Brett Claxton's Reviews
For those that like the supernatural and action-adventure games you’ll have a great time with Ghostwire Tokyo. If you’re coming into the game expecting a terrifying horror experience you’ll be disappointed. There are still moments there though that will get under your skin. Bethesda’s PlayStation swan song might not hit all the right notes but it still delivers a melody that’ll be stuck in your head for a while.
Even with its issues, Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is a delight to play. It fills you with nostalgia whilst also showing the strengths of the series. It will be interesting to see where the franchise goes next.
Some battles may not be as enjoyable as others but there’s so much fun to be had in most of them that it doesn’t matter. The story is interestingly bizarre, the characters are larger than life and the combat is a delight. Arguably the most important thing though is that it’s a worthy entry in the franchise that will no doubt be another cult classic in the world of gaming.
The improvements to the early part of the game really help you feel ready for the rest of your adventure. Although it shares elements of lots of games it also does a great job in feeling unique. There isn’t much else like Death Stranding and the Director’s Cut helps refine an intriguing game to be the best it can be.
Tales of Arise is a beautiful JRPG that is fun to play that fans of the genre will no doubt get a lot out of.
Bandai Namco and the team behind Scarlet Nexus should be proud of what they’ve made. It’s never easy to launch a new IP and Scarlet Nexus is a debut full of confidence and swagger. It is some of the most fun I’ve had with a game this year and has all the makings of a cult classic.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a great addition to any PS5 games library. The worlds, the characters, the cutscenes all look great and it’s one of those games that is just fun to play. Stepping through rifts into a completely separate world works seamlessly and it’s a technical marvel in that part.
There’s so much on offer in It Takes Two and it does it all so well. If you’re looking for a new game to play with your friend or partner then It Takes Two should be at the top of your list. It’s a delight.
If you’re a fan of RPGs, crime dramas or just want to try something a bit different, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is definitely worth your time.
Despite the problems Descenders has it’s an extreme sports game that, at it’s best, does a great job at getting your heart racing. It’s fun to play, easy to pick up and difficult to master. It turns downhill biking into something accessible for far more people. At its worst, it’s just a bit bland, but it’s never completely flavourless.
Immortals Fenyx Rising feels like a wonderful fusion of Breath of the Wild and Assassin’s Creed, as well as other Ubisoft open-world games. Moving around the world is fluid and combat and exploration are very satisfying. Graphically it’s far from a powerhouse but it’s got a nice aesthetic that still makes it look good.
Next-gen upgrades will hopefully sort the loading times a bit but the problem is that’s just a part of Madden 21’s issues. Unfortunately, there are so many small things that build up to make Madden 21 an experience that, at times, feels like a step backward.
Not only that but it does a wonderful job of showing off the power of the PS5. The game looks incredible, plays well and builds upon the 2018 original superbly. It is kind of just “more of the same” but when “the same” is of the quality of Marvel’s Spider-Man that isn’t really a bad thing is it?
Whereas some remakes try to add in new things the Demon’s Souls remake seems to work more on making itself the best it can be whilst staying true to the source material. It succeeds in doing so.
If you’re a football fan that also loves anime then Captain Tsubasa is a must. There’s no denying it’s a fun game. The visual novel style story modes have some great moments and if you enjoy that style of storytelling you’re in for a treat. Hopefully, this is the start of a renaissance for Captain Tsubasa video games because Rise of New Champions is a great foundation for future instalments.
From what we’ve played of the game it seems like something that fans of the heroes will love, even if it’s just the story mode that you play. The multiplayer elements won’t be for everyone but there’s plenty there to keep coming back to.
Rocket Arena is a blast to play. As someone that often steers clear of competitive shooters Rocket Arena is an experience that I genuinely enjoyed and plan to return to for a while.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is easily one of the best RPGs of this generation.
A Plague Tale: Innocence is a well crafted single player game that feels like something different.
An interesting experiment that a younger audience will love.