Jon Scarr's Reviews
Alan Wake 2 successfully combines horror and immersive storytelling, offering a captivating experience filled with twists. The game features two main characters, Saga Anderson and Alan Wake, each with their own unique challenges. While the combat can feel a bit clunky, the stunning visuals and engaging narrative make up for it. Overall, Alan Wake 2 is a worthy sequel that delivers a memorable journey.
The Casting of Frank Stone is a spin-off from Dead by Daylight, developed by Supermassive Games. The game explores the dark legacy of the serial killer Frank Stone across multiple timelines. While the story is engaging and filled with interesting twists, it can feel rushed at times, and some gameplay elements are limited. Overall, it’s a fun experience, but you might want to wait for a sale before diving in.
Astro Bot is a must-play for anyone who loves platformers. It combines creativity, nostalgia, and fun in a way that’s hard to resist. This game sets a new standard for 3D platforming and is sure to leave you smiling as you enjoy your adventure.
Atlas Fallen offers a mix of fun gameplay, solid visuals, and good sound design that creates an immersive experience. This game invites you to explore its sandy landscapes and uncover hidden secrets, making it a worthwhile adventure. However, combat encounters can become repetitive, especially against similar enemies, the story’s pacing can be uneven at times and there are occasional frame drops that can be distracting during gameplay. If you like action-packed games with a bit of exploration, this game is definitely worth a look.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a fun and wild adventure that stands out among indie games. Its unique style and enjoyable gameplay make it a must play in my books. While it has some small issues, Gori’s overall experience is enjoyable and memorable. With a good upgrade system and collectibles, you’ll find yourself coming back again and again.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a fun game for fans of both LEGO and Star Wars. It mixes the playful style of LEGO with exciting Star Wars stories. You can explore famous locations and fight memorable characters along the way. The bright graphics and open-world design make the adventure even better. However, some puzzles might be too easy for long-time fans. Overall, it’s an enjoyable journey that newcomers and long-time fans will both love.
Visions of Mana marks a welcome return for the beloved JRPG series after a long hiatus since 2006. The game’s story follows Val, a soul guard, as he protects Hinna, the chosen Alm, on their journey to the Mana tree, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and the tension between tradition and personal dreams. Mana’s vibrant graphics, engaging combat system and beautiful soundtrack all add to the overall experience. However, some narrative elements feel clichéd, and the quality of voice acting varies, which detracts from the emotional weight of the story at times. Overall, it’s a solid entry that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Star Wars Outlaws is an engaging game that captures the essence of the franchise with its vibrant settings and compelling narrative. The partnership between Kay and her sidekick Nix adds charm and humour, adding to the overall experience. While some gameplay elements, like stealth missions, can feel repetitive and the AI may be inconsistent, the open-world design encourages exploration and meaningful choices through a reputation system. Overall, it’s a strong addition to the franchise, offering a mix of action, exploration, and storytelling that will resonate with fans.
Concord combines fast-paced action with a vibrant cast of characters, offering a satisfying gameplay experience that encourages you to adapt your strategies based on varied map designs. The progression system adds replay value by rewarding players with cosmetic unlocks and challenges. However, Concord faces stiff competition from established games in the hero shooter genre, which raises questions about its long-term success. Despite these challenges, Concord has a solid foundation and potential to find its place in the genre, if Firewalk Studios and PlayStation give it the support it will need. 3.7
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach offers a fresh take for fans of the series, featuring free-roam gameplay that allows you to explore the vast Mega Pizzaplex at your own pace. The detailed character models and vibrant environments along with the voice acting adds depth to each animatronic’s personality. However, it is not without flaws; there are some glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during tense moments, and the stealth mechanics often feel like they are poorly designed. Despite these issues, it remains a solid addition to the franchise, appealing to both fans and newcomers willing to overlook some technical difficulties.
Psychonauts 2 shines in its storytelling and emotional depth. It thoughtfully explores important themes like mental health, inviting you to dive into the complexities of the human mind while keeping the experience fun and engaging. Overall, Psychonauts 2 is a must-play for both platformer fans and newcomers. It’s a heartfelt journey that highlights the beauty and fragility of being human.
Jusant combines climbing mechanics with storytelling through the environment, all set in beautiful visuals and a relaxing atmosphere. As you explore colourful landscapes, each climb feels rewarding, making it a meditative journey. The lack of challenge and certain points in the story not having enough emotional depth might be a turn off for some. Overall, Jusant offers a well-rounded experience with a subtle story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished your climb.
Creatures of Ava combines elements of sci-fi and fantasy, offering a charming narrative that emphasizes empathy and cooperation rather than traditional heroism. The story’s emotional depth and unique side quests provide memorable moments, though the pacing can feel uneven at times. Overall, Creatures of Ava delivers a heartwarming and cozy experience that fans of the genre will enjoy.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is a beautifully crafted remake that fully immerses you in the gritty world of 1930s gangsters, thanks to its engaging story and richly detailed environments. Although the game shines in its storytelling and atmospheric design, it does have some shortcomings, such as shallow character development and repetitive gameplay in the later chapters Despite this, Mafia: Definitive Edition provides an entertaining experience that both newcomers and longtime fans of the series will enjoy.
Super Meat Boy Forever offers a fresh take on the beloved franchise, introducing vibrant visuals and an energetic soundtrack that enhance the gameplay experience. The game features a storyline with cutscenes, adding depth and engagement. However, the shift to an auto-running mechanic has mixed results, as it is frustrating to those who loved the precise controls of the original. Ultimately, Super Meat Boy Forever modernizes the series but sacrifices some core elements, resulting in a mixed experience for long-time fans.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a nostalgic trip for fans of the franchise, and brings back the essence of Jango Fett’s adventure from the early 2000s. While the remaster offers a fresh coat of paint with improved textures and lighting, the core gameplay shows its age, with some gameplay mechanics feeling outdated and combat sequences occasionally lacking excitement. Despite its flaws, Bounty Hunter retains its charm that will resonate with long-time fans.
Tomba! Special Edition is a charming and nostalgic platformer that successfully brings a cult classic back to life. While it may not boast the same polish as modern titles, the quirky gameplay and vibrant world make it an enjoyable experience. The remastered soundtrack adds the overall atmosphere, and the added features like save anywhere and rewind options make it more accessible for new players. However, the game does have its drawbacks, such as some confusing quests and the need for backtracking, which can feel tedious at times. Despite these issues, Tomba! Special Edition captures the essence of the original while offering enough modern conveniences to keep you engaged.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a blast, and is a reminder of why the Crash Bandicoot franchise is still popular today. While it may be challenging at times, the revamped visuals and catchy music make every level enjoyable. Even though some controls feel tricky and the difficulty can frustrate newcomers, the fun of platforming and exploring keeps you coming back for more. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, you’ll find plenty to love in this amazing trilogy compilation.
CYGNI: All Guns Blazing is an exciting addition to the shoot-’em-up genre, offering a visually stunning experience that captures the essence of classic arcade shooters. While the game excels in its breathtaking graphics and fluid gameplay, it does stumble in a few areas. The story feels underdeveloped, and the upgrade system is somewhat limited. The difficulty spikes early on can be frustrating, especially for casual players. However, the intense action, clever enemy AI, and challenging boss battles make for a thrilling experience. If you enjoy fast-paced shooters, you’ll find yourself immersed in the chaos.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora offers players a stunning open-world experience on the alien moon of Pandora. The game immerses you in its vibrant landscapes, where plants react to your movements, creating a lively environment. You play as a Na’vi, exploring diverse biomes and engaging in various activities like crafting and hunting. The story revolves around uniting different tribes against the RDA, who threaten Pandora’s beauty and resources. While the visuals and sound design are impressive, some gameplay elements can feel repetitive, and the pacing of the story may be uneven. Despite these flaws, the game successfully captures the essence of the Avatar universe, allowing you to connect deeply with nature and the Na’vi culture. Overall, Frontiers of Pandora is a visually captivating adventure that offers both exploration and action, making it worth your time.