Unoriginal art direction aside, Natsuki Chronicles is a thoroughly entertaining shoot ’em up that any fan of the genre should check out. Though thanks to its generosity with handing out additional credits and shields in each of its game modes, it’s even suitable for those with only a passing interest in the genre looking for a good entry point. Only players who truly wanted to follow its story will find real fault with it – everyone else will find it to be a blast from beginning to end.
There’s honestly not really anything good I can say about Fallen Legion Revenants. Messy combat combined with an unwieldy control system means it’s not fun to play. A boring and confusing story prevents you from getting invested in its characters. I don’t think it looks as good as previous games in the series. And its voice acting is unimpressive. I suppose it’s got a decent soundtrack? That’s about as complimentary as I can be. Ultimately, Fallen Legion Revenants is one of the worst games I’ve played in some time. And that’s not a nice thing to write as someone that enjoyed their time with Fallen Legion Flames of Rebellion
If you like games that don’t hold your hand and let you figure things out for yourself, you should perhaps give Die Young a try. Even more so if you also have a taste for adventure. The world presented to you in this fight for survival is truly vast and varied, with rewarding secrets to be found in various nooks and crannies. As you approach the end of Die Young and strive to achieve the best ending out of the three available, however, be prepared for things to take a turn for the worse. While there are many frustrations to be experienced throughout, it saves its most severe for last.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox might just be the best Ys game yet. More emphasis on storytelling and a wider range of gameplay elements makes for a game that’s a little more absorbing, and one that also gives you some time to breathe between all the fast-paced action. It takes a little time to get going, but once the narrative is in its stride you’ll want to know more about the Monstrums that battle by your side, and what secrets the Prison at the heart of Balduq holds. Add on top lashings of entertaining combat and a soundtrack that’s a pleasure to your ears from beginning to end, and you have a game that’s simply a joy to throw yourself into.
Blending an engaging and often thought-provoking narrative with combat that flirts with both strategy and chaos but always remains fun, Persona 5 Strikers is quite simply one of the best action RPGs I’ve ever played.
The power you feel upon becoming a half-man, half-wolf monstrosity in Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood is its saving grace. There’s nothing else out there that offers a similar experience. Sure, it gets a bit repetitive, but you’re a freaking werewolf, capable of picking up a grown man and ripping his head clean off. Boss fights are a highlight, too, actually putting your combat skills to the test, unlike the majority of battles where soldiers are thrown into the arena like lambs to the slaughter. Like its protagonist, Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood has many sides to it that are all rough around the edges, but it’s not totally devoid of charm.
For PS5 owners who have yet to take a chance on the Nioh series, The Nioh Collection is a must-have, providing they’re up for a challenge. Nioh Remastered – The Complete Edition and Nioh 2 Remastered – The Complete Edition, both also available separately, are expertly-crafted games that are hard to pick fault with. Across both titles there’s literally hundreds of hours of adventuring to be done, and thanks to leveraging the power of the PS5 the action has never looked or played better. It’s those with TVs capable of high frame rates that will get the most out of it though; these games really display the benefit of 120fps.
Ultimately, if you’re lucky enough to have a PS5, that’s the format to get Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition on. If not, the PC version will serve you well. There will be hiccups along the way, however, at least until DLSS arrives or any other performance-improving updates. But even those technical issues can’t get in the way of how fantastic Nioh 2 is to play, especially when all it takes is a bit of experimentation with settings to find the perfect balance.
Habroxia 2 is very much worth any shoot ’em up fans’ time and money. The gameplay is on point, and that is largely all that matters. Throw in some nifty unlockable modes and a bucketload of upgrades to unlock, and you have a game that offers serious old-school thrills along with some modern-day flair.
With a running time of five hours or less, Silver Chains provides an evening’s worth of entertainment for those seeking ample scares and little more. That is to say that it’s enjoyable, but not exactly rememberable. It stands out as one of the best indie-developed post-P.T. horrors, but as the credits roll you’ll still be lamenting the loss of Kojima’s potential horror masterpiece. At least Silver Chains is a complete game, however, available at a price that won’t send shivers down your spine.
For the most part I’ve found Gods Will Fall to be an enjoyable experience despite some frustrations. Many of its gods are ugly but it has a charming art style otherwise, while a sinister soundtrack perfectly sets the tone. And while the combat could do with some tweaking to make your bigger warriors feel more useful, it’s generally fair and fun. So, if you’re into rogue-likes and want a game that tries something new with the formula, you could do far worse than attempt to lead your band of warriors to success in Gods Will Fall.
The Medium isn’t a bad game by any stretch of the imagination – it’s just nothing special.
If you fondly remember any of the Turrican games and long to play them once again, you’d be wise to consider Turrican Flashback a must-have. All of the games in this collection retain their original charm, but are made more playable thanks to revamped control schemes and additional features. It’s not the most generous of offerings when it comes to extras, sure, but when buying just one of these games second-hand costs more than this entire collection, who cares?
Chances are we aren’t going to be placed in control of Agent 47 again; at least for a fair while, anyway. But with Hitman 3, IO Interactive has at least made sure he’s had a worthy send-off.
With no real new modes or features, however, casual players may want to think twice before splashing the cash, especially if they own last year’s MXGP 2019. It’s about time Milestone at least injected more depth into the career mode, as the series is becoming a little stale.
Ultimately, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition requires a bit of legwork to get the best out of it. It’s worth it though, especially when you also take into consideration the game’s wonderful animation and kick-ass soundtrack. The additional characters and modes brought into the fold make it excellent value for money, too. So, whether you’re a devout Scott Pilgrim fan, or seeking out yet another side-scrolling beat ’em up to add to your collection, you’d be wise to give it a go.
Onee Chanbara Origin is what it is: a remake of a couple of simple and repetitive action games that largely rely on titillation and buckets of gore to keep players’ eyes glued to the screen. Dig beneath its shallow exterior, however, and you’ll find a combat system that’s surprisingly rewarding when the camera isn’t working against you. It’s just a shame that there’s not much content to it. It’s hard to recommend Onee Chanbara Origin at its full price unless you’re really keen to hack and slash zombies as a bikini-clad badass. When that price drops a little, though, it’s worth jumping on if action games are your thing.
Available on pretty much all formats including next-gen consoles at a budget price, there’s lots to like about Override 2: Super Mech League. The core of it is basic but solid. Ultimately, though, it’s let down by League mode which becomes a repetitive slog way too quickly. It’s also disappointing that you can’t easily party up with friends in any mode other than Versus, where you’re stuck fighting against each other or the CPU. If you find solace in repetition, or have a group of friends that regularly get together and would enjoy some mech-based mayhem, definitely consider picking it up. Otherwise, you might want to give it a miss and see if it’s improved further down the line.
If you’re after a new puzzle game to play, you’d be wise to consider Shady Part of Me, especially if you’re drawn to its moody aesthetic. Just be aware that it probably won’t hold your attention with a vice-like grip due to the repetitive nature of many of its puzzles. While it’s not a long game by any means, you’re more likely to enjoy it over numerous sittings, rather than being glued to the screen from beginning to end.
Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t perfect, but it is ambitious. It marries a gripping story with a huge open world absolutely dripping with atmosphere; one in which, after fifty hours of gameplay, I still feel like I’ve only scratched its surface. Even now I’m itching to jump back in and complete yet more side jobs, not only because they’re enjoyable, but also just in case they offer V more options when it comes to ending their story.