Richard Seagrave
Perhaps I’ve been dismissive of Spider-Man: Miles Morales in calling it a standalone expansion, because while it may indeed be shorter than Insomniac’s first Spider-Man outing, it’s not just a simple continuation of the story designed to wring out a bit more moolah from your wallet. Think of it as a more focused sequel instead, as that’s what it actually feels like. It’s free of story bloat, and the gameplay has most definitely been expanded upon and improved. Plus, since when has an expansion looked so much nicer than the game it’s building upon? This is a timely release that demonstrates the power of the PS5 with style, and if you aren’t picking it up alongside your console, you’re simply doing things wrong.
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.
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.
Playing Returnal, it feels like next-gen has truly begun.
Needless to say, there’s never been a better time to play Streets of Rage 4 if you haven’t already done so, or return to it. While the free goodies are undoubtedly welcome, it’s the extra characters, Survival mode and moves offered by Mr. X Nightmare that really breathe new life into this magnificent side-scrolling beat ’em up. With the DLC installed, Streets of Rage 4 becomes one of the best gaming experiences you can have right now. It’s utterly essential. Now we’re just hoping that Dotemu, Lizardcube and Guard Crush get to work together again on Streets of Rage 5.
Bigger and better than its predecessor in every single way, Horizon Forbidden West is a game that’s ever so easy to get lost in.
Combining the deep and challenging combat FromSoftware is known for with a vast and varied world that’s always a pleasure to explore, Elden Ring is quite simply incredible.
With this remake, Naughty Dog has made one of the best games of all time even better. While you may look at screenshots or snippets of video footage and think that it looks and plays just like you remember it, go back to an older version and you’ll realise just how much work has been done here. Yes, The Last of Us Remastered still holds up well, and you can stick with it if you like, but for newcomers and ardent fans The Last of Us Part I is a treat that’s worth every penny. It would be one thing if this emotional rollercoaster was just as captivating now as it was nine years ago. But in fact, it’s even more so. And that’s an impressive achievement.
All we have is love for this God of War.
We had high expectations for Diablo 4, and we’re so happy to say that Blizzard has smashed them. This is a title that takes Diablo 3’s meaningful quality-of-life improvements and expands upon them with aplomb, while also bringing back the much-loved look and feel of Diablo 2. All the while, it’s not too focused on the past, taking the series into open world territory and making it more story-led than ever before. And what a story it tells: we never expected to be so invested. But more importantly, we can’t wait to start a new character and jump once again into the endgame. Diablo 4 is devilishly good – the best Diablo game yet, in fact – and it only stands to get better.
It’s hard to write about – and indeed review – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 without spoiling it. Just know that this takes everything from the previous games and improves on each aspect considerably. It looks nicer, plays better, and is packed with much more variety. It’s the story here that’s the biggest delight, though, filled with genuine surprises, heartfelt moments and epic scenes that will stick in your mind for a long time to come. Spider-Man is no stranger to adjectives such as “amazing” and “spectacular”, both of which can be applied to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. More than just an accomplished sequel, it’s the best superhero game ever made.
Whether you’re brand new to The Last of Us Part 2 or already own it on PS4 and are upgrading to this remastered version for the extra bells and whistles, you’re in for a treat. Thanks to the visual and performance improvements, there’s no better way to experience the grim, shocking and sometimes uncomfortable story of The Last of Us Part 2. And once that ordeal is over, a great effort has been made here to allow you an interesting insight into the game’s development. It’s the elements here that allow you to extend your play that really make the difference, though. From new unlockable outfits to the brilliant No Return roguelike mode, chances are you’ll keep playing The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered long after the credits have rolled.
We absolutely loved Final Fantasy VII Remake, but it’s safe to say that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth surpasses it in every possible way. It’s a masterpiece. It tells a grander tale, with more twists and turns that keep you on your feet. And while some new story elements may rub some players up the wrong way, they keep things feeling fresh, and make us keen to see where Square Enix will take things next. Ultimately, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has exceeded our expectations, building on the original game and indeed Final Fantasy VII Remake, delivering a sequel that feels bigger and better in all regards.
Shovel Knight manages to feel unique and fresh, which is a highly commendable feat indeed
From the chilling ambience of the locales to the techno urgency of the boss battles; each track on the soundtrack is a treat for your ears and absorbs you into the game's twisted world
Every twist and turn you discover feels like an achievement; like you've just made a major breakthrough in a case that has remained inexplicably unsolved
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is simply fantastic.
Forget Crackdown 2 ever happened, Crackdown 3 is the sequel we deserve. It takes everything that made the original game so great and expands upon it, leveraging the power of the Xbox One to make the experience bigger and better.
It may feel familiar, but it's a warm and welcoming kind of familiar
Being sensible, it's hard to find any real faults with Quantum Break