Tony Smith
If you love Asterix and Obelix, then Asterix & Obelix XXXL: The Ram From Hibernia is definitely a game for you … or if you're after a family friendly title, then The Ram From Hibernia will definitely keep everyone invested. All in all, an enjoyable title on the Xbox Series X that is also quite short that will keep the attention of younger gamers.
If you're into snowboarding then Shredders offers you a great way to get your fix, even with the nuances.
Team Ninja have succeeded in bringing back Ryu in 2021 and while it doesn't offer anything new, this collection is a lean mean fighting machine and with the inclusion of 4K graphics running at 60 frames per second, revisiting Ninja Gaiden is a blast from the past with a modern twist and while the first game feels a little dated, this collection excels with the later two games.
Mario Kart Live Home Circuit is fun, fun and more fun! Again, there's so much fun to be found in this game plus lot of track creating. However the game feels like you're racing in a virtual Mario Kart title but in the real-world and if you're looking for a game with some escapism to draw you in, Mario Kart Live Home is indeed that game.
Kirby Fighters 2 is a fun diversion on the Nintendo Switch that celebrates the history of Kirby and his cohorts in this fun fighting game with over the top visuals, audio and at times mayhem. Check it out if you're looking for something a little different and challenging, particularly on those higher levels of that tower in the story mode.
Star Wars Squadrons is great value for money at just $49AUD or $39USD (October 2020) and provides a superb distraction to COVID-19 Earth by transporting you to the stars of Star Wars. While the single-player is good as it introduces you to the mechanics of the game, it's the multiplayer aspect where you'll be spending your space flight time and that's where the Star Wars Squadrons succeeds.
If you're looking to get your dance on with Queen, Let's Sing presents Queen is the perfect elixir to transport yourself into Queen's leading front man Freddy Mercury. The gameplay is sturdy, the music is phenomenal and when you add real-people to the mix, it makes for the perfect party game!
Become Iron Man in this fun and immersive game on the PlayStation VR system
Even so, it is the single-player game that many Star Wars fans wanted and developers Respawn should be commended on successfully revitalising the franchise again and let’s hope this becomes a yearly event.
f you’re a fan of Pokémon, Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! creates a decent experience on the Nintendo Switch that takes the series back to basics which makes for an enjoyable game as you attempt to catch all these little critters.
Okami HD is literally a beautiful and fun game to play on the Nintendo Switch that celebrates both ancient Japanese culture and this console which is a match made in gaming heaven. The story is interesting, even though it can be a little long winded at times and the gaming environment is a pure joy to explore, especially when matched with the mechanics and controls of this title. All in all, Okami HD really kept me invested from start to finish and if you're looking for something a slightly otherworldly, this is the game for you.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition is a really fun experience on the Nintendo Switch and really is the definitive version. It contains all the updates and plenty of unlockable characters, items and costumes to help enhance your overall Musou experience but in the world of Zelda.
Conan Exiles may not have the budget and finesse of those Triple A games, however at the end of the day, it is a decent open world survival game. The inconsistences with the gameplay and at times buggy graphics can be forgiven because it has charm and more importantly it successfully draws you into the world of Conan as you build your own Kingdom in an attempt to make your own mark in this godforsaken world.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole From Dusk Till Casa Bonita DLC is short and sweet. However it successfully celebrates the world of South Park and gives us an adventure that feels like an episode from the cartoon with some hilarious cutscenes. Furthermore, the new enemies, boss, character class and buddy helps the title stay fresh and all in all, it was a fun albeit short experience… and once again the voice acting is to die for!
With recommended retail price of $14.99USD/EUR, Castle of Heart targets those gamers who seek a more classic experience and 7Level Studios does deliver but just be warned that it does become a little repetitive and the portable mode is a little cluttered.
If you enjoyed Horizon Zero Dawn and want to revisit this universe again, The Frozen Wilds is a must have DLC that give the player an impressive area to explore as Aloy. Given that most players should be able to finish this game in around 10-12 hours, exploration is definitely the key to increasing the longevity of this DLC and once you have finished the main mission, you're free to continue exploring. Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds succeeds at giving the fan a well-thought out DLC from start to finish.
Welcome home Mario! It's been awhile since a Mario game captured my heart and I think that Super Mario Odyssey is that game. Sure, there are elements of repetition but the gaming mechanics and controls are a thorough treat and if you're looking for a reason to purchase a Nintendo Switch, besides such as Zelda, this could really be the time to make the… uhh… SWITCH!
Fire Emblem Warriors may not have the most original story, however the gameplay works well, particularly if you like the musō genre. Koei Tecmo have also done an excellent job at bringing this genre to the Nintendo Switch and if you're looking for a game to absorb all your spare time, Fire Emblem Warriors is definitely that game!
Even though Spelunker Party! can be almost be in the realm of controller rage, I actually enjoyed this journey back in time to a gaming world that was a lot more simpler with mechanics and where the blame falls on the player when you fail. It's definitely an addictive title on the Switch in both single-player and multiplayer but if you really want to get through the 100 or so levels, you really need to take this game online because it is tough… especially those bosses later on.
Cuphead is a crazy ride into the minds of Studio MDHR and if you're looking for something very diverse, check this out on the Xbox One because you'll be surprised at how addictive, frustrating and entertaining this game is. It takes the classic side-scrolling shooters of yesterday and transforms it into a game of today with some beautiful art and music inspired from a simpler time.