Aran Suddi's Reviews
Babylon's Fall is just dull, repetitive and ultimately forgettable. The combat at the game's core so simple and lacking in challenge, especially if you have a full team. We all know that PlatinumGames are capable of games so much more than this, and Square Enix should probably step back from their live service efforts, because they simply haven't cracked it.
The Gunk is an entertaining adventure with a message about pollution and industrialisation. with a likeable protagonist. The pacing is a little drawn out toward the end of the six to seven hour journey, but there's a great visual style and an enjoyable game to experience.
White Shadows might have a short run time and be fairly by the numbers as a platformer, but it packs a lot in for you to experience. If you enjoy your dystopian fiction then you will find a game that sets up a world which raises questions, though the the Animal Farm influence is clear to see. White Shadows hits on a lot of dark themes, but does so in such a way that is not overwhelming.
Backbone had the potential to fill a bit of a void for a noir style game, but it comes up short. It opens with a strong prologue, but the story that follows tries to hit too many different themes meaning there's a lack of focus by the time it comes to a conclusion.
Football Manager 2022 is a good iterative step with the improvement of the matchday engine and the addition of the data hub. The data hub especially, as well as regular staff meetings, bring the franchise another step closer to the full management experience.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a great portrayal of the space-faring heroes and a good game. We encountered some annoying bugs that are hopefully alleviated with patches, and it's pretty linear, but this is an interstellar romp that you can enjoy across a few evenings.
A Juggler's Tale is a good, if short, puzzle platformer with an enjoyable narrated story. Bugs do need ironing out even as rare as they are, but if you're a looking for something to occupy you for a couple of hours, A Juggler's Tale is worth giving a go for fans of the genre.
Hell Let Loose could become a real hit amongst those looking for a bit more of a grounded experience than Call of Duty or Battlefield. However, the experience will rely heavily on the community engaging with each other positively to put plans together and make the experience authentic. Hell Let Loose is a game about teamwork and without it the chaos of war will overwhelm a player.
Is Aftermath worth it then? It is if you are a fan World War Z and are looking for more content. The new class is a decent addition and can add a new tactical choice when facing the hordes, while both the episodes of Rome and Kamchatka add a couple more hours of content and more variety for when you're grinding for levels and upgrades. However, the first person mode feels undercooked and the rat swarms just aren't scary compared to the likes of the Bull and the Lurker zombies.
As a game Eldest Souls does not hide the fact it is a tough game but it is trying to outshine in a genre that has had better examples, and better bosses over the years. Eldest Souls is by no means a bad game but it does rely on players having luck on their side a little bit too much, and that can make it a frustrating experience rather than a fun or engaging one.
Deathloop is the kind of game that will get in your head and stay there even when you're not playing. Colt is a great protagonist, the intricate environmental design is a dream to explore, and the loop system keeps things fresh and offers so much replayability. Simply put, Deathloop is fantastic.
Out of Line is a good little puzzle platformer that will last you approximately 2-3 hours. It flows nicely but some may find the puzzles a touch too easy to solve. The artwork and music are great but the story remains unclear, with the ending just leaving you with more questions.
Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is a particularly good sniping game. The set up is a hammy take on how superpower interventions only occur when there is a financial motivation, and comes off as a little bit awkward, but the game's regions are unique and fun to explore, enemies are tough to handle, and the challenges are fun to master. Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 should be a go to for sniper game fans.
Manifold Garden is a fantastic puzzle game with a distinctive style. It adds challenge and new elements gradually, using colour within puzzle solutions in a way that keep things fresh. Highly recommended for puzzle game fans.
Rain on Your Parade is a casual puzzler that's a whole lot of fun. The simplicity of the gameplay allows for experimentation throughout with unique levels every step of the way. The game has charm (despite Cloudy being a bit murderous at times), and the minor issues are easily overlooked due to the fun nature of Rain on Your Parade.
Spacebase Startopia feels a bit too basic for a management game and is not something you could really spend hours cultivating once you have the station set up. What it offers is rather simplistic, and is marred by regular crashes on console and an AI advisor that you'll grow to hate.
Black Legend evokes a brooding atmosphere thanks to the fog covered streets of Grant and has some good ideas around party and class management, as well as its turn based battles. However, bugs and awkward camera controls, plus a lack of a strong narrative or lore makes Black Legend feel like a fog has descended obscuring its potential.
Mutropolis is a decent point and click adventure title with genuine humour and some very good puzzles. However, it's let down by a slow-paced middle act that drags on far too long and some puzzles that could have been better implemented.
Maquette is a great puzzle game that uses perspective and out of the box thinking very well. The story of Michael and Kenzie is neatly entwined within these puzzle, adding heart and soul to the game as you make your way through the world, big and small.
Morkredd is an interesting experiment in the use of light and dark to solve puzzles. However, the constraints of all the shadowy deaths and the occasionally frustrating movement of the ball stops Morkredd from being a better game. Through the great artwork there are hints this could have been something more.