Tom Hopkins

London, UK
Tom_Hopkins

Favorite Games:
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
  • Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

83 games reviewed
71.7 average score
80 median score
50.6% of games recommended

Tom Hopkins's Reviews

Senior Editor @ RealSport 101
Oct 20, 2017

Through its celebration of both the art and intricacies of driving and the cars that make it such a joy, GT Sport is a stunningly classy racing experience. It handles wonderfully and does all it can to make you a better driver through its campaign's structure.

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Oct 26, 2017

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a fluid, brutal, and challenging first-person shooter and one that is insane and over-the-top from start to finish, but it is the unique cast of characters and the story they're a part of that shines. B.

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Nov 13, 2017

Considering how enjoyable getting behind the wheel is in Need for Speed Payback, it is frustrating that so many elements don't work in the overall experience. You may spend most of your time having fun racing but the b-movie story that stars unlikable characters, the presentation inconsistencies, and the poorly integrated upgrade system are frequent frustrations.

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Nov 30, 2017

Given the severe lack of other options, Gear.Club Unlimited is perfectly serviceable racing experience, especially with its split-screen multiplayer option. The racing itself is enjoyable, if a little easy, and the upgrade system prompts you to think strategically about what to upgrade and when, but it struggles to escape its mobile roots.

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4.5 / 5.0 - Bayonetta 2
Feb 23, 2018

Bayonetta 2 may not be appealing to everyone. Its sexuality and over-the-top tone may be a frustration to some. However, from a design and gameplay point of view, it is up there with the best in its genre. Bayonetta, the side-characters, and the world you’re fighting in are crazy and unique while the combo focused action is deep, yet accessible enough that you feel like an expert in no time. The Nintendo Switch version may not feature much that the Wii U original does not, but the console hybrid is the best place to play one of the best action games of all time. If nothing else, the re-release has made me more excited for Bayonetta 3 than I ever thought I would be.

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Mar 1, 2018

Mike Bithell may have intended for Subsurface Circular to be nothing more than something to fill the time between other projects but his team has created an engaging text-based adventure featuring excellent writing, fleshed out characters, a compelling detective story, and a world with the potential to tell many more tales that would be perfect as a single evening's entertainment. Its unorthodox marketing may have seen it slip under your radar when it came to PC and mobile last year but it's definitely worth trying now that it's on Nintendo's console hybrid.

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Mar 19, 2018

When Assassin's Creed Rogue originally released, there was a feeling among fans that the series was in need of reinvention. The gameplay frustrations had been present long enough and it was time for something new.

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3.5 / 5.0 - Island Time VR
Apr 3, 2018

Much like Job Simulator, Island Time balances the ridiculous with a challenging task perfectly. Although it may get repetitive once you learn the ropes, the loop of discovering new ways to survive while dealing with whatever mishaps may occur is engaging and enjoyable. Spending time on the island with your mate Carl the Crab can be great fun in VR, just don't expect to spend a lifetime doing it.

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4 / 5.0 - Forgotton Anne
May 11, 2018

Its puzzles and platforming may not be anything to shout about, but they aren't Forgotton Anne's focus. The way it develops a detailed world, full of unique and interesting characters, while keeping the central story compelling and surprising, is remarkable, especially in such a short period of time.

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4.5 / 5.0 - Onrush
Jun 5, 2018

Since the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One released in 2013, the gaming world has been pretty devoid of arcade racers, instead opting for open-world or simulation experiences. The likes of Motorstorm, Disney's Pure, and the criminally underplayed Blur have disappeared recently, but Onrush's blend of classic arcade racing, stunning visuals, and online team-based shooter ideas make it unique enough to stand out even against the competition of old.

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Jul 3, 2018

It might be a struggle for some, but getting to grips with Lumines Remastered's deceptively unique gameplay and getting lost in the electronic beats is a wonderfully rewarding and mesmerizing experience. The visuals may not play as much of a part as they do in other puzzle or rhythm games, but the constant promise of something new to see makes you want to keep playing and to keep improving.

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4 / 5.0 - Overcooked 2
Aug 7, 2018

Overcooked 2 is one of the best co-op multiplayer games around, no matter how you plan to approach it. If you're after something ridiculous to mess around with, setting fires instead of feeding your customers, that's easily found, but jumping into the wonderfully designed dynamic levels to test yourself and a partner with the new recipes is equally as fun.

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4.5 / 5.0 - Dead Cells
Aug 15, 2018

Dead Cells is an incredible mix of well designed elements. The compelling die, upgrade, improve loop is complemented by a risk and reward Metroidvania-inspired level design, and each run is made to feel fresh with different layouts and varied weapons, but it's the excellent combat and traversal that stand out.

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4 / 5.0 - Guacamelee! 2
Aug 21, 2018

The structure of Juan's journey may feel overly familiar to anyone that played Drinkbox's first game, but Guacamelee 2 doubles down on the style, personality, and gameplay that made it such a joy to play. The adventure is full of silly jokes and unique characters, it's a much longer experience, and the combat is deep and engaging enough that it's possible to look past the fact that you've seen most of it before.

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4 / 5.0 - F1 2018
Aug 22, 2018

Choosing to focus on improving the already excellent career mode for F1 2018, rather than adding something entirely new and shallow, was a great decision on Codemasters' part. The new iteration offers Formula One fans a near perfect simulation of the sport, complete down to the last technical detail, but the assist settings and satisfying racing make it a viable racing option for even those with cursory F1 knowledge.

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3.5 / 5.0 - Strange Brigade
Sep 4, 2018

Strange Brigade's serviceable but flawed gameplay and forgettable story make for an incredibly generic third-person shooter, but its charming personality, great level design, and well integrated puzzles make for a B-movie romp that's a lot more fun than you might initially expect, even if you plan to play alone.

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Sep 5, 2018

Firewall Zero Hour is a masterclass in accessible, immersive VR first-person shooting. Its sharp, intuitive tactical gameplay and well-designed maps make for intense 4v4 action that's a level above anything else available on PlayStation VR. However, it cannot be ignored that the progression slog and rapidly emptying lobbies make Firewall a difficult game to commit to.

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4.5 / 5.0 - FIFA 19
Sep 19, 2018

While the underwhelming finale of Alex Hunter story and the lack of meaningful changes seen by some of the modes will be frustrating for some fans, FIFA 19 is generally a huge step forward for the series and shines in the ways that matter most. Ultimate Team has been made more appealing by a fairer and more rewarding structure, but it's the gameplay changes that add fluidity, precision, and reliability to the play that make FIFA 19 the best game the series has seen this generation.

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3.5 / 5.0 - Transference
Sep 21, 2018

Transference certainly showcases the potential of VR storytelling in the style Spectrevision are attempting. Even if its short story isn't always effectively told, and some of the puzzles distract, the atmosphere that's been created through detailed world design, incredible lighting effects, and intense sound design makes for a terrifying experience.

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Oct 23, 2018

For the most part, NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is an improvement on the original. The fun, over-the-top, and easy to understand gameplay returns and the online options make it a more complete package.

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