Nomada Studios follow up title has gone above and beyond it’s predecessor. With deeper gameplay, vibrant colours and a heart wrenching story to boot. Although this 5 hour journey may be shorter than some would like, it doesn’t detract from its fantastic gameplay. Neva is an engaging and emotional experience that is well worth investing your time in, even if it is only for a day or two.
If you want a poignant tale of a man coming to terms with loss then Tales of Kenzera: Zau is for you. The story is the main focus here and although combat isn’t perfect it still contains more than enough fun and challenge for any player. Unfortunately the side content is severely lacking and most talisman upgrades barely help, however if you don’t want to spend over 20 hours on one game then this is perfect. Some sort of spiritual sequel (no pun intended) with a bigger focus on combat and exploration wouldn’t go astray but the Tale of Zau is just fine just on its own.
In the two weeks since its release, Marvel Rivals has has over 20 million players and broken several records. Taking this with a grain of salt since this is free to play, but there is no doubt that this is a ton of fun with or without friends. With a huge roster of fan favourite characters, there is an abundance of skins to choose from with even more modes, seasons and rewards to come. This also is great for those quick gaming sessions where you don’t have a lot of time or just want to play something that doesn’t require too many brain cells. All in all Marvel Rivals is a great addition to the F2P universe and hopefully it continues to grow into a worth rival of Fortnite and Apex.
Personally, I am not a fan of turn-based RPGs, usually as they take too long or are too arduous. Dragon Quest 3 Remake has given the classic game, series and myself a fresh look at what potential these genres store. With the pixel art beyond stunning, music filled to the brim with iconic tracks and accessibility for everyone, this is far more than just a shiny remake. If anyone is looking to join this expansive series then now is the time and this is the game! It’s even available on PC and Xbox! To Echo our editors statement, this is how classic RPGs should be remade!
Treyarch has managed to breath new life into an aging franchise that still contains mind blowing set pieces and a pretty solid story to go along with them. The variety and accessibility here in every mode is almost unprecedented for a Call of Duty game and will have something for everyone. It may not reach the heights of the original Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops era but it gets dam close. Aside from a few connectivity issues with online and a predictable campaign ending, this is the best CoD has been in a long time.
Team Bloober have somehow managed to increase the tension that the original Team Silent founded down all those years ago. Carefully editing out the most frustrating parts and upgrading it to suit modern audiences whilst still giving returning fans something new to encounter. Some sequences and puzzles may feel slow or deliberately cumbersome but there are great accessibility options for all types of players to help makes things easier. This is the ultimate way to play a Silent Hill game for everyone and whatever comes next in this series will find that the Silent Hill 2 Remake is a tough act to follow.
Caravan SandWitch is a strange amalgamation of genres but somehow it’s charm, cartoon style and fun gameplay makes it all work. Whilst the intriguing story sets the scene, the real wholesome parts of the game lie with the many side quests for the distinctive characters that require your assistance. The world building surrounding the story is even more fascinating and makes you get back in the van in order to uncover hidden details about this devastated planet. With calm music, bountiful exploration and endearing individuals, this is a cosy game with the soul of adventure.
It’s been 5 years of the PlayStation 5 and Astro’s second outing on this console is brimming with charm. Whilst the 10-12 hour story is bare bones and the PlayStation theme borders on overbearing, the endearing little Bots more than make up for these slight negatives. Astro Bot feels like a direct continuation rather than a sequel, but this doesn’t subtract from the glorious visuals, smooth gameplay and crisp audio. If you played Astro’s Playroom then you may feel like this is slightly less original, but regardless, the hunt for iconic characters to feel that sense of nostalgia and the special additional levels are a joy for PlayStation fans of all ages!
Returning to this one of kind RPG world created by the talented team of 8 at The Gentlebros has been an absolute delight albeit a very short one. This can be forgiven by how much attention to detail they have placed in the pirate themed designs, sounds and of course puns. Cat Quest 3 lives up to its promise of being a seafaring adventure for all to enjoy whilst containing snippets of an overall story that fans will enjoy. Come for the booty looting pirate travels but stay for the puns and catitude!
To close the case, this is a perfect example of “less is more” as Nobody Wants To Die provides an enthralling story that you can’t tear yourself away from. Like almost every good thriller or murder mystery, you need a good twist or ending to make sure it imprints on the viewer/player. Whilst the set up, audio and graphics is incredible, the slightly confusing ending might go over some people’s heads, especially if you weren’t paying attention. It also wrapped up everything very quickly and had me wondering if that was all there was.
Sometimes more of the same isn’t generally a good thing, but here it’s what everyone has wanted plus more. This is the perfect example of an expansion done right, by adding a tonne of new enemies, new mandatory and optional areas to explore, challenging bosses all whilst fitting into the existing game seamlessly. From Software continues its winning streak of difficult but rewarding games as Shadow of the Erdree is officially the best rated DLC of all time. After completing it, I can definitely see why it earned that well deserved title.
A true 90s classic has been brought back to life by Nightdive Studios in amazingly difficult precision. Although released last year on PC, console players now have access to this intricate revival. Whilst definitely not a game for everyone, System Shock fully deserves this remake treatment despite its 30 year old flaws. The satisfaction of figuring out the demanding puzzles and punishing boss battles are reminiscent of a Soulsborne game, making the trek through this hazardous space station more than worthwhile.
Alone in the Dark doesn’t break new ground gameplay-wise in the horror survival genre, but the story really delves into heavy psychological horror themes. This, along with the acting and frantic characters, really is a love letter to this genre, even if it is a bit too similar to older games in some aspects.
In creating the universe of Helldivers, Arrowhead Studios has drawn inspiration from the sci-fi cult classics Starship Troopers and Alien which really shows. The gameplay elements and world-building are fantastic, with a solid and fair progression system alongside a few minor inclusions for those who want to invest a touch more money into this game. A lack of story mode and online-only component may deter some players but with the servers struggling at launch this doesn’t seem to be an issue.
The tale of the two Banishers is one that is worth being told. Although some parts of the story may seem a bit drawn-out this is more of a case of experiencing the smaller details to add up to the whole. Some games may be bingeable but Ghosts of New Eden is best done slowly. Your choices will effect the ending and there is a tonne of side content and smaller stories to experience. Each one different to the last.
Mirari & Co have created some intriguing ideas by integrating several key elements from different game types. Most of this works well enough but occasionally Dark Light feels a bit too bloated with an abundance of design choices. However, this doesn’t make it less fun or challenging, especially if you take advantage of the nightmare mode.
Generation 9 of Pokémon has probably been the most rocky of the Nintendo Switch era. With its first true open world brought an abundance of performance issues and glitches that made for funny yet frustrating times for fans. However, a year later and two story content drops, Scarlet/Violet still keeps the Pokémon world alive with mystery and of course, a crazy amount of Pokémon to catch. If you have slept on this title and are itching to put on your trainer belt again, now is definitely the time to fly into Paldea!
If you’re looking for a puzzle game to immerse yourself in, then Jusant is it. With a chilled-out soundtrack and not overly difficult gameplay, it’s perfect to zone out and just enjoy the climb. Whilst some story elements have taken a back seat, the details and mystery more than make up for it along with the impressive views. Oh and don’t forget to give Ballast a hug!
Sailing through the cold southern area of The Pale Reach was an icy blast even though it was short-lived. Leaving you wanting more is generally a good sign that the developers have done their job right and this is definitely the case for this DLC. However, unlocking the new equipment would come in handy during the main game rather than after it as after completing these missions there is nothing left to do.
The Invincible is a stunning narrative that takes you to the edge of science fiction. Exploring a desolate planet feels isolating, yet the tension almost never wavers. With an unpredictable story and great characters this is for any sci-fi fan or anyone who wants an in depth tale of survival, exploration and pushing the barriers of the unknown.