REVIEWS

Games both new and old, judged by the only question that matters:

Do they deserve a place on the shelf?

  • WOTS State of Play 2026 – Two Weeks Late and Right on Time

    WOTS State of Play 2026 – Two Weeks Late and Right on Time

    State of Play 2026 delivered nostalgia, superheroes, horror, and more than a few reasons for cautious optimism. From Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered to Marvel’s Wolverine, here’s what stuck with me after the showcase ended.

  • Viewfinder – A Different Perspective

    Viewfinder – A Different Perspective

    Viewfinder delivers one of the coolest puzzle mechanics in recent memory, bending photos into physical spaces and turning perspective into progress. It is clever, beautiful, and occasionally brilliant, even if it runs out of steam before reaching true Top Shelf status.

  • Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II Review – Spectacle Without Evolution

    Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II Review – Spectacle Without Evolution

    A massive, chaotic horde shooter with satisfying combat and impressive scale, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II delivers spectacle but struggles to stand out in a crowded genre.

  • Cocoon – A Brilliant Puzzle Game of Worlds Within Worlds

    Cocoon – A Brilliant Puzzle Game of Worlds Within Worlds

    A puzzle game where worlds exist inside objects—and inside each other. Cocoon blends minimalist design with inventive mechanics to create one of the most quietly compelling indie experiences in recent memory.

  • The $60 Game Was a Lie – How Video Game Pricing Actually Evolved

    The $60 Game Was a Lie – How Video Game Pricing Actually Evolved

    For nearly two decades, video games cost $60. But that number didn’t tell the whole story. From cartridge-era pricing to modern $70 titles, here’s how game pricing really evolved—and why $60 was never the full cost.

  • Millennials and Money – Nostalgia, Debt, and the Cost of Feeling Better

    Millennials and Money – Nostalgia, Debt, and the Cost of Feeling Better

    Millennials are earning more than ever but still can’t afford the life we were promised. So we cope. Nostalgia spending, payment plans, and small hits of joy are filling the gap between financial reality and expectation. But what is it really costing us?

  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – A Masterpiece That Doesn’t Always Know It

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – A Masterpiece That Doesn’t Always Know It

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 delivers a stunning world, inventive combat, and unforgettable music. Despite pacing issues and technical flaws, it stands as one of the most unique RPGs in years.

  • Resident Evil Village – A Gothic Grab Bag of Horror

    Resident Evil Village – A Gothic Grab Bag of Horror

    Resident Evil Village throws Ethan Winters into a snowy nightmare filled with vampires, werewolves, and mechanical monstrosities. With shifting horror styles, memorable set pieces, and relentless pacing, Village stands as one of the franchise’s most ambitious entries.

  • What Makes a Game Too Hard? A Case Study in Difficulty

    The debate over game difficulty isn’t going anywhere. From sliders and invisible tuning to “git gud” purity and summons, here’s a grounded look at what different designs get right—and wrong—and why the best answer might simply be: let people play how they want.

  • How Long Is Too Long? Video Game Length and the Aging Gamer

    Once I hit 67% completion in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a familiar dread set in—not because I wasn’t enjoying myself, but because the end was already in sight. As gamers age and free time shrinks, the question becomes unavoidable: how long is too long for a video game to ask of us?