Elias Blondeau's Reviews
Super Bomberman R is a surprise winner in the Switch launch line-up, and well worth considering for old-school players, multiplayer enthusiasts and lovers of cute things.
NieR: Automata is the rare gaming experience in which narrative, aesthetics, and gameplay all complement each other to form a perfect storm of master class game design. A truly exemplary example of what video games are capable of as an art form, and a new personal favourite.
It feels dirty to say “no” to new Psychonauts, but Rhombus of Ruin is a half-baked attempt at wrapping up the first game’s cliffhanger bundled with some monotonous gameplay and too little content for the asking price.
Sniper Elite 4 is the best entry in Rebellion’s long-running franchise yet, and a great title for fans of stealth gaming.
Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers is a smart twist on the SRPG formula that pushes the genre in new, interesting directions while never losing touch with what makes these sorts of games so satisfying.
Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea is a pretty shoddy port, but the game itself is a charming, arresting adventure with loads of content and depth.
A novel twist on familiar gameplay elements, Yakuza Zero once again delivers a unique blend of real-world immersion, humanistic storytelling, and some of the best action gameplay on the market.
Not awful but far from good, Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star is a title that lets down fans and keeps away newcomers with a pithy story, mediocre gameplay, and a generic art direction that betrays the franchise’s roots.
Ladykiller in a Bind hits some unfortunate narrative snags and suffers from mixed characterization, but is ultimately a worthwhile, interesting game that takes the medium in interesting new directions.
Despite a majority of the original’s flaws carrying over, Gravity Rush 2 is nevertheless a good game with a winning narrative and a beautiful art direction.
How We Soar has a lot of potential, but it’s left unrealized in what ultimately amounts to a very unfulfilling game.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is WayForward’s finest entry in the series yet. Platformer enthusiasts and people who can’t get enough of collecting virtual trinkets will undoubtedly find something to get lost in here.
An unfunny and unfun mess of a game, Dead Rising 4 is a shambling corpse of a once-great franchise. Capcom would be wise to put it out of its misery.
Through the Woods is a sad, haunting tale that manages to scare without being cheap or easy, and one of this year's best horror games.
Dragon Ball Fusions manages to pull off being an innovative RPG and some excellent fan service for franchise fans.
Final Fantasy XV is a challenge to modern game design and traditional masculine gaming narratives, on top of being a truly phenomenal, enriching experience. Square Enix has reclaimed its throne.
Tyranny is an exercise in depicting humanity’s worst facets, and it does so in a nuanced, interesting way while being an engaging and accessible CRPG.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is an attempt to make a quick buck off gullible consumers.
Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters: Daybreak Special Gigs is a refined version of the original, while still maintaining the signature weirdness that made the initial release so charming.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is a potent Genki Dama to the series’ longstanding issues, and a bigger, better game than the original by every stretch of the imagination. A true must-have for any Dragon Ball fan.