Marc Hollinshead


57 games reviewed
71.8 average score
70 median score
45.6% of games recommended
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Nov 14, 2014

When we look at Assassin's Creed Unity as a whole, it's a favourable addition to the series. The new assassin is worthy of the title, the world is huge and filled with life, the game itself looks great and the free-running is better than ever. However, the co-op is more of a "take it or leave it" element. It's fun, no doubt about it, but it just doesn't feel as important as it should have been. You won't be missing out on a great deal if you decide to roam Paris alone but if you have a friend to tag along with, you'll find plenty of enjoyment. For the first title of the series exclusive to new-gen consoles, Unity is a satisfying game and any Assassin's Creed fan should feel right at home with it.

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Feb 27, 2015

After looking at what Pneuma: Breath of Life has to offer, is it worth keeping an eye on? For the most part, yes. It is a well crafted adventure and a lot of love has gone into creating a unique take on the puzzle genre. The game's one character is interesting to listen to and the topic is something that is rarely discussed in the gaming industry. While puzzle fans will find enjoyment here, fast-paced gamers and those looking for something a bit more beefy in content may not find it as worthwhile. The ID@Xbox games that have been released so far have all had their quirks, and Pneuma: Breath of Life definitely deserves its place within the library.

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Mar 11, 2015

The survival horror genre has struggled to find a place in recent years, but titles such as The Evil Within have attempted to breathe new life into it. With White Night, OSome Studio has managed to invigorate the genre by taking us back to the methodical and tense gameplay that kept us on edge so many times in the past. When playing the game for subsequent playthroughs, you will undeniably blaze through it, but hasn't that always been the case with survival horror games? The art style is beautifully unique, the gameplay is simple yet highly enjoyable and the soundtrack is superb. The reason you'll want to stay inside this mansion, though, is because of the history behind it. A compelling story is waiting to be unearthed and the more you learn, the deeper you'll want to go. The ID@Xbox lineup continues to get stronger and its latest addition is unquestionably worth checking out.

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Mar 25, 2015

Slender: The Arrival is neither a bad or exceedingly good title. If you've played the last-gen version, you'll be getting the same thing here. If you're a newcomer, you'll be getting a fun but quick-to-finish game. The graphics haven't improved all that much and even the same glitch remains, but nonetheless it is still a title that provides entertainment. The soundtrack can be top-notch in places and the run of adrenaline can spur you on to keep playing when you see Slender Man for the first time. At its reasonably cheap price of £7.99/$9.99, the game isn't on the highly recommended list. Slender may be starting to lose his frightening charm, but he still manages to keep us on our toes, even if it is just for a short while.

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May 2, 2015

It can be challenging, frustrating and cause unwanted headaches, but despite all that you'll keep wanting to come back for more. Not everyone will be drawn in by an 8-bit, side-scrolling death fest in this day and age of gaming that seems overwhelmed by retro aesthetic titles, however, Shovel Knight rightly deserves a place among modern games. The amazing soundtrack and rewarding gameplay will spur you on right to the end, and even then you'll probably want to go back for another round of smacking things in the face with a shovel. The inspiration from 8-bit games of the past has caused a great feeling of nostalgia for many, and Shovel Knight is well worth the money and trip down memory lane if you prefer to be challenged on a regular basis. The game is proof that, although 8-bit side-scrollers look old, they certainly aren't outdated.

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Jun 5, 2015

Sparkle Unleashed is a fun game and the gameplay can be addictive, especially when using certain powerups. The fantasy style the developers have chosen has worked in its favour and, although the limited story barely does anything for it, the theme helps to add character to the title, and the music is pleasant to listen to as you play through the levels. However, the game feels a little too long for what it is and unless a few extra level designs were added in, cutting out a few of the required levels wouldn't have hurt. After long periods of play, boredom may kick in so it's best to play in short bursts. For its price, it's worth a look if you're a fan of these types of games but if you aren't, then you won't be missing out on a ton if you decide to give it a miss.

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Jun 19, 2015

LEGO Jurassic World manages to keep the LEGO franchise alive with refined gameplay, new types of LEGO characters and a brand new film franchise to embark upon while still staying true to its roots. All four films are given plenty of attention and the combination of four hub worlds means that there's plenty to do. Having twenty levels in total as well as six bonus levels fleshes the game out more so Jurassic Park fans will find plenty in here that they'll enjoy. There are a couple of glitches cropping up but there's nothing completely game-breaking. While the dialogue may sound a bit off in places, that nostalgic quality means that both LEGO fans and film fans will be able to enjoy the game. The LEGO series is now ten years old but it still remains successful with its quirky humour and accessible, fun gameplay, and LEGO Jurassic World is definitely one of the best in the series. Whether you're a fan of the games or the films, it's certainly worth your time.

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Jul 17, 2015

With ID@Xbox implementing new titles into the Xbox One library, Tachyon Project may be in over its head, but it is a fun title that provides some hours of entertainment. It won't keep you playing for hours on end, but what you will play will be fun and exciting. Its colourful, flashy gameplay along with the catchy beats that play in the background makes for a well crafted game, but the co-op and challenge modes lack slightly in comparison so once you've completed the story, it won't be long before you move on. It stands at a reasonable price for what it is so it's certainly worth a look if you're a fan of dual stick shooters or quick and easy games. The occasional difficulty spike feels a bit off-putting at times, but nonetheless, this is a title that helps to bolster the quality of ID@Xbox as it continues to provide us with new games.

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Aug 5, 2015

Submerged is an interesting game in that it swaps out conventional combat mechanics for pure exploration. This means that it's not a challenging game, but it is still fairly engaging. Collecting more parts of the puzzle will keep you playing and driving around in the boat is easy to get the hang of. The climbing mechanics can be a little frustrating in comparison, but you will get used to them in time. The mysterious game crash still remains a mystery, but this seems like a very rare occurrence. For its length, it's hard to fully justify its initial asking price, but the content that's there doesn't outstay its welcome or feel overly short. Whether you fancy something less action packed, or just a quick and easy game, Submerged will be an enjoyable journey while it lasts.

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Aug 16, 2015

Beyond Eyes is a unique title because it explores a topic that is rarely shown in a game and for the most part it does it very well. The art style is great, and the story is charming, even though it won't fully tug at your heartstrings. It's a quick completion for those who want it and it's a memorable game. It's very short length might put people off, though, so you may want to wait for a sale if you don't like the thought of paying £9.99 (or regional equivalent) for 2-3 hours of pretty limited gameplay. With Rae's sometimes frustratingly slow walking speed, the focus is all the more on seeing the colourful world coming into view. While there could have been more here, Beyond Eyes is still an enjoyable experience if you fancy winding down and just relaxing on your Xbox.

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Sep 8, 2015

Whether you're a fan of the films or just open world games in general, this is a title that's well worth a look.

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Oct 15, 2015

Elite: Dangerous is a unique game. It's given us a gigantic galaxy to explore of which it is nigh-on impossible to see the full extent. It's a classic space simulator through and through, to the point in which the controls and game mechanics can be hard to grasp. This in itself isn't a bad thing, but it won't appeal to everyone. Those who enjoy this genre of games will have a blast, but others will find it hard to fully enjoy. Only with a huge time investment will players get the full experience of the title, but with that comes a greater feel of reward. The powerplay and CQC aspects can be exciting, but they can be completely ignored. The servers have caused the game to have a rocky start on the Xbox One, but the developers are thankfully listening to the community and doing their best to fix the problems. Now that Elite: Dangerous is available to all, it is a good alternative to exploring the Milky Way galaxy in all its glory instead of training in real life to become a fully fledged astronaut, but be prepared before you suit up.

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Oct 23, 2015

When looking at Wasteland 2 from the outside, it doesn't look like anything special. However, once you get stuck in and persevere through the initial confusion of combat and little direction you are given, there is a gem to be found here. I began my travels in the wasteland with bitterness, desperately wanting to play something else, but eventually, I started to crave playing the game more and more. The skill system makes every squad member useful, and combat can be a rewarding experience, despite particular issues it can sometimes have. The game has an alluringly addictive quality that makes you want to keep playing and strengthen your ranger squad, even if it does look a bit rough around the edges. It may not be flashy and appeal to everyone, but those who do give it a shot will be in for a pleasant surprise.

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Nov 26, 2015

Is Star Wars Battlefront the galactic fantasy for which we've been waiting? Well, yes and no. The multiplayer can be fantastic at times and battles play out beautifully and smoothly in all modes. The game looks sleek and listening to those iconic blasters adds to the thrill of play. However, with lackluster battle and survival missions replacing a proper campaign, it stops the title from being as amazing as it could have been. Multiplayer is extremely enjoyable, there is no doubt about it, and it's accessible for everyone who jumps in, but you will quickly see everything that the game currently has to offer and the wide variety of online modes won't stop that. If you absolutely love the battles of Star Wars and shooters in general, you will have a blast with this, but if you want to immerse yourself in the richness of the characters and story, you will be pining for just a bit more. If you take the game at face value, it is still an enjoyable ride to a galaxy far, far away.

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In this day and age of gaming, we are used to high-end graphics and extremely fluid controls and mechanics. Chivalry: Medieval Warfare doesn't really fit the bill in that respect. It's not a pretty game and it lacks in content as well as having slightly awkward mechanics. However, there are decent maps to be seen and a couple of the modes work very well for the game, namely Team Objective and Free for All. You'll get frustrated with the game deign, but also laugh out loud at how ridiculously entertaining it can be at times. It's a bit pricey for what it is, but the achievement lovers among us will be drawn in by a doable list. Chivalry is clearly not the best that current gen consoles can offer, but at least it's not a complete trainwreck.

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Jan 14, 2016

Unepic probably won't be for everyone with its Metroidvania style and death prone areas, but once you get stuck in, it is an enjoyable experience. The skill system is simple but complex enough for those who like RPG's and the boss battles are memorable and exciting to witness. The castle itself is huge and there is plenty to see, so for the price there is a hefty amount of content. The requirements for the challenge related achievements is peculiar, but the completionists among us will forgive the developers as we roam through every nook and cranny, lighting up every torch and lamp that we see. There are so many indie titles that are available now and it's tough to shine above the rest when you're a 2D sidescroller like Unepic, but it is a worthy title in the ID@Xbox library and is a great throwback to those games of old.

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If you've played any of the recent LEGO titles, LEGO Marvel's Avengers will be familiar to you. The overall formula remains the same and there is still plenty to find and collect in the form of bricks and characters. If you look at the very first title in the series, though, it is clear how much has changed and evolved since then. Combat in this instalment is far more fluid and exciting, characters are unique in design and there are plenty of abilities spread throughout. There is also so much more to do other than completing story levels. The speed of the story leaves a distinct desire to get to the hubs but exploring them is not nearly as frustrating as it used to be once you make it. Problems and glitches still crop up every now and then, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the game. While the LEGO series could do with switching up the formula to reignite it, this latest romp with our favourite heroes is still an enjoyable one.

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Feb 23, 2016

Layers of Fear is a fantastic example of why atmospheric games still deserve a place in the industry. While you'll be startled plenty of times by ghostly figures and distorted paintings, the tension and mood throughout the game will be what compels you to keep playing. The sound effects and music have been used to great effect and the way in which the environment manipulates itself around you adds all the more to the painter's insanity as he aims to complete his work. While the game is only at its full potential on your first playthrough, the extra secrets and collectibles help to add replayability to what may have originally been thought of as a "one play only" title, even if those extra playthroughs are quick ones. There have been much shorter and less polished games for the price point of £15.99/$19.99, so even though it's not exceptionally long, the quality easily counteracts this. If you're after an enthralling experience, horror fan or not, Layers of Fear is a great way to satisfy the itch.

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The Walking Dead: Michonne "In Too Deep" is easily one of the shortest episodes to be released and won't take you long to complete, but Michonne is an intriguing character and she has a lot of emotional baggage. Seeing how she will develop in the next two episodes is enough to make you want to come back for more. Those who decide to jump into the game will likely have experienced Telltale in one form or another; the gameplay remains the same as previous TellTale experiences and occasional lag unfortunately creeps back in.

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Mar 10, 2016

McDroid gives little clue as to what is going on when you first load it up. The first hour fails to impressand players may wonder if it is worth continuing onwards. After overcoming that hurdle, there was enjoyment to be found in the game. The mixture of resources and weapons can create exciting scenarios as rockets and lasers fly across the screen, but there is still a large element of strategy in what you're doing. The game leans more towards those who are a fan of the genre and others won't feel the need to play past the story, but it still does a serviceable job at trying to cater to a wider audience. The cel shading gives the game a more unique feel alongside the very strange but amusing story and dialogue, but glitches have been found of which people will need to be careful. For its price, McDroid has a decent amount of content and won't set you back much, but if you decide to pass on it, you won't have missed too much.

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