As a relatively modest strategy title, Classified: France '44 accomplishes much more than you might think considering its rather low-key pre-release reception. Anybody who is up for a good lean tactical strategy game is in for quite a treat here, as Classified delivers an experience that gives you a good hearty taste of what a simple and effective strategy game should be, while adding new and forward-thinking features that address some of the qualms of the genre. The new Morale system is a novel new mechanic that adds a layer of depth to strategy, the missions are good and place emphasis on smart strategic play, and although the story and personalities fall short, the illustrated cutscenes are an admirable embellishment that gives Classified its own distinctive panache. Classified might seem rather plain and ordinary to many, and yes it does represent itself in that fashion, but underneath there is a compelling and satisfying strategy title here that's worth a look for anybody who is intrigued and wants to get rid of hordes of virulent Nazi scum in L'Hexagone.
Another year another WWE 2K game going through the motions, although some of those motions are pleasing. For every good step this year's game has taken to add fan-pleasing features, it does so on unsteady feet like it's been stuck in Boston Crab for an entire week. 2K24 is attempting to tread waywardly onwards towards some kind of fully-featured salvation ensnared in a vivid vision of the ultimate WWE game, but doesn't have the ingredients to realize it. The new 2K Showcase of the Immortals mode is a delicious offering with many new matches to replicate, despite the ancient 2K Showcase formula showing its wrinkles and grey hairs related to its dreary Simon Says antics . The new match types are exciting and worthwhile inclusions despite some minor gripes pertaining to how they've been implemented. And then you've got a boatload of subtle additions and tweaks that show admirable improvements, yet are still far too small to make a tremendous impact. WWE 2K24 is a fine game and it is showing Rhodes towards the wrestling videogames promise land, but right now it's nowhere near the Head of the Table.
A sequel’s primary objective should be to evolve its predecessor in every way that matters, and in most ways, Ghostrunner 2 accomplishes this to great effect. There’s a plethora of new and explosive special abilities, better interactions with characters and gameplay that’s as dynamic and viscerally satisfying as ever. It provides a tough but fair challenge that’s never too difficult and can be overcome with persistence and changing things up. Ghostrunner 2 is an example of a model sequel that improves on almost every facet of the first game. Yes, the dark, concrete arenas and rooftops grow stale, and there’s still more room to make the characters and story more substantial, but what’s here is refined and even more badass than what came before. If the first Ghostrunner put you off, you should give this one a slash.
The return of Hot Wheels has brought with it mixed results. The racing action is undeniably exciting and pulse-quickening, which correlates wonderfully with the nostalgia of using the real-life playsets, and the are plenty of models to collect that you'll feel spoilt for choice. However, Turbocharged is weighed down by overfamiliarity, unambitious race modes, on-track frustrations, and a sense not enough has been done to evolve this sequel. On a base-level, Turbocharged is a pleasure to play, but Milestone should try to stop toying around with this franchise, it's got the va-va-voom to be something special, but unfortunately Turbocharged isn't quite it.