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  7.        <title>GameSpot - Game Reviews</title>
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  13. <item><title>Top Spin 2K25 Review – Painting The Lines</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/top-spin-2k25-review-painting-the-lines/1900-6418222/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">Tennis, at its core, is a game about legacy. Names like Billie Jean King, Pete Sampras, and the Williams sisters are immortalized through legendary matches, on-court triumphs, and tournament dominance that have shaped the history of the sport. It seems appropriate, then, that the Top Spin series has lived on in similar reverence since Top Spin 4, which was released over a decade ago to critical acclaim. Now, with developer Hanger 13 at the helm, Top Spin makes its long-awaited return. It serves up an ace in the all-important gameplay aspects, but double faults on content and troubling microstransaction focus mean it’s still far from a grand slam.</p><p dir="ltr">Gameplay takes center court in the newest entry and it's excellent. Moving around the court feels great thanks to a strong sense of momentum and weight. That's especially true on different surfaces, as the firm footing of a hard court gives way to sliding around on clay. It looks authentic, and factoring in the different starts and stops on the numerous types of surfaces is an important consideration when playing a match.</p><p dir="ltr">Different shots are mapped to various buttons and do an excellent job conveying just how sophisticated volleys are. Whether you are hitting a hard straight shot, curving slices, or smashing a ball right up the line with hard-to-handle top spin, the various options are meaningfully different. A simple timing system lets you tap for controlled returns, or hold to generate power, with both options depending on releasing at the right moment to determine accuracy. It’s straightforward, and rewarding to execute . There's a place and application for each, like intentionally hitting a slow rolling shot to give yourself an opportunity to reposition yourself on the court, or sending a lob high over the head of an opponent who has creeped too close to the net.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/top-spin-2k25-review-painting-the-lines/1900-6418222/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2024 09:00:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418222</guid><dc:creator>Justin Koreis</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/43/434805/4296177-topspin.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  14. <item><title>Indika Review - The Devil Makes Three</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/indika-review-the-devil-makes-three/1900-6418221/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p>Indika is a hard game to define. It looks like a horror game, but it's not scary--at least not in the conventional sense. It plays like a third-person puzzle game, but most of the puzzles don't require much thought. What Indika definitely is, however, is a fascinating psychological examination of faith and doubt that's supported by remarkable visuals and mature writing. Occasionally, its ambitions get a little unwieldy, but developer Odd Meter's decision to take on these heady themes and confidently explore nearly all of them is an impressive feat.</p><p>You play as Indika, a nun tormented by a demonic voice in her head, as she travels across a nightmarish interpretation of 19th-century Russia to deliver a letter. Most of the game consists of traveling from point A to B, solving a few puzzles, and watching cutscenes, but within these tasks are moments of introspection and self-discovery. Along the way, she meets an escaped convict named Ilya who claims God speaks to him. What ensues is a nuanced exploration of faith and doubt, love and hate, and pleasure and suffering. Both characters believe in the same God; rather than pitting a believer against a nonbeliever, Indika explores the space that exists between two interpretations of the same faith. This specificity allows Odd Meter to delve into different shades of Christianity and examine how the same texts, rituals, and prayers can be bent to ascertain different meanings.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296179-01_indika_opening.00_00_50_54.still001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-4296179" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="2560" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 2560px"><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296179-01_indika_opening.00_00_50_54.still001.jpg"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1512/15120939/4296179-01_indika_opening.00_00_50_54.still001.jpg" srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296179-01_indika_opening.00_00_50_54.still001.jpg 2560w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1512/15120939/4296179-01_indika_opening.00_00_50_54.still001.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/1512/15120939/4296179-01_indika_opening.00_00_50_54.still001.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" data-width="1280"></a></figure><figure data-embed-type="gallery" data-img-src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296164-01_indika_opening.00_02_24_05.still002.jpg,https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296165-01_indika_opening.00_03_13_05.still010.jpg,https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296166-01_indika_opening.00_03_18_51.still009.jpg,https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296167-01_indika_opening.00_06_42_29.still008.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-4296164,1300-4296165,1300-4296166,1300-4296167" data-resize-urls="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/1512/15120939/4296164-01_indika_opening.00_02_24_05.still002.jpg,https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/1512/15120939/4296165-01_indika_opening.00_03_13_05.still010.jpg,https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/1512/15120939/4296166-01_indika_opening.00_03_18_51.still009.jpg,https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/1512/15120939/4296167-01_indika_opening.00_06_42_29.still008.jpg"><div class="image-gallery__label">Gallery</div>   <div class="image-gallery__list hide-scrollbar image-gallery__list--small">       <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296164-01_indika_opening.00_02_24_05.still002.jpg">       <img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/1512/15120939/4296164-01_indika_opening.00_02_24_05.still002.jpg" alt="Gallery image 1" data-full-srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296164-01_indika_opening.00_02_24_05.still002.jpg 2560w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1512/15120939/4296164-01_indika_opening.00_02_24_05.still002.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/1512/15120939/4296164-01_indika_opening.00_02_24_05.still002.jpg 480w" />     </a>       <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296165-01_indika_opening.00_03_13_05.still010.jpg">       <img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/1512/15120939/4296165-01_indika_opening.00_03_13_05.still010.jpg" alt="Gallery image 2" data-full-srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296165-01_indika_opening.00_03_13_05.still010.jpg 2560w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1512/15120939/4296165-01_indika_opening.00_03_13_05.still010.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/1512/15120939/4296165-01_indika_opening.00_03_13_05.still010.jpg 480w" />     </a>       <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296166-01_indika_opening.00_03_18_51.still009.jpg">       <img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/1512/15120939/4296166-01_indika_opening.00_03_18_51.still009.jpg" alt="Gallery image 3" data-full-srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296166-01_indika_opening.00_03_18_51.still009.jpg 2560w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1512/15120939/4296166-01_indika_opening.00_03_18_51.still009.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/1512/15120939/4296166-01_indika_opening.00_03_18_51.still009.jpg 480w" />     </a>       <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296167-01_indika_opening.00_06_42_29.still008.jpg">       <img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/1512/15120939/4296167-01_indika_opening.00_06_42_29.still008.jpg" alt="Gallery image 4" data-full-srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1512/15120939/4296167-01_indika_opening.00_06_42_29.still008.jpg 2560w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1512/15120939/4296167-01_indika_opening.00_06_42_29.still008.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/1512/15120939/4296167-01_indika_opening.00_06_42_29.still008.jpg 480w" />     </a>   </div>  </figure><p dir="ltr">These frequent philosophical exchanges could have easily come off as overwrought or self-indulgent, but all these musings are in service of the characters and their development over the course of the story. For example, Indika tells Ilya she joined the convent of her own volition, but because her decision was fueled by emotions and experiences that were out of her control, can she really say she became a nun through her own free will? Ilya challenges this notion, and declares that free will is how we rise above our biological dispositions. Reflective conversations like these are key to Indika's character as she grapples with her faith and attempts to make sense of her life.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/indika-review-the-devil-makes-three/1900-6418221/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2024 07:00:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418221</guid><dc:creator>Jake Dekker</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/1512/15120939/4296192-indika_kv_holos_4k_no_logo.jpg" type="image/png" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  15. <item><title>Endless Ocean: Luminous Review - Hope You Really Like Fish</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/endless-ocean-luminous-review-hope-you-really-like-fish/1900-6418223/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">Between the advent of cozy games, farm sims, rhythm games, narrative adventures, and more, we're in something of a golden age of non-violent games. If you want to take a break from shooting and punching and instead just relax with some chill vibes, you have myriad options available to you. Endless Ocean: Luminous is an aquatic take, letting you freely explore the ocean with no danger or violence to speak of whatsoever. It sometimes straddles the line between game and edutainment in ways that could be engaging, but achingly slow progression and a lack of realism leave it feeling washed up.</p><p dir="ltr">Scientists say only 5% of the ocean has been explored. The name Endless Ocean, and the unexplored nature of the ocean itself, suggests an incredible degree of possibility and adventure. In practice, though, there actually isn't all that much to do in Endless Ocean: Luminous. You can take part in a Solo Dive, in which you explore a seemingly randomized map; a Shared Dive, which is just a Solo Dive with friends exploring the same map together online using Nintendo's Switch Online service (complete with its usual shortcomings); and Story Mode, which gives you short missions consisting of objectives accompanied by a little dialogue.</p><p dir="ltr">With this dearth of options, its approach to progression gating further compounds the lack of variety. After the first handful of story missions, the others are locked behind scanning ocean creatures in Shared or Solo dives. To scan you just hold the L button in the direction of sea life until the meter fills, which then gives a detailed look at the creatures in your scan. But the progress gates are set so absurdly high that the novelty wears off quickly. One of the earliest gates is set at 500 scans, which felt high but reasonable. The next was at 1,000, so I had to get another 500. That rubbed me the wrong way. By the time I reached the next gate, set at 2,000--meaning I needed another 1,000 scans--the chill vibes were gone. I was just annoyed. It's hard to overstate how frustrating it is to spend almost an hour roaming around a randomized map scanning fish, only to exit the map and find I've only gained another 200 pips toward my next story goal. Plus, judging by the creature log, there are just under 600 species of sea life total in the game. Why would you need to scan 2,000 times to see a mid-game story mission?</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/endless-ocean-luminous-review-hope-you-really-like-fish/1900-6418223/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2024 06:53:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418223</guid><dc:creator>Steve Watts</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/1585/15855271/4296443-switch_1x1_endlessoceanluminous.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  16. <item><title>Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide Review - Riding The Wave</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-16-the-rising-tide-review-riding-the-wave/1900-6418220/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">It's always a bit weird to go back to a game you finished for story-centric DLC, especially when the base game had a pretty definitive ending. However, those that have just a little bit more left in the tank can take the opportunity to give a game you really loved one more high note to end on. I often think of the <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/games/mass-effect-3/">Mass Effect 3</a> Citadel DLC as the best example--an oddly placed, yet near-perfect send-off. <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/games/final-fantasy-xvi/">Final Fantasy XVI</a>: The Rising Tide evokes similar feelings in that I was just happy to have an excuse to revisit that world and spend a bit more time with characters I cherished. While it does largely play out like more Final Fantasy XVI content, The Rising Tide fills in a few blanks left behind and lets you wield two new Eikons in a questline that reaches similar heights of the original game.</p><p dir="ltr">The Rising Tide questline is slotted into FFXVI right before the main game's point of no return, making it feel like an impromptu diversion at a critical point in the story. That said, it <em>is </em>necessary, as many of the events leading up to the DLC provide the context around its story. As Clive, you and the crew are invited to visit a region called Mysidia--a quiet area tucked away in the north and cloaked under the veil of powerful magic to both conceal itself from the rest of the world and maintain a facade of bright blue skies. It's a new area for the game that has its own interesting, isolated society and lets you explore a relatively small but vibrant region, and its stunning views remind you of how FFXVI uses its technical strengths to paint an expansive and enticing world.</p><p dir="ltr">Much of FFXVI was visually dour given its grim nature, so Mysidia's tropical tinge is a refreshing contrast. But this isn't a vacation for Clive--The Rising Tide revolves around the history of Leviathan as an Eikon that, like every other Eikon, was wielded in bad faith. Through the main scenario quests and sidequests, you learn about the people of Mysidia, their way of life, and their particular relationship with Leviathan. The people are self-sustaining and treat magic quite differently from the rest of Valisthea, and their leader, Shula, embodies their ethos as she accompanies you throughout the DLC. She's not exactly a standout character in the grand scheme of things, but she is a solid anchor for The Rising Tide and provides a good enough excuse for dragging Clive off the beaten path. It's a twist to the typical FFXVI plot beat and comes around to be a rather sweet story about breaking generational curses in a way that lends itself more to FFXVI's softer side.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-16-the-rising-tide-review-riding-the-wave/1900-6418220/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 16:40:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418220</guid><dc:creator>Michael Higham</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/1574/15747411/4294390-ff16risingtide.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  17. <item><title>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Review - One In A Hundred</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review-one-in-a-hundred/1900-6418219/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">In the years since the explosion of game crowdfunding, a stigma has emerged surrounding these titles. Yes, there have been plenty of games that enjoyed great success after their crowdfunding campaigns, but more people remember the high-profile flops: games with big names and ambitious promises attached that, for a variety of reasons, betrayed the high hopes fans held for them. Many of these were revivals--spiritual or otherwise--of beloved series from ages past. Now we have Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, a crowdfunded game designed to carry the torch of the much-beloved Suikoden series from the PS1 and PS2--and, with such a high pedigree attached, there's understandable trepidation: Will this be a glorious return to form, or another disappointment? Fortunately, for us (and all of the backers), it turned out wonderfully.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/43/434805/4293392-ss_f3b199c9360ae999b8953379ce4e00fef5aaf906.1920x1080.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-4293392" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="1920" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1920px"><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/43/434805/4293392-ss_f3b199c9360ae999b8953379ce4e00fef5aaf906.1920x1080.jpg"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/43/434805/4293392-ss_f3b199c9360ae999b8953379ce4e00fef5aaf906.1920x1080.jpg" srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/43/434805/4293392-ss_f3b199c9360ae999b8953379ce4e00fef5aaf906.1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/43/434805/4293392-ss_f3b199c9360ae999b8953379ce4e00fef5aaf906.1920x1080.jpg 1280w, 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data-full-srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/43/434805/4293393-ss_0ddbe24fefa5aadd56639edcbe9ec60f59a715d8.1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/43/434805/4293393-ss_0ddbe24fefa5aadd56639edcbe9ec60f59a715d8.1920x1080.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/43/434805/4293393-ss_0ddbe24fefa5aadd56639edcbe9ec60f59a715d8.1920x1080.jpg 480w" />     </a>       <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/43/434805/4293394-ss_1c913448f19fdbfaab0fb240e5f9b2bb87b84b70.1920x1080.jpg">       <img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/43/434805/4293394-ss_1c913448f19fdbfaab0fb240e5f9b2bb87b84b70.1920x1080.jpg" alt="Gallery image 2" data-full-srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/43/434805/4293394-ss_1c913448f19fdbfaab0fb240e5f9b2bb87b84b70.1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/43/434805/4293394-ss_1c913448f19fdbfaab0fb240e5f9b2bb87b84b70.1920x1080.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/43/434805/4293394-ss_1c913448f19fdbfaab0fb240e5f9b2bb87b84b70.1920x1080.jpg 480w" />     </a>       <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/43/434805/4293395-ss_246bac613c68dd6f75182b0462515b153cde9513.1920x1080.jpg">       <img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/43/434805/4293395-ss_246bac613c68dd6f75182b0462515b153cde9513.1920x1080.jpg" alt="Gallery image 3" data-full-srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/43/434805/4293395-ss_246bac613c68dd6f75182b0462515b153cde9513.1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/43/434805/4293395-ss_246bac613c68dd6f75182b0462515b153cde9513.1920x1080.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/43/434805/4293395-ss_246bac613c68dd6f75182b0462515b153cde9513.1920x1080.jpg 480w" />     </a>       <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/43/434805/4293396-ss_5155a9f8b96fce6f2e0d5d00b719773fb0021322.1920x1080.jpg">       <img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/square_avatar/43/434805/4293396-ss_5155a9f8b96fce6f2e0d5d00b719773fb0021322.1920x1080.jpg" alt="Gallery image 4" data-full-srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/43/434805/4293396-ss_5155a9f8b96fce6f2e0d5d00b719773fb0021322.1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/43/434805/4293396-ss_5155a9f8b96fce6f2e0d5d00b719773fb0021322.1920x1080.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/43/434805/4293396-ss_5155a9f8b96fce6f2e0d5d00b719773fb0021322.1920x1080.jpg 480w" />     </a>   </div>  </figure><p dir="ltr">Eiyuden Chronicle begins when a young man named Nowa joins the Eltisweiss Watch, a small militia unit under the command of Countess Perielle of the League of Nations. On a joint mission with a military team from the Galdean Empire, the Watch discovers a powerful, ancient artifact, the Primal Lens, earning everyone involved instant renown. However, it's not long before squabbling between the Empire and League over the device, along with internal power struggles in the Empire, erupts into an invasion of Eltisweiss and a full-blown war. As the scope of the conflict expands, so does the story: Nowa rebuilds a resistance army in an abandoned castle, Imperial military prodigy Seign struggles with his feelings of obligation, friendship, and loyalty, and a young warrior woman named Marisa finds her clan caught in the middle.</p><p dir="ltr">The story doesn't shy away from its similarities to games in the Suikoden series. In several ways, it outright embraces them: a story that branches into multiple viewpoints, loyalties among friends being tested during war, internal political intrigue, powerful magic runes being a crucial plot device, and, most obviously, the conceit of building a huge band of warriors to take on an even bigger enemy. The story was helmed by Suikoden creator and writer Yoshitaka Murayama (who sadly passed away shortly before the game's release), and it brims with the warmth, wit, and plot twists that made the early Suikoden titles so engaging and memorable.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review-one-in-a-hundred/1900-6418219/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 11:21:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418219</guid><dc:creator>Heidi Kemps</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/43/434805/4293390-7352511315-3319d.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  18. <item><title>Ereban: Shadow Legacy Review - Way Of Shadow</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ereban-shadow-legacy-review-way-of-shadow/1900-6418218/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p>In what feels like a spiritual successor to 2016's <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/games/aragami/">Aragami</a>, <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/games/ereban-shadow-legacy/">Ereban: Shadow Legacy</a> transforms you into a deadly shadow that can become one with the darkness--the ultimate stealth operative. The game doesn't quite deliver the necessary challenge to make for a successful stealth game, however, as the first trick you learn will get you through the entire game without a hitch. It does far better on the platforming front, and though its cast of characters could have used some fleshing out, the futuristic sci-fi world they inhabit is cultivated with colorful sights and intriguing snippets of lore.</p><p dir="ltr">As its name implies, Shadow Legacy's main gimmick is its use of shadows. You play as Ayana, the last of the titular Ereban, a people who possess the innate ability to become one with and manipulate shadows. Using her shadow merge ability, Ayana can sink into shadows to creep past enemies, slink up walls, and dispose of bodies, encouraging you to stick to the shadows where your toolbelt is at its strongest. Alongside these shadow abilities, Ayana has an assortment of advanced gadgets--some are always useful like a recon pulse that marks enemies and items through walls, while others are more situational like mines that stun targets--which work regardless of the lighting situation.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1587/15875866/4292782-e2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-4292782" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="1920" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1920px"><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1587/15875866/4292782-e2.jpg"><img alt="Light is Ayana's enemy--you don't want to stay in it for too long." src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1587/15875866/4292782-e2.jpg" srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1587/15875866/4292782-e2.jpg 1920w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1587/15875866/4292782-e2.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/1587/15875866/4292782-e2.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" data-width="1280"></a><figcaption>Light is Ayana's enemy--you don't want to stay in it for too long.</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">I initially thought that this would present plenty of opportunities and strategies to sneak past enemies, most of whom will take out Ayana in a single hit. There's a healthy variety of foes who want to take her down--standard enemies don't pose much threat beyond the flashlight they carry to take away your darkness, but the more adept snipers can spot you from afar and the stealthy droids who can go invisible can ruin your day if you're not taking time to look for the telltale shimmer. And then there are the human enemies who present a moral quandary rather than a gameplay one--while the mechanical droid-like enemies that dominate each level can be killed with impunity, murdering the living and breathing human workers will negatively impact Ayana's morality and others' perception of her (which I'll touch on a bit more later).</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ereban-shadow-legacy-review-way-of-shadow/1900-6418218/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:00:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418218</guid><dc:creator>Jordan Ramée</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/1587/15875866/4292781-e1.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  19. <item><title>Another Crab&#039;s Treasure Review - Shellden Ring</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/another-crabs-treasure-review-shellden-ring/1900-6418217/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p>To stand out as a Souls-like these days, a game needs to either reach similar heights as the genre's namesake when it comes to gameplay, or have a compelling new spin on the genre. While Another Crab's Treasure gets close on the combat front, its excellent 3D platforming are what help distinguish it. Combining those gameplay elements with a genuine, if perhaps slow to start, story about a crab named Kril, who starts as a loner just wanting to get his shell back and go home, but instead finds a greater understanding of the vast ocean, makes for a fun take on the genre.</p><p>The game kicks off with Kril's shell being repossessed as a tax by a wealthy monarch, but this setup is mainly used as an excuse to send him on a treasure hunt across the ocean. Kril's story during Another Crab's Treasure is a particularly strong aspect of the game. While initially framed as a tale about Kril breaking out of his routine and finding renewed purpose, it eventually tackles the ocean's ongoing pollution problems, taking the narrative to a place that is bleak yet also genuine. Where Kril finds himself by the end isn't one of those overdone happy endings, but instead a far more complicated place that feels true to some of the game's more dour themes.</p><p>The game is broken up into large levels, filled with both enemies and platforming challenges, that you need to explore to find an objective, such as a piece of a treasure map, or reach a far-off structure. The levels are well-designed, with combat and platforming flowing together seamlessly. There are a few places where the brutality of Another Crab's Treasure does overdo it--such as during platforming sections overlooked by ranged enemies--which results in unwelcome difficulty spikes. Trying to navigate these areas while not getting blown up by ranged attacks that take away a third of your health goes from difficult to frustrating, but this only happens in a handful of instances.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/another-crabs-treasure-review-shellden-ring/1900-6418217/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418217</guid><dc:creator>James Carr</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/43/434805/4292229-8697640612-6d44e.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  20. <item><title>Sand Land Review - Tanks A Lot</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sand-land-review-tanks-a-lot/1900-6418216/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">The main character in this open-world action-RPG adaptation of the late Akira Toriyama's Sand Land is arguably its egg-shaped tank. Developer ILCA has crafted a game with a heavy emphasis on vehicular combat and traversal, which is a fitting design choice considering Toriyama's love and passion for anything with a motor. You only have to glance at the number of vehicles <a href="https://dragonball.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Vehicles">featured in the Dragon Ball series</a> to appreciate the legendary artist's vehicular love affair. As iconic and instantly recognizable as Toriyama's character designs are, his unique vehicle designs are just as evocative and essential to his signature world-building. Whether it's a car, scooter, hovercraft, or airship, Toriyama's anomalous designs are a delight, and Sand Land's bulbous tank is one of his best, mixing his characteristics with historical influences to create a memorable piece of machinery. ILCA's Sand Land might lack substance beneath its oozing style, but sitting behind the cockpit of some of Toriyama's intricately designed vehicles is a near-constant treat, even if it falters elsewhere.</p><p dir="ltr">The first half of the game's story is a faithful retelling of the original 14-chapter one-shot manga released in 2000. Set in the titular wasteland, Sand Land centers on a desert world suffering from an extreme water shortage, where sci-fi, fantasy, action, and comedy intertwine. You play as the rambunctious pink-skinned demon prince, Beelzebub, a video game-obsessed fiend who's as good as gold despite his protestations otherwise. Alongside the stern-faced Sheriff Rao and your wise old pal, Thief, you embark on a quest to uncover a rumored water source that will hopefully restore Sand Land to life. The second half of the game's narrative covers the brand-new events featured in the recently released anime adaptation. While the first six episodes of the show rehash the familiar ground of the manga, the last seven episodes function as a sequel to the original story, with Toriyama conceptualizing a fresh tale that sees Beelzebub, Rao, and Thief embroiled in a lopsided war after venturing into the neighboring Forest Land.</p><p dir="ltr">Sand Land might not be as popular as Toriyama's other works, such as Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, but despite its niche nature, its recent resurgence isn't without merit. The characters and world-building found in Sand Land are its greatest strength, and these elements are seamlessly translated into the game. The relationship between Beelzebub, Rao, and Thief is just as charming as it was on the page, while the game's open world gives their conversations and banter space to breathe as you travel between locations. These moments excel when pulling lines straight from the manga, but pockets of incidental dialogue have a habit of repeating over and over again, which quickly becomes grating to the point where I wish I could've muted it completely.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sand-land-review-tanks-a-lot/1900-6418216/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418216</guid><dc:creator>Richard Wakeling</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/43/434805/4292155-3654700689-zE4y6.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  21. <item><title>Stellar Blade Review - Nier As It Can Get</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/stellar-blade-review-nier-as-it-can-get/1900-6418215/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">What we let inspire us and what we pay homage to says a lot about the creations we make. Stellar Blade's influences come from the last two generations of character action games and it wields them proudly, channeling not just ideas but themes, designs, and even stylistic flourishes from games like Bayonetta and Nier Automata. It is only through understanding where Stellar Blade comes from that one can begin to discern what it improves upon and where it falls short of the giants that developer Shift Up's title wishes to stand on the shoulders of.</p><p dir="ltr">Stellar Blade puts you in control of Eve, a human arriving at a far-flung future Earth riddled with monsters known as Naytibas. EVE possesses superhuman powers, having been raised on a space colony and trained specifically to free what few survivors remain on the planet from the oppression of this omnipresent and existential threat. Along the way, the story takes a few twists and turns but largely stays in the realm of pulp science-fiction that is sometimes undermined by its own need to one-up itself. Characters change motives in service of plot twists at the drop of a hat and then resume their previous mindset without acknowledgement or comment. There are times that I wished the writing showed a bit more self-restraint rather than feel like the first season of a TV show throwing a hail-mary for a second.</p><p dir="ltr">The weight of the inconsistent quality of the writing tilts heavier towards Stellar Blade's disadvantage, as occasional head-scratching side quests are followed up by decidedly compelling ones, though not as often as it should. Just when you feel fatigued with following waypoints, the game serves a side quest with unique content and boss fights or a narrative beyond looking for someone who it turned out already died. The main story grazes the surface of subject matter like transhumanism and moral relativity, but it does little with them. Stilted and stiff voice acting also does little to help you take the story seriously and often brings you out of it. Historically, the quality of a character action game's story has scarcely mattered to the overall package, but those expecting something above the genre average should readjust expectations.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/stellar-blade-review-nier-as-it-can-get/1900-6418215/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418215</guid><dc:creator>Imran Khan</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/43/434805/4292124-2725333268-42817.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  22. <item><title>Tales of Kenzera: Zau Review - Bladedancing</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tales-of-kenzera-zau-review-bladedancing/1900-6418212/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p>Grief is a messy, convoluted emotion to navigate. There's rarely a straightforward path to get through it; oftentimes it can feel like you're walking in circles around what you're looking for, or banging your head against the same mental roadblock again and again. In many ways, the experience of playing through a metroidvania mimics the feeling of working through grief--the genre is built on a similar path of progression, where the necessary tools to move forward are earned step-by-step, and a protagonist's evolving moveset makes it easier to overcome its challenges and navigate a seemingly inescapable world. <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/games/tales-of-kenzera-zau/">Tales of Kenzera: Zau</a> leans into that parallel, creating a powerful and moving message within the context of a stellar action-adventure game.</p><p dir="ltr">Tales of Kenzera sees you play as Zau, the fictional hero of a story that a father wrote for his son just prior to the father's death. Zau, similarly, is working through the grief of a lost father. Unable to get past the pain, he calls upon the god of death, Kalunga, and offers him a deal: If Zau successfully brings the three great spirits that have resisted Kalunga to the land of the dead, then Kalunga will bring Zau's father back to life. The god agrees and the duo set out, Zau relying on the shaman masks and training he inherited from his father to overcome the dangers of nearby lands. As a metroidvania, the game features moments where Zau must backtrack and use newly unlocked abilities (freezing water, for example, or a grappling hook used to swing over large pits), which Kalunga helps Zau master to navigate the distinct biomes of the map.</p><p dir="ltr">Inspired by Bantu mythology, Tales of Kenzera's map is a beautiful maze that pulls from African culture to characterize and flavor the interconnected areas. The myths of the Bantu color the undertones to the story, equating Zau's battle against larger-than-life monsters with a spiritual journey--you don't question how or why Zau's efforts to beat up a mother helps convince her to come to terms with leaving her daughter behind. Within Tales of Kenzera's lore, these actions make sense, reframing the physical space of the world into something more akin to a mental palace. That reframing contributes to the explosive battles, too, with the sound design and orchestral score of the soundtrack transforming each fight into a frenetic dance of emotion and spiritual energy where flame-infused shockwaves are stand-ins for violent outbursts and well-timed dodges equate to a carefully considered counterargument.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tales-of-kenzera-zau-review-bladedancing/1900-6418212/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418212</guid><dc:creator>Jordan Ramée</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/1587/15875866/4290233-rfpcx2pg.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  23. <item><title>Harold Halibut Review - Lost In Its Own Deep Sea</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/harold-halibut-review-lost-in-its-own-deep-sea/1900-6418211/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p>Harold Halibut puts you in the shoes of a lowly maintenance worker aboard a spaceship submerged underwater. To the residents aboard the ship, Harold is a rather charming, lovable, even dopey fellow who is endearing for his simplicity and his complacency in doing his job. Harold is tasked with removing graffiti, cleaning, and fixing machines, and when the work is done, his day ends, he goes to sleep, he wakes up--rinse, repeat. That's the surface of Harold, but tucked out of sight from people's view, is a character who is deceivingly introspective, often documenting his life through scribbled images in a notepad, or expressing himself through playful theatrics when he's alone, like singing and performing operatically while mopping up a filter system. This is a side of the character only we, the player, get to see. As a character, Harold is complex, even if <em>he</em> doesn't entirely understand how. He attempts to question and explore his curiosity and his own existence within the confines of a spaceship he was born and raised on, but he's not always capable of understanding exactly what he's looking for.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1592/15929708/4288299-slowbros_haroldhalibut_cave.png" data-ref-id="1300-4288299" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="1920" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1920px"><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1592/15929708/4288299-slowbros_haroldhalibut_cave.png"><img alt="Harold Halibut" src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1592/15929708/4288299-slowbros_haroldhalibut_cave.png" srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1592/15929708/4288299-slowbros_haroldhalibut_cave.png 1920w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1592/15929708/4288299-slowbros_haroldhalibut_cave.png 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/1592/15929708/4288299-slowbros_haroldhalibut_cave.png 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" data-width="1280"></a><figcaption>Harold Halibut</figcaption></figure><p>Harold Halibut, the game, is much like its titular character: It's charming and lovable on the surface for its unique handmade aesthetic and charmingly simple gameplay. But just beneath that uncomplicated layer is a story that attempts to ask questions about introspection and self-worth, even if the game doesn't always feel equipped to answer them or understand its strongest suits.</p><p dir="ltr">Harold Halibut does an incredible job in exploring its many themes and concepts by putting a magnifying glass on its setting. The FEDORA is a spaceship that was designed to leave Earth during the Cold War and set forth on a 200-year journey to seek a new planet to live on, but the new world it found was devoid of any landmass. With nowhere to go, the FEDORA crashes onto the planet, plunging its occupants into the watery depths, which they've learned to colonize. Meanwhile, Harold's mentor and resident scientist, Mareaux, attempts to find a power source to launch the ship back into space to find a more suitable planet to live on.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/harold-halibut-review-lost-in-its-own-deep-sea/1900-6418211/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 09:16:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418211</guid><dc:creator>Kurt Indovina</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/1592/15929708/4288310-harold-halibut-review-banner.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  24. <item><title>Children Of The Sun Review - One Shot</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/children-of-the-sun-review-one-shot/1900-6418208/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">It only takes a single bullet to burn down an empire. That's the ethos behind Children of the Sun, an excellent supernatural puzzle-shooter from solo developer René Rother and publisher Devolver Digital. Like many of the games in Devolver's vast library, Children of the Sun is wonderfully stylish, violent, and built on a unique gameplay hook; think Sniper Elite mixed with Superhot and you're on the right track without quite telling the whole story.</p><p dir="ltr">You play as a protagonist known simply as The Girl, a one-woman wrecking crew waging a vengeful war against the eponymous cult that ruined her life. As one cultist after another is turned to mincemeat behind the vindictive crosshairs of your sniper rifle, you gradually make your way up the food chain until coming face-to-scope with your true target: The Leader. While embarking on this blood-soaked killing spree, hand-drawn flashbacks reveal tidbits about the atrocities committed by this mysterious cult and The Girl's reasons for seeking revenge.</p><p dir="ltr">There's no dialogue during these cutscenes; instead, the narrative is intentionally minimalist, bombarding you with unnerving memories that are both terse and chaotic. This scattershot approach makes it difficult to glean all of the available information--perhaps deliberately so--which means you might feel lost and slightly detached from the story at times. It's all complemented by a discordant soundscape of ambient white noise that matches the game's striking art style--composed of deep purples and vivid yellows--and gritty, surreal tone. The game's arresting aesthetic paints a picture of a brutal world of saturated filth, where cultists defile seedy motels, gloomy forests, and derelict apartment buildings, spreading their deceitful disease like plague-infested rats.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/children-of-the-sun-review-one-shot/1900-6418208/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418208</guid><dc:creator>Richard Wakeling</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/43/434805/4282491-image.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  25. <item><title>Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection Review - Fire Away</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-review-fire-away/1900-6418207/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p>I spent many a weekend afternoon playing the first two Battlefront games back in 2004 and 2005, my friends and I sinking hundreds of hours into our repeated efforts to conquer the galaxy, recreate battles from the Star Wars movies, and theorize why the video game version of General Grievous was so much stronger than his movie counterpart. Heck, my hope that we'd one day see a Clone Wars animated series that focused on exploring the clones' individuality was born from Battlefront 2's wonderfully narrated 501st Journal. Now that I think about it, much of my love for Star Wars can be traced back to the first two Battlefront games. But that doesn't change that their dated mechanics and the unbalanced nature of their unrewarding tug-of-war matches don't hold up two decades later. And Aspyr Media does not address these issues in Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection, a collected pack of the two games, leaving them feeling like relics of a bygone era that aren't worth playing in this shape today.</p><p dir="ltr">Pandemic Studios' Battlefront and Battlefront 2 (not to be confused with EA DICE's 2015 Battlefront and 2017 Battlefront 2) are both shooters that focus on Star Wars' Clone Wars and Galactic Civil War periods, seeing you step into the boots of ordinary soldiers who participate in the conflicts. Mechanically, both games play very similarly to one another, though Battlefront 2 adds to the first with space battles, playable heroes (who are notable characters from the Star Wars movies like Yoda and Darth Vader), and a more story-driven campaign that ties into Revenge of the Sith.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1587/15875866/4282408-star3.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-4282408" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="1920" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1920px"><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1587/15875866/4282408-star3.jpg"><img alt="The 501st Journal is still great." src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1587/15875866/4282408-star3.jpg" srcset="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1587/15875866/4282408-star3.jpg 1920w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1587/15875866/4282408-star3.jpg 1280w, https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/1587/15875866/4282408-star3.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" data-width="1280"></a><figcaption>The 501st Journal is still great.</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">Each army features four standard soldier archetypes. You've got your assault rifle-wielding standard trooper, long-range sniper user, heavy-hitting rocket launcher demolitionist, and a support soldier who excels at short-range combat and fixing up vehicles. Beyond those four, each army has additional special units--the Republic Clone Army has the jetpack-equipped Jet Trooper, for example, while the CIS has the roly-poly Droideka. Because the main units all handle the same for the most part, you don't have to learn entirely new mechanics for each class, while the more specialized troopers add a bit of distinct flair to each army. I like it--it makes it easy to pick up both games while also ensuring the gameplay doesn't grow stale quickly.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-review-fire-away/1900-6418207/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:35:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418207</guid><dc:creator>Jordan Ramée</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/1587/15875866/4282406-star.jpg" type="image/jpeg" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  26. <item><title>Open Roads Review - Quick Trip</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/open-roads-review-quick-trip/1900-6418206/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p>I once read in a very profound article published in a very prestigious magazine (okay, it was a TikTok) that "daddy issues" make artists while "mommy issues" make writers. I can't attest to the science--or lack thereof--behind this statement, but as a writer born into a long line of guarded women who wielded pens as weapons, I can absolutely relate.</p><p dir="ltr">As such, I have a particular fondness for mother-daughter stories and the catharsis they can offer. When I heard the team behind Gone Home would be tackling the subject in their upcoming game Open Roads, I braced for a beautiful cross-country journey that would inevitably hit too close to home. However, while Open Roads has moments of relatability that are powered by solid dialogue, charming characters, and nostalgia, I was ultimately left underwhelmed by the walk-and-click exploration game. With a runtime too short to truly pull players in and an abrupt ending that leaves things feeling hastily resolved, Open Roads feels more like a pit stop than an adventure.</p><p dir="ltr">That's not to say the game's premise isn't interesting. Open Roads begins shortly after the death of the Devine family matriarch, Helen, and follows her daughter Opal and her granddaughter Tess as they cope with loss and what to do next. Throughout the entirety of the game, we play as Tess, a 16-year-old high school student who is every bit as strong-willed, cheeky, and hopeful as most 16-year-old girls are. On top of her grandmother's death, Tess is also processing her parents' recent separation and the loss of her home, as she and her mother lived with Helen but were not given the house upon her death.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/open-roads-review-quick-trip/1900-6418206/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:59:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418206</guid><dc:creator>Jessica Cogswell</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/1639/16394322/4280398-3787907-1.png" type="image/png" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
  27. <item><title>Pepper Grinder Review - Short And Spicy</title><link>https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pepper-grinder-review-short-and-spicy/1900-6418205/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f</link><description><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">It only takes a glance to understand Pepper Grinder's inventive gimmick. A small girl named Pepper--a pirate by trade--wields a drill named Grinder that's roughly the size of her entire body. The gear allows her to grind through soft surfaces with ease, complete with the ability to launch out of the surface with a leap. That might have been enough to carry the game by itself, but what's most surprising about Pepper Grinder is its sheer variety. Though it's short, that brevity helps to make the campaign a no-filler thrill ride that continuously pushes the boundaries of its central mechanic.</p><p dir="ltr">It turns out Grinder is a pretty versatile tool, even regarding its most basic function. You can burrow through the ground, which immediately feels natural and smooth. At the same time, you can't simply turn on a dime with an instant about-face like a typical platformer--you have to handle turns by curving an arc out of your drilling path. Additionally, when you pop out of the surface of the dirt, you won't gain much distance unless you jump just before breaking through. Those little touches give the core mechanic a sense of finesse, imitating the feeling of a playful dolphin--or at least, a dolphin video game like the classic Ecco.</p><p dir="ltr">Once you get the hang of it, drilling through soil and leaping out of the surface in a perfect arc, only to catch another piece of soft ground in the distance and continue your digging, feels thrilling and acrobatic. The drillable surfaces are nicely differentiated from hard environmental pieces, so you quickly learn to read a level and see the path through it, evoking a feeling similar to performing a great run in Tony Hawk. Collectibles like gems are scattered strategically throughout the stages to both subtly guide your eye along the path, while also sometimes setting traps for your greed.</p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pepper-grinder-review-short-and-spicy/1900-6418205/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f/">Continue Reading at GameSpot</a>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0700</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1900-6418205</guid><dc:creator>Steve Watts</dc:creator><media:content url="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/screen_medium/1585/15855271/4279419-peppergrinder_keyart.png" type="image/png" width="480" height="270" /><relatedGames></relatedGames><category></category></item>
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