Dominic Leighton's Reviews
With the game's release on Windows and the final additions to the game on console in the Royal Edition, it now feels that Square Enix have put the final brushstrokes to their masterpiece. As Final Fantasy XV comes to the end of its long adventure, it's fitting that it do so in such style, letting people savour the artistic vision behind the game in such glorious detail.
For fans of the anime, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is a great use of the license that brings some welcome changes to the series. There are still the recurring issues of pacing and a number of technical flaws that diminish the rest of the game's achievements, but this hopefully sets a new benchmark for the franchise going forward.
Unwanted and unasked for, Secret of Mana does the bare minimum you'd expect from a remake, and when you consider the original's beloved status, the fact that it's been given such a lacklustre treatment is stupefying.
There's clearly been plenty of love and attention given to the remastering of Age of Empires Definitive Edition, even if some of the less enjoyable elements of the original have also made it through the process unscathed. Twenty years later it still remains a hugely enjoyable RTS, and particularly thanks to its iconic soundtrack remains a joy to play, with hours disappearing as the eras pass you by.
For any Final Fantasy fan, Dissidia NT has plenty to offer, with an array of the series' best loved characters, and plenty of chaotic combat to pit them in. Unfortunately the lack of definition to those encounters, messy UI, convoluted single player progression, and a barebones selection of modes saps a good chunk of the fun away.
Monster Hunter: World is the evolution the series has been waiting for. The giant creatures have never looked better, while the beautiful open world areas and the way Scoutflies assist your exploration have brought a newfound dynamism to every hunt. It remains brutally difficult and the unprepared may still be chewed up and spat back out, but this time it'll categorically be your own fault rather than the game's. Whether on your own, or in a group, now is the time to join the hunt.
Brawlout is fundamentally a great take on the Smash Bros. format, and they've nailed the weight of the characters, movement, and the pure fun that getting four players together for some combative carnage can bring. Unfortunately the limited roster and the unrewarding grind of the in-game store can temper that somewhat, but as a starting point for a new indie fighting franchise there's a lot here to like.
Tiny Metal is a great attempt at reviving the Advance Wars style of approachable military strategy for modern audiences, but while it certainly looks and behaves the part, the poorly balanced campaign and uninspired narrative only serve to emphasise just how special those classic games were.
It's Quiz Time has all the basics of a good quiz game, and can be plenty of fun with a group of friends. However, the host is unlikeable, rude and annoying, and you'll be doing everything you can to give her as little screen time as possible, while the accuracy and difficulty of some of the questions can rob some rounds of their enjoyment.
Planet of the Apes: Last Frontier is an exciting narrative adventure that fans of the recent film trilogy will love. Its biggest drawback is perhaps how little interaction you actually have with it and that some of your choices make no difference to the game's direction, but as a fantastic-looking, branching story in a loved world, there's nothing else quite like it.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a phenomenal RPG. It's a truly incredible piece of work that builds and expands on the series' staples, while turning into a unique and heartfelt adventure all of its own.
Being able to take this huge adventure with you everywhere you go is fantastic, and, if you thought that Skyrim took over your life before, now it actually can.
Despite it's flaws, I still found Need for Speed: Payback quite a likeable arcade racer. Just having a narrative sets it apart from the other, more serious offerings this year, even if it's not delivered with much panache. Sadly it's attractive visuals, and alternate take on the genre, can't disguise a gamut of poor design decisions, some of which serve to make the enjoyable racing less than enjoyable.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 is a fantastic Lego game. A fun narrative, a list of well-known characters a mile long, and further refinement on the series' classic gameplay mark this out as the best Lego game yet. Admittedly, it's still another game in a well-trodden franchise, and one which doesn't reinvent the (plastic) wheel, but few brands can claim the consistent quality on show here.
Episode Five brings the season to a positive close, and while we all like a happy ending, it does perhaps paper over a few of the more negative choices you've likely made. The character-driven aspects of the series have been brilliant, as has learning more about each of the Guardians' pasts, but it's still been foisted by Telltale's creaky engine and often dull interactivity. I'd still be excited for another season, or indeed for another Marvel property to be given the same treatment, but we need some real changes made to how you physically take part in the story to keep people coming back for more.
Super Lucky's Tale is a charming and sweet indie platformer that provides hours of retro platforming joy. It's probably had far too much weight put upon its shoulders as the Xbox One X's sole launch title, and is by no means perfect; a fact that's been amplified by the recent antics of a dungaree-wearing plumber. However, while the genre has undoubtedly moved on, taken on its own merit Super Lucky's Tale is simple, inescapable fun.
Disneyland Adventures is a terrible remaster of what should be an enjoyable family game. Running around hugging cartoon characters, taking pictures and grabbing autographs is what everyone would want from a trip to Disneyland, it's just a shame that this is the kind of trip where you miss your flight, the weather is terrible, and your hotel room is dirty.
Spintires: MudRunner is utterly unique, and as a driving simulator of a niche field it is basically unparalleled. However, the difficulty level and lack of pace are likely going to make it a very niche game, while the camera is an extra challenge in itself. Still, there's grit, determination, freedom and reward to be found here for those ready to wade in.
Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure is a gentle set of challenges set in six of the most beloved animated movies of recent times. For the younger members of your household it'll likely hit the mark, with attractive graphics and welcoming gameplay, but don't expect it to offer much, if any, replay value if you're past puberty.
There's something that just feels right about playing Fire Emblem Warriors on 3DS, and as the spiritual home of the Fire Emblem in recent years, it's nice to be able to indulge in some serious hack and slash action in this universe before the franchise moves on to pastures new.