Jon Scarr's Reviews
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a remake that beautifully blends classic JRPG elements with modern gameplay features. You take on the role of various characters across generations as they face off against seven former heroes who have now become villains. The game’s unique gameplay mechanic, known as the Inheritance System, allows you to pass down skills from one character to the next. While the graphics and music are impressive, the story is a bit simplistic. However, if you enjoy a good challenge, the overall experience is definitely enjoyable.
MechWarrior 5: Clans offers a mix of intense mech battles and character-driven storytelling. You play as Jayden, a rookie pilot leading a team against the Great House Lords. While the game features impressive customization options and engaging combat, some missions can feel repetitive and the story has familiar clichés. Overall, it’s a solid addition to the series that balances action and story, making it enjoyable for both new and returning fans.
Open Roads is a heartfelt game that takes you on a road trip with Tess and her mother, Opal, as they uncover family secrets. The game focuses on the emotional depth of their relationship and with its simple controls and a minimalistic art style, it encourages you to reflect on your own connections while making choices that shape the story. If you enjoy games that prioritize storytelling and character development, Open Roads offers a memorable experience that stays with you long after you finish playing.
Ys X: Nordics is the latest entry in the action RPG series that introduces ship exploration and dual-character combat. You control Adol and his companion Karja, as you make your way through a Norse-inspired world. The game features enjoyable combat mechanics and a well-paced story filled with memorable characters and side quests. While the visuals and soundtrack are great, the voice acting is a mixed bag. Overall, Ys X: Nordics is a solid addition that fans will appreciate.
The Last of Us Part 1 is a faithful remake that visually and mechanically upgrades the original, making it the definitive way to experience this post-apocalyptic adventure. The emotional journey of Joel and Ellie is as powerful as ever, backed by exciting gameplay and amazing visuals. Whether you’re a newcomer or a returning player, The Last of Us Part I is a must-play.
Metaphor: ReFantazio delivers a deeply immersive experience with tactical combat and a richly imagined world. Fans of Persona will appreciate its familiar themes, but with a twist: deeper strategy and high-fantasy elements. With its impressive visuals and complex combat mechanics, Metaphor stands as a strong entry in Atlus’ RPG legacy. While the pacing may drag in spots, the overall experience is rewarding and offers significant replay value for genre fans.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero revitalizes the iconic series with fast-paced combat, a rich character selection, and engaging multiplayer modes. Featuring polished visuals and balanced mechanics, it builds on its predecessors with seamless controls and cinematic finishers. The story mode is filled with nostalgic moments, while multiplayer enhances the competitive spirit. Though the gameplay is solid, minor pacing issues and a learning curve can be a challenge for new players.
South of the Circle follows Peter’s journey in Antarctica as he reflects on love, duty, and survival. The minimalist style enhances the story’s focus. Though short and light on mechanics, it delivers a thoughtful, lasting experience
Until Dawn (2024) gives a fresh look to the 2015 PS4 horror classic. It uses Unreal Engine 5 beautiful graphics, smooth animations, and an eerie atmosphere. While the main story and gameplay remain pretty much the same, the updates make it feel new, especially for fans of choice-driven horror. If you loved the original, the new details and choices are worth checking out, but the core story is still mostly the same.
Silent Hill 2 remake successfully brings the classic horror game into the modern era with stunning graphics and improved sound. You play as James Sunderland as he searches for his missing wife in a town filled with disturbing creatures and dark secrets. While the gameplay features some unnecessary padding and backtracking, it still maintains the original’s themes of guilt and trauma. Overall, this remake honours the legacy of the original while offering a fresh experience for both new players and fans.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge delivers fast-paced, arcade-style action with a retro feel. The game combines clean pixel art, smooth animations, and a catchy soundtrack. You can enjoy it by yourself or team up with friends for chaotic multiplayer fun. It’s a great mix of nostalgia and modern gameplay that fans and newcomers will enjoy.
Sifu combines precise martial arts combat with a clever aging system, creating a unique beat ’em up experience. Its tough but fair difficulty rewards careful strategy and skill. Sifu’s clean visuals, smooth animation, and immersive soundtrack complement its fast-paced action. If you enjoy challenging combat and learning from your mistakes, Sifu is right for you.
Streets of Rage 4 brings the classic beat ’em up series back with modern graphics and gameplay. You must fight to save the city from going corrupt. The game features smooth combat, a variety of characters, and enjoyable multiplayer options. With its beautiful hand-drawn visuals and a catchy soundtrack, Streets of Rage 4 is a great mix of nostalgia and fresh excitement.
G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is a trip down memory lane for for 80s G.I. Joe fans with familiar characters and locations in a beat-em-up style game. You can choose from 4 G.I. Joe heroes each with their own abilities as you fight through levels full of Cobra bad guys. The game captures the heart of the franchise with bright graphics and music but the gameplay can get repetitive and some combat mechanics are frustrating. Still, Wrath of Cobra is a fun and budget friendly ride for G.I. Joe fans.
EA Sports FC 25 is a mix of familiar gameplay and new features. The best new addition to this year’s game is Rush mode. It offers fast-paced five-a-side matches that are fun and easy to play. The game also introduces improved tactics, allowing you to customize your team more effectively. While the graphics and animations look great, slow menus and some online balance issues are frustrating. Overall, FC 25 is a solid game that offers something for both casual players and hardcore fans.
Wargroove 2 is a fun sequel that expands on the original game’s charm and strategy. You can explore three different campaigns filled with quirky characters and tactical challenges. The new Conquest mode adds variety with roguelike elements, keeping gameplay fresh and exciting. While it has a steep difficulty curve and long missions, the colourful pixel art and multiplayer options make it a great choice for strategy fans.
Fort Solis features beautiful visuals and impressive voice acting, making it a treat to experience. However, the game suffers from painfully slow walking speeds and frustrating backtracking. While the story has potential, it feels rushed and lacks urgency, especially towards the end. Overall, it’s an interesting attempt at storytelling, but it may not satisfy everyone looking for a traditional gaming experience.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown brings back a classic racing franchise, but it has its fair share of problems. The game features a detailed version of Hong Kong Island, giving you a large map packed with events and hidden gems to explore. Although racing and customizing cars can be enjoyable, Solar Crown’s many bugs and performance issues put a big damper on your fun. Despite these issues, the solid racing mechanics and the chance to play with others through clans add some excitement, though the game would benefit from having more players to really make it worth while.
God of War Ragnarök continues the story of Kratos and Atreus, diving deeper into their relationship and Norse mythology. The game features intense combat, exploration, and clever puzzles that require teamwork between father and son. With beautiful visuals, excellent voice acting and a gripping story, God of War Ragnarök is a must-play for both new players and series veterans.
XIII is a remake of the 2003 classic shooter that brings back its unique comic book style. You play as a man with amnesia, uncovering a conspiracy. While the game has solid action and stealth options, it suffers from outdated graphics, uneven pacing, and clunky controls. Fans of the original may enjoy the nostalgia, but others might find the flaws hard to overlook.