memories.

I’m sad to hear you didn’t enjoy the game, but you make valid points. That said, your review seems so full of vitriol, similarly to Eurogamer’s review. It’s hard to read because it’s as if both reviewers are so offended by the project that it’s difficult to remain objective when anger is clouding judgments.

Personally, I’m loving the game. I’ve played 4 hours so far - two last night and two this morning - and it’s hard to put the game down. I find it humorous (albeit, it’s subjective), and the gunplay is serviceable. However, it’s the game world itself that I love. The entire concept of the game is unique and original, and that needs to be more praised. I simply want to explore every nook and cranny because of how the world is designed.

My only complaints are related to the frame rate dropping often, although it’s not too bad, and the constant barrage of dialogue from the guns, but thankfully that can be turned off.

This game is definitely an acquired taste, so the mixed reception is expected. I just hope that those who are negative on the game will at least praise it for being original and advocate for more games of that nature.

I’ve been playing High on Life and it’s a blast so far. The constant talking from the guns can be annoying, but thankfully that feature can be turned off. Overall, this is an amazing game world that I find unique, and I can’t wait to play more and have fun doing so. I love games that don’t take themselves too seriously.

I’m really hoping High on Life gets a positive reception because a lot of anticipated games this year have fallen flat. And I’ve seen several people complain about how there is not much originality in video games these days, but this game offers that in spades. It seems like it’ll be a fun(ny) and unique experience.

I just got back from my honeymoon in Cancun Friday evening, so I’m mainly recouping. If I do find the energy, it’ll be spent unpacking and cleaning up the house after all the wedding charades and decorations.

That said, I am playing Chained Echos on Xbox Game Pass. This is quite the fantastic JRPG that is highly reminiscent of classic games from the SNES era. The world and story building are wonderfully done, and the combat is also spectacular. And it’s not a great JRPG without a killer soundtrack, and this game does not disappoint. I’m really looking forward to spending more time in this well-crafted world.

Aside from that, I’ll still be doing my normal runs here and there in Vampire Survivors. And, the fact that the game is now on mobile, my addiction is only going to be further amplified.

Speaking of rouge-likes, with the announcement of Hades II, I decided to go back to an old save file of the first game and complete some more escapes. What a masterpiece of a game this is - from the well written characters, impeccable voice acting, and the sheer fun factor - I can’t wait to see what the sequel holds.

Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in. Let’s go.

I’ll probably give this game a go once I get back from my honeymoon. All of the positive reception has given me excitement for the game.

This weekend I am playing nothing. I’m getting married today and I can’t wait.

On a side note, I did manage to beat God of War Ragnarok (PS5) on Monday. Since I had several days to spare before my wedding and honeymoon, I decided to download Vampire Survivors via Xbox Game Pass since it’s not narrative heavy. Oh, boy - I shouldn’t have.

This game is quite possibly one of, if not the most addicting game I’ve played in years. It’s mind boggling to me how a game can be so simple, able to be played with one hand, and yet provide some the most adrenaline fueled moments in recent memory. I’m excited to really dig deep into this game whenever I have more time.

This is a great announcement. On another note, are you going to make an article detailing Eastward surprise releasing on Game Pass today? That is a gem of a game that deserves a lot of attention.

Edit - You already made an article. My bad! I knew that, though - I was just testing all of you. Lol.

Woah - if this is true, this is huge. I put so many hours into Rise and Sunbreak, and I would love to do it again.

Wow, this is quite a surprise. I wasn’t expecting much from this game, but considering all of the positive reviews, I may have to pick it up. This is one of those “sleeper hits” that every year has.

I’m quite content with the games I have at the moment, and I don’t necessarily need any game out there. My next major game will most likely be The Callisto Protocol and/or High on Life. With that said, I’m tempted to buy Gotham Knights. I hear it really isn’t that bad of a game.

I’m still playing God of War Ragnarok (PS5). I’m roughly 65-70% through with the game, and clocking in at 42 hours so far. I have gotta say - this game is absolutely incredible. It continues to surprise me with new locations and tools even so late in the game, and it’s so difficult to put the controller down because I want to constantly explore. There aren’t many games that can capture my attention in such fashion, but this one has its grips on me. I believe this game is truly a masterpiece, and it’s certainly one of PlayStation’s greatest outings.

On a side note: I’m getting married next Saturday and then going on a week long honeymoon. I’m hoping I’ll be able to complete GOWR before then, and maybe even obtain the Platinum trophy. I have a feeling I won’t be able to due to working full time and working on last minute wedding stuff, but damn it, I’m gonna try. Lol.

@PJOReilly I’ll let you know! This is a game I’ll be playing mainly cooperatively so I don’t think it’ll get repetitive due to just having a good time with a buddy and whatnot. That said, I will probably try out the game by myself at some point and see how it stands out in that regard.

This is one of the lowest scoring reviews out there, but that’s okay - everyone is entitled to their opinions. Nonetheless, I’m going to buy it tomorrow because everything I’m reading sounds fantastic. Sometimes, you just need to turn your brain off and enjoy a game for the fun of it - and with it being fully coop, that sells it even more for me.

Evil West is a must buy for me. I really can’t wait to dive into that with a buddy.

This weekend I’m playing God of War Ragnarok (PS5). I’m roughly twenty hours in, and the game continues to get better and better. There have been several genuinely surprising story turns, and I can’t wait to see how this particular story ends. And knowing that I’m only 25-30% through the game and there is so much more to the game that I’ve yet to uncover has me very excited. I haven’t been this gripped to a game in a very long time.

Another game I’ll be playing if I can pull myself away from GoWR is Halo Infinite via cooperative on legendary difficulty with my best friend. We grew up playing every single Halo together, and we typically play through the first three games together once a year.

I have to say, Infinite has amazing cooperative play. I know the splitscreen debacle was a mess. It’s a shame it’s not actually a feature and that it took way too long to add cooperative play online - something that should be a basic feature - but it’s amazing now that it’s here. With the open world structure, you can approach missions in a variety of ways that make it a total blast to play. As of right now, Infinite is my favorite Xbox Series X game.

I’m hoping I can platinum God of War Ragnarok, beat Halo Infinite cooperatively on Legendary, buy Evil West for the Series X when it releases in a couple of days, and complete that game before I get married on December 3rd, and go on my week long honeymoon.

@uptownsoul I think that would be a good thing in a way; the latest Tomb Raider trilogy is absolutely superb.

Excellent review. I want to be interested in this game but it just doesn’t pique my interest. I’ll still give it a go - I have Game Pass, so why not? I’ll probably wait until I finish God of War Ragnarok first, though.

Personally, Halo Infinite for me, and this is even more amplified now that there is cooperative play in the campaign. I’ve been going through it with my best friend and it’s incredible. We grew up playing Combat Evolved together when we were kids and Infinite has evoked those same emotions. I’m really impressed with the Winter update. It’s a shame it wasn’t released from the get go, but it is what it is.

This weekend I’m playing God of War Ragnarok (PS5). So far, this game is absolutely superb, and is much more grandiose than its counterpart. The writing is top notch, and the performances from all characters — whether voice acting or animations — is so astounding. Speaking of voice acting - Ryan Hurst needs to be praised for his excellent portrayal of Thor. The way he speaks and his presence on screen makes you really hang on every action he does.

The combat is also exceptional. The Leviathan axe never gets old, and I find it to be one of the best weapons in any game ever; I truly believe that. Also, there have been several “Holy *****!” moments throughout the game too. All of the talk about Ragnarok being a glorified DLC, or God of War 1.5 can be thrown out the window. The scope of this game is absolutely breathtaking.

Other than that, I will probably play Halo Infinite (Xbox Series X). With the latest update, my buddy and I want to play the campaign cooperatively. This is one of our favorite franchises, and we used to play Combat Evolved religiously when we were younger. We have already beaten the campaign separately when the game released, but this sounds like a perfect excuse to jump back in and mop up some missing achievements.

I’m looking forward to this! This might be the game I play on the side as I do my playthrough of God of War Ragnarok, which is an incredible game so far.

This looks fantastic. I live for these types of games, especially if they are available on Game Pass.

This game looks absolutely incredible, and has ever since I saw it 5-6 years ago or so. And yet, I have no idea what the story or plot is. Lol. I can’t wait to play it whenever it comes out.

I finished the campaign for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (2022) for Xbox Series X and it was stellar. I got all of the main story achievements except for two so I might replay the game and mop those up. I haven’t touched multiplayer just yet, but I might try it out for the first time in over twelve years.

Other than that, I started The Legend of Tianding (Xbox Series X). It’s apparently not that long of a game, and considering I work full time, this might be the perfect palate cleanser as I await God of War Ragnarok for the PS5. So far, the story is forgettable, but everything else is solid and pretty darn cool. It’s also challenging, even on the easiest difficulty. I’m looking forward to completing it.

With that said, a part of me wants to start Persona 5 Royal although I don’t want to play two heavily narrative driven games at the same time (GOWR). Who knows—I’m really craving a JRPG at the moment.

Will there be a review for The Legend of Tianding? I’m curious as to whether or not it will make this list.

@gingataisen Tianding is great, but I also think this game is just as good. It has one of the better campaigns in a FPS in a very long time - in fact, I think it’s up there with Titanfall 2 and DOOM 2016.

I can’t wait. The game looks epic in every facet. The 9th can’t come soon enough.

On a side note, I hope Microsoft takes a strong look at itself. These are the type of games that sell consoles, and Sony never falters to release one or two of these a year.

Next year looks like the year for Microsoft, so here is to fingers crossing for Redfall, which looks fantastic in my opinion; and Starfield.