Mario Tennis Fever is simply a massive step forward for the series.
Despite a simple control scheme that occasionally hits its ceiling, the game offers endless meaningful unlocks that keep you coming back to play more.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 is the most ambitious, polished, and creatively fulfilling Jurassic Park game ever produced.
Pac-Man World 2 Re-PAC is the shining example of how older games should be remade, completely from the ground up, modernising where needed while still retaining the Saturday morning cartoon quality of the characters and gameplay that made it such a classic in the first place.
Persona 3 Reload on Nintendo Switch 2 is the most beautiful and emotionally rich version of the game that Atlus has ever produced.
DK Island and Emerald Rush are a must-have for fans of the Retro series and those who love rogue-like challenges.
In the growing conversation around “games as art,” Hellblade II demands inclusion.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A ultimately propels the series forward, offering the best-looking and smoothest gameplay the series has ever produced.
Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots proves that the series can thrive outside its PlayStation roots. HYDE has delivered a game that honours the franchise’s history while introducing new modes that make it perfect for group play. It’s approachable, entertaining, and full of content that will keep golf fans busy for dozens of hours.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a great Bethesda game for Xbox, made even better on the Playstation 5 Pro console thanks to the devs at Machine Games making full use of the hardware to get the best out of their software. If you have played the game before on an Xbox console, this PS5 version is the ultimate way to experience this game. With perfect writing, stunning locations, and a return to that old-school Hollywood feel, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a great game, delivered perfectly on the Playstation 5 Pro.
Star Wars Outlaws is a solid addition to the Star Wars gaming universe. It offers a compelling story, beautiful visuals, and a rich world to explore. Despite its flaws, it’s a game that fans of the franchise will likely enjoy, especially those who appreciate a good blaster at their side. It’s a shame that the visuals are so grainy and jarring, while they do fit into the universe, it doesn’t translate well to the current gaming landscape. The forced stealth mechanics get a little repetitive, particularly in the later hours of the main story. The story does play it a little too safe in terms of story. Ubisoft has confirmed that updates will be sent out including quality-of-life improvements and there is a map ahead for extra content and a season pass to come.
Dead Island 2 is far better than it ever had any right to be. The story is bare bones, however, it does make up for it with the huge variety of zombies and the FLESH system revolutionises the way you can make calculated and decisive kills. The game runs like a dream on the Playstation 5 with no bugs or crashes during my 30-hour playthrough. This is a solid instalment in the series that proves the wait was worth it.
Spongebob Squarepants : The Cosmic Shake is a huge step forward for the series. Purple Lamp Studios have taken the great elements of Battle for Bikini Bottom and improved on them in this game. Making Spongebob the only playable character and giving his new abilities and moves, really allows for the focus to be on the main character and others like Patrick and Sandy to deliver a great performance. The Bubble Board is among one of my favourite new additions to this game and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next. While the game is currently not available on next-gen consoles, if you have a Switch, I would argue that this is a fantastic addition to your game collection for both young and old.
Garfield Lasagna Party is another release featuring America’s favourite fat cat that truly does nothing with the IP. The mini-games are irritating and the player board is forgettable, along with the voiceless and soulless characters of Jim Davis that inhabit the game. Hopefully the next outing featuring Garfield won’t be as rushed as this, as we are now down 2 for 2.
Gotham Knights doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it takes some parts of the Arkham Batman games and delivers it to a new generation of gamers. This doesn’t always stick the landing, however a solid story and self-aware writing ensures that this is a game worth playing. Having the option to play solo or with friends online through the campaign was a great decision and I can’t wait to see how the game evolves as the 4 player multiplayer is introduced. Gotham City feels alive and is greatly populated with citizens, thugs and criminals all ready to deliver an incredible experience with the Bat-family.
Ghostwire Tokyo delivers a highly emotional story in one of the most beautifully detailed environments ever made in a game. The eerie setting allows for the world to truly come alive as you unlock the gates and clear the evil mist. The more mysteries you uncover, the more the world begins to make sense and the answer to what made the disappearance event occur becomes clearer. While the game takes a bit to get going, when it does it shows why Tango Gameworks are at the top of their game. Despite the slow introduction, the characters and world are so inviting, you will want to spend as much time in this world as you possibly can. Roaming the streets of Tokyo has never looked so good, even if it is with a bunch of supernatural beings who want to trap the souls of everyone on earth. Ghostwire Tokyo is a rare gem in an overcrowded gaming year that you won’t want to miss.
Sifu is a breath of fresh air coming out in an extremely crowded year of good games. Fortunately, the addictive gameplay and jaw-droppingly beautiful art style elevate this into great game status. While the gameplay mechanics and age progression take some time to get used to, once you settle in, you won’t want to leave. Sifu packs a punch!
The game just feels like a big of a mixed experience for me. If you are looking for a fully fleshed-out single-player experience, you won’t find any luck here. The narrative is unable to hold itself together or offer any reason to stick around. The cut scenes give insight into the Cleaners, but it isn’t enough for you to care. The multiplayer gameplay is where Back4Blood excels, particularly if you have friends you can play online with. Time will tell if more content will be released and what the game’s longevity is; for now, if you enjoy horror slashers, this is definitely the game for you.
Deathloop took me by complete surprise. By utilising the best parts of the Playstation 5 along with a truly gripping story that eggs you on to keep playing to unravel its secrets, Arkane have once again delivered a world that I can’t wait to dive into again and keep playing in multiplayer online as more gamers discover this gem. Playing through the single player campaign will keep you guessing as to what is actually going on, and never quite goes where you think it will. Even though the idea of playing the same level may sound tedious and pointless, Deathloop manages to make it exciting and feel like a fresh experience everytime you jump in. The world truly feels alive thanks to its impressive visuals and use of the DualSense controller on the Playstation 5. Deathloop has truly cemented itself as one of the great games of 2021.
Hot Wheels Unleashed is a lot better than it has any right to be. What could be viewed as a shameless cash grab is lovingly embraced by developer Milestone to create a game and a community that is set to continue on far beyond launch. There are several different DLC packs planned for release that will unlock new vehicles, tracks and collectibles with properties like DC Comics and Warner Bros properties, it seems to be a solid investment in the future of the game. Beautiful graphics accentuate the neon palette and the fast and zippy pace elevate this title to truly deliver something special.