CTR Nitro-Fueled is an essential purchase. Beenox have absolutely outdone themselves, creating a zany, entertaining atmosphere for a franchise that is going through an exciting transformation and renaissance.
No doubt about it, Asobo Studio have created a sure-fire contender for Game of the Year and I couldn’t be happier for them. This is a great game that deserves to be played. That is, unless you’ve got a phobia of rats, then it’s probably best to stay well away…
The 3DS version is by far superior to the Wii counterpart, and still offers enough new content that it’s worth a double dip. With all the new abilities, extras, as well as the Amiibo support, it’s a fantastic little port which manages to work wonderfully on 3DS and is a typically wonderful Nintendo platformer which really takes the Kirby franchise in fascinating new directions. This is a true classic Nintendo platformer in every sense of the word.
Ape Out is a very special, surprisingly wonderful, downright brutal arthouse experience
STEINS GATE; ELITE is as important to the genre as it is the intellectual property and is one of the most surprisingly entertaining interactive experiences I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying for some time.
New Star Manager is the most satisfying football experience on Switch
Octahedron isn’t going to be for everyone. You’ll grit your teeth or pull at your hair. It’s unforgiving and harsh, often relishing in your misfortune. But it’s hard to deny the game has a clear hook, managing to still entertain while reeling you in.
Below is very self-aware of the pace and tone it’s going for. This is a confident game that has clear nods and winks to titles that have inspired it but also brings them together in a way that feels fresh and unique. 2018 has already had some incredible gaming experiences and with the quality of a game like Below, it’s clearly not over yet.
Gris is a wonderful, mystifying, and everlastingly beautiful end to an unforgettable year of video gaming.
A lot has happened in ten years. A decade is a long time, but in the case of Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition, it’s fair to say that it’s all been worth the wait.
Resident Evil 2 Remake evolves, iterates, and expands on just about every conceivable and desirable component of the base game and the lore within it to make a more enticing and enriching modern experience that opens new doors for the franchise. This is a monumental achievement that has been well worth the wait.
Devil May Cry 5 is an absolute triumph. It’s a true return to form for a beloved franchise, and absolutely full to the brim with smash mouth, in-your-face action. One of the most stylish and slick fighters you’ll ever have the pleasure of committing to your hard drive.
Pang Adventures is just good – solo or co-op – old-fashioned retro arcade fun that is perfectly suited to handheld play. There’s nothing different from the Switch version compared to the rest, but it's a fair argument to say that this is the definitive edition.
The good news is the story is finally going in the right direction, despite the poor and abrupt ending. The bad news is that Big Bad Wolf have some serious problems to overcome for the last two episodes. If lines are being skipped and the subtitles are unreliable, how can they tell a story? And even then, if decisions are being ignored, what even is the point? That completely wipes away the illusion that every action has a consequence. Ripples has inadvertently exposed The Council at a core level and leaves us deeply concerned for its future.
As much as I tried to get into and enjoy Monster Energy Supercross, the game was determined to kill my enjoyment at every corner.
Suffer the Children isn’t awful. There are some clear high points here which have us interested in what comes next, but it is, unquestionably, some of Telltale’s worst work. Considering the circumstances behind the scenes, it’s completely understandable, but also a real shame since it follows one of their best episodes in years.
The truth is Fear Effect Sedna is not a good game. It’s more frustrating than it is satisfying and it will test the best resolve in the world if you are determined to see it through to the end. In this case, sadly, patches and fixes can only paper the cracks of what is an inherently flawed sequel.
Super Bomberman R 2 does so many things right, but also just enough wrong to be a bit of a mixed bag. Between the awful Castle Mode, the confusing rotation on multiplayer modes, the clunky UI with limited discoverability and, at times, repetitive story mode, you end up disengaging from the experience just when you’re finding your fun. My favourite moments came when diving into the classic modes, using the new bombers and their abilities, and experimenting with iconic Konami characters. But the game seemed determined to cut me off from that time after time between shoehorning Castle Mode into the story and not letting me play the modes I want, when I want. A frustrating experience.
Immortals of Aveum has some real promise, offering a dynamic, fulfilling combat system that makes you think and keeps you on your toes. There’s a rich world offered here, with some beautiful environments and an enjoyable core loop. However, the story, forgettable characters and erratic performance really harm its prospects and hold it back from its full potential.
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is one of the most creative, original and interesting games to come along in a long time. The voice acting is world class, and its cast are clearly having the time of their lives. The comic book artstyle is beautiful, the story is compelling enough to keep you hooked, but unfortunately it is hindered somewhat by its limited gameplay and simplified mechanics. Beyond its save issues on Xbox, however, if you’re looking for a different kind of gaming experience from anything else out there, this one won’t lead you astray.