Drop Rate - Video game reviews that'll make you think

DOOM: THE DARK AGES feels like a reboot of its own, a sideways step back away from a lot of the changes made in DOOM Eternal.

If you don't know your BFGs from your super shotguns this might be exactly the DOOM for you, a great entry point for newbie Doomslayers.

Read our full review here: DOOM: THE DARK AGES gives you far more choice to play the way you like

A copy of DOOM: THE DARK AGES on PC was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

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One of the all time great roleplaying games modernised just enough for today's audience, THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION REMASTERED is here.

Gianni pops on the nostalgia goggles for a trip down memory lane.

Read our review and check out all the screenshots here: THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION REMASTERED is almost exactly as you remember it and that's excellent

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THE DARK QUEEN OF MORTHOLME is a 20 minute long, self-proclaimed "anti-game" by Mosu Aijala, and is one of my most memorable game experiences in recent memory.

Read our review here: The Dark Queen of Mortholme: A Short but Brilliant Subversion of the Hero’s Journey

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Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to s...

The team is bigger than ever before and we've got seven red hot recommendations for you, with lots of variety to choose from, and a great list of honourable mentions as well.

Did your favourite game make the cut this year? Let us know on Discord, or leave us a rating or review.

Read our written reviews for our 2024 picks on our website.

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As romance novels grow in popularity, so too do dating sims and visual novels. SIFTER's Courtney Smith and Steph Panecasio (GamesHub) discuss A DATE WITH DEATH, a free dating sim from Aussie devs, Two and a Half Studios.

From blushing at the grim reaper in the computer to analysing how women's sexuality is catered to in video games, this episode of Drop Rate has it all.

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There are only a couple of constants in this world, death, taxes and new CALL OF DUTY games. This semi-annual series keeps cranking out the shooter scenarios, with some great multiplayer and all over the place single player.

Chris Button is joined by SIFTER's own Kyle Pauletto and freelance journalist David Smith (Rhunwords) as they make heads and tails of it all.

Clicking on things is fun, that's what CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 delivers in spades.

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app...

‍STAR WARS OUTLAWS might be the first game that actually feels like you're in the cities, spaceships and bases of the legendary scifi series. It's an open world game that doesn't feel bogged down with too much list ticking activities.

Chris Button and Gianni Di Giovanni share their thoughts on Ubisoft's take on the world of Star Wars, what worked, what didn't and why Massive is only the name of the studio that made it, not the world.

Read our full review here: STAR WARS OUTLAWS is a fun open world adventure that feels perfectly in...

HADES II has been on everyone’s radar since the first game launched in 2020, and this sequel keeps the favourite parts of the previous game but adds heaps of new abilities, battle mechanics and storylines in its early access release.

Chris Button sits down with SIFTER Executive Producer Gianni Di Giovanni to unpack the mythical Underworld and see if HADES II lives up to the hype of its predecessor.

With two separate runs with slightly different mechanics and environment, so even from the get-go the game offers a lot even though it’s in early acce...

STELLAR BLADE caught the attention of many when it first debuted, but not necessarily for its gameplay. Flashy in more ways than one, it's certainly generated plenty of heated discussion online.

Stephanie Panecasio (GamesHub) and David Smith (Kotaku Australia) join Drop Rate to unpack the many layers of this flashy action RPG. Stellar Blade's methodical and stylish combat consistently proves to be a highlight, while its derivative paint-by-numbers structure slows it down.

And that's even before talking about the platforming, well the less said, the better, but there is one thing we can all agree on...

With fun combat that never gets old, UNICORN OVERLORD by Vanillaware combines a dash of FIRE EMBLEM, some FINAL FANTASY XII and even a bit of auto-battler genre into a game that makes you change your plans again and again.

Chris Button sits down with SIFTER Executive Producer Gianni Di Giovanni to explore the world of Fevrith, making allies and the unfortunately pervy character designs in overall wonderful game.

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The second entry in the ambitious modernisation of Final Fantasy VII series feels like it finally captures that wonder and fun of the original game. With plenty of fun silly moments and tight compelling combat that encourages variety, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is the game you’ve been waiting for.

Leah Williams (GamesHub) joins Chris Button on the latest episode of Drop Rate to race on chocobos, chill in Costa Del Sol and take the fight to Sephiroth

A copy of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on PlayStation 5 was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of th...

Yordles are fae-like creatures from Bandle City, a magical land where wondrous events occur. If you’re not careful, you may fall into one of the portals leading to the home of the Yordles.

BANDLE TALE: A LEAGUE OF LEGENDS STORY captures the magic and whimsy of the lore behind one of League of Legends’ cutest and most mysterious races. You’ll craft, explore and converse with a sentient sock, and if that doesn’t convince you to play, maybe we’ll be able to with this episode of Drop Rate.

Drop Rate host Courtney Borrett is...

The first time is an accident, one of your fellow soldiers stands just a little bit too close to the blast zone as you call down artillery from outer space. HELLDIVERS 2 actually makes it a little bit too fun to explode your allies. Whoops.

It's all part of the shtick which really amps up the forever war jingoistic world of Super Earth as you blast across planets in the name of 'Managed Democracy'. There has to be sacrifice in the name of freedom right? Good, well jump in this pod soldier.

Drop Rate host Chris...

Like someone made a joke then just massively committed to the bit, LIKE A DRAGON INFINITE WEALTH has just so much in it you can spend ages just chasing what you find fun.

Charlie Kelly (Checkpoint Gaming) and Jam Walker (Kotaku Australia, GamesHub) join Chris as they visit Yokohama and Hawaii in search of madcap adventures.

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It's hard to match the combat and minute to minute gameplay in the THE LAST OF US PART II and the new PlayStation 5 version offers more of the excellent nailbiting gameplay and deeper insights into the developer's creative process.

If you treat this new version as premium DLC for the game you already own, the cut content, commentary and new roguelike mode No Return makes for an enjoyable return to this series.

Chris Button sits down with SIFTER Executive Producer Gianni Di Giovanni as they enjoy a look behind the curtain.

A copy...

It's been a massive year for video games, with some of the very best games ever made packed into 2023. In our annual special we've collected the entire SIFTER team like Pokémon into one massive end of year episode. We've got massive titles and smaller indies plus our honourable mentions. What ever you choose to play next from this list you'll have a great time.

What is your favourite game r...

Mario has been jumping on platforms now for a really long time, and SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER takes everything you know and mixes it up, with some incredible design that'll challenge and thrill you in equal measure.

Ruby Innes (Pocket Buds) and Adam Christou (SIFTER) join Chris for a big discussion about finding representation in Daisy, why elephant Mario is hot and the incredible sound design that wraps it all together.

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Remedy has had a great run lately, the Finnish studio have build their wild and somewhat spooky games into a shared universe which reaches it's apex in ALAN WAKE 2. If you're a fan of genre television like Twin Peaks or the metanarratives in games like IMMORTALITY you'll get a kick out of this sequel.

James O'Connor (Kotaku, Gameshub) and Fergus Halliday (Reviews,org) join Chris for a wild ride that pushes the boundaries of video games.

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Can MARVEL'S SPIDER-MAN 2 up the ante once again? Now both Spideys are back for some dual arachnid action in this PlayStation 5 exclusive. Have Insomniac been able to mix up the gameplay for this third game?

Fiona Bartholomaeus (SIFTER, RTRFM) joins Chris Button in an ultimate team up as they take on their experiences with webslinger.

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You'd be hard pressed to find someone who cares as much about the Forza series as Alice Clarke. This diehard racing sim fan joins Chris for a discussion of the new entry in the more serious technical half of the franchise with FORZA MOTORSPORT, a game where there is a little bit more fog on the road ahead.

Find out if the track is full of potholes, or if Alice thinks Turn 10 Studios racing game can make up for lost time.

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ASSASSIN'S CREED MIRAGE is explicitly for those players wanting the simpler stealth action game play of the original games. Originally a DLC chapter for ASSASSIN'S CREED VALHALLA, Basim's adventures through Baghdad are a simpler, tighter experience with lots of the great improvements from 15 years of history.

Read our review of the game, then listen to Chris and Gianni share their thoughts.

A copy of ASSASSIN'S CREED MIRAGE on Xbox Series X|S was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

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It's a massive universe to explore in STARFIELD a game that builds on many of the gameplay systems you've come to enjoy in Bethesda's roleplaying games.

Does it live up to the hype after years of development and delays? Well it depends on what type of player you are, but there is lots of fun to be had here.

Jess Zammit (Player2.net.au) joins SIFTER's own Gianni Di Giovanni for a galaxy spanning adventure.

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It's one of the most accessible entries in the From Software's library with ARMORED CORE VI: FIRES OF RUBICON showing a clear lineage of game design skill acquired in the ten years since the last entry.

The mech combat genre isn't for everyone, but if you're an ELDEN RING fan wanting to branch out into some of the best feeling combat yet, this might be your opportunity.

Omi Koulas (Checkpoint Gaming) joins Chris to discuss why this is was such a delight.

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Musical theatre isn't to everyone's tastes, and neither is STRAY GODS: THE ROLEPLAYING MUSICAL, the highly anticipated debut release from Australian indie team Summerfall Studios.

Twisting Greek Mythology into a modern day tale of existentialism with songs, Stray Gods follows Grace, a young woman suddenly thrust into godhood - all while being framed for murder.

Christie McQualter (GamesHub) and James Wood (WellPlayed) joined Drop Rate to discuss their nuanced perspectives on a game that will divide opinions. Narratively and thematically, Stray Gods resonates deeply, and the on-screen representation shines through the diverse talent behind the...

There are few game developers in the world who make more compelling murder mysteries than those at Too Kyo Games. Comprised of team members responsible for the DANGANRONPA and ZERO ESCAPE series, there's a lot of pedigree behind MASTER DETECTIVE ARCHIVES: RAIN CODE.

An absolute mouthful of a title aside, Rain Code delivers on the high stakes drama and convoluted murder mysteries expected of the talent behind the scenes. And while the overall presentation and strong aesthetic is arguably the best I've seen from this development team, not everything has progressed quite so linearly.

Taking...

Japanese role-playing games specialise in grandeur. Epic tales of warring nations that often involve the direct intervention of godly beings, the genre usually entertains even if the execution doesn’t match its lofty ambitions. Final Fantasy XVI is one such game. Despite a grimdark fantasy setting that stumbles on multiple fronts it’s the combat and overall spectacle that truly exhilarates.

Sharing more in common at times with the Devil May Cry series and God of War reboots than its predecessors, Final Fantasy XVI is a fascinating shakeup of a long-beloved franchise. Many legacy touchstones persist, like the...

STORY OF SEASONS: A WONDERFUL LIFE revisits the 2003 farming simulator GameCube classic. In the years since its original release, farming games have risen in popularity: Stardew Valley, Wylde Flowers, and Disney Dreamlight Valley, just to name a few.

Ruby Innes (Back Pocket) and Courtney Borrett (Power Up, Kotaku Australia) join us this episode to explain why this modern take on the classic game is one of the best in the series to revisit.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

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Welcome to Drop Rate, SIFTER’s review podcast. 

My name is Chris Button and I’ll be your host as we explore the biggest and also smaller new release video games on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC. 

I’ll be joined each episode by some of the best games writers the internet has to offer and together we talk about how each game made us feel and importantly what it made us think.

So buckle up and get ready for some great conversations about games.

You can get every episode for free jus...

What is a game without it's soundtrack? Meena Shamaly, composer and host of ABC Classic's The Game Show joins Gianni for a musical journey through some of the best sounds in video games.

Check out the full list on our website: The Best Video Game Soundtracks of 2022 with Meena Shamaly

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou...

It's our bumper Game of The Year special, we've got six different games for you as well as a bunch of honourable mentions from the SIFTER team. It was a very hard choice this year with lots of incredible games.

You can read a full write up of our favourites on the SIFTER website. SIFTER's 2022 Games of the Year

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

SIFTER is produced...

PENTIMENT is the sort of game that I don't expect is going to appeal to everyone, the point and click narrative game from Obsidian Entertainment (THE OUTER WORLDS, PILLARS OF ETERNITY) is very dense and it takes its time unfolding.

Fans of history and the evolution of culture are in for something pretty special as you walk the labyrinth in contemplation of God, each decision weighing heavily on you, each decision determining what survives and what gets painted over.

Read a written version of this story on the SIFTER website: PENTIMENT is one of the most...

GOTHAM KNIGHTS is an intriguing experiment - a superhero action game that is torn between being a solid narrative experience and something else entirely that is soured with odd loot systems, uninspiring character ability trees and a fundamentally flawed mission and world design that feels cut and paste and repetitive in the worst ways.

Read a written review on our website: GOTHAM KNIGHTS is a frustrating open world adventure which isn't as fun as just being Batman

A copy of GOTHAM KNIGHTS on PC and Xbox Series X|S was provided to SIFTER for the...

OVERWATCH 2 brings the team based shooter into the free to play era with some pretty questionable monetisation but ultimately extremely fun multiplayer gameplay.

Adam Christou, Mitch Loh and Gianni Di Giovanni share their first impressions of Blizzard's once legendary game.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support SIFTER's independent...

Playing THE LAST OF US PART 1, the PlayStation 5 remake of the original game makes me wish this was the very first time I was playing the series, taking my first steps into post apocalyptic cordyceps infected world.

But this game is for better and worse the ultimate version of that 2013 title, which means if you've experienced Joel and Ellie's first story, you've played this excellent game.

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: THE LAST OF US PART 1 will make you wish this was your very first playthrough

Thanks to Edmond Tran of G...

CULT OF THE LAMB is one of the best single player games of the year, you'll feel compelled to keep moving through both combat and base building modes as you aim for that next attainable upgrade or giant boss to defeat.

Chris Button (Byteside) joins Mainstream to discuss Massive Monster's excellent cult simulator.

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: CULT OF THE LAMB is devilishly addictive game with lots of fun systems to play with

A copy of CULT OF THE LAMB was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this...

STRAY is a new perspective on a post-apocalyptic science fiction, and playing as a cat through this story is a blast. Heavily drawing from cyberpunk aesthetics and some of the anti-authoritarian and anti-capitalist themes common in the genre it does however fall into some of the same pitfalls.

Heavily influenced by the neon streets of Hong Kong and Kowloon walled city, the game doesn't meaningfully engage with the orientalist imagery in a deep level, as Sisi Jiang from Kotaku succinctly identifies, it can feel a bit uncomfortable.

Read our written review on the SIFTER website...

FIRE EMBLEM WARRIORS: THREE HOPES takes the best part of the Warriors franchise and effortlessly mixes it with the core elements of the most recent Fire Emblem series – the dramatic Game Of Thrones style storyline, a charismatic cast of characters, a likeable new protagonist and a strong focus on managing and commanding your troops in the heat of battle.

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: FIRE EMBLEM WARRIORS: THREE HOPES is a welcome return to Fódlan and a fun twist on the WARRIORS series

A copy of FIRE EMBLEM WARRIORS: THREE HOPES was...

THE QUARRY by Supermassive Games is a masterwork of genre fiction and really cleverly written ode to those eighties and nineties teen slasher flicks.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by heading to the SIFTER STORE

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Grab your joycon, tighten your wrist strap and bowl, smash or spike your way to victory. If you had a Wii you almost certainly played  WII SPORTS, the 2006 title sold 82 million copies by the end of that console's life in 2017.

NINTENDO SWITCH SPORTS is a slick sequel with plenty of innovation and polish that could become another cult classic.

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: NINTENDO SWITCH SPORTS is a stylish and fun multiplayer game, but online progression for cosmetics is a chore

A copy of NINTENDO SWITCH SPORTS was provided to...

TREK TO YOMI's crackling and popping of a dusty film reel samurai film aesthetic hits you quickly when you first load into the game.This is a serious cinematic experience. We're doing everything in black and white, there's using gorgeous camera angles.  

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: TREK TO YOMI, a side scrolling samurai epic and a visual treat

A copy of TREK TO YOMI was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh...