Tony Smith
All in all, Devil's Third is a mixed bag on the Wii U that even with its graphical issues and at times flunky controls, there is some sort of decent game to be found, more so in multiplayer. Character designs are decent and some of the ways you dispatch your enemies is truly amazing but unfortunately some things like the frame rate or the wishy washy accuracy of the controls affect the single-player campaign. In conclusion, Devil's Third is buggy but does have a few shining moments, provided you can move past the inconsistencies.
Given the price of Bound by Flame, I believe that it is a little overpriced and tries to be a triple A title that unfortunately doesn't add anything new to this genre. From a gaming perspective it works but it needed some more game testing and probably a revamped skill system that makes you feel out of your depth. Nonetheless, I've seen far worse Western RPG's and thankfully Bound by Flame ticks most boxes.
When I heard about DriveClub VR, I was really expecting the same PS4 experience as the previous title, however I was sadly mistaken. Sure, it has very similar parallels, especially with the amount of content but it’s all about the illusion and due to the reduced graphical capabilities of this game, particularly if you’ve played the previous game, it’s a little disheartening. Nonetheless, the gameplay is sturdy and the VR aspect works but it missed reaching the next level which would have been amazing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the end, Farpoint is an engaging game that although doesn't push the boundaries of what VR is capable of, it still delivers a fun yet ultimately short VR experience on the PlayStation 4. Overall, it's a fun premise with some really intense battles as you use the Aim Controller to take on an almost never ending hoard of aliens with an interesting yet cliched story as its backdrop.
PlayStation VR Worlds is a fun collection of mini-games that really showcases the PlayStation VR technology but given that, it’s a one trick pony. After you’ve played the titles a few times, they do become a little repetitive, especially how short some of the games are. Nonetheless, it’s still worth a look and will provide some great bragging rights for those who have never experienced VR before.
The Outer Rim is a fun DLC for Star Wars Battlefront that tweaks the gameplay, throws in new characters and also weapons for players to explore. The new maps are quite detailed and although there are no new worlds, it still makes for some exciting gameplay as you shoot your way through the Star Wars universe.
At the end of the day, One Piece: Burning Blood is another fun instalment of this series that features a decent collection of playable characters that is cemented with a sturdy gaming engine. Sure, it may not be as realistic as some other fighters but it delivers with the entertainment factor, provided you're a fan of the anime genre. Additionally, One Piece: Burning Blood is a game that can be played by anyone and with practice, you'll soon be a master of the pirates with some deadly fighting skills to help plunder against your villainous opponents!
Assassin's Creed Chronicles Russia is probably the weaker game in the series so far and that's not to say that gameplay is flawed. Rather, the protagonist of Nikolai and the story is a little lacklustre but given the price, it's still an enjoyable experience on the PS4 that allows gamers to experience another part of the bigger Assassin's Creed mythology.
The Crew is a very ambitious game that did suffer from day one release issues. Thankfully most have been patched but there are still a few graphical issues and gameplay nuances that can cause controller rage. Although the story is relatively forgettable, I actually did enjoy driving around American in its "free mode" and when engaged in missions, some were extremely difficult due to the control mechanics and insane difficultly of the AI. Nonetheless, it's an interesting racer that is probably a little too ambitious for most but definitely recommended for those not time poor!
Chibi-Robo Zip Lash may not be the most original game of 2015 but it gives the player an honest arcade experience with a fun protagonist and some old-school gaming mechanics with a few twists and challenges to be found along the way. To borrow an element from the song by Devo "I say whip it… Whip it Good!"
Unravel isn't a bad game on any level but it can be frustrating and the margin of error is not very forgiving for some of the puzzles. Nonetheless, it does have its moments of glory which did keep me interested and motivated to finish the game. Graphically, it's a beautiful looking title on the PlayStation 4 but at times it is hampered by the puzzle mechanics but its story without words is a combination of melancholia and hope.
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.
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.
Become Iron Man in this fun and immersive game on the PlayStation VR system