Lords of the Fallen copies, but it does so from great sources in a mostly competent fashion, and adds in a few neat systems of its own.
The Evil Within is a fine example of classic survival horror, but it's held back a little by some stiff characterisation and flat story beats.
State of Decay is a fun romp and so is this new-gen re-release. The lack of meaningful changes make it hard to recommend to those that own the older version, but everyone else should dive head-first into its zombie catastrophe scenarios.
Armello is a solidly-constructed and enjoyable turn-based title that offers a unique setting and plenty of depth.
Rad isn't really dramatically reinventing any wheels, but it's the perfect wee game to have sitting on your HD for some casual fun. You can bust out a run in its delightfully weird world in an hour or so and have a slightly different experience each time. It may not inspire the sort of rabid devotion of something like Spelunky, but it's a great gaming snack between meals.
Resident Evil Revelations 2 is a solid episodic survival horror that will appease fans, but few others.
Resident Evil Revelations 2 is a solid episodic survival horror that will appease fans, but few others.
The first two chapters of Resident Evil: Revelations 2 represent a sound but unremarkable beginning to the episodic series. What's here is unlikely to appeal much beyond fans of the genre.
The first two chapters of Resident Evil: Revelations 2 represent a sound but unremarkable beginning to the episodic series. What's here is unlikely to appeal much beyond fans of the genre.
Don Bradman Cricket 14 is one of the best cricket games to come along in a long while. A solid title, it'll keep the hardcore happy, but it might prove too complicated for the casual player.
Sniper Elite III sees the franchise creep closer to excellence. It doesn't quite get there, but nonetheless this is a solid title that has arrived in a particularly lean month.
Strider is basic fare to snack on between larger courses in the release schedule. Double Helix has easily attained its unambitious goals.
Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is visually appealing and excellently paced, but its frustrating controls and legacy assets peg this as a game released a little prematurely.
Mirror's Edge Catalyst brings back a welcome second portion of high-speed free-running in a beautifully gleaming setting, but its concessions to modern AAA game design bloat let it down.
Defect is an appealing and well-designed build 'n' destroy space shooter that lets you get creative, then challenges you to one-up yourself via a unique mutiny mechanic.
Star Wars Battlefront II's campaign is merely okay, and its multiplayer is hamstrung by an awful upgrade system. There's also the spectre of loot boxes hanging over it like a Lightsaber of Damocles. However, it looks and sounds amazing, and gameplay-wise delivers the goods.
Space Hulk: Tactics is probably the best video game adaption of the classic board game yet, with decent presentation and some welcome additions. But the faithfulness of its adaption only highlights the limited "tactics" offered by the board game's basic setup, and its lower budget makes for a lack of polish in some areas. Strategy buffs may be diverted for a bit, but won't fall in love.
Liberation is so-so, a cheap yet only moderately fulfilling title that throws back the curtain on the elderly systems of the Assassin's Creed franchise pre-Black Flag.
It's fun to furiously trumpet and get to smashin' stuff as Tembo for a while, but before too long you're reduced to hoping he makes his way over to a better sequel – or possibly the Virtua Fighter roster.
No Man's Sky was never going to live up to the hype, but sadly even those with tempered expectations are likely to be somewhat disappointed. It is by no means a terrible game, it just feels unfinished and empty.