Shadow’s Game Reviews
Camryn Watkins, Entertainment Editor
Gaming has become one of the best ways to pass time for people of all ages. The Lariat would like to showcase games with diverse characters, platforms, stories, and play styles. The games showcased are sure to entertain anyone, no matter the kind of game it is. Now that quarantine is here, and seemingly to stay, games will be perfect for anyone trying to get their mind off things.

Undertale (2015)
A classic that nearly everyone knows, Undertale follows the story of a human child who has fallen into the ‘underground’, the place where monsters live. Players are brought into this new world and guided, though for a short time, by Toriel who only wants to keep them safe. Once free from where Toriel wanted players to live, they begin their journey to find their way out of the underground and get...

Layers of Fear (2016)
A horror game set in the 1920’s, players follow the story of a disgruntled artist on his path to insanity. As he travels from room to room, facing rats, fire and other entities he believes to harm him, players can find another story in what he is doing. The game has multiple endings that follow with what the player chooses, all of which having a different result for the painter. In his struggle to...

Unpacking (2021)
Although some would regard moving and putting things away a drag, Unpacking finds a way to turn it into something more calming and cutesy for any player. With it’s down to earth style and simple objectives, it’s easy for players to get lost in decorating their new rooms. Players have nearly unlimited options of what to put where, getting to form a story within their mind, decorate how they see...

Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles (2021)
Based on the up and coming anime Demon Slayer, The Hinokami Chronicles, is more or less a retelling of what has already happened in the series. Starting at the beginning of Tanjiro’s training, players can relive their favorite episodes, meet characters on their journey and face all kinds of bosses. The game offers not only a story mode, but also training, short animated clips, an online battle ...

Resident Evil Village (2021)
A nearly direct continuation of Resident Evil 7, Village takes players right back into Ethan Winter’s life, now with his wife, Mia, and baby girl, Rose. Things take a turn for the worse, as now he has to fight the mutated Lycan villagers to get his daughter back. He finds his daughter, though not in the way he was hoping, as he continues to take down the lords of the land and bring her back in one p...

Dishonored (2012)
Serving as the bodyguard to the Empress, being pointed for her assassination is not the best situation for Corvo Attano. Fleeing from the scene, Corvo turns from bodyguard to assassin, working in the streets of plague-ridden Dunwall, in order to enact revenge on the real killers. Oh, and find the empresses’ missing daughter. Creativity is a must, using any and all abilities you can in order to sneak...

Subnautica (2018)
After a devastating crash on planet 4546B, players are left with an entire ocean at their hands to explore. Your goal is to survive, and to hopefully find a way off the planet. In the meantime, exploration is encouraged, as you take in its breathtaking views and it's amazing sea life. But, don't forget, this is all about your survival! Not only does your oxygen need to be given a watchful eye, not...

We Happy Few (2016)
Following an alternate timeline, 1960s England still has everything you could wish for, beautiful scenery, happy work environments, and safe places to live. That is, so long as you take your joy and don’t remember the past! Players can choose one of three characters, all of whom have their own bone to pick in their efforts to escape Wellington Wells. Blending in is key, as once they suspect you're...

Journey to the Savage Planet (2020)
After waking up on planet ARY-26, players are tasked to find out if their new home is safe to all humans. Just because you lack both experience and equipment doesn't mean you can't do it! Watch out though, that planet is filled with some not so happy inhabitants, along with ruins and plants around every corner. Survey the planet, print out some new items, and explore a planet lost to everyone else....

What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)
Here, players follow the diary of Edith Finch, which is more of a family history lesson. Their family is unlucky as they come, and players get to experience the many deaths and misfortunes that this family was dealt. The stories, although very funny, bring a tear to the players' eyes as they experience each Finch and the way they went out.

Assassins Creed:Valhalla (2020)
Taking place during the Viking Era, Assassin's Creed once again takes players down a road of history and a richer storyline. Gamers play as Evior, a Viking looking to ensure that he and his clan in England end up victorious. Although gamers play as a Viking, they are still thrown into the Assassins Order and the Templar Order, with or without his brother. Like many of the recent Assassin's Creed games,...

Cuphead (2017)
Known by many as one of the hardest games created, Cuphead gives the players the true 30’s experience with art and music. Each scene is painstakingly drawn the old fashion way, with hand drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and an original soundtrack. Players have to learn quickly to move, the bosses counters, and what upgrades they should and shouldn't buy. In the end, it’s up to the player...

Coffee Talk (2020)
Owning a cafe is hard, but having patrons certainly makes it better! Coffee Talk is a cozy game about serving the people of the city drinks! Although it may sound simple, Coffee Talk is a dialogue-based game, which allows players to learn about each character's unique story and make their own drink for them to enjoy. Characters who are considered mythical, like vampires, werewolves, or otherworldly...

Alice: Madness Returns (2011)
Taking the story of Alice in Wonderland, Alice: Madness Returns gives gamers a wonderland in a way no one else has ever seen it. The once fairytale-like world is morphed into a land of sadistic horror and one that fits the tormented mind of Alice. With once-friendly faces now fighting against her, a runaway train, and the destruction of Wonderland, it’s once again up to Alice to save Wonderland and...

Prey (2017)
After waking up into a simulation, Morgan Yu is left trying to piece together a life they have forgotten. What does not help, is that the player is stranded in space, getting attacked by aliens, and it seems everyone but the player's own brother is dead. After discovering pieces of the player that he/she had forgotten, and making his/her body go through changes that maybe the player shouldn't, the...

Far Cry 5 (2018)
An entire country has been taken over and bears quickly become the least of a gamer's worries. With a deranged cult lurking around every corner, companions with a taste for explosions, and a player's very own mountain lion, there is never a shortage of things to do here. The Seed family works and wishes for the player's downfall and finding allies to help is next to impossible. Eden’s Gate is a lot...

The Outer Worlds (2019)
With the corporations having a tight hold on the outer colonies, it’s up to players to decide their fate. With choices around every corner, and people in constant need of help, everyone's fate rests with the gamer. From wild, untamed lands to towns overrun with filth and death, there is no shortage of planets to explore. Thousands of lives rest with the gamer, and choices between a greedy corporation,...

Portal 2 (2011)
Taking place long after the events of Portal:Still Alive, it is once again time for players to dive into the puzzles and mysteries left in Aperture Laboratories. Armed with only a portal gun and wit, players are thrown head on into the deep lore the labs have to offer, from Cave Johnson and Caroline, to Wheatley and GLaDOS. From portals, to gels and to murderous turrets, the tests have everything a gamer ...

Rainbow Six Siege (2015)
Rainbow Six Siege is a multiplayer based game in which players are able to use several different operators in order to complete certain tasks. Operators work for Rainbow, a counter terrorist organization, where operators of all types, all with their own different unique abilities, work. Players can choose to stay in the background, picking enemies off from afar, or they can rush in and take as many...

Spiritfarer (2020)
A game about life, death, family and love, Spiritfarer hits hard. Death is a scary subject for many, but Spiritfarer helps to give insight to an afterlife, a calming reassurance to some about what happens after. With unique characters who all have their own storyline and a ship players can upgrade and sail, the game offers plenty for players to do. Each character will have personal requests, including...

Fallout 4 (2015)
Going back into the wasteland, players are given a whole new world to explore, with new characters and interactions. Now in the post-apocalyptic home of what was once Boston, players are on a hunt to find their kidnapped baby. With new enemies lurking the streets, settlements in dire need of help, and companions just waiting to join the gamer's side, why not give Boston a try?

No Straight Roads (2020)
In a world where music is the way for energy, it’s no wonder that only popular bands are allowed to survive. When more energy is needed, Zuke and Mayday propose their own band, ‘Bunk Bed Junction’, in order to help out their city. The game follows the duo as they fight to take back their power to rock, and to get popular while they're at it.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
After his wife goes missing, it is up to Ethan Winters to search for her within an abandoned home in the bayou. It soon becomes clear to Ethan that not only is the house not abandoned, but he is facing his wife's own family. With traps and monsters around every corner, being forced to play sick games, and an unrelenting father, Ethan is in a run for his money. Despite the rest of the family having...

OFF (2008)
Made by French game developer, Mortis Ghost, OFF is one of the gems among indie RPGs. OFF features many attributes, all of which make the game memorable. Features include a rich environment, memorable characters, and an in-depth and complex story. OFF helped inspire many other popular RPGs, such as Undertale, with its ‘your choice matters’ play style and its variety of plot twists.

Broken Age (2014)
A coming of age story of two kids from very different cultures, Broken Age is a point and click game, giving players more than enough plot. One story follows Vella, a girl destined to be sacrificed by her village, but she chooses to run and make her own decisions instead. On the other side, is Shay, a boy seemingly from the future, living in a very sheltered spaceship, longing to go on an adventur...

Little Misfortune (2019)
As a proper lady, Misfortune Ramirez Hernandez is on her quest for eternal happiness. Aided by Mr. Voice, Misfortune and her active imagination search the town for her happiness. The only thing in her way is the handsome fox, Benjamin, who has stolen her prize. As her name suggests, Misfortune is an unlucky girl, who attempts to make the best of everything. With many twists, consequences, and choices,...

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
A prequel to the first Red Dead Redemption, 2 offers not only updated graphics, but a new storyline that leaves players in awe. Playing as Arthur Morgan, gamers can see the gang before the 1st one, where they can interact with everyone and complete special missions for them all. With several hours alone for hunting, fishing and simply riding their horses, the game is able to please and satisfy players...

Portal: Still Alive (2008)
The prequel to Portal 2, Still Alive takes players through the original tests of Aperture. Gamers are left with nothing but GLaDOS to guide them, assuring them that once these tests are done, they’ll be rewarded with cake! Survival won’t be easy, as many times as it seems like the tests are out to end the player, but once they make it through, there will be a reward! No doubt about it. Maybe t...

Stardew Valley (2016)
A true indie game with inspiration from several other different games, Stardew Valley is able to leave players constantly coming back for more. After taking up their grandfather's old farm, players can grow crops, fight monsters, go mining or fishing, or fall in love. It's a game for players of all styles and there are different holidays to take part in each season. Nonplayable characters (NPCs) all...

Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
Hyped up for years and finally releasing in January, Cyberpunk is a must for many players. Despite the game having a rough start when it came to the early gen consoles, Cyberpunk has fixed itself for gamers of all kinds. In game, gamers play as V, who can be customized to one's potential. With several endings, many depending on choices, love interests, and minor side quests, players have many hours...

Doom (2016)
Waking up on Mars, the Doom Slayer is back to doing what he does best- killing demons. With a base overrun with them, players are left to defend themselves and the one survivor, Samuel Hayden. A twist of fate lands players in hell, where they continue their sole objective of taking out demons. Eventually, players will return to Mars, happy that they've defeated the invasion and ready for Hayden to...

Doom Eternal (2020)
Once again, it is time for the slayer to rip and tear. With hell consuming earth more and more by the day, it's up to the Doom Slayer to save humanity. Taking place directly after Doom: 2016, players are fighting the same demons, but revamped. With characters they once fought or hated now being allies, and new bosses around every corner, characters are given that same Doom feel they all know and love....

Apex Legends (2019)
When the battle royale trend started out among most games, Apex came in and is still on top today. With 60 players per lobby, and squads up to two or three, it's no wonder why it still sits on top. Despite being a battle royale, the game is filled with lore for each character, with events, special melee weapons and skins for the characters. Each season gives players a chance to unlock a comic book,...

Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
From the well-known Fallout series, gamers were given Fallout: New Vegas. Taking place in the post-apocalyptic Mojave Desert, New Vegas offers some of the most unique dialogue, interactions, and quests of all the games. Players can gamble their money away on the strip, assist in a civil war, or just run around with their robot dog. Players are given free rein to do what they see fit, whenever they...
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