Video Game Reviews & Gaming Previews - Twinfinite

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Review – Not Quite Toruk Makto Potential

Keenan McCall — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 11:01:00 +0000

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora on PC

It’s almost shocking how perfectly a moment from my review playthrough of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora captured the wider experience in a truly poetic fashion.

After a hard-fought battle to free a sturmbeest from RDA forces — complete with stealth kills a la trip mines, long-distance sniping with a heavy bow, and a tense final push with a Na’vi-sized shotgun — it brushed itself off, gave a huff of appreciation to my character, and galloped into the gorgeously detailed greenery of the nearby jungle. As it ran free and without worry, I was really pulled into the themes of cohabitation with nature and hoped it would continue to run wild without issue.

While the Iron’s Hot Review – Hammering Out the Kinks

Jake Su — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 06:10:59 +0000

While the Iron’s Hot on PC

Crafting games has certainly become a genre that has built up quite a community, allowing players to immerse themselves deeper in the worlds where the next big adventure awaits. For those seeking the opportunity to work up a sweat forging items near the hustle and bustle of a blacksmith’s hammer, Humble Bundle and Bontemps Games’ While The Iron’s Hot should provide plenty of satisfaction in that regard.

Image Source: Humble Games

Players will journey to the distant lands of Ellian, which has been home to a legacy of legendary artisans who have perfected their craft over the years in all kinds of disciplines. Yet, conspicuously, blacksmithing has become a lost art, and as the new face, it is up to you to take up the mantle of the masters of old and forge, smelt, and craft this world a collection of useful and interesting items.

TEVI Review – A Hop, Skip, and Jump With Bunnies & Bullets

Stephanie Watel — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

TEVI on PC

Video games have long since become one of the most moldable mediums of modern storytelling and world-building, and it would only make sense that anime, another popular medium with similar traits, would come to mesh both together and create some exuberantly magical titles. So far we’ve seen all different kinds, from the emotionally riveting, to action-packed adventures, to the comedic and shamelessly whimsical. CreSpirit’s TEVI proudly embraces a number of those big characteristics in a fiercely tight, cheerful hug, and it all works stupendously.

The impassioned developers behind TEVI, which include Ein Lee, Waero, and GemaYue, are no strangers to this eccentrically-styled niche of anime-inspired games. Their creative history is decorated with a number of beloved titles such as Rabi-Ribi and Last Command. TEVI joins in with them as the latest 2D, side-scrolling Metroidvania adventure, and impressively the biggest one yet from this team in just about every sense. As fans want more and more quality content from these particular types of games, myself included, TEVI absolutely delivers it on a cute, animal-shaped silver platter.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Review – Remastered, Revamped, and Reused

Tyler Towers — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 14:10:58 +0000

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on PC

Call of Duty is a household franchise that has spanned the course of two decades and has often breached into the mainstream like no other video game. Its highest highs are matched with some lowest of lows but with the brand new release of Modern Warfare 3, we want to see if it can match juggernauts like Black Ops 1 or flounder with Vanguard.

So first let’s talk about the Campaign. At the risk of sounding dramatic or hyperbolic, the Modern Warfare 3 Campaign may just be the one of, if not the worst Campaigns in the history of the series.

Super Mario RPG Review – The Enemy of My Enemy…

Zhiqing Wan — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Super Mario RPG on Switch

When you’ve been rehashing the same ol’ conflict for so long, things tend to get a little bit stale. You start to recognize the familiar beats. Peach gets kidnapped, Bowser tries to marry her, Mario saves the day. What better way to freshen things up than by completely cutting Bowser’s castle in half in the opening of Super Mario RPG, and introducing a whole new threat that all parties now have to deal with? As the old adage goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and having Bowser and Mario team up against a new face is incredibly charming.

The premise really is that simple. Things have gone awfully wrong in the Mushroom Kingdom. Peach goes missing after Bowser’s castle gets destroyed, and Mario quickly befriends new allies Mallow and Geno. The former is a marshmallow-looking dude who swears he’s a frog, while the latter is some sort of being who descended from the cosmos and is looking to collect seven stars to help battle the new threat, Smithy.

Risk of Rain Returns Review – A Storm of Roguelike Pleasure

Jake Su — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 04:10:50 +0000

Risk of Rain Returns on PC

As with most things, progress when it comes to a video game series can be clearly demonstrated in several ways. Better gameplay mechanics, an upgrade to the visuals, and a continuation of a story, these are just some avenues in which a sequel can build on previous foundations to theoretically make things better. However, for Risk of Rain Returns, Hopoo Games has gone backwards in a sense, pursuing a remaster of the original game instead of creating a sequel to Risk of Rain 2, and fans can count themselves lucky.

Image Source: Gearbox Publishing

With a decade having passed since the original, it may be fair to say that the original may be unfamiliar to many modern gamers. Thankfully, Risk of Rain Returns serves as an excellent point of entry into the franchise, delivering a whole host of improvements and tweaks to elevate an already wonderful gameplay experience made very much for the present.

Persona 5 Tactica Review – Stylishly Stealing Hearts

Rowan Jones — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Persona 5 Tactica on Xbox

Persona 5 Tactica is launching in November on every platform imaginable. This means no player will miss out on this stylish tactical adventure. As a spin-off title, P5T is set after the events of Persona 5. We start in the coffee shop until we are thrust into another dimension by some strange phenomena. Soon the Phantom Thieves must figure out what has happened to the world as they know it. What exactly are these fiendish enemies who seem to be attacking them from all corners? And who is the mysterious Elina?

I came to this game as a newbie with no expectations (high or low) about Persona 5 Tactica. I knew I was in for a treat, however, when a John Milton quote flashed up upon loading. “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, and a hell of heaven”. Perhaps this is not the basic tactical anime game I thought it would be?

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Review – What’s in a Name?

Keenan McCall — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 22:00:00 +0000

Like a Dragon Gaiden on PlayStation 5

It’s not very often that a game leaves me frustrated and genuinely entertained in equal measure, but that’s exactly what Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name achieves.

For every spat of gameplay segments that left me feeling exhausted and irritated, there was something to bring me back into the narrative. Each repetitive fight was followed by a fantastic boss battle, and lackluster side stories were matched by ones which did justice by the series’ reputation.

Football Manager 2024 Review – Refreshing at Just the Right Time

Shaun Ranft — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Football Manager 2024 on PC

Try as we might, the yearly release hold can be inescapable for many of us. Especially when it comes to sports titles. For example, while the long-running EA Sports FIFA series may be under a new name – now aptly titled EA FC – a lot of its sameness lingers. There were some tweaks, sure, but nothing to truly enhance the overall experience. Which brings us to Football Manager.

20 years on, the partnership between Sports Interactive and SEGA is as strong as ever. And yet, although the past couple of entries were more often than not enjoyable – one need only glance at my play time to confirm – stagnation began setting in. The experience itself was still the best in the business and yet, there appeared to be little room left to grow. Nothing revolutionary, some minor tweaks, and perhaps a little lack of imagination.

Thirsty Suitors Review – Jala’s Ex-Hausting Adventure

Grace Black — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 01:20:16 +0000

Thirsty Suitors on PC

Thirsty Suitors has been one of my most unexpected gaming joys of 2023, with the title originally catching my eye for the parallels it drew to the Scott Pilgrim franchise. However, as I soon discovered when I was given the opportunity to play a preview of the game, Thirsty Suitors is entirely original and quirky and puts a new spin on the whole ‘battle against angry exes’ thing.

Because I had found this preview to be such a blast, I was more than excited to give the completed game a run; and just as expected, the wacky, chaotic fun continued in full swing. While Thirsty Suitors does share some classic references to Scott Pilgrim, it also puts a refreshing spin on things to make the story feel entirely original.

My Time at Sandrock Review – Nailed It

Kristina Ebanez — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:00:00 +0000

My Time at Sandrock on PS5

As someone who has put in a ton of hours in My Time at Portia, I was more than happy to see the arrival of its highly-anticipated sequel, My Time at Sandrock. It’s honestly one of my most treasured life simulator games, and I couldn’t wait to see what else was in store for this beloved building tale.

Upon the start of the game, I already noticed a significant improvement in graphics that polishes both the character models and the environment from the previous game. It almost makes you feel like you have stepped into the old countries of the Wild West. This time, you won’t be taking over your grandfather’s or father’s shop, as you’ve probably seen in most of these simulator games, where you’ll take over a retired builder’s post to carve your own path.

WarioWare: Move It! Review – Shake It Off

Rebecca Stone — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000

WarioWare: Move It! on Switch

WarioWare has long stood as one of Nintendo’s wildcards. It’s a series that thrives on the unpredictable and the rapid-fire, quick-wit challenges that keep players on the edge of their seats. The previous installment for the Nintendo Switch, Get It Together, took a step away from the series’ traditional gameplay mechanics, leaving a void that avid fans were eager to fill.

WarioWare: Move It! not only revisits the franchise’s foundational elements but also firmly establishes itself as a worthy successor to the highly acclaimed Smooth Moves, a title from the Wii that marked a high point for the series.

LotR: Return to Moria Review – Minecraft for Tolkienites

Kristina Ebanez — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 16:40:24 +0000

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria on PC

The Lord of the Rings franchise has had a few hits and misses throughout the years, from movie adaptations to the dreadful Gollum game that no one asked for. Yet, regardless of their Metacritic status, they have constantly introduced something new to the lore by giving fans a variety of perspectives within J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved universe.

You could say the same for Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria’s unique storyline, as you take on the role of a courageous dwarf who has found themselves lost in the labyrinths of Khazad-dûm. If you’re a fan of the franchise, you’ll undoubtedly remember this iconic location where the Fellowship of the Ring had one of its first significant turning points, ultimately changing the group’s fate.

Jusant Review – A Welcome Drop in a Full Bucket

Nick Rivera — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 15:30:00 +0000

Jusant on PC

Imagine a game that artfully tells a story without speaking a word, all while providing a smooth, fun, and fresh gameplay experience. Jusant does just that, telling a creative story filled with ups and downs, and while it isn’t the most refined, it managed to revitalize my love of indie games.

In a year so jam-packed with highly anticipated AAA games, it can be hard to find the time to pick up something less mainstream and give it the light of day. However, to look past Jusant would be a mistake, as it provides a completely different experience than every other game released in 2023. While there’s plenty of competition in the market, Jusant deserves recognition for the execution of the mechanics alone – but that’s far from all it has going for it.

Alan Wake 2 Review – Its Dark Is Worse Than Its Night

Cameron Waldrop — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:56:00 +0000

Alan Wake 2 on PS5

2023 has been an amazing year for sequels, especially sequels that have taken a decade or more (looking at you, Dead Island 2). Alan Wake 2 continues this trend and gives a unique experience wrapped up in familiar mechanics. The game doesn’t seek to reinvent the wheel but wants you to ride around and enjoy a hefty splash of that Remedy Entertainment charm.

The opening of the game feels like something out of Death Stranding. You play as a naked guy who washes up on a beach. I don’t mean a little bit naked; his ass is basically always in frame. For fun, I turned the ‘Show Nudity’ setting off and restarted the game to see what changed. It put the guy in some horrific, ratty underwear. So, honestly, I don’t know what’s worse. This is a short but memorable section, the least of all, because you must look at his naked body for important story stuff several more times after it ends.

Ghostrunner 2 Review – Hurdles in the Way

Jake Su — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:31:12 +0000

Ghostrunner 2 on PS5

The first Ghostrunner game was a pleasant surprise for many, bringing a brand of high-octane parkour action that is hard to beat, especially set against the dystopian cyberpunk aesthetic that just leaves players wanting more.

Naturally, that makes the sequel something to look forward to, and although Ghostrunner 2 continues to shine where it matters the most, some of the risks One More Level has taken have not exactly paid off, resulting in a fast-moving adventure that grinds to a halt at various junctures.

Cities: Skylines 2 Review – Bigger But Not Better

Jake Su — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 12:54:04 +0000

Cities: Skylines 2 on PC

It is not often the idea of better roads and traffic is a feature that is highly anticipated, but that is exactly what I was looking forward to with Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive’s Cities: Skylines 2. A more organic way of laying out a city comes with easier road placement, and the improved way in which traffic is simulated was a welcomed sight. Unfortunately, even the best layouts can suffer from jams and backed-up traffic, a reflection of how this sequel delivers smooth-flowing enjoyment and frustrating times in equal measure.

Considering it’s been eight years since the first game, the expectation for Cities: Skylines 2 was to arrive with groundbreaking innovations and ideas that will build on the strong foundations established with years of support and community mods. In a sense, it does, with plenty of new mechanics that bring a sense of realism to the economy and how a proper urban metropolis is brought to life.

Harvest Island Review – A Frightening Disappointment

Grace Black — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 23:30:00 +0000

Harvest Island on PC

Harvest Island pitched itself as a horror farming life-sim, which immediately grabbed my attention. Another island farmer with some seriously spooky potential this October? Sign me up, am I right? Well, unfortunately, while I had high hopes for this game, I’ve struggled to find genuine enjoyment in my experience. Don’t get me wrong, the concept is great! I’m sure there will be people out there who enjoy this game. However, the execution feels a bit… lacking, for me personally, especially in comparison to recent competitors, which I’ll explain further below.

Harvest Island takes a narrative approach, placing you in the role of Will, a farming boy who lives with his father and younger sister, Samantha. Right from the get-go I was excited to see these interactions of dialogue, as powerful sibling bonds are some of my favorite dynamics in video games — think Sean and Daniel from Life is Strange 2, Yara and Lev from The Last of Us Part II, and most recently, Carmine and Kieran from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s Teal Mask DLC. However, I soon found myself slightly irritated by the first interaction between Will and Samantha. To be fair, this was not through their dialogue, but instead through repetitive sound effects.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder Review – Platforming Bliss

Matthew Carmosino — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Switch

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the 2D Mario game we’ve all been waiting 10 years for, and it succeeds in its premise. Not only does Super Mario Bros. Wonder continue the rich 2D Mario tradition with success, but it also evolves the format to new heights while setting itself completely apart from Mario Maker. Even though none of the stages in Super Mario Bros. Wonder could be created in Mario Maker, this is still a traditional Mario game through and through. Nintendo did a great job maintaining the traditional 2D Mario identity while doing something wholly fresh and innovative. So, let’s stop wondering why they took 10 years and get on with the Super Mario Wonder review now, shall we?

Image Source: Nintendo via Twinfinite

The first thing you’ll notice when booting up Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the absolutely vibrant color palette. The visuals are strikingly beautiful and seem to pop off the screen with richness. There are little details in the foreground and backgrounds of each stage that liven up each level and decorate them in really unique ways. As you’re scrolling through a level, you’ll often see denizens of the Flower Kingdom chilling out in the background or lightly animated clouds moving in the background while snow gently falls in the foreground.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Review – Amazing Indeed

Keenan McCall — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PlayStation 5

Sequels outdoing their predecessors is far from a new phenomenon. Throughout gaming’s history, follow-ups to even the most successful of titles have managed to raise the bar and offer gamers something even better than what they saw before. And I’m happy to say that Marvel’s Spider-Man is no exception to this phenomenon, as Spider-Man 2 outdoes both the first game and Miles Morales to provide one of the best PlayStation exclusives in recent memory.

Of course, this shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise. Taking place after some substantial preparation and setup on the part of developer Insomniac Games, it serves as the culmination of an interconnected narrative focused on Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and their relationships with the responsibilities that are inherent to being Spider-Man. Each has experienced hardship and loss, and this shaped them into who they are once the game kicks off.