All things considered, Omen of Sorrow is a very competent fighting game.
If the time spent creating its passable story and stat-building busywork had been spent further developing the core music rhythm gameplay and adding more songs, Gal Metal could have really been great. As it is though, it’s simply a curio that will bore and frustrate more than it entertains.
As a package, Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! is a formidable one; on your own, you can spend ages playing though all the songs on offer while also unlocking new ones, and with others by your side you can play some of the funniest minigames I’ve had the pleasure of encountering in recent years.
Also, thanks to its story mode being quite inaccessible to those who aren't familiar with the series, it's not even a good entry point for those wanting to take their first steps into its thoroughly entertaining world. It's not a bad game by any means, but My Hero One's Justice has very limited appeal.
While Rondo of Blood is entertaining enough, the lack of extras and the inferior version of Symphony of the Night being included in this package is sure to disappoint.
Soulcalibur VI is undoubtedly the best single-player fighting game available right now. And should the game's online features work without any hiccups, its unique brand of combat should make it essential for fighting fans too. There's just nothing else quite like Soulcalibur out there.
There's a reason why Disgaea spawned so many sequels and spin-offs, and that's because it succeeded on so many levels. Its storytelling, humour and accessible yet deep gameplay were all phenomenal when it released in 2003, and even 15 years later it all stills holds up magnificently.
Despite its late-game woes though, Home Sweet Home is definitely worth a horror fan's time.
With more modes, tighter controls and more accessibility options, Dakar 18 could have been a really good game. But as it is, it's both horrendous and decent depending on which vehicle type you choose to play with and on what difficulty.
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise is a good game but not a great one. It's the best Fist of the North Star game yet, but when all the others have been average at best, it's not that much of an achievement.
In all honestly, while Fishing Sim World hasn't got me hooked for the long term, I can see myself biting and going back for more from time to time.
It won't satisfy those who like a lot of action in their games, but anyone who likes to take their time and devour a good book will be in their element, that's for sure.
Forza Horizon 4 feels like a labour of love; a game for car lovers by car lovers.
Personally, I'm delighted that Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition has made its way to consoles. It may not have the cutting-edge visuals of its full-fledged source material, or its open world, but it certainly has its soul.
For all its issues though, the Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle still impresses. Whether you've played any of the games it contains before or not, you're likely to find at least a couple that grab you and make the collection worthwhile.
They won't let you complete your own NASCAR career or build your own team, but they have better physics and spectacular visuals. The choice is yours, and either way you'll be suitably entertained.
Make no mistake about it, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner MARS is a game that will only really be appreciated by fans of the series.
Quote not yet available
If V-Rally 4 had a more structured career, I really feel like it would have been a great game. As it is, however, it's fun until you feel like you're completing the same events over and over again.