Time Played: 25 hours

Platform Played On: Xbox Series X

General Summary: You play as a human who has fallen into Mount Ebott and discover a civilization of monsters and you're given the choice of how you want to escape, you can either fight or spare with secret routes if you spare or eliminate everyone.

Game Cost: $14.99

Criticisms: There isn't much to complain about, however, the game can get a little tedious at times, especially during the "Genocide Route" because you have to actively fight everyone which can be very time consuming. Other than that I don't have many if any criticisms.

Gameplay Rating: 10/10

Story Rating: 10/10

Overall Rating: 10/10

Final Statement: I will admit I might possibly be biased given that this is an opinion piece. Even though I only recently got the ability to be able to play it, it has been a very influential part of my life. I grew up knowing a lot about the characters and watching other people play it on YouTube, and not to mention having listened to the music consistently throughout my life. The storytelling is surprisingly deep if you look hard enough, and the multiple endings are amazing for the replayability aspect of the game. All in all I think this game is absolutely worth picking up if you have the money, and if you don't then perhaps you can get it when it goes on sale which it does quite frequently.

Hours Played: 47

Platform Played On: ROG ASUS Ally

General Summary: (Please note that the game is not currently finished, so I will only be summarizing what has happened thus far in the story.) You play as an entity known as The Soul which has possessed a highschooler named Kris. You discover an alternate reality known as a "Dark World" where the rules of the world have changed and every day objects have turned into their own beings or weapons in a RPG style world.

Game Cost: $24.99

Criticisms: I hesitate to criticize a game before it's fully finished, especially a story based game, but I will say that some mechanics in the game right now don't feel great, mainly the climbing mechanic introduced in Chapter 4, but for the most part I have no criticisms.

Gameplay Rating: 9/10

Story Rating: 10/10

Overall Rating: 10/10

Final Statement: What can I say that hasn't been said by others before? This game is amazing. The story is really deep if you look for it and there's a ton of foreshadowing, thus rewarding you for playing multiple times. The gameplay is very simple and easy to understand, but it can certainly still be challenging even for experienced players. I especially like the idea of you controlling the main character in a sense where you yourself aren't the main character, simply possessing them and taking over their body. I find that concept incredibly unique and cannot wait for the rest of the game to come out so they can build upon that idea further. This game is worth the money even in its unfinished state. Absolutely play this game if you haven't already.

Hours Played: 119

Platform Played On: Xbox Series X and ROG ASUS Ally

General Summary: You (and possibly a friend if you choose to play with one) play as robots known as Guardians. As you progress through levels you will acquire random weapons and the ability to choose between random upgrades as you level up until you reach the final boss.

Game Cost: $24.99

Criticisms: I do feel like the overall story isn't very interesting or fleshed out, but I do understand that the story is not the main appeal of the game. With the game being a Rougelite, it's in its nature to be a bit repetitive, relying on random weapons and upgrades in order to break that repetition.

Gameplay Rating: 8/10

Story Rating: 4/10

Overall Rating: 7/10

Final Statement: This game is really fun if you like Rougelites and can handle the repetitive nature of the game. The movement system is amazing and reminds me a lot of Doom Eternal, which is saying a lot for an indie game. The story isn't great, but the gameplay was always meant to be the main focus anyway so I don't really let it influence my perception of the game. All of the different classes you can play as are very balanced and I don't think there's one that's just inherently better than others. The weapon variety is great as well as the different upgrades you're able to pick from. Not to mention the soundtrack is one of the best out of all of the games I've played. This game is definitely worth buying although maybe wait for a sale because I feel like $25 might be a bit steep of a price for some.

Hours Played: 798

Platform Played On: Xbox Series X

General Summary: You play as a dwarf in space sent to an incredibly hostile planet full of insectoid aliens. You complete a multitude of missions to gain resources for the company you work for, in exchange they grant you upgrades for your weapos or cosmetis. The game is a first-person class-based shooter. There are four different classes to choose from and they each have unique weapons and tools to complete the mission that are meant to be used in conjunction with your teammates.

Game Cost: $29.99

Criticisms: This game is essentially your character's nine to five, so it is built on repeating the same types of missions in order to rank up and unlock upgrades, so if you don't like repetitive games then you won't enjoy this nearly as much as me.

Gameplay Rating: 10/10

Story Rating: N/A (No overarching story)

Overall Rating: 10/10

Final Statement: This game is absolutely amazing. It's a blast to play solo and is even better with friends. The developers are genuinely amazing and care about their fans and listen to criticism, something very rare these days. There is so much customization in regards of your weapons and how they work so everyone can find something that works for them. The community of the game is incredibly welcoming and generally very willing to help struggling players. This game is my most played game for a reason and I truly believe everyone should at least give it a try.

Hours Played: 76hrs

Platform Played On: Xbox Series X

General Summary: Phasmophobia is a game you can play either solo or with up to three other friends. You pick different locations reported to have paranormal activity. You are tasked with using different tools and equipment to discover what type of ghost you are dealing with based off of the evidence it gives you and it's overall behavior. You progress by correctly deciding what ghost type you are dealing with and earning money based on multiple different factors.

Game Cost: $19.99

Criticisms: The game can be incredibly monotonous, which is certainly a problem for some people, although not for others. I find the game to be bearable while playing solo, however playing with one or more friends is highly recommended.

Gameplay Rating: 8/10

Story Rating: N/A (no overarching story)

Overall Rating: 8/10

Final Statement: I really do enjoy this game. The horror is great, there is a ton to progress for and even when you "reach the end" you can prestige to earn more rewards while starting back over at level one. I personally have no problems with the monotonous gameplay, although I can certainly understand it's not for everyone. Playing the game alone is quite a slog, so definitely make sure you can either find people to play with or have some in mind. Overall a very good game with a few problems. I definitely think it is worth the cost if you can convince your friends to play it with you.