Ben received a physical copy of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 from Bandai Namco for review.
For all the choices we’re given in Telltale games, they often lead to the same destinations. We can affect the littles outcomes, but can’t sway the larger ones, which by this point in the developer’s career is no revelation. It’s the illusion of choice that keeps us happy and narratively enchanted - a spell I’m quite okay to be under. Creating branches for every decision would simply be untenable, and even considering the limitations of this model - the stories themselves, however little we can change them, are worth exploring anyway.
Being uniquely eclectic, Titanfall 2 is designed just well enough, and with enough layers so to not be entirely derivative. Hero simulations are so vastly abundant in this industry - so if you’re going to play one, you might as well choose from those who do it the best.
While the campaign’s experimental short stories may just be the most interesting thing about Battlefield 1, this is not a niche experience to accurately portray the history its borrowing. This is a Battlefield game, and that means World War One in the Battlefield style, with all the compromises therein.
A varied and fulfilling selection of pretend-o-fights, bolstered by new features which don’t all work exactly as intended – but show tantalising promise for the future.
The EA Sports stalwart is facing strong competition from Pro Evolution Soccer, but has come out fighting with plenty of style and just enough substance
Children of Arkham is a less theatric, but more disruptive story to Batman’s lore. Thickly-coated subplots mean more contemplative decisions as those layers become increasingly complex and intertwined.
Not the transformative experience offered by this year's PES, but still unmatched in the genre for atmosphere, licenses, and finer details.
A long-overdue return to form that finally surpasses Pro Evo's PS2 glory days – and, assuming presentation woes are fixed, lays the foundations for an all-new footballing empire.
Valley’s answer to one of its main mysteries doesn’t quite satiate the curiosity it taunts, though it wisely leaves others unsolved. The questions it does pose it can’t answer, because no one can. That’s the siren Valley will use to carry you by the song of its story – though it is somewhat betrayed by its lack of mechanical prowess. I'm not normally one to be bothered by technical issues – I'm more concerned with messages and ideas, hence I can forgive a few breakdowns on the way so long as we get somewhere. Whether it’s a trip worth taking will depend on your tolerance for bumpy rides and the many spell-breaking hiccups curtailing the credulity of your experience.
The game that finally convinced me to get a Telltale account.
Like a moving picture, that's actually a game.
Atelier Sophie isn’t at its best when doing particularly anything. It may only appeal to an alcove of anime fans, being so jovial you can practically hear it wishing you a merry Christmas. The broad stroke of the content can be experienced with any other JRPG, and better so. But if the home-bound, alchemic twist appeals, you may have a game worth persisting for.
Alienation is a Mountain Dew and Doritos experience. It's a weekend game to satiate the teenage memories of LAN parties and junk food binges. An unregrettable one-night stand with that girl from ages ago. Another reminder that shameful, when done well, isn't that shameful at all.
Whether you consider Quantum Break a game with episodes, or a mini-series with interactive segments ultimately doesn't matter - it's an experience. It may use an unproven formula, but that blueprint is also the main attraction that piques one's curiosity, even if my own started to waiver amidst a story too interested in its own keywords to talk about anything more depth-inducing. With a dire need to be amongst the blockbusters, it's an inoffensive, non-threatening tale with big-name actors who try so seriously to make it otherwise. And while not an one interesting story in itself, Quantum Break has an interesting way of being told.
PS4's biggest sports exclusive delivers a moonshot home run, thanks to perfectly balanced fundamentals, astonishingly lifelike presentation, and little details that few rivals – past or present – have come close to getting right.
Still the best baseball management sim ever, and predictably so given its similarity to last year's great game.
An interactive discussion of the darkled human spirit.
This might not be the game we're looking for.
Call of Duty is the Coca Cola of the game industry. Popular, unchanging, and tastes good to most, but it's still the same stuff.