Peter Taylor's Reviews
We hoped beyond hope that Anthem would show the world just how sci-fi online action role-playing games were done. What we got, however, was far from that and without some serious improvement, Anthem could take Mass Effect: Andromeda's crown as BioWare's worst ever release.
Both expansions add new challenges and illnesses to keep fans of Two Point Hospital going for a good while yet. Of the two, Pebberley Island brings in some unique hooks and the last level horde mode of that expansion is quite the test of our management skills.
Both expansions add new challenges and illnesses to keep fans of Two Point Hospital going for a good while yet. Of the two, Pebberley Island brings in some unique hooks and the last level horde mode of that expansion is quite the test of our management skills.
Xenon Racer wants to become this generation's Ridge Racer. Unfortunately it can't quite get the formula right and thanks to some rather annoying niggles lacks the fun-factor that made Ridge Racer what it was.
Snooker 19 has its shortcomings but none of them take enough away from making it a must for any avid snooker fan wishing to dream of making an appearance at the Crucible. Lab42 has started the frame off strongly and hopefully this is the start of a bright, snooker-filled future.
OTTTD is a great example of taking a straightforward type of genre like tower defense and adding just enough of a twist to it to make it stand out. Whilst the lack of touch controls limit its fluidity on such a mobile platform, its bite-sized nature suits the Switch perfectly.
Whilst it may not challenge Mario Kart as the king of arcade kart racing, Team Sonic Racing's twist on the genre makes it distinctive enough to discourage comparisons to Nintendo's classic.
F1 2019 is a fantastic racing title whether you're a fan of the sport or not. Despite my reservations and perceived lack of improvements I've been proven wrong at almost every turn. Codemasters have done the licence and series proud and look forward now to next year's edition and what it might bring especially with new consoles on the horizon.
Gears 5 takes the series to new heights but it's weighed down by some annoying bugs and a story that seems to try a touch too hard to tie itself to the original trilogy. Whilst Horde mode is still excellent and the various Versus modes are fun, the new Escape mode is a bit hit and miss.
eFootball PES 2020 is a confusing title to recommend. It's best likened to an Alfa Romeo as, when everything works, it's majestic. However, when it's not, which is most of the time, it's such a frustrating experience because you know just how good it could be.
WRC 8 has laid a great foundation to build on for KT Racing. Whilst it doesn't quite topple Dirt as the king of rally simulations it should give Codemasters something to worry about. Whilst the lack of online lobbies is a concern its in single-player that WRC 8 really shines.
The Outer Worlds is a competent and well-acted action-RPG with some interesting ideas but one that mostly plays safe. While it doesn't quite reach the heights of Fallout: New Vegas, it certainly cements Obsidian Entertainment as an RPG force.
Football Manager 2020 manages to improve upon last years outing in enough areas to justify an upgrade for owners for FM 2019 or before. However, I do feel it's getting closer to the point where a marquee feature will need to be introduced or an existing one improved dramatically such as the 3D match engine.
NFS Heat is an improvement over NFS Payback but that isn't saying much. Microtransactions are long gone thankfully but not much else has changed. If EA are hoping to return the series back to its heyday it'll need to do much more than this to topple the likes of Forza Horizon 4.
Phoenix Point comes from the creator of the original XCOM, and as such you'd think it'd be an imperious, spiritual successor to the pre-Fireaxis series. Instead, it's a decent if disappointing addition in its current state and in dire need of some TLC from its creator.
AO Tennis 2 is this generation's Top Spin 4. It takes over a baton that has been carried through mis-steps and let-downs as tennis fans young and old finally have a game worth their time and effort. It's not perfect by any stretch but up against the competition and its predecessor it stands head-and-shoulders above them.
With more tracks and stages than you can shake a stick at, DiRT 2.0: Game of the Year edition barrels on sideways whilst welcoming back the name that started it all: Colin McRae. Despite a lacklustre feel when using a wheel, there's still a very impressive rally simulation hidden away inside just waiting for you to turn the key.
MotoGP 20 is a top notch recreation of one of the fastest series on two wheels. The career mode is entertaining, especially if you decide to take on being a new team. Visually stunning, audibly arresting and just downright fun to play when you get the hang of it, MotoGP 20 is a must for any serious fan of the sport.
When the stars align, racing in Assetto Corsa Competizione is absolutely fantastic. It is, however, marred by some questionable omissions in its configurable options, issues with some of the most popular wheels and pedals on the market, and public lobbies that aren't currently available to all regions. It can, and should, be better.
F1 2020 continues Codemasters' excellent form in delivering a fantastic recreation for Formula 1. The new My Team mode injects new life into the series and is far more welcome than Devon Butler was last year. It's never easy making iterative releases relevant but they sure do seem to have a grand plan in play. One wonders what we'll be treated to next year, but until then there's a bucket load of fun in F1 2020 to keep you entertained.