Brad Goodwin's Reviews
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a loyal remake of a beloved game that is both: a great entry point for new players to the series and long-time fans of the series that want to jump back into Luigi’s flagship series. While some of the gameplay design and mechanics didn’t translate perfectly over to the Nintendo Switch, this is still a title worth checking out.
SCHiM is one of the most distinct platformers released this year, and that deserves to be celebrated. The attention to detail in art direction and game direction, combined with a sublime concept executed near-flawlessly, may classify SCHiM as one of the best indie platformers of all time.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is the expansion that the fans have so eagerly been waiting for. With more brutal challenges and exploration around every new corner, Shadow of the Erdtree is a masterclass expansion on par with the most exceptional expansions of all time, such as The Witcher 3’s Blood and Wine DLC and Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty.
Alan Wake 2’s Night Spring presents an entertaining ~3-hour journey through the lenses of some of the franchise’s most iconic characters. Remedy manages to squeeze in the humour, chaos, and exhilarating gameplay of Alan Wake 2 in these bite-sized episodes, which will tide over any fan until the final expansion this year.
While Grounded won’t compete with the likes of juggernaut Minecraft, it forges its own path into the survival genre. Obsidian has created a captivating game boasting with personality which will have players lost for hundreds of hours.
Indika is not an experience everyone will enjoy. If you like story-driven games, buy Indika. You will love it. My words won’t do it justice. It’s far from life-changing, but it will give you an unforgettable experience that you’ll think about from time to time.
Stellar Blade is more than just a pretty face. It’s a grand entrance to what could be PlayStation’s next hugely successful IP. What the game lacks in story is made up for by its exhilarating combat and entertaining gameplay. Whatever is next for the Stellar Blade universe, I will be there on day one.
The TopSpin franchise has been spoiled in its first game in 13 years, thanks to 2K’s modern day splash of paint. TopSpin 2K25 provides the best tennis experience we’ve seen in gaming so far, but is slightly held back by the need to grind to access certain content.
The Rising Tide is the grand finale that Final Fantasy XVI deserves, reminding us of the legacy this entry into the franchise will leave. Exploring Mysidia and its surrounds, stacked on top of quality-of-life updates and new Eikonic abilities to be used, this is a must-play for anyone who enjoyed the original Final Fantasy XVI experience last year.
Princess Peach: Showtime! is a great return for Princess Peach as the main protagonist. Even though the game has some performance issues, the different costumes and genres the game explores will easily sustain most gamers’ interest throughout the 8-hour journey.
Square Enix transcends the Final Fantasy VII trilogy to new heights, providing a deeply captivating story and robust combat mechanics. These qualities, paired with entertaining main and side content, cements Final Fantasy VII Rebirth as one of the best RPGs of all time.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a faithful port from handheld to console, which boasts new quality-of-life features, graphical enhancements and, of course, fun courtroom battle gameplay. Much like the Resident Evil series of late, you can tell CAPCOM loves to give their games the royal treatment when it comes to remasters and ports. This is well worth your money if you love whodunit stories.
Konami has brought some of the greatest games of all time to modern consoles in Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol 1. The games, while still legendary, are let down by Kojima’s absence and Konami’s greed.
WarioWare: Move It! takes the chaotic and unhinged WarioWare series to new heights with its near-on perfect utilisation of the joy-con functionalities. While some microgames are hindered by inaccurate joy-con registry, they are still ridiculously fun.. just make sure you have friends to play with to get the full experience.
Nintendo has delivered yet another memorable experience that is delightfully ridiculous with surprises from start to finish. There’s a perfect combination of old and new mechanics executed flawlessly which feels fresh yet nostalgic at the same time. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a masterpiece worthy of being titled one of the best platformers of all time.
Vlad Circus: Descend Into Madness is an essential horror/adventure game title with a gripping story that leaves a haunting sense of emptiness upon completion. Indiesruption has delivered an experience that will stay with me for years to come.
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged provides players with an upgraded Hot Wheels experience, offering new gameplay mechanics and additional online features that were missing in the first game. There are few racing games that cater to all ages, but this one hits the mark and earns my recommendation to just about anyone.
Separate Ways delivers a compelling experience that compliments Resident Evil 4’s narrative by providing unique insights into Ada Wong’s character and actions. The DLC offers a thrilling and enjoyable expansion to the Resident Evil 4 universe with more than enough additional content to warrant the $15 purchase.
Bethesda delivers an expansive space experience with Starfield, blending its signature RPG formula with one of the strongest main story plots from its flagship titles. While the monotonous combat may leave some players wanting more, there’s a lot to love here. The immersive cities, engaging plot, and meaningful character interactions make Starfield a worthy addition to Bethesda’s legacy, offering countless hours of exploration and engagement in the Settled Systems.
SMG Studio once again successfully managed to take the seemingly mundane task of moving and turn it into an entertaining cooperative action/puzzle experience. With core gameplay enhancements and diverse level design, Moving Out 2 will keep you and your mates entertained for hours and hours.