Nate's Video Game Reviews: The Collection

A selection of my recent reviews for Uproxx, ComicBook, Wccftech, and this website. Last Update May 1, 2023:

2015

• ‘Resident Evil: Revelations 2’ Is Pretty Good For A First Draft

• ‘Bloodborne’ Is A Frightening, Yet Familiar Beast

• ‘Splatoon’ Is A Bright Idea That Doesn’t Quite Hit The Target

• ‘Batman: Arkham Knight’ Is Almost The Finale Arkham Deserves

• ‘Super Mario Maker’ Is A Surefire Idea That Mostly Stays On Course

• ‘The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter’ Is A Great Revival Of A Lost Genre

• ‘Mad Max’ Delivers A World Of Fire And Boredom

• ‘Armikrog’ Is Homey, Handcrafted And A Bit Rough Around The Edges

• ‘Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water’ Is A Slice Of Old-School Survival Horror

• ‘Star Wars Battlefront’ Stays On Target, But Its Lack Of Content Is Disturbing

• ‘WWE 2K16’ Builds Momentum, But Falls Short Of Vintage Status

2016

• ‘Unravel’ Is A Lovely Puzzle Game Tangled Up By Clunky Platforming

• ‘Street Fighter V’ Is Strong Contender Locked In A Fight With Itself

• ‘Pokkén Tournament’ Is The Super Effective Pokémon Fighting Game You’ve Always Wanted

• ‘Fallout 4: Automatron’ Is A Fun, But Ultimately Minor Tune-Up

• ‘Ratchet & Clank’ Aims High, But Needs To Tighten Up Its Foundation

• ‘Star Fox Zero’ Is A Fun, Fiery And Fuzzy Return To Form

• ‘Star Fox Guard’ Is Better Than A Slippy Toad Game Has Any Right To Be

• ‘Street Fighter V’ Finds Its Fighting Spirit In Its New Story Mode

• ‘Shadow Of The Beast’ Is A Strange Yet Likable Animal

• ‘TMNT: Mutants In Manhattan’ Falls Into The Ooze Of Licensed Mediocrity

• ‘Mirror’s Edge Catalyst’ Is A Thrilling High Wire Act

• ‘Mighty No. 9’ Isn’t The Mega Flop It’s Been Made Out To Be

• ‘Song Of The Deep’ Is A Refreshing Dive Into Familiar Waters

• ‘Batman: The Telltale Series’ Keeps Its Potential Shrouded In Shadow

• ‘Deus Ex: Mankind Divided’ Is A Sharp And Sneaky Tune Up

• ‘Batman: The Telltale Series – Episode 2’ Dishes Daring Twists And Dialed-Back Gameplay

• 'Zero Time Dilemma' Delivers a Weird and Wistful Windup

• 'Overcooked' is a Great Meal Best Enjoyed with Good Company

2017

• 'Paper Mario: Color Splash' Is a Vivid Adventure With a Few Sharp Edges

• 'The Last Guardian' Soars High on Broken Wings

• 1-2-Switch Reveals Its Namesake’s Strengths And Weaknesses

• Yooka-Laylee Survives Stumbles To Deliver Rare Old-School Fun

• Full Throttle Remastered Is A Polished Ride In Need Of A Deeper Overhaul

• Little Nightmares Is A Brief, Yet Terrifying Ordeal

• Prey Waits Too Long To Sink Its Teeth In

• Friday The 13th: The Game Lacks The Campy Fun To Make Up For Its Killer Issues

• Valkyria Revolution Smothers Its Promise In The Fog Of War

• New Nintendo 2DS XL Feels Like The Deluxe Model Even Without 3D

• Hey! Pikmin Is Short On Challenge, But Big On Charm

• Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice Is A Beautiful Nightmare, And Often As Fun As One

• Uncharted: The Lost Legacy Is A Treasure, Despite Sticking To A Familiar Map

• Pyre Review – A Fresh Take On Fantasy Sports That May Leave RPG Fans Feeling Burned

• Tokyo Dark Review – A New SPIN On An All-Too-Familiar Story

• NBA 2K18 Review – Strong Fundamentals Make Up For A Few Air Balls

• Darkwood Review – A New Twist on Survival Horror Gets Lost in The Woods

• Battle Chasers: Nightwar Review – A Playable 90s Comic Book, For Better or Worse

• WWE 2K18 Review – Then, Now, and Forever the Same Flawed Game

• Gran Turismo Sport Review – A Smooth Ride That’s Missing Something Under the Hood

• AER Memories of Old Review – A Fun, Yet Fleeting Flight

• Need for Speed Payback Review – An Entertaining Sandbox in Search of a Driving Force

• Sonic Forces Review – A Sincere Celebration of the Series at its Silliest

• Gear.Club Unlimited Review – Not a True Switch Racing Sim, But Still Seriously Fun

• Hand of Fate 2 Review – Nostalgia and Frustration is in the Cards

• Hello Neighbor Review – A Break and Enter Adventure That Ought to be Condemned

• Resident Evil 7 Not a Hero and End of Zoe DLC Review – Old Habits Die Hard

• Bridge Constructor Portal Review – A Solidly-Built Puzzler You’ll be GLaDOS You Played

2018

• Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition Review – Definitely Worth Your Quarter

• Lost Sphear Review – Dull Side of the Moon

• Candleman: The Complete Journey Review – Worth the Leap of Faith

• Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory Review – A Mundane Monster Mash

• Secret of Mana Review – A Remake That Plays to its Strengths

• Past Cure Review – There’s No Antidote for Overambition

• Fear Effect Sedna Review – Creative Ideas Buried by a Blizzard of Flaws

• Burnout Paradise Remastered Review – A Hot Ride in Need of a New GPS

• A Way Out Review – A Ceaselessly Creative Co-op Caper

• Battlestar Galactica Deadlock Review – A Frakking Slog

• Extinction Review – A Giant Troll

• Ash of Gods: Redemption Review – A Torn and Tattered Banner

• Murderous Pursuits Review – A Fun Party With a Few Deadly Faults

• Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Review – A Deep Dive into Rich Roleplaying Seas

• Omensight Review – A Decent Mystery Undone by Groundhog Day Drudgery

• Onrush Review – Beyond the Finish Line

• Jurassic World Evolution Review – A Predictable Park Builder Crying Out for More Chaos

• Sonic Mania Plus Review – Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

• The Banner Saga 3 Review – Shallow Strategy Fails to Sink a Superb Story

• Overcooked 2 Review – Fancied-Up Comfort Food

• The Walking Dead: The Final Season Episode 1 Review – Post-Apocalyptic Parenting Sim

• Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire “Beast of Winter” DLC Review – An Icy Drop in the Ocean

• The Low Road Review – Premium Point ‘n’ Click Nostalgia

• Shadows: Awakening Review – Diabelow Par

• NBA 2K19 Review – Ruler of the Court, Raider of Your Wallet

• Star Control: Origins Review – Star Talk The Next Generation

• The Walking Dead: The Final Season Episode 2 Review – A Bittersweet Last Bite

• Mega Man 11 Review – Blue Bomber Botch

• WWE 2K19 Review – Shaking Off the Ring Rust

• Lego DC Super-Villains Review – A Solid, Yet Square Adventure

• Call of Cthulhu Review – The Been-Done Horror

• Hitman 2 Review – Another Satisfying Assassination Assignment

• Road Redemption Review – Nostalgia Wipeout

• Wandersong Review – Emotional Annihilation Anthem

• Ride 3 Review – Accessibility Meets Obsession

• Just Cause 4 Review – Workmanlike Revolution

• Everspace: Stellar Edition Nintendo Switch Review – To Infinity, Beyond, and Back Again

• Book of Demons Review – An Inviting Inferno

2019

• The Walking Dead: The Final Season Episode 3 Review – A Nerve-Racking Return

• Resident Evil 2 Review – Steadfast Survival Horror

• Jon Shafer’s At the Gates Review – Barbarian Aggravations

• Resident Evil 2 The Ghost Survivors DLC Review – Non-Stop Apparition Action

• Trials Rising Review – A Familiar Thrill Ride

• The Occupation Review – A Cracked Case

• Eternity: The Last Unicorn Review – Deserving of Extinction

• The Walking Dead: The Final Season Episode 4 Review – Never Go Alone

• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Review – A Merciful Killer

• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy Review – Justice Rises Again

• Dangerous Driving Review – High-Speed Pileup

• World War Z Review – Left 4 Dead Ringer

• Mortal Kombat 11 Review – Gore and Grind

• Rise of Industry Review – Business Before Pleasure

• Rage 2 Review – Low-Stress Apocalypse

• Observation Review – Outer Space Office Work

• Outer Wilds Review – Stumbling Through a Stunning Solar System

• Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled Review – Fast and Familiar Fuzzy Fun

• Sea of Solitude Review – Sailing Choppy Emotional Waters

• Wolfenstein: Youngblood Review – The Kids Are Only Alright

• Age of Wonders: Planetfall Review – Space War Never Changes

• Oninaki Review – Dramatic Story, Erratic Action

• Man of Medan Review – A Rusted, Yet Still Seaworthy Ghost Ship

• NBA 2K20 Review – A Veteran Comeback

• Borderlands 3 Review – Fun Vaults with Some New Faults

• The Sojourn Review – Satisfying Puzzles, Mystifying World

• Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince Review – The Old Magic is Back

• Little Town Hero Review – Humble Folks with Some Frustration

• WWE 2K20 Review – Royal Fumble

• Moons of Madness Review – Lovecraftian Roller Coaster

• Luigi’s Mansion 3 Review – Bustin’ Makes Me Feel Good

• Need for Speed Heat Review – Middle of the Road

• Shenmue III Review – Nostalgia-Drunken Master

• Arise: A Simple Story Review – A Good Life, A So-So Video Game

• Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York Review – A Thin, Yet Tasty NYC Slice

2020

• Journey to the Savage Planet Review – Metroid Prime Lifeline

• Zombie Army 4: Dead War Review – Gory, Goofy, and Gripping

• The Suicide of Rachel Foster Review – Lost in the Storm

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Review – Keeping it Roguelite

• MLB The Show 20 Review – Hit Down the Line

• Resident Evil 3 Review – Abrupt Action Masterclass

• Resident Evil Resistance Review – Lair of the Loot Box

• Sakura Wars Review – A Lover, Not a Fighter

• Streets of Rage 4 Review – A Beautiful Brawl Down Memory Lane

• Maneater Review – Rough Waters Ahead

• Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath DLC Review – Thin Blood

• Disintegration Review – Explosive Multiplayer, Cracked Campaign

• Summer in Mara Review – Frustration Vacation

• Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise Review – New York State of Mind

• Creaks Review – Dazzling Depths

• Destroy All Humans! Review – 2000s: A Game Odyssey

• Skully Review – Ain’t That a Kick in the Head

• Battletoads Review – Graceful Genre Hopper

• EA Sports UFC 4 Review – Solid Fundamentals, Bad Conditioning

• Crusader Kings III Review – Game of Endless Thrones

• NBA 2K21 Review – Low-Effort Layup

• WWE 2K Battlegrounds Review – MicrotransactionMania

• Star Wars: Squadrons Review – A Beautiful Yet Bumpy Flight

• Genshin Impact Review – Gacha Highjacked

• Remothered: Broken Porcelain Review – Tell Your Children Not to Walk My Way

• Visage Review – Terrifying, Mystifying, Satisfying

• The Pathless Review – A Trail Worth Sticking To

• Demon’s Souls Review – Polishing a Diamond in the Rough

• The Falconeer Review – Stuck in a Holding Pattern

• Empire of Sin Review – Disorganized Crime

• NBA 2K21 Next-Gen Review – One Foot Still on the Ground

• Shady Part of Me Review – In the Shadow of Indie Giants

2021

• Hitman 3 Review – A Steady Hand on the Trigger

• Little Nightmares II Review – Bigger, But Not Better

• Curse of the Dead Gods Review – A Test of Skill and Patience

• PixelJunk Raiders Review – A Dry Addition to the Stadia Desert

• It Takes Two Review – Love is a Multi-Genre Thing

• Evil Genius 2: World Domination Review – Good Minions are Hard to Find

• MLB The Show 21 Review – Taking the Walk Into the Next Generation

• Resident Evil Village Review – Horror’s Greatest Hits Come Home

• Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground Review – A Mixed Hand

• Necromunda: Hired Gun Review – A Buggy Trip to the Underhive

• Chicory: A Colorful Tale Review – A Perfectly Imperfect Picture

• Mario Golf: Super Rush Review – Mushroom Kingdom Master Stroke

• Edge of Eternity Review – A Pretty Yet Imperfect Blade

• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Review – Drifting on a Familiar Breeze

• Cris Tales Review – A Beautiful Yet Unreliable Timepiece

• Tribes of Midgard Review – Plundering with Pals

• Recompile Review – Sloppy Code

• No More Heroes III Review – Garden of Insanity and Inanity

• Aragami 2 Review – Tried-and-True Exterminator

• NBA 2K22 Next-Gen Review – Lean and Mean

• AWAY: The Survival Series Review – A Turbulent Glide

• Jett: The Far Shore Review – Rage of Discovery

• Lemnis Gate Review – Time-Locked Potential

• Riders Republic Review – A Beautiful Rocky Road

• Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition Review – Busted Nostalgia

• Jurassic World Evolution 2 Review – Prehistory Repeats Itself

• Metroid Dread Doesn’t Save Samus from Decades of Bad Storytelling

• Solar Ash Review – Voidrunning in Circles

2022

• Nobody Saves the World Review – Curious Class Action

• Dying Light 2 Stay Human Review – An Apocalypse Divided

• Grid Legends Review – Just Short of the Podium

• Shadow Warrior 3 Review – Lo Ambitions

• WWE 2K22 Review – Failure to Capitalize

• Tunic Review – A Cozy Old-School Fit

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land Review – Pink Puffball Perfection

• Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Review – Compelling Galaxy, Cliff-Notes Story

• MLB The Show 22 Review – An Uneventful At Bat

• Galactic Civilizations IV Review – A Far-Reaching and Unfriendly Frontier

• Nintendo Switch Sports Review – Light Competition

• Warhammer 40K: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters Review – Outrunning the Apocalypse

• Evil Dead: The Game Review – Deadite by Daylight

• Mario Strikers: Battle League Review – Raucous and Repetitive

• Sonic Origins Review – Half-Baked Hedgehog Rehash

• Stray Review – A Genre-Curious Cat

• Live A Live Review – Rousing Intro, Routine Finale

• Rollerdrome Review – The Grind is Real

• Rumbleverse Review – A Losing Battle Royale

• Kirby’s Dream Buffet Review – Roundly Disappointing

• I Was a Teenage Exocolonist Review – The Space Kids Are Alright

• Splatoon 3 Review – A Fresh Yet Familiar Coat of Paint

• NBA 2K23 Review – Air of Greatness

• Return to Monkey Island Review – A Mighty Charming Pirate

• New Tales from the Borderlands Review – Tiresome Telltale Attempt

• Bayonetta 3 Review – Umbra-lievable Climax

• The Chant Review – An Oft-Repeated Survival Horror Refrain

• Pentiment Review – Medieval Justice Done Justice

• Ship of Fools Review – A Lively but Leaky Vessel

• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Review – Beauty is in the Eye of the Trainer

• Need for Speed Unbound Review – Tuned Up, but Still No Champion

• Dragon Quest Treasures Review – A Semiprecious Bauble

2023

• Fire Emblem Engage Review – Flashy Fights, Forgettable Fraternizing

• Season: A Letter to the Future Review – A Fleeting Farewell

• Dead Space Review – An Effective Yet Finite Facelift

• Octopath Traveler II Review – Same Systems, Superior Stories

• Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe Review – Lavish Yet Lightweight

• WWE 2K23 Review – A Solid Midcard Performance

• Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon Review – A Captivating Companion Piece

• Resident Evil 4 Review – A Restrained REinvention

• MLB The Show 23 Review – Features Home Run, Gameplay Bunt

• Meet Your Maker Review – Building a Better Deathtrap

• Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp Review – Familiar Front Lines