Review keys provided by their publisher(s)
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: We here at GameTyrant have been absolutely bombarded with so many products and games this year already. We will be rolling out select quick reviews to let our audience know about products, games, and DLC that may have slipped under their radar. We appreciate the amazing support from all publishers and developers out there!
Marathon
In an ever-growing sub-genre of looter shooters these days, games need to deliver something truly unique and addictive to play. Unfortunately, aside from its cutting-edge art style and synth-heavy soundscape, Marathon is a very boring and repetitious slog. Though its weapons are punchy and combat can, at times, be very enjoyable when in its narrower map areas, this title just adds yet another game to the list of a sub-genre already bloated with shovelware.
When it came to my interaction with the game, the one thing that always felt apparent to me personally was visibility. Maneuvering the hard-to-decode menus and screens felt like a chore. And when traversing its various maps, I also found it difficult to parse what I was even looking at half the time. With other, more enjoyable offers on the table, Marathon seems to get washed out in the noise.
Sunken City
A title that adds a bit of whimsy and levity to the Metroidvania sub-genre is Sunken Sky. Whilst most titles similar to this one have a strong focus on players’ skill and ability, Sunken Sky goes a more relaxed route, offering players a lower-stakes take on the gameplay formula. I really found the loop to be enjoyable as I was able to take my time and play without feeling like I was having to prove myself to the game’s levels at every turn.
Sunken Sky also seems to know who it is, with characters, music, and visuals that blend perfectly to draw players into its wonderful world of whimsy. It’s definitely a game you can play while watching your favorite show and just find your zen during. If you’re looking for what I would call a cozy Metroidvania, then this is absolutely the title for you.
