July is already drawing to a close! If the release plan was already full, some members of the editorial team plunged into their backlog, while others preferred to dive into turquoise water. As you can see below, the titles selected in our favorites are very diverse. From AAA to independent games, from re-releases to Game Pass batches, anything is possible! See instead.
Grim fandango – Yes
After a first part a few years ago, which I quickly gave up because of its too twisted puzzles, I decided this month to restart myself and bring the cult to an end. Grim fandango. A decision I haven’t regretted since Tim Schafer’s title turned out to be a real slap in the face for the player I am. It’s simple, in terms of writing, it punishes everything that’s been done in video games for the past few years.
It’s funny, the dubbing is memorable, it has an incomparable atmosphere, in short, we find all of Schafer’s genius. So yes, the game has undeniably aged, especially in its gameplay and puzzles, which are impossible to solve without a walkthrough (Rubacava is a trauma to anyone who has played it). But when you get over it, you will experience one of the greatest stories that can be told in a video game.
Jurassic World Evolution – Franck 1707
If you are passionate about dinosaurs and know your way around management games, how can you not wait impatiently? Jurassic World Evolution 2 ? The second episode, planned for this year and still being developed by Frontier Development, promises to take the realism and quality of the first opus even further. And this is exactly what kept me busy for a long time this month of July.
Released in June 2018, for me it is the worthy successor to Jurassic Park Operation Genesis. As always, your goal is to build the best possible park on each of the islands of the Cinco Muertes archipelago in order to get the maximum benefit from them. Fans of the movie saga like myself will be amazed at the correspondence between the game and the universe of the franchise. Without also forgetting the different characters that result from it, who intervene there. Overall, the title offers a high quality experience with a good balance between management and accessibility for newbies.
As a bonus, we benefit from absolutely lush graphics, both in terms of landscapes, infrastructures and animals. The latter are remarkably modeled and have convincing behavior. On top of that, but not limited to, the developers claim to have raised the bar even higher for the upcoming sequel this year. More than ever, I can’t wait to play it. In the meantime, you can still practice Jurassic World Evolution, which is also included in the Xbox Game Pass console catalog.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – The Ö
At the end of an intensive trip in Norway (Assassin’s Creed Valhalla), I decided to go back and embark on the adventure ofAssassin’s Creed Odysseywhich I wasn’t thrilled about when it was released in 2018. Here I am embarking on a journey into the heart of ancient Greece in the 5th century BC. As a big fan of the license I had to finish this episode, it’s finished now!
Breathtaking landscapes, a fairly dense flora and fauna, a rough sea full of enemy ships, paradisiacal islands and less: The Odyssey of Kassandra begins in a world that is as breathtaking as it is tempting. At the center of the story is the heroine’s desire to find her family. But his path is full of pitfalls. Fearsome opponents await her, as do complicated decisions she has to make in order to fulfill her wishes. Although most of the game takes place on land, sailing and battling other ships on the seas are two things that are important.
I think the scenario is pretty well done. Certain events in the story have pleasantly surprised me, although the latter can become quite redundant as the game progresses; in short, a very good epic in ancient Greece awaits all types of players.
Last stop – Koryah
Often this happens through feeling. A summary, a few pictures and a name and off you go on your adventure. Without even trying to find out who is behind this title, I opened the door to this other world and let the magic work more. Omitting the name of the studio will ultimately be my meeting with Last stop even stronger and more unique. Because yeah, I know Variable State for giving me one of the most intense video gaming experiences out there Virginia. But through the start Last stop, I didn’t know what to find. It wasn’t until after some familiar sensations in the very cinematic direction, graphic touch and lush soundtrack – which made you feel light, playful, a little more alive than usual – and after stumbling across an Easter egg that I realized I was in before my eyes her new work. And there … madness multiplied by a thousand. Things are a mess sometimes, right?
Last stop is a narrative game in which you can play as three characters with intertwined fates in the order you want. The plot is a delicious mix of mystery, the supernatural and everyday life in a seductive London. It’s pretty with eye-catching camera footage. Although he takes up serious topics such as infidelity, overwork, professional ambition or even family, he knows how to show ease in rather funny situations, which has brought me many outbursts. Divided into seven chapters, it enchanted me to the end and much more. Because yes, it still haunts me. These characters could be you or me …
Crystals – Me_t
The desire to dive back into an RPG with turn-based combat has been palpable for some time. And the arrival in Xbox Game Pass from Crystals, developed by the Colombian studio Dreams Uncorporated, brought me to a standstill. At first glance, it was mainly his artistic direction and his animations that made me crack. The characters and sets are entirely hand drawn and look great on screen. But apart from her aesthetics, it was one of her gameplay specifics that attracted me: the heroine’s ability to travel through time. And that gives the combat system a certain depth.
For example, poison an enemy, send him into the future and of course the poison will defeat him. In addition, there is the management of the elements (fire, earth, water, lightning, etc.) according to the enemies and their vulnerability. Also, you can modify your equipment to receive passive bonuses or simply increase your stats. Ultimately, the clashes will be played out with three characters and you will also need to manage your allies and find complementarities between their skills and yours in order to create effective combos. A wealth that is much greater than the beginning of the adventure suggests. I have traveled the world of Crystalsand I didn’t see time go by. Certainly a good choice.
Scarlet Nexus – Ashaika
Who hasn’t dreamed of starring in an epic anime? If I hadn’t found my happiness in the adaptations by then, Scarlet Nexus Changed things. I got to play Kasane and Yuito in an adventure that seemed a bit simple at first, but the richness of the story is only achieved through the depth of the gameplay.
I’ve already spent about 30 hours battling the Others with the various powers of the adventure heroes, and in many places it airs anime. The epic battles, the characters’ reaction, the plot (and the power of friendship), everything is well done for you to be the hero of this adventure. And what about the music worthy of the most epic OSTs from other manga adaptations. Join in and discover this universe that I am already hoping for a sequel!
This brings us to the end of our monthly selection. Would you like some titles? What’s your favorite of the month? Don’t hesitate to reply in comments! We’ll meet at the end of August for a new episode of our column.
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