Alessandro Barbosa's Reviews
Rust's dated survival mechanics and overwhelmingly unwelcoming player base make it an experience more interesting to talk about than actually play.
Moss makes it easy for you to connect to its adventurous, adorable protagonist as you accompany her on a whimsical journey though a surprisingly inventive platformer.
Bravo Team embodies some of the worst traits in a VR game. It's lackluster gameplay and stale shooting never take full advantage of VR as a medium, and stumble across all the worst hardware pitfalls PSVR has to wrangle with. It's a mercifully short experience that doesn't justify the price, especially when better games that fundamentally understand VR hardware exist already.
Q.U.B.E. 2 presents satisfyingly complex puzzles, but a messy narrative underpins its lack of personality.
Sea of Thieves has a startlingly gorgeous presentation and well-thought-out pirate simulation for you to get excited over. But its spell on the high-seas is short-lived, with a lack of incentivising quests and lacklustre combat forcing you to make your own compelling reasons to stick with it rather than it not loosening its grasp on your attention.
Minit might impose a daunting time limit on each of your lives, but its cleverly designed world and enriched puzzles make the cycle of exploration and death well worth investing into.
God of War reinvigorates an ageing series with a Kratos you can care for, a host of new characters that are both exceptionally acted and wonderfully written with action and exploration that sets new standards for games of this ilk going forward. It's a triumph in storytelling and design, making it one of the most exceptional experiences gaming has ever seen.
State of Decay 2 implements some interesting mechanics but fails to engage with them in a meaningful way.
Frostpunk is an ingenious blend of city building systems and morally ambiguous decision making. Its mechanics are streamlined enough to be easy to grasp, but it's tension and demanding nature make it an apocalyptic experience you shouldn't skip.
Quarantine Circular asks fascinating questions about humanity in a well-written narrative adventure, but it struggles to stick the landing.
The Forest's survival mechanics are captivating, but its unforgettable horrors steal the show.
Golem's gorgeous presentation is undercut by poorly designed puzzles and frustrating navigation.
Mario Tennis Aces gives the arcade tennis series a massive injection of depth, turning this family friendly sports title into a tactical, fast-paced chess game that is a thrill to play against other people. Its depth is well explained in a limited story mode that has some interesting ideas, but it's a tougher sell if you're not looking to lose yourself in hours and hours of online play.
20XX's great gameplay is let down by inconsistent procedural level designs and underwhelming boss battles.
Captain Toad Treasure Tracker is the same compelling puzzle adventure that it was on the Wii U, but now on a system that feels far more suited to its bite-sized levels and rapid pace. Its strange control quirks in docked mode make it a less alluring prospect at home, but if you're looking to kill some time anywhere else you'd struggle to find something this good to scratch that itch.
Overcooked 2 is a lot more of the same, but it's a well-rounded sequel that improves on its established gameplay with small, clever refinements across the board. Add to that new online multiplayer support, a quick-fix Arcade mode and more devious kitchens to conquer, and Overcooked 2 is a perfect choice for your next co-operative craving.
We Happy Few's borderline broken systems and unremarkable quest design make it an unentertaining slog through an intriguing world.
Hollow Knight's sprawling world, precise combat, and wealth of content make its trip through Hollownest engrossing and rewarding.
F1 2018 doesn't skimp on technically deep and rigorous racing, but its approach to appease both hardcore F1 fans and curious racing fans alike make it a title that has a much broader appeal than just the sport itself. It's a gorgeous package with smartly designed content to keep you entertaining on and off the track, and just a darn fine racing experience around every corner.
Lara Croft's final adventure in her revival trilogy is easily her weakest yet. Shadow of the Tomb Raider's story fails to critique the heroine in the many ways it attempts, while aging gameplay mechanics and troublesome new additions undercut deeply satisfying exploration and an exquisite visual presentation.