By Kevin Wong on Aug 31, 2018 08:30 pm
Sharp Objects spoilers ahead!
HBO's Sharp Objects was a mini series with a purpose. Ostensibly, it was a murder mystery concerning the brutal deaths of two young girls from Wind Gap, Missouri. We meet Camille Preaker, a journalist who's been assigned to cover the murders in Wind Gap. It's her hometown, and even though she's spent her entire adult life getting away from it, she accepts the assignment and returns. She's forced to relive old traumas, and over the course of eight episodes, it becomes increasingly clear why she left in the first place. This is a diseased, decaying place, where memories are long and gossip runs wild. In the final episode, Camille's mother Adora is arrested for the murders; we learn Adora suffers from Munchausen syndrome by proxy (seeking attention and validation through the care of another, whose ills you inflict upon them) and also poisoned Camille's younger sister, Marian, years prior. She might have killed Camille's other younger sister, Amma, had Camille not intervened. And then, in the last 60 seconds of the final episode, the show pulls the rug out from under us. Amma is the real killer. She just killed another little girl. And she used the dead girls' teeth--after pulling them out with pliers--to line the floor in her dollhouse. What. The. Hell. But as abrupt and as awful as this was, it was a fair twist; the show had planted multiple hints, both practical and thematic, throughout all eight episodes. Here are nine clues that you probably missed the first time around, gathered from Reddit, social media, and our own analysis. This is a show that rewards repeated viewings--if you have the stomach for it.
1. Serial Sneak
The show establishes, early on, that Amma is not a suspect, which means, to any seasoned mystery fan, that she should be a top suspect. Her mother saw her as a sweet little girl. The town saw her as Adora's favorite, perfect daughter. The sheriff tipped his hat whenever she roller skated by. And that trust, which everyone took for granted, gave Amma free reign and access to sneak out of the house, kill the girls, pose a body in an alleyway, and hide another victim's bike on the Preaker pig farm (which of course, she has access to). Amma was the only main character who had the time to commit both murders, and the privacy to do so without anyone being the wiser. And she revealed, early on, that she's not so innocent; Camille got a peak at her darker, controlling, bullying side when they ran into each other at the gas station in Episode 2. Amma was unbelievably cruel to her sister, to the point that Camille was shocked by her duplicity.
2. Don't Touch The Dollhouse
The dollhouse was so disturbing because it was hiding in plain sight. It's the first thing Amma showed Camille, and it thematically reinforces Adora's protectiveness; she wanted to keep Amma as her little dress-up doll, who relied on her for every need. But more subtly, the dollhouse reinforced how controlling Amma was over the people in her life, especially her victims.. And whenever someone, such as Camille or Adora, approached or tried to touch the dollhouse, notice how Amma always grabbed their hands and shot them a dirty look. Lots of serial killers keep trophies or mementos of their killings. Amma collected teeth, and she used them to create an "ivory" floor in her dollhouse that she couldn't allow anyone to discover.
3. The Ivory Floor
Speaking of the ivory floor, we might have guessed that something was up with it. Adora spent a whole scene explaining the ivory floor to Detective Willis; an expository treatment given to no other area of the house, With Amma being so picky and specific about the fabric of her dollhouse's mini-bedspreads, it made sense that she would show a similar meticulousness to the house's most extravagant, infamous feature. And with ivory now illegal, another tusk-like substance, like a little girl's teeth, would have to do. Some additional foreshadowing: Camille, both as a woman and in flashbacks as a teenager, seemed scared of the room, almost as if she sensed some awful secret or presence inside. But she should have been more frightened of the miniature replica.
4. Subtle Confessions
Several times throughout the series, Amma said thing that were, in retrospect, loaded with double meaning. She usually did this when she was either high or drunk, when her guard was down. In this particular screenshot from Episode 3, Amma was telling Camille how much her two girlfriends love her: "They'd do anything for me. I just ask." It turned out to be true; they held Amma's first two victims down while she choked them out. Other verbal semi-confessions: In Episode 5, Amma confided to Camille: "Sometimes, when I show off in front of my friends, I get carried away." In Episode 8, while under the influence of her mother's poison, she imagined herself as Persephone, queen of the Underworld in Greek mythology. How on-the-nose can you get?
5. Matching Poses
Both Amma and the second victim, Natalie Keene, were seated in identical, doll-like poses by window sills--the latter in Episode 1 and the former in Episode 5. It was a meta allusion that the characters weren't aware of. Amma looked like a doll throughout the series, with her hands crossed behind her back and her flouncy, childish dresses. To then make a thematic leap to Natalie, who Detective Willis described as being posed like a "prop or doll," was not too difficult. The first time watching, because we don't suspect Amma, we saw this posing as possible foreshadowing that Amma might be a future victim. In retrospect, it highlighted Amma's jealousy. She wanted to be her mother's sole doll and plaything. And when Natalie got in the way of that, she had to die. The identical pose is symbolic of Amma taking her power back from the girl she killed.
6. A "Funny" Hanging
Not much to say here. Serial killers usually have a modus operandi, a ritualized manner of murdering that stays consistent from victim to victim. Amma favored choking her victims to death. In this shot from the final episode, Amma showed her future victim, Mae (foreground), how she was going to kill her. In fact, if you watched the mid-credits kill montage carefully, you could see that this was the exact alleyway where Mae met her untimely demise.
7. "The Cool Girls"
The amount of casual mean girl stuff that Amma and her two friends pulled while roller skating around town should have set off an alarm bell. They were always giggling about the murders or about the speculation surrounding them. Two notable incidents stood out. When Camille warned them in Episode 2 to be careful because there's someone killing little girls, one of them smugly said that none of the "cool girls" were being killed. Of course they could skate around with a killer on the loose; they had nothing to fear from themselves. In Episode 7, when the sheriff warned two of the girls to be careful of men who might hit them with their cars, one of them replied, "Or she. Don't be sexist, chief." It's ironic that the same Southern culture, which treats women as gentle flowers incapable of violence, was also complicit in covering for these three girls' ghastly crimes.
8. Revisiting The Crime Scene
Whenever there's a crime of passion (or a deliberate destruction of property, such as an arson), law enforcement keeps an eye out for a suspect at the scene of the crime--someone who is overly interested in the case or is lingering about, taking in the destruction from all angles. It's a psychological thrill for some criminals to see their handiwork and assess the damage they've caused. When Natalie Keene's body is discovered, the three girls were right there, on roller skates, to witness everyone else's grief. Of course John Keene was there as well; he was family, which automatically made him a suspect. But we learned, over the course of the next several episodes, that John did not have the stomach for this kind of work. And at that point, we should have considered the girls more carefully.
9. Matching Outfits
And lastly, notice that Amma and her victims shared color schemes. Ann Nash's bike, which was fished out of the water on the Preaker property in Episode 6, had a bicycle seat that was white and covered with blue flowers. We saw Amma wearing the same colors in Episode 4. Amma's dress on Calhoun Day in Episode 5 was the same dress that Mae was wearing in Episode 8. Again, when we first see these matching colors, we assume the show is foreshadowing how much danger Amma is in. But the truth is far more sinister; Amma intended to kill these girls, because she craved the attention they received from Adora and Camille; she felt, in her mind, that she was being replaced as the girl who was most loved and most admired. One pretty doll for another. Why did we, along with the citizens of Wind Gap, consistently give Amma a pass? She was young, pretty, and charismatic; there were more externally broken, obvious suspects who were easier to blame. The show intended for us to blame Wind Gap for not seeing the truth in front of them. But the show worked equally hard to ensure that its viewers share that blame as well.
By Mat Elfring on Aug 31, 2018 02:35 am
The first week of WWE 2K19 roster reveals has come and gone. In a recent video from publisher 2K, WWE superstars Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel, Rusev, and Lana revealed over 70 superstars for the upcoming October game. They all discussed the playable wrestlers on the new roster while Rusev joked about the table they were sitting at--which he said his grandfather made from the forests of Bulgaria, a point made numerous times during the 40-minute presentation. You can learn everyone that was revealed in the most recent batch of announcements by clicking the August 30 link below. Fans of both Daniel Bryan are going to be very happy as 2K is bringing back Showcase Mode for WWE 2K19, which follows the career of the superstar. From his first match as Bryan Danielson to his feuds with The Miz, it will be covered in the upcoming game. One of the selling points for WWE 2K series is the gigantic roster, which WWE 2K19 will have. This year's edition will undoubtedly have a plethora of superstars to choose from when the game releases on October 9, 2018. Last year's WWE 2K18 ended up with over 180 wrestlers--the largest in the history of the series--and while 2K isn't boasting this year's edition will topple that, yet, it should still be more than any player can handle. It's early, and there still aren't specific details about gameplay, aside from the Million Dollar Challenge, which takes place within the new Challenge Mode. However, there have already been a few announcements for characters on the roster, including cover star AJ Styles and pre-order bonus characters Ronda Rousey and Rey Mysterio. Additionally, the $130 Wooooo! Edition of the game has been announced which comes with a bunch of exclusives including a season pass, exclusive roster additions, a piece of Ric Flair's robe, early access to play, and more. This year's edition will be skipping Nintendo Switch, after last year's port featured a bevy of problems from frame rate issues to resolution dropping down to 540p, even in docked mode. However, the game will still be released in early October for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. If you're interested in pre-ordering WWE 2K19, check out our pre-order guide, with all the info about what each edition contains, where to buy it, and pricing. Over the course of the next few months, we'll keep you updated with all the newly confirmed superstars in the game, as well as a breakdown of which shows these wrestlers are from and how many new additions will be playable. You can find links to the latest updates below as well. Confirmed playable characters breakdown (so far): - Total wrestlers: 88
- New to the series: 18
- Raw superstars: 51
- Smackdown superstars: 8
- Legends: 7
- NXT superstars: 20
- 205 Live: superstars: 0
- Men's division: 70
- Women's division: 18
Jump ahead to the latest updates:
AJ Styles (Smackdown)
Cover star.
Ronda Rousey (Raw)
New to the series. Pre-order bonus character.
Rey Mysterio (Legend)
New to the series. Pre-order bonus character.
Ric Flair (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains exclusive Wrestlemania 24 attire.
Charlotte (Smackdown)
Deluxe edition contains exclusive Wrestlemania 32 attire.
Dusty Rhodes (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains '80s-inspired character.
"Macho Man" Randy Savage (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains '80s-inspired character in his Wrestlemania VIII attire.
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains '80s-inspired character.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains '80s-inspired character.
Undertaker (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains the character in his 2002 Bikertaker outfit.
Daniel Bryan (Smackdown)
2K announced that the Daniel Bryan's career will be the subject of WWE 2K19's Showcase Mode. There will be 11 different models of Bryan, each with its own unique moveset and look. Additionally, GameSpot talked to Bryan about his longtime feud with WWE superstar The Miz.
Randy Orton (Smackdown)
John Cena
Kane (Smackdown)
Kofi Kingston (Smackdown)
Tyler Bate (NXT UK)
Pete Dunne (NXT UK)
Adam Cole (NXT)
Akam (Raw)
Aleister Black (NXT)
Alexa Bliss (Raw)
Alicia Fox (Raw)
Angelo Dawkins (NXT)
Apollo Crews (Raw)
Baron Corbin (Raw)
Bayley (Raw)
Bianca Belair (NXT)
Big Show (Raw)
Bo Dallas (Raw)
Bobby Fish (NXT)
Bobby Roode (Raw)
Braun Strowman (Raw)
Bray Wyatt (Raw)
Brock Lesnar (raw)
Chad Gable (Raw)
Curt Hawkins (Raw)
Curtis Axel (Raw)
Dana Brooke (Raw)
Dash Wilder (Raw)
Dean Ambrose (Raw)
Dolph Ziggler (Raw)
Drew McIntyre (Raw)
Elias (Raw)
Sasha Banks (Raw)
Ember Moon (Raw)
Fandango (Raw)
Finn Balor (Raw)
Goldust (Raw)
Heath Slater (Raw)
Jason Jordan (Raw)
Jinder Mahal (Raw)
Johnny Gargano (NXT)
Kairi Sane (NXT)
Kassius Ohno (NXT)
Kevin Owens (Raw)
Konnor (Raw)
Lana (Smackdown)
Lars Sullivan (NXT)
Liv Morgan (Raw)
Matt Hardy (Raw)
Mickie James (Raw)
Mojo Rawley (Raw)
Montez Ford (NXT)
Sarah Logan (Raw)
Natalya (Raw)
Nia Jax (Raw)
Nick Miller (NXT)
No Way Jose (Raw)
Oney Lorcan (NXT)
Otis Dozovic (NXT)
Rezar (Raw)
Titus O'Neil (Raw)
Rhyno (Raw)
Roderick Strong (NXT)
Roman Reigns (Raw)
Ruby Riott (Raw)
Rusev (Smackdown)
Sami Zayn (Raw)
Scott Dawson (Raw)
Seth Rollins (Raw)
Shane Thorne (NXT)
Shayna Baszler (NXT)
Triple H
Tucker Knight (NXT)
Tyler Breeze (Raw)
The Velveteen Dream (NXT)
Viktor (Raw)
Zack Ryder (Raw)
By Chris Reed on Aug 31, 2018 02:16 am
Just like every week, a whole lot of video game sales are going on now at both brick-and-mortar retailers and online. So we thought we'd scan through them closely to hand-pick the best deals of the bunch in order to connect you with great games available at low prices. Whether you prefer playing games on PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, or PC, you'll find some killer deals in the pages ahead. If you want to see the deals on any particular platform or from a specific retailer, you can check out our coverage of the individual sales. Already this week we've picked out some of the best games on sale at retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and GameStop, as well as on digital storefronts like Steam, Humble, the Microsoft Store and the PlayStation Store. Before diving into the deals, you ought to grab any free games you're eligible to receive. If you're a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscriber, you can still downloaded the free games for August on your console. PS Plus members in particular should make sure to grab Destiny 2, since Activision made it free between now and the end of September. You can also get games like Mafia III and Dead by Daylight for PS4 before September 4. Xbox Live Gold members can grab Forza Horizon 2, For Honor, and Disney Epic Mickey 2. And if you have an Amazon Prime account, don't forget to grab your five free games from Twitch this month. Now let's get on with the show. In the following pages, we'll go over the best deals available right now on games across all platforms. Some links to supporting retailers are automatically made into affiliate links, and GameSpot may receive a small share of those sales.
Horizon: Zero Dawn (PS4)
Use an assortment of weapons and traps to take down mechanical beasts in this visually stunning game. This edition comes with all of the DLC as well.
Sea of Thieves (Xbox One)
Sail the salty seas in this pirate-themed game. But just because you're sharing the game world with others online doesn't mean you have to share your treasure.
Axiom Verge (Switch)
An intricate Metroidvania game that was made by a single person, Axiom Verge is an impressive achievement. And at half price, it's also a heck of a deal.
Assassin's Creed Origins (PS4, Xbox One)
Take out evildoers in Ancient Egypt in this time-traveling tale of revenge.
Grand Theft Auto V (Xbox One, PS4)
This crime masterpiece comes with a lengthy campaign, plus the regularly updated GTA Online, where you can build a criminal empire to call your own.
Lego The Incredibles (PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
Pixar's superhero family gets the blocky treatment in this unique take on the franchise.
Dark Souls Remastered (PS4, Xbox One)
Prepare to die as you head back to a better-looking version of the game that popularized this ultra-challenging franchise.
Monster Hunter World (PS4, Xbox One)
Using an array of weapons that all feel unique, you roam the land in this game, looking for beasts to take down for loot.
Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King (Switch)
Here's a game that borrows shamelessly from the SNES classic The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. But don't let that stop you from playing what ends up feeling like a loving tribute.
By Matt Espineli on Aug 31, 2018 12:46 am
The Cutting Edge
There's always an abundance of new games that come out every month. Some are incredibly big-budget releases that we've been eagerly waiting years for while others are smaller, more surprising independent titles that no one sees coming. In addition, there's plenty of other games found near and around those releases. You get games from mid-sized publishers and even the occasional remaster or re-release of gaming's most definitive adventures. There's a lot of exciting games coming out in the future. We recently got to see debut gameplay of Cyberpunk 2077, and we already can't wait for it. In addition, Nintendo did a Direct presentation and announced 22 upcoming Switch games. With so many games coming out year-round, it can be difficult keeping track of what's worth playing. To help keep you in the know, we've compiled all the best new games you absolutely need to play right now. The point of this feature is to focus on the latest and greatest games, so the choices you'll find here have been limited to the past couple months. What you'll find in the slides ahead are games rated 7 or higher by GameSpot. However, you'll occasionally find some lower-rated ones that have been chosen to be included by an incredibly passionate member of our team. We won't hesitate to highlight experiences some members of our staff absolutely love--even if there are others who may not agree. The games included in this feature are ones we personally believe you should check out in some capacity. Here's a brief taste of what you'll see. Best Games To Play Right NowCheck out the slides ahead for all the games we've highlighted as the best out right now. And as the months go by, we'll be continually cycling out the older games with the most cutting-edge experiences out now, so be sure to keep checking back as often as you can. Which new games have you been playing recently? Let us know in the comments below.
F1 2018 -- 9/10
"F1 2018 is brilliant, and the most complete Formula One game to date. The changes to career mode make it the strongest and most appealing it's ever been thanks to the revamped upgrade system, while the simulation-like additions to the driving model bring you closer than ever to the feeling of sitting on the grid with 1000+ horsepower at your feet, without overwhelming those who just want to jump in and drive." [Read the review] -- James Swinbanks
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age -- 9/10
"Innovation in games is talked about a lot, but it's also great to see traditional gameplay formulas that have been around for decades presented exceptionally well. Dragon Quest XI is one of the best modern examples of this; its beautiful presentation, both visual- and story-wise, combines with a tried-and-true gameplay formula for a journey that's full of heart and soul. Once you find yourself sucked into the world of Dragon Quest XI, it's going to be hard to put down until you reach the grand finale." [Read the full review] -- Heidi Kemps
The Messenger -- 8/10
"The Messenger takes the best parts of the action-platformers it takes influence from and reinterprets them well. With clever writing, well-designed levels, and balanced difficulty curve, the game continuously hooks you with enticing skill-based challenges and satisfying payoffs. Your character might have an immediate imperative to delivering a world-saving scroll, but the journey there is definitely one to savor." [Read the full review] -- Alexander Pan
Into the Breach -- 9/10
"There is so much strategic joy in seeing the potential destruction a swarm of giant monsters is about to unleash on a city, then quickly staging and executing elaborate counter maneuvers to ruin the party. Into The Breach's focus on foresight makes its turn-based encounters an action-packed, risk-free puzzle, and the remarkable diversity of playstyles afforded by unique units keeps each new run interesting. It's a pleasure to see what kind of life-threatening predicaments await for you to creatively resolve in every new turn, every new battle, and every new campaign. Into The Breach is a pristine and pragmatic tactical gem with dynamic conflicts that will inspire you to jump back in again, and again, and again." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran
Yakuza Kiwami 2 -- 8/10
"The tale of Tokyo and Osaka, Kiryu and Sayama's partnership, and Kiryu and Goda's rivalry remains one of the Yakuza's best stories, and Kiwami 2's minor missteps don't affect the heart of that experience. The modernization of its presentation and its mechanics elevate it, making it absolutely worth revisiting or experiencing for the first time. Yakuza is an exemplary, if flawed series that does an incredible job of steeping you in contemporary Japanese-style crime drama, and establishing an evocative sense of place. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an excellent example of the series at its best, coupling its most memorable stories and characters with its most sophisticated mechanics yet." [Read the review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Video Producer
Guacamelee 2 -- 9/10
"Everything about Guacamelee 2 comes off as smarter and more thoughtful than the first game, even while indulging in its self-aware shenanigans and Rick & Morty-esque dimensional hijinks. The game never stops finding new ways to hook you in, to the point that even the most painstaking and intensive playthroughs feel like they just fly by. Saving the numerous timelines in Guacamelee 2 is just as much about partaking in a marvel of devious, meticulous game design as it is about saving Juan and his family from peril." [Read the review] -- Justin Clark
The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - The Final Season Episode 1 -- 8/10
"The full scope and breadth of The Walking Dead: The Final Season has yet to be laid out, though perhaps the best hint can be found in the game's fancy, HBO-esque title sequence, showing Clementine and A.J. walking into Ericson, but also showing a silhouetted dead walker rotting away in the front yard, being overtaken by ivy, and, eventually, sprouting a yellow flower. Beautiful things are possible in the new world and the new ways to play that Telltale has laid out in Done Running. But something ugly and horrifying is likely to happen first, and it is going to be captivating to watch." [Read the review] -- Justin Clark
Phantom Doctrine -- 9/10
"In spite of the lackluster visuals, Phantom Doctrine succeeds in making an incredible impression with its intricate and engaging mechanics. There is a lot to admire, with a single-player campaign taking about 40 hours to complete, full of varied and interesting mainline missions and procedurally-generated side content. The ability to play as either a CIA, KGB, or Mossad agent (the latter unlocked after one complete playthrough) also offers the tantalizing prospect of different narrative perspectives. Phantom Doctrine takes the familiar framework of isometric turn-based strategy and confidently repurposes it into a unique and satisfying experience. It wholly embodies the paranoia and tension of the 1980's Cold War setting in every aspect of its numerous gameplay systems, and completely immerses you in that all-encompassing state of mind." [Read the review] -- Alexander Pan
Flipping Death -- 7/10
"Flipping Death's logic is sometimes too ridiculous for its own good, and frustrating platforming sections add some tarnish. But the game's silly puzzles, self-aware humor, and crazy characters still make a wonderful experience filled with plenty of chuckles, which help to leave you satisfied as the credits roll." [Read the review] -- Seamus Mullins
Madden 19 -- 8/10
"Madden 19 is an excellent football game that improves on last year's entry in almost every way. There are problems, but there has never been a football game that more authentically represents the NFL than this in terms of presentation, controls, and depth." [Read the review] -- Eddie Makuch
Unavowed -- 9/10
"But Unavowed's greatest strength is that it maintains an admirable focus on incredible characterization that feeds into every quest and conversation. Every question you ask, every decision you make, and every sacrifice you make carries you and your team members on an impassioned journey that epitomizes the best qualities of an adventure game. It never rests on tropes, a strong sense of empathy is present through its entirety, and not only do you come to wholly understand character motivations, the way these people deal with supernatural situations helps to build a bond between them and you as a player. From its wonderfully realized locations and its inviting, three-dimensional characters, Unavowed will have you eager to discover the captivating stories lurking in the demonic underworld of New York City." [Read the review] -- David Rayfield
Monster Hunter World (PC) -- 8/10
"Ever since the title was first announced, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been. It's not just the comparative depth of the narrative; it also boasts almost seamless integration between combat systems that were previously incomprehensible for amateurs. The Monster Hunter formula has definitely honed its claws, and all the above factors play their part in making Monster Hunter World a meaningful evolution for the series at large." [Read the review] -- Ginny Woo
Overcooked 2 -- 8/10
"Overcooked 2 undoubtedly shines in local co-op and the versus arcade modes. New recipes and obstacles provide a fresh challenge for veterans, but it remains approachable for new players with simple controls and short playtimes. The new throwing mechanic, too, adds a new dimension to both strategy and the inevitable chaos without overcomplicating things. It's a strong foundation, and with the right friends, Overcooked 2 is one of the best couch co-op games around." [Read the review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Dead Cells -- 9/10
"Dead Cells is a phenomenal effort to blend together some very disparate genres into a tight, cohesive whole. It's one of the better examples of how to remix ideas without losing their individual strengths." [Read the review] -- Daniel Starkey
No Man's Sky Next -- 8/10
"At its absolute best, No Man's Sky is a measured, gentle experience where you are rarely the agent of change, but a perpetual visitor who's constantly dwarfed by the magnitude of a universe neutral to your presence. It is not your job in these stories to colonize the universe. Your job is to comprehend it. Your job is to recognize the spirituality in it. The primary gimmick of No Man's Sky, since day one, has been awe. The best things about the Next update feed that gimmick. While features like multiplayer and base-building certainly put more proverbial asses in seats, they're also the least memorable additions to an otherwise thoughtful experience." [Read the review] -- Justin Clark
Warioware Gold -- 8/10
"WarioWare Gold might not be entirely new, but it's the best representation available of what makes this series special. It's a true greatest hits package that showcases Wario's unique weirdo vibe, and this style of play remains inventive and thrilling 15 years after the original Game Boy Advance game. We're still hoping for an entirely new title on Switch in the future, but for now Gold is a compelling, generous victory lap." [Read the review] -- James O'Connor
Chasm -- 8/10
"Even when its flaws are obvious, Chasm is a well-crafted adventure, and during the more than 12 hours I spent playing through my first time, I got lost only once. That's a huge bonus in a genre where getting lost is often the most frustrating aspect. Even after I finished, I was eager to venture forth on a new adventure, to test my combat mettle against harder foes and find the one secret that eluded me the first time through. It's a shame the randomization of the world isn't that big of a deal and the challenge could be better balanced, but the superb combat and visual design ensure your time with Chasm will be well spent." [Read the review] -- Tom McShea
The Banner Saga 3 -- 8/10
"As things come down to the wire the two separate groups become more and more interconnected, the consequences of one group's choices directly affecting the potential of the other. This exemplifies the best part about The Banner Saga 3: the feeling that every action you've made in regards to your clan for three games--the friends you've kept and lost, the decisions you've made, and the battles you've picked--will likely influence how well this finale is going to fare. The Banner Saga 3 won't have the same kind of meaningful impact if you haven't experienced the rest of the series. But if you've taken the time to journey with these characters from the very beginning, this finale is a worthwhile and cathartic end to your long journey." [Read the review] -- Edmond Tran, Senior Editor
Semblance -- 7/10
"Because it's so short, and the puzzles never get particularly fiendish, Semblance is an enjoyable but light experience. This isn't necessarily a bad thing--it's a relaxed game, a good one to clear over a few sessions in bed or on the train if you're playing on Switch--but it also means that it doesn't feel like the game realizes its full conceptual potential. But the fact that I desperately wanted more, and that I was disappointed when Semblance abruptly ended, says more about the game's strengths than its weaknesses. This is a good idea realized and executed well, even though you're likely to come away from it wishing for just a bit more." [Read the review] -- James O'Connor
Mother Gunship -- 8/10
"With the game's clever gun crafting system added into the mix, familiar tropes and techniques from classic shooting galleries feel super-charged in the game's randomized bullet-hell dungeons. When Mothergunship is firing on all cylinders, it's a satisfying and thrilling shooter where it really counts. With an incredibly fun and never uninteresting gun-crafting mechanic, it certainly goes a long way with its clever hook and an endless flow of enemies to gun down." [Read the review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor
Fighting EX Layer -- 8/10
"On a pure gameplay level, Fighting EX Layer is an absolute treat. What it lacks in bells and whistles it delivers in pure, fun combat. This is a game made for the sort of people who will spend hours perfecting an impractical, extremely-precise combo in training mode simply for the satisfaction of having done it. If that describes you, then Fighting EX Layer will be worth everything you put into it." [Read the review] -- Heidi Kemps
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker -- 8/10
"Despite a smattering of minor complaints, Captain Toad stands as a pint-sized version of Nintendo's stellar first party pedigree. It's among the best Mario spin-offs around and a delightful iteration on old ideas." [Read the review] -- Daniel Starkey
Octopath Traveler -- 8/10
"Despite the lackluster stories that pull you through the world, Octopath thrives on its character progression and the temptations of high-level challenges and rewards. The promise of new jobs, exciting boss fights, and powerful gear will inspire you to poke around every corner, and there are no shortage of discoveries to strive for. And all the while, you're treated to one of the most interesting and effective re-imaginings of a retro aesthetic around. Octopath will likely be a divisive game due to its fractured storytelling, but it's one worth playing despite its lesser qualities. Its high points are simply too good to ignore." [Read the review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Sonic Mania Plus -- 9/10
"Beyond these additions and small tweaks, including balancing fixes and the ability to use secret options in any of your save files, Sonic Mania is the same exuberant celebration of Sonic's past. While it was already a fantastic package on the outset, this new update makes it even better than before. If you missed Sonic Mania the first time around, now is the perfect time to catch up." [Read the review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
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