Umbrella Corps is a laughably broken mess, unworthy of the iconic franchise it inhabits. The small echoes of nostalgic beauty are negated by its repetitive gameplay, awful mechanics and complete lack of worthwhile content.
Disgaea 5 Complete is a great role-playing game for the Nintendo Switch. JRPG fans have hundreds of potential hours of content to dig into here, all of which is brilliantly presented with imaginative, zany characters that seldom disappoint. And you can make your very own curry, who wouldn't love that?
Fullbright has crafted an impressive yet ultimately unfulfilling narrative adventure in Tacoma. Its characters and setting are some of the best in the medium in terms of dialogue and atmosphere, but the overarching plot is far too weak to hold them altogether. That being said, exploring the lonely space station is a journey I don't regret taking.
Yakuza Kiwami is a dazzling remake of an underappreciated classic, improving upon its source material in so many important ways. At times it can feel dated, but that doesn't stop Kiwami from proving Yakuza is once again one of the best things on PS4, and perhaps any other platform.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm is an underwhelming start to a miniseries that still has plenty of promise. Deck Nine has shown it can create lovable characters and believable drama, yet fails to cohesively implement them into the experience. That being said, things could easily improve from here.
Knack 2 is a pleasant surprise that improves upon the majority of its predecessor's faults. It still lacks in genuine creativity and new ideas, but Japan Studio has crafted a confident platformer that acts as a whimsical spark in the PS4's exclusive catalogue.
Monster Hunter Stories is a delightful little JRPG that makes a big splash with its adorable visuals and addictive battle system. Performance problems aside, this is a great introduction to Capcom's beloved franchise.
Rayman Legends is a masterful platformer that excels in almost every way. It's stunningly crafted levels, adorable visuals and excellent music all leave a deep, lasting impression.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a commendable re-imagining that has clearly been crafted with plenty of love and care by MercurySteam.
Pokkén Tournament DX is an enjoyable fighter that provides plenty of fan-service for hardcore and casual fans of the beloved franchise. It's also a surprisingly deep experience, now equipped with more fighters and stages than ever before on Nintendo Switch.
Death of the Outsider is a fantastic addition to the Dishonored universe that once again brings the broken city of Karnaca to life.
The Lego Ninjago Movie Videogame is a fun platformer that expands on the established formula with an enjoyable combat system. Unfortunately, performance issues and lacklustre level design hold it back from greatness.
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is a unique RPG brought to life by its fantastic pawn system and enthralling fantasy world. Forming a ragtag clan of allies before taking on gargantuan monsters is always a blast, helping you feel like a true soldier among a land of unimaginable terrors.
Rogue Trooper Redux is an impressive remaster of a shooter that doesn't quite hold up when compared to its modern competition. That being said, it's still a fun, atmospheric and wonderfully charming outing with a few neat tricks up its sleeve.
Fire Emblem Warriors is superb. It successfully translates the beloved RPG series without sacrificing any elements for which I have adored the series. With countless characters, a robust upgrade system and plenty of modes on offer, you'll sink hours into this stylish hack ‘n' slasher without even knowing it.
Assassin's Creed Origins is the revitalisation I was desperately hoping for. My cautious optimism has been rewarded by an excellent open-world adventure that could lead to an exciting future for Ubisoft's blockbuster franchise.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is an excellent JRPG with a truly extravagant open world begging to be explored. Its in-depth battle system and impressively paced narrative help to deliver a smooth experience, despite its massive run-time.
A Hat in Time is more than a lovingly crafted homage to the world of platformers; it's a delightful adventure in its own right that brings creative innovation to the genre in an abundance of wonderful ways.
LocoRoco 2 Remastered is a solid enhancement over the original release that fails to iron out all of the kinks I would have liked. The simplistic platforming and inventive level design are occasionally let down by imprecise controls, although this is far from a dealbreaker.
The Escapists 2 is a solid improvement over its predecessor, and a fun prison escapade in its own right. While all of its parts don't come together in the most ideal manner, busting out of prison remains a blast when you finally manage to conquer the obstacles set against you. Combine that with a staggering amount of variety and replay value, and you have a package that's well worth going under for.