DeVuego

As stylish as the films themselves, 007 First Light is a brilliant depiction of Bond.

Terrifier: The ARTcade Game is a throwback to the type of licensed titles I miss. Is it lacking some polish and depth compared to the genre’s best? Sure, but there’s a real love for the franchise, and it’s a fun time that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Frank and Drake has a few interesting story beats, but they never culminate in a truly compelling mystery.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is a bit of a strange title to attach a score to. Most people interested in the game probably know whether or not they have a pocket of nostalgia left for a  Sega Master System title like this. DX lives up to its name by providing a facelift, but it’s still true to Alex Kidd in Miracle World by design, which means it’s incredibly dated and can’t compare to 1985’s Super Mario Bros., let alone the best 2D platformers of the past decade. Merge Games did the best it could while still staying true to the original, which ultimately provides the advertised nostalgia trip and a pretty gorgeous facelift as well. It’s just a bummer that the whole appeal of the package, being an update to Miracle World, is also what holds it back from being a great game in 2021.

Crossing Souls has a bunch of elements that should be right up my alley, but some flat writing and uninspired design really keeps it from hitting the desired marks. There's a good idea here, and I have no doubt that a teen adventure starring ghosts and Egyptian Gods could be really dope, but a cool concept doesn't make a great game. Instead, it just makes the end result all the more disappointing.

Despite Spy Chameleon being developer Unfinished Pixel's first game, the Barcelona-based studio has done a great job at simplifying a genre that can be daunting to newcomers. While some may be worried that this simplicity comes at a cost, the game also offers up a healthy challenge to experienced players. It may never reach the high points of a Metal Gear Solid or Thief game, but it does provide a constant helping of highly polished fun.