And really, when the crashes look like simple physics experiments from the late-90s that can trigger from the slightest of scrapes – it was destined to fall short of hitting its lofty Burnout spiritual successor goal.
As it stands it's is a ‘life sim' that could do with a little more of the former.
A city builder well worth visiting.
And now, we excitedly wait for Borderlands 3.
Above all though, it's understanding of the series long history and Clementine's journey making its final moments pack one hell of a bite.
The Division 2 is not only a refined follow-up, it's the arguably the best ooter shooter' this generation has seen.
Zane rocks.
For everyone else though, there's value in seeing Capcom go back to the over-the-top well that is Devil May Cry and deliver one of the most stylish games we've played in a while.
And it's here where once you understand the rhythm and feel of a level, the splashes of blood and primate rage truly becomes an instrument.
It’s a shame then that everything surrounding this core feels so disjointed. A story that lacks momentum outside of a few moments, mission design that reveals all its nuance in a matter of minutes, and a cumbersome progression system interrupted by walls
Sadly, few locations in Crackdown 3 fit this profile.
That said, for the quick and obligatory surface level comparison: it's a dash of Fallout, a sprinkle of BioShock, some Dishonored for flavour and Thief to darken the edges. Yet still, all Metro Exodus.
It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but then again there isn't a great need for wheels when you're dancing between clouds.
The added tension of wondering if your crew has been infected by some sort of alien parasite – and then watching as your ship slowly becomes a scene from sci-fi horror film, is exhilarating.
But due to the success of the platform, it also finds itself competing with many stellar indie platformers in a way that Super Mario Odyssey never did.
In a game where you use toilets to save, fight with a lightsaber-like weapon, assassinate strange and odd characters in a world chock-full of pop culture references and absurdism – that's strike three and four.
If like us, taking one look at a screenshot makes you immediately wanted to play it - be sure to check it out.
Like a beautiful and minimal watercolour painting or an evocative piece of album art come to life - GRIS is short, sweet, and often inspiring.
Full of memorable moments, fast-paced action, moody set pieces and surprising narrative twists and turns - Dusk may look like a long-lost gem from 1998, when it's actually one of 2018's best.
As to why or how, again, perhaps this is due to the nature of GWENT and trying to balance difficulty once the sheer variety and number of competing strategies and decks come into play. Whatever the reasons though no doubt it comes from creating an RPG story-driven game unlike anything else out there. One that features one of the best interactive bits of fiction this side of The Witcher III – with a flawed, interesting, and awe-inspiring protagonist in the form of Meve. No doubt, we can't wait to check out the next Witcher Tale.