James Paley
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COGConnectedLatest Reviews
Concrete Genie
Every child has a moment where they wish their art could come to life. Be it in times of struggle, idle escapism, or even loneliness, that brief “I wish you were real” is achingly familiar. Concrete Genie is your chance to realize that childhood dream, even if it’s under somewhat...
Exception
Life inside of a modern operating system could be many things. Fast-paced, fun, maybe even a little cool. Alternately, said life could be a neon dystopian nightmare broken up into a series of action platforming challenges. Exception explores the second option, giving players the chance to live out their dream...
Rage 2
Open world games are a weird breed. The old elevator pitch of unchained exploration has been co-opted by overly familiar mechanics and invisible borders. One feels less freedom, and more rising panic, at your ever-expanding task list. Rage 2 sits neatly in the center of the open world spectrum. This...
Katana Zero
Fighting with a sword in the modern era is a ridiculous concept. Without exemplary skill, lightning speed, and extraordinary luck, you’re guaranteed to meet a messy end. Katana Zero perfectly captures this very specific sentiment while still making you feel like an absolute badass. In spite of the bleak odds...
I don’t know if I’ve had fun playing My Time at Portia. Certainly, this is a compelling game. Engaging, absorbing, even addictive. Is that the same thing as fun though? Being dragged into a ‘one more day’ loop with no hope of escape is a remarkable experience that I can’t...
God Eater 3
Anime-style games tend to have a form vs function problem. Everything is crazy beautiful and oozing cool, but it sucks a little bit? God Eater 3 is a prime example of a game that looks awesome but feels rather uninspired, though it’s not without merit. As a massive anime fan,...
Final Fantasy isn’t normally known as a cute series. Yes, there are cute characters but they don’t inform the tone of the series overall. World of Final Fantasy upends all of this, throwing you into an adorable story full of chibi cameos and winking callbacks. Rather than a serious affair,...
Gal Metal
Gal Metal is mired in duality. The controls are either basic or brutally complex, depending on your preferences. The music is excellent yet repetitive. The story is charming yet asinine. In the same vein, I both enjoyed and abhorred my time with Gal Metal.
The Nintendo DS was a unique system among handhelds. The dual screens paved the way for a host of fascinating new control schemes and ideas. The World Ends With You was a landmark achievement in portable action RPGs, blending touch controls with a heartfelt story and an excellent aesthetic. Eleven...
CrossCode
CrossCode is an RPG that demands your full attention at every turn. Whether it’s solving puzzles, completing quests or surviving the many battles, you need to be on your toes. Honestly, it’s exhausting. But I don’t mind the strain. Indeed, I’d rather more RPGs pushed me in this fashion. Perhaps...
Hack n’ slash games occupy a weird space in between several other, more modern genres. You have fighting game style action mixed in with a more traditional narrative structure and a long history of RPG elements. Code of Princess EX occupies this same weird space a bit more brazenly, even...
Last year, Sega blew everyone away with Sonic Mania. For a lot of Sonic fans, the game felt like the second coming of their beloved blue blur. Now, a whole year later, they’ve delivered what feels like the definitive version of that experience with Sonic Mania Plus. Yet there’s no...
