Authentic and bold, it's telltale all over
An epic, if derivative, return to form
Just don't expect any different results
Could alienate those who favour Play
Find out what the PES team had to say about rival FIFA in our football rivals interview here.
It speaks to the strength of the challenge and club systems that DriveClub remains wholly enjoyable despite such an omission. A few less serious forms of racing would do a lot to improve to the experience and catapult it into the same realm as the greatest of arcade racers, but what's on offer represents a commendable attempt at changing the way we think about how competition is served in a racing game.
It's disappointing that Shadow of Mordor couldn't match the originality of its superb Nemesis system with a more engaging world, but the characters which populate it are more than enough to spur you through the campaign. Shadow of Mordor might owe something of a debt to numerous games that have come before it, but by adding its own flavour to the mixture the result is a surprisingly expansive and hearty experience that is more compelling than plenty that have come before it. A hugely entertaining, tongue-in-cheek and fulsome experience, it's a worthy expedition whether you're a Rings fan or not.
But it won't be a game for everyone. The game offers a Trophy for completing it in under an hour, but we can't imagine the type of players Hohokum attracts will find this prospect appealing. It should be taken almost as a palette-cleanser; the type of experience you find yourself spending a few quiet hours immersed inside, soaking up its atmosphere and getting lost inside its dreamscape. There's little doubt Honeyslug has created something truly original and utterly absorbing, but it's also a game that requires a detachment from reality along with a complete investment from its participants. Don't venture into Hohokum hoping to understand what it's all about, just sit back and enjoy the ride.
The first true MOBA on consoles
The faint of heart need not apply
About as charming a game as you'll see
Your rose-tinted glasses won't slip much
A fantastically addictive merge of genres
Proof that not all games need to innovate to be worth it
An effective lesson on the casualties of war
Don't judge a game by its gimmicky-sounding premise
The road to victory is a long one
Better than ever, but know the risks going in
Like its predecessor, Civilization: Beyond Earth is going to benefit from Firaxis' attentive and proven post-launch development plan. Its series of interconnected systems are well balanced and while some of them will feel disappointingly familiar to series veterans, there's sufficient diversity and flexibility here to feed the series ongoing evolution.
Generously celebrating a beautiful fighting system