Darryn Bonthuys's Reviews
Yo-Kai Watch 2 is quite literally a case of more of the same, albeit with a minor sprinkling of new ideas and some brand new annoyances to go with the package. It’s still massively likable and perfect for kids, but it’s not to shy to hide its lack of originality this time around behind a curtain of fetch quests and endearing characters.
I mean…it’s Worms. If you feel like paying full price for this latest entry because you happen to have a filthy love for watching the little fellas massacre each other then you’re sorted. If you’re wondering if you should stick to any of the other 20-odd Worms games that you already own, then Worms W.M.D isn’t going to change your mind easily.
It's the exact same game that you've been playing for years on end now, dressed up in the mighty Marvel manner of fan service that made the films such a big success.
At it's best, MotoGP 15 delivers a stellar core racing experience that is backed up by a strong use of the official MotoGP license. At it's worst, it's an average-looking racer that lacks that certain magic that makes the actual MotoGP so enjoyable.
Beneath the frustrating design decisions and pacing issues, there's a solid game to be played in Citizens Of Earth. It's a game that wears its Earthbound influence proudly, dipping into a well of nostalgia. It's going to have a term in office that is highlighted by grinding gameplay and oddball structure, but dammit, it's hard to not love the charm that Citizens Of Earth oozes.
Batman: Return to Arkham is neither the game that Gotham fanboys deserve or need right now. Not even the dark knight can foil a plot to downgrade the visuals of two video games which defined his legend for a new medium several years ago.
It's quite possibly the most authentic Star Wars shooter ever made thanks to some amazing visual production values, but with shallow action and very little ambition to do more than necessary. Just like the films.
Thief is a game, that despite all it's good intentions, will alienate long-time fans. And the cookie-cutter generic gameplay won't do much to attract new fans either, as this franchise once again slips into the forgotten darkness of the night.
Make no mistake, Surgeon Simulator Anniversary Edition is a joke of a game. But that's the whole point. It's meant to confuse players, it's meant to make you wonder if you should leave a power drill inside a lung cavity. But for folks who have already played the game on PC, it might be an old joke already. For newcomers, I'd highly recommend the madcap game, which is packed to the gills with extras and insane details resulting in grisly deaths on the operating table. For returning fans, it might be time to move on and leave poor Bob alone on the operating table.
Devoid of any real personality, Battlefield: Hardline's single-player campaign is cheesier than an 80's pick-up line. It is however saved by a superb multiplayer that is both solid and entertaining.
Ninja Gaiden: The Master Collection is a fascinatingly violent time capsule that shows off the best and the worst of Koei Tecmo's fan favourite shinobi. It's as barebones a collection as can be, packing all three games together with a sprinkling of DLC, but it's still a fine showcase of brutal difficulty and white-knuckle thrill power that is inimitable by anything else on the market. Just don't expect anything more than that.
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection is exactly what you'd expect a remake of Capcom's classic: It's painfully difficult to the point of parody, but it also features gorgeous visuals and imaginatively punishing design to create a beautiful knightmare.
Miitopia still retains its charm as it hops from 3DS to Switch, as well as a decent upgrade in the visual department. It's no 100-hour epic, but it's a cute and quirky little RPG that makes for an adorable distraction when you need to let your brain rest for a bit.
A few balancing issues aside, Bugvasion is a fun diversion. It's silly, colourful, and its tactical action has an energetic flow to it that hits a comfortable stride early on. It's not rewriting the rules of the tower defense genre, but it's hitting the right marks on a checklist of fun.
Airplane Mode is everything you'd expect from a well-crafted flight simulator where you're not in control: Boring, hopeless, and a dangerous invitation into the depths of your own unhinged psyche brought on by a high altitude prison that you paid to be incarcerated in. It's almost the end of the year, and I think I've just found the winner of the best horror game of 2020.
Marvel's Avengers is both a fantastic story and a dead-average grind for meaningless loot. When everything comes together, it's a brilliant power fantasy with heart and a true passion for its source material. Those moments are fleeting though, held back by a range of technical issues, shockingly sloppy design, and no solid idea of what kind of game it really wants to be. Some assembly, definitely required.
Dex is gorgeous to look at, has a captivating story to engage in and is downright frustrating when you need to fight your way out of danger.
There's a lot of joy to be found in Paper Mario: The Origami King, but its shallow combat and monotonous nature makes for a glib experience that crumples under pressure.
Rock of Ages 3 may falter in the gameplay department thanks to repetition, uneven AI and a wobbly foundation for its strategy, but its madly charming presentation and a dedicated community of fans should be able to sculpt something gneiss out of this brave and boulder game.
As Marvel games go, Iron Man VR doesn't quite hit the high mark set by the superlative Spider-Man, but it's an often engaging and exhilarating experience to step into shellhead's signature armour. Long load times, overused padding and poor writing mar what would otherwise be the ultimate Iron Man adventure.