Dominic Leighton's Reviews
Yoshi's Woolly World is a joyful platformer, which takes a different approach to other games in the Mario family by emphasising collection and exploration, while retaining a solid level of challenge. Despite a few technical problems and design missteps, the variety, and thoughtfulness, of the myriad mechanics make it a pleasure, as you advance through each world exploring every nook and cranny. Once again, the Wii U makes an excellent argument for its existence, especially when it's giving players time in the company of one of Nintendo's most beloved characters.
LEGO Jurassic World strikes an excellent balance between delivering a nostalgic take on a beloved series of movies, whilst incorporating the brand new Jurassic World storyline as well. By allowing you to choose your jumping in point it also frees you up to experience them in your own order, and whilst the formula is becoming tired in some aspects, this is the most refined Lego game yet, displaying a snappy pace that previous games have often lacked. You should also never, ever, underestimate the simple draw of being able to play as a dinosaur.
I genuinely feel that, while it's not a perfect representation of drawing/painting, Art Academy: Atelier does an excellent job of teaching you the process of creating a piece of art. I believe that having followed the tutorials I could pick up a pastel or pencil in real life, and use them just as effectively, utilising skills I've learnt from a piece of software. While it may not be the most thrill-inducing package, Art Academy: Atelier is a relaxed and deeply enjoyable way of improving your artistic ability and creating artwork on your Wii U.
Spy Chameleon is a fun and engaging puzzler, with a likeable aesthetic that will keep you amused throughout its seventy-five increasingly challenging levels. It's a relatively short experience, but the extra challenges and online leaderboards add length to an enjoyable indie package.
The game's Japanese release carries the subtitle Lincoln Vs Aliens, and in many ways the game benefits from the schlocky extra tag. The historical and literary figures, married with the silver-age comic book visuals make for an engaging world which begs for you to be a part of it. The downside is that the tactical gameplay simply isn't in the same league as the developer's other work, rewarding drawn-out, cautious play above any more meaningful tactics. Though there is fun to be had here, Codename S.T.E.A.M. disappointingly lacks the purity that made Intelligent Systems' earlier work so essential.
Affordable Space Adventures is a rare beast – a Wii U title that makes integral and natural use of the Gamepad, whilst also offering a careful and considered local co-op option alongside a hugely enjoyable single player mode. It's a game that you can become truly involved in – I laughed, I cheered, I shouted at the screen in frustration – all within this remarkable world. It's a game that Wii U owners simply need to experience, and one which other developers need to take note of when creating software for Nintendo's unique console.
Mortal Kombat X is an excellent fighting game, with a wide and varied roster, that'll please series fans and newcomers alike. The combat is rock-solid, and offers a technicality that may surprise those with a low opinion of the series. Netherealms has crafted something that is enjoyable on a number of levels, and whilst the squeamish need not apply, anyone with an interest in fighting games should check it out, despite some questionable practices over downloadable content.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is an excellent port of one of the best RPGs of the last generation. It features an emotive story, strong characterisation and an engaging battle system, which combine with an approach to the genre that still feels fresh and innovative. The fact that you can now experience the game whilst on the go is hugely alluring, and while it may not make a New 3DS an essential purchase, it certainly provides a compelling argument.
Judgment continues the strong work that the first two episodes started, though it meanders a touch too much, and the increased number of puzzles tend more to hinder rather than genuinely challenge. The character progression of Barry and Natalia is excellent, and it's their sections that stand out the most. The conclusion of their story is what every player will be hankering for when the credits roll, and they don't have long to wait.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars is an enjoyable and involving puzzle game, particularly for younger gamers, which despite its relatively short campaign has a number of tricks up its sleeve to guarantee that you'll be returning to it many months later. The level editor is a great example of empowering players with clear and solid tools, which allow you to to work creatively and effectively without being hampered by overly complicated systems.
Contemplation builds on the successful first episode of Capcom's latest foray into new distribution models, and piles on the difficulty, atmosphere and ever-thickening plot with satisfying results. Fans of the series will appreciate the plot twists, whilst newcomers can get stuck into a well-grounded Resident Evil game that is so far living up to its heritage.
So much of what Screamride does it gets right, with the necessary gameplay hooks to see you repeat sections again and again, just to score a few more points to move you up the online leaderboards or achieve a perfect level rating. It also offers a relatively good degree of variety, and across its fifty or so levels there's enough content to keep you interested before you turn to building your own creations. However, there are some troubling flaws with the camera, and the construction tools, though potent, are not as immediately accessible as they should be.
Pneuma: Breath Of Life is a game that I urge you to experience. It's not perfect, but in a way that fits entirely with its own outlook, and its effectiveness as a story is both thought-provoking and surprising. Pre-conceptions aside, it is certainly an intriguing and unique title that explores elements of philosophy and life often left untouched by gaming.
Fundamentally, many of you may have been playing Dead or Alive 5 for the last two and half years now, perhaps with a sojourn into Dead or Alive 5 Plus on your Vita, before upgrading to Dead or Alive 5: Ultimate along the way. For the stalwart fan, it's possible that Last Round contains just enough additions and upgrades to make a purchase necessary, especially when you consider its budget pricing, but for the less committed it may not be enough. Meanwhile, for those yet to play Dead or Alive 5, Last Round is the most complete and attractive version of an enjoyable, albeit ostentatious, fighter despite a few minor issues.
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy Plus is an enjoyable and engaging entry in the series, and in the combat flight-sim genre. For returning players however there is very little new content here to warrant a purchase, unless you're absolutely desperate to pilot a Samus Aran airplane in a fictional war. For those new to the title who are looking for something slightly different to go with their New 3DS, there's a lot to recommend here, though it sadly all feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate could destroy your life. If you allow it to get its hooks into you, the cycle of hunting, carving, and crafting is so intoxicating that it can genuinely generate hundreds of hours of gameplay. The addition of online multiplayer finally brings the series to handheld in a form that makes perfect sense, and Capcom have improved the game's accessibility without losing any of its quirky Japanese character. All in all, it's an essential entry for both new and returning hunters, and another vital exclusive for Nintendo's 3DS.
Life Is Strange makes a strong start to its season, with the first episode introducing a number of interesting characters, and raising a number of questions that left me needing answers. The visuals paint a solid, and often beautiful world, and despite the occasional misstep in the dialogue or execution Dontnod have the beginnings of a worthy and memorable entry in the adventure game genre.
Unmechanical: Extended is a puzzling game, in every sense of the word. In that manner there are puzzles, each of which must be surmounted before you can progress, but equally its lack of any true storytelling, beyond that which you create yourself, or indeed any hand-holding to point you in the right direction almost cause too much confusion. However, there is a wonderful spirit to the game, created by the beautiful aesthetic and meaningful sound design, both of which really warrant experiencing.
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is not a bad game, it's just not a great one. The singleplayer game brings nothing new to the franchise, and in some ways even feels like a step backwards from Guardian Of Light. As a multiplayer game it takes on a different and welcome dimension, though for every great moment, you can expect equal frustration.
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is a fantastic return for the series that brought the twin-stick shooter to modern consoles. Damningly hard, visually and aurally distinctive, there are few games that can match it for both immersion and addictiveness.