Worth. Every. Penny. The most fun and original Sniper Elite game to date, with much improved level designs and ever more visceral, violent imagery. Sniper Elite III: Ultimate Edition is a must for anyone who thinks they might enjoy a bit of sniping action or even just likes stealth action games. The modest price tag (in comparison to many PS4 games) and the lovingly crafted game really do make this genuinely recommendable!
Without a doubt, Planet Coaster is the definitive theme park simulator. The customisability is key; it's so in-depth and detailed that hours can be spent just crafting the scenery! With intuitive controls and expansive modes, the potential for time sinking is huge for both old-time fans of the genre and those who are willing to venture into this new territory. Polished visuals, as superb soundtrack, and immaculate systems in place, are just the icing on the top. Frontier has excelled itself in almost every way possible, making this not just an easy game to heartily recommend, but one that demands your attention.
Adventure gaming may have seen a decline, but with gems such as Dreamfall: Chapters and King's Quest, the genre seems to be on the mend.
Nearly flawless, Planet Zoo is a masterpiece of tycoon simulation, and is one of the most relaxing, engaging, and fantastical pieces of entertainment of 2019. It's a showcase of fun mechanics, and it really draws from the wealth of experience in Frontier Developments as a developer. It's impossible not to recommend this to anyone who has even a passing notion about the genre. Get this!
It's not often a racing game comes along and hits the sweet spot between simulation and arcade, and yet that is exactly the balance that the developer haσ hit with GRID. Fantastic, speedy chaotic, gameplay, supported by some great visual and sound design, giving racing fans of all levels and abilities another great title this year worth diving into with gusto. Totally recommended to genre aficionados, especially after the inevitable split-screen update.
A fantastic collection of some of the best Megaman titles!
Samurai Warriors 4 is an absolute blast from start to finish, especially in split-screen. With a multitude of characters and modes it could - and will - keep many people entertained far longer than any other entry in the series. As the first proper next-gen game in the series, it has a really colourful and pretty aesthetic that should keep the PS4 audience happy. All in all, it is a very recommendable game.
For anyone who's looking to experience Cities Skylines and doesn't have access to a PC, this is the version to purchase. It's a thoroughly enjoyable game that really captures the old-school simulator catharsis. It's very addictive and with promises of more patches and potential for more DLC, it's probably going to be the long term leader of the city building genre on consoles for a long time to come. Heartily recommended to all who are interested!
Hue is a charming indie puzzle platformer that presents a very unique mechanic and makes it central to the game's progression. Its fantastic visuals, refined gameplay mechanics and intriguing story are truly a delight to experience. This should be more than pleasing to those who enjoy the genre or are just looking for a new gaming experience with a good story.
This is a fantastic game, even someone yet to try their hand in the dungeon crawling genre. The characters, atmosphere, soundtrack and gameplay create an amazingly immersive environment (especially with headphones on). The fact that it can be played portable on the PS Vita is something that really helps boost its fun factor, as it is also the best way to play many visual novel games. Stranger of Sword City is a great production that is well worth the investment of both money and time from those who are willing to give it a shot.
Absolutely fantastic! King's Quest Chapter 3 truly capitalises on its world and characters, with a fun and exciting script and the spectacle that was sorely lacking from Chapter 2. The world is vibrant, the characters are ludicrous, and the ending is heart-warming no matter which choices were made. Most of all, the overarching plot is starting to form, building intrigue for Chapters 4 and 5. Bring them on!
Melty Blood: Actress Again Current Code is a well-crafted title that highlights the best features of Japanese style arcade fighters. The simple, yet complex to master, systems keep the game rewarding. With the inclusion of online and offline VS modes, this stands out against other anime-style 2D fighters available through Steam and its lifespan is increased tenfold.
An incredible game that marries beautiful presentation with fluid and fun gameplay. It tells a story set during World War I that feels believable and invokes thought when things go awry. With a reasonably short, but well planned, campaign and endless potential in the multiplayer, there is definitely value if Battlefront is one's preferred big shooter franchise. A thoroughly enjoyable game that takes the formula back toward the depth of the game's predecessors while keeping in the trends of the modern expectations of the genre.
Dripping with a rich atmosphere, The Bunker brings FMV back in a big way. Its intriguing story setup, the setting, and plot twist provide an unforgettable experience. While it's not hugely interactive, it is hugely enjoyable, and well worth a look from people who like horror, BBC programmes, and the tasty spices of a period drama. Stellar work from a team that will hopefully want to make more games in a similar style!
A cracking little game with big bosses. The journey Jotun: Valhalla Edition takes players on is heartfelt and was clearly a labour of love. It's almost perfect. Just to reiterate, it's not much of a hack 'n slash. There isn't a lot of fighting outside of the boss battles, which really helps the fights to have even more weight. It's great, and without spoiling anything, it's one to experience.
Here is a JRPG that knows what it sets out to do, and executes it in a fantastically fun way. The unique battle system, solid platforming, and interesting story should keep players going for the game's entire duration, even despite the grinding. The overall presentation takes a bit of getting used to, but it is genuinely good looking, if a little rough around at the edges, with great music and passable voice-acting. It's recommendable to Valkyrie Profile fans, though it differs from that series in many ways.
An amazing ending to what has been a successful reimagining of an old classic. This chapter is so heartfelt and simultaneously heart wrenching; it is unlikely to be forgotten by those who played the whole season. This episode is great to play through, with its interesting puzzles, neat environmental touches and original King's Quest references and humour. It has some odd moments, but ultimately it is an amazing and fitting send-off for the series. It is thoroughly recommended to have some tissues ready for those harder hitting moments.
With something for everyone, The Voice is the must-buy karaoke game on Xbox One. The karaoke is well programmed and the gamification of it using points, among other incentives, will keep players coming back time and time again. The full asking price may strike non-music fans as a bit steep, yet for those who relish the genre, there is no question that it's worth it. It's a fleshed-out package that provides for multiple generations of music fans with a solid and recommendable experience.
Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey is a fantastic addition to the franchise. The new world design, new visuals, and small tweaks to the many ingrained game systems make this the definitive Atelier experience. With a tremendous lifespan, consisting of a plethora of side-quests, a long main storyline, and a long, long list of items to synthesise, it should more than live up to many players' expectations. It's thoroughly recommended to fans and first-timers, alike, although be prepared to sit through a good 30-minute slog before the game begins to get going.
LEGO City Undercover is a fantastic addition to any LEGO fans' Steam library. It's a ball of endearing charm and comes with familiar gameplay that ought to keep people busy well past its monetary value. Co-operative play is a great addition to the game and it really helps to breathe life into the adventure, maybe even for those who played it through on Wii U already several years back. It's a thoroughly entertaining experience that is wholly recommendable.