Aran Suddi's Reviews
Stories Untold is a very interesting and engaging horror title, building a huge story that taps into your imagination before expertly drawing that scope back in. A couple of puzzles don't quite stick the landing, but the game is engaging over its three hours.
Darwin Project is a fun and bold twist on the battle royale genre which doesn't take itself too seriously. Grab your bow, your axe and getting out there swinging.
Super Crush KO is a great brawler-shooter. Vertex Pop has managed to create a game that feels fresh right until the very end, and one that offers a lot of replayability. There's some good humour within to deal with the absurd situation Karen finds herself in, and the gameplay just flows very well. Super Crush KO is an early highlight for 2020.
Cuisine Royale is a surprisingly fun battle royale. It won't compete with the likes of Fortnite for player numbers, but if you fancy something different with its own irreverent sense of humour, then I'd recommended giving it a go.
Mosaic might only last a few hours, but within that time it has moments that can stick with you, bring you joy amidst the monotony of everyday life. There's a message here to say that there is always a glimmer of hope even if it isn't always obvious, which is a good message to send. Plus, there's a talking goldfish.
Lost Ember is a great looking game that provides a number of different ways to play and explore its world. However, there are too many distracting performance issues that need addressing to improve its playability.
Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is a decently executed turn-based strategy title. Sure, sometimes it's a bit too easy, but when the enemy moves efficiently it become a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Just be warned that you'll grow attached to your squadmates, and hate if you lose them. This is for you, Ruiz!
Afterparty is a game with characters and writing, with the secondary characters often managing to outshine our two leads, Milo and Lola. Unfortunately a few technical issues with load times, stuttering and long periods of silence do suck some of the fun from Afterparty. Still, it's worth playing if you like your character centred pieces.
Warsaw is a game that captures some of the desperation and inevitability of failure that the Warsaw Uprising faced. The random assignment of characters removes some player choice, and there is a lack of narrative to add more weight to the events. However, as a strategy game Warsaw is well put together and offers a challenge in a unique setting.
Headliner: NoviNews is a fun game that really can emphasis just how powerful a headline and news story can be, not to mention the wider impact it can have on a society. This is an experience that pushes the adage that actions have consequences so well.
Wanderlust: Travel Stories is a different experience from your run-of-the-mill video game, and should appeal to anyone who is an avid traveler or wants to explore some unknown parts of the world from home. The stories are engaging and presented nicely, having enough of an impact on me to start downloading travel apps and plan trips. It may have the same effect on you.
Ghost Recon Breakpoint should be the breaking point for Ubisoft's open world design by committee. There's an entertaining experience buried somewhere under the bloat and I had some fun at times in the game – I love infiltrating bases, but everything surrounding that is a pain. Maybe, just maybe, not every game needs to be open world? Maybe not every game needs a gear score? Sometimes simplicity is key.
FIFA 20 is pretty much what you'd expect from a new FIFA game. FIFA Ultimate Team continues to march on and grow, card packs and all, while the core gameplay has been tweaked, making attacking play feel great as you rip defences apart. The big new feature is Volta Football, and while it's a fun distraction, it's not quite as engaging as its FIFA Street predecessors.
eFootball PES 2020 may be a symbolic start of a new era for Konami, but it feels like not much has changed over last year's version of the game. In fact, it might even be that last year's version plays a shade better compared to this version. When PES 2020 works properly it is sublime, but issues on the pitch need addressed to really be considered worth upgrading.
Exception is a Tron-like visual feast, full of inventive and dynamic action platforming that's as satisfying as it is stylish.
Control is one of the best story-focused single player games in years. Its unique mix of surrealism, sci-fi and mystery draws you in, but doesn't give everything away, and the combat is fantastically varied and provides just enough challenge. A culmination of everything that went before, Control is Remedy's magnum opus.
Gravity Ghost is an almost meditative puzzling experience. The gameplay is simple to understand and puzzles are quick to complete, and with no pressure of failure it's quite relaxing. Some issues with movement could be better but overall if you want a game you just want to relax with then Gravity Ghost is a good choice.
Subdivision Infinity DX is a decent space shooter filled with fast and frantic action. The grindy nature and and exploration missions do let it down a bit, but the gameplay is stylish and fun, and there's plenty of challenge for those that want it.
Metal Wolf Chaos XD is definitely a child of its time. It's an over the top action fest that has a few issues with it, but can provide a decent amount of entertainment. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the game is seeing FromSoftware's early work and recognising the systems the company would settle on to make the big leap to the more famous follow-ups in the Soulsborne style of games.
Telefrag VR is a good attempt at a 1v1 VR arena shooter, though it feels basic in parts and there's a lack of content. When it gets going the action is fun, but there is quite a bit of downtime and it can get stale without any sense of progression. It's a good attempt fron Anshar Studios.