When playing Outcast 2 you can feel that it was a labour of love. While not exceptional, what the game does it does well, and in certain areas it's actually quite outstanding. It's not a game for everyone and the price tag is quite high for an AA production, but if you're a fan of this kind of stuff, you're in for a treat. A cheesy treat that's janky here and there, but a treat nonetheless.
Alone in the Dark was a reboot I've been looking forward to and actually had on my list of pre-orders prior to receiving a review copy, so needless to say, I was excited to play it and it didn't disappoint. It lays a good foundation for a series relaunch, even if it seems quite polarising. There's a very noticeable disparity between how the game is scored by reviewers compared to how it's scored by fans, so I can't help but wonder if there's still a place in our hearts for an "old school" horror game like this, something that's more chilling than it is frightening. Me? I love this kind of stuff, and I can only hope that there's enough gamers who think alike to justify a sequel. C'mon Pieces, Hell's Kitchen awaits! Surely we haven't seen the last of Edward Carnby... right?
While Inkulinati isn't groundbreaking by any means, its unique presentation draws you in. The title has a lot to offer to fans of the genre. While the game is not complex, it can surprise an unprepared player - its simplicity is deceptive. It's endearing, it's humorous and it's fun, what's not to like?
Deamonhunters had some big shoes to fill given how the original Chaos Gate was not just a fond memory, but also a formative game from my childhood. Did it make the cut? Yes, it's precisely what I expected it to be, and I'm happy that it finally made its way to consoles. Some minor camera-related gripes aside, the game looks, sounds and plays great. Many-a-demons were slain in the last few days and I can now rest easy knowing that the galaxy is a little bit safer... at least until the DLC hits console storefronts. For the Emperor!
Ghost Trick was one of the classics for me, and one of the games that really took advantage of the hardware it was on way back in the day. With that being said, this is a remaster, which comes with a different set of expectations. While the game plays just as well as it did on original hardware, it only does the bare minimum without extra bells and whistles for returning players, so I have to dock some points for that alone. This was a perfect opportunity to extend the game a little and include some additional content. Thankfully, it does that bare minimum very well and remains an enjoyable game that leaves you wanting more. Hey Capcom - maybe it's time for Ghost Trick 2? If this is an honest attempt at a seance, consider the title to be resurrected successfully.
Live A Live quickly ascended to the list of some of my favourite JRPG's, and I'll be sure to recommend it to players in the future. I can see why it failed when it was originally released - it's ambitious, not in size and scope, but in creativity and imagination. Perhaps the audience wasn't ready for it back in 1994, perhaps the game was limited by the hardware it was developed for, or perhaps its creators simply needed a bit more experience before they could fully realise their vision. Having played this remake I can safely say that this time around they nailed it. I can only hope that the remake is successful because once the credits rolled I only wanted one thing - more.
ELEX II is like a weathered veteran donning their armor for one more campaign, ready to show the youngsters some of the old tricks they may have foolishly forgotten. It's a brand-new game that somehow feels like it has a grey beard - it feels dated, in good and in bad ways. I personally enjoyed it thoroughly and I was happy to start it back up each day, eager to carry on playing because products like this one, ones that don't just play homage to the classics but rather play like the classics, are few and far between. Given the size of the team behind ELEX II it's remarkable that they've managed to push out a project this good - Piranha, you've done it again. Once again, you release a game that's bigger, better and prettier than its predecessors, and I hope you'll continue doing so for many years to come.
Chernobylite might not be AAA, but it's great bang for the buck. At £29.99 I think it's a steal, but buyer beware! With its numerous performance issues the title isn't for everyone.
It's unfair to call No More Heroes 3 a mixed bag, even if it does look like one from the outside. With a production like this it's hard to tell what's a fault and what's intended by the author to be a little janky since by its very nature the series is an over the top marathon of satire and parody of our culture, from movies to video games. To me, it was just what the doctor ordered, but it's definitely not for everybody. Me? I just want more. I hope it's successful, so that I don't have to wait too long for the next instalment.
This was a rollercoaster of a review, through no fault on my own. This is the first time I've ever done a complete 180 mid-way through writing, but I suppose that it's only fair if the patches didn't just fix small issues, but rather fundamentally changed the way the game plays. The score has to be indicative of the product the consumer is going to buy, and as of right now, that product is a 6/10 - an average game in every respect, but also one that gets an extra point for being exceedingly faithful to the license it's based upon, and thus likely to please long-term fans of WH40K. It pleased me, at least.
Biomutant is less of an experimental game and more of a formulaic open world adventure. You know what you're getting into from the start, with few surprises along the way. Thankfully, the otherwise mediocre mechanics are carried by a beautiful world, a good crafting system and a mountain of loot to collect. It provides pleasant reprieve from the sea of brownish, boring RPG's by taking you to a somewhat unusual setting with an unusual protagonist, topped off with a splash of colour. Based on that alone, it earns a recommendation from me, if narrowly so. If you're looking for something different, but not "too different", give Biomutant a shot.
Reviewing Wasteland 3 was tough. It's always hard to do justice to a product that you thoroughly enjoy, but one that simply doesn't work as it should. This game was destined for glory, but it trips at the final yard line, and I can't overlook that in good conscience - it would be unfair to you, the reader, and it wouldn't be right. If Wasteland 3 wasn't marred with technical issues, it would be flying in the high 9's territory, but as it is... well... it is what it is.
DOOM Eternal is a game I've been looking forward to since before it was even announced. The cliffhanger ending of DOOM 2016 left me wanting more, I waited and hoped for story DLC which never materialised, and now in 2020... my patience has been rewarded. DOOM Eternal was everything I wanted and more. I can wholeheartedly recommend it, although that goes without saying. After all, it's DOOM - who can say no to that?
Ash of Gods: Redemption is a hodgepodge of a lot of interesting ideas that could've been weaved together, but weren't.
If you're the kind of gamer who can overlook technical limitations and the occasional glitch or bug as long as the gameplay delivers a unique and fun experience, give The Surge 2 a try. Under its rugged presentation and simple plot the game has a wealth of razor sharp fun in store for you. Mindless fun, to be fair, but isn't that the best kind?
Unlike most studios in the industry which seem to deliver products that consistently fail to meet expectations and the hype, Spiders seems to manage getting better and better with each subsequent release. GreedFall is one of their better titles, if not the best, but it still falls somewhat short of being a truly great game. With that said, it's by no means bad, and it's certainly ambitious. If you find the subject matter intriguing, consider giving it a shot - it has lots to offer in terms of role-playing and storytelling, but fails in other areas.
"They Are Billions" is a kernel of a great game. I'm sure that the more complete PC release is thoroughly satisfying, but the console release, in its current state, feels incomplete. The developers forgot that the game is no longer in Early Access and have released a game that, ultimately, lacks some basic features. Nevertheless, I recommend it to fans of Tower Defense games and RTS'es, or at least I recommend picking it up once the title is actually complete.
RAGE 2 lives up to his name by mildly enraging the player - like Icarus, it comes so close to being great and then fumbles on the basics. There are some good ideas here, they just needed more direction and polish. It's not a "bad" game, not by any means, but it's not "good" either, it just "is". It sits in that mid-point where games that are "kinda fun" reside. Should you buy it? Sure. When it's on sale and you're itching for a shooter.
Mortal Kombat 11 is a very divisive game, most notably due to the heavy focus on unlockables and in-game kurrency, but if you look past that, it's a very competent and enjoyable fighting game that I would happily recommend. I have no doubt that it will become a staple of tournaments in the coming future, and it deserves to - it polishes the kombat model introduced in MK9 and MKX, making it a fighting game to die for.
As I mentioned at the top, every now and then there comes a game that defines a genre, a game that people remember fondly many years later. I feel that RE 2019 is one such game. To me, it belongs on the prestigious list of "perfect remakes", just like Resident Evil: REmake did before it, replacing the original as the definitive experience. If you're in two minds about the game, don't be - it's a return to form for the series and a shining example of what survival horror is supposed to be.