Darryn Bonthuys's Reviews
If you've ever wondered what poetry in motion looks like, then Ode's imaginative mix of music and exploration will leave you with a smile on your face.
A slower episode that sacrifices action for more character development, Telltale's Batman game is shaping up to not only redefine the dark knight but also his greatest nemesis as Bruce Wayne finds himself caught up in a dangerous game.
All ages gameplay, a colourful world to explore and a platforming mascot who has some potential to join the legends of the genre in the years to come. Super Lucky's Tale won't push your skills too far when it comes to its imaginative level design, but it'll still be a cathartic way to wrap up the year thanks to its nostalgic focus on the past.
Need For Speed Payback is several bad ideas on four wheels, a drab racer whose potential is rear-ended by an underhanded upgrade system and a story that belongs in a direct-to-DVD bargain bin.
Bigger, bolder and brighter than ever, the LEGO formula remains unchanged in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2. While evolution isn't a building block for this latest entry, fan service, gorgeous visuals and an absurd amount of content certainly is.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a rock ‘n roll rebellion that manages to blend thrilling shoot ‘em up action with heavy subject matter and a narrative that begs players to rage against the machine with as many bullets as possible.
Jydge is superb in its approach to a niche genre. It's violent, it bends to your particular whims thanks to an onslaught of constantly available upgrades and it never takes itself too seriously as you dispense instant jystice.
2K's fifth WWE game has all the style and none of the substance of WWE games of old. All show and no actual in-ring talent, everything new in WWE 2K18 is quickly superseded by an uneven graphics engine and a career mode that's certified G for Grody.
There's a lot to love about South Park: The Fractured But Whole. The action is clever, the humour is even smarter and the quiet little mountain town is still as charmingly familiar as ever when you're not busy farting your way out of danger.
Ignore the obvious Pokémon comparisons, and you'll find that Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters is a charming RPG that manages to take a familiar idea and easily reinterpret it into something fresh and youthful. Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters is the sum total of that experience, a reset on a pair of established games that adds even more to its distinct formula of crossing through to the other side. All aboard the Hex Express for this one.
It's those very hard choices which form the true spine of Enemy Within's storyline.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is Lord of the Rings turned up to 11. Improving on nearly every idea from the original Shadow of Mordor game, it's a gargantuan sequel in both size and scope.
Old-school dungeon crawling with a few modern-day touches, Vaporum attention to detail is wrapped around a tale of steampunk mystery and some fresh ideas.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar is as deep as it is gorgeous. I can't wait to jump back in for some more action this week.
Destiny 2 is action at its finest. An improved expansion you'd say, but a magnificent one at that which nails the idea of what it means to forge a legend.
Ark: Survival Evolved is far from being complete, what with its many bugs and a feature bloat that doesn't always hit the nail on the head. And yet, it's still an addictive grind that proves that life can find a way.
If you're looking to re-experience the original StarCraft in a new super-polished form, then I'd definitely recommend jumping into StarCraft Remastered.
ICEY IS a neat idea, that admittedly, probably won't be for everyone. What does beat at the heart of ICEY, is a perfectly acceptable action game with fluid visuals, style and energy. All of which contains an interesting twist on the experience.
Nidhogg 2 is a brutally bizarre tug of war with swords, an attractive grim spectacle of steel and blood that just so happens to be one of the most addictive experiences of the year. It's a bigger take on the magnificent original game, while avoiding feature bloat as it retains its simple charm with its ghastly and delightful new art direction.
Season 2 of Telltale's Batman saga is off to a grand start, nailing all of the traditional beats that you'd expect from a dark knight game while staying true to its vision. Epic and ready to set up the caped crusader against an even deadlier menace in the months to come, Bruce Wayne's world is once again fraught with peril and tension.