Aran Suddi's Reviews
Child of Light is a joy to behold, with the tale of Aurora and Lemuria very well told. The way the whole experience has been crafted is nothing sort of fantastic, and this could turn out to be a classic. The story, the characters, the battle system, the art, and the music all shine. This is a game that wears its heart on its sleeve while bringing something fresh to the landscape; it's quite divine. I suppose the time has come to score Child of Light then, and I give this game nothing less than a 10/10
Football Manager players know what kind of a hold the games get on you. One minute you’re starting a new game, and then you realise hours have passed and you’re shouting at your players to score so they can secure a place in the next round of a cup. Football Manager 2017 is a major step up from last year’s entry, has even more detail in it, and doesn’t relax its grip on players. You’ll smile as your team thumps another, feel miffed when your team loses to weaker opposition, and swear you’ll never play again when you get fired for the team’s poor performance. Yet the new career option tempts you and the cycle begins anew. Football Manager 2017 isn’t just a simulation game, but something that will permeate your life.
What Remains of Edith Finch is a short experience, but one of the best that has been released in recent memory. Giant Sparrow rose to prominence with The Unfinished Swan and here the studio has cemented itself as one of the best at constructing narratives intertwined with engaging environments. Both a celebration of life and a commentary on the tragedy of death, What Remains of Edith Finch should be experienced by as many people as possible.
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.
Lost in Play is an outstanding puzzle adventure game that can be played by everyone. The art design is fantastic, the puzzles are varied while offering a bit of a challenge, and it is just a wholesome story of two kids using their imaginations to create a world to have an adventure in. I would recommend this to anyone who wants something light hearted, whether you're playing alone or with family.
I found my time with Lost Orbit to be enjoyable, and I wish there was more to it outside of the three hour campaign and time trial mode. The fact that I want more speaks highly of Lost Orbit and how it managed to hold my attention all the way through. The levels are well crafted, the voice acting well done, and the environmental art looks fantastic. There's also an enticing level of challenge, especially if you go for the platinum medals or look to climb the world leaderboards. If you like dodge 'em ups then this is one of the best available, and if you're new to the genre it's a great starting point.
Overall Bloodborne is a fantastic game and could be considered one of the best exclusives available on the PS4 so far. The gameplay will not be for everyone, with the difficulty and repetition a potential turn off, but if you are looking for a new challenge, Bloodborne is a fantastic choice. The twisted atmosphere of Yharnam, the great design of the monsters, and the fear it can instil within you is something that won't be forgotten in a hurry. There's a time when you realise a game will be revered and spoken of fondly years from now, and Bloodborne will be one of them.
Super Mega Baseball is one of the best baseball games out at the moment. Sure it may not be a licensed game like The Show, but the gameplay is as good as the official MLB game. There's a surprising amount of depth within this game, allowing players to build a team how they wish be it focusing on being strong in bat, or having a strong fielding selection. The game's Ego system makes it approachable for all players, and the visual style itself is really appealing. The lack of online is a mark against an otherwise fantastic baseball game.
Overall Race The Sun is a fantastic endless runner style game, a genre which I'm usually not a fan of. It's incredibly addictive and really taps in to that 'one more go' mentality. I really like the visual style of the game and its minimalist graphics and obstacle design come together nicely. The fact the game also manages to feel fresh everyday due to the changing levels is an added bonus, purely because you don't know what to expect.
Overall, NBA 2K15 has come on leaps and bounds from the previous year's game, really fleshing out all the game modes. The MyCareer mode is the best "be a pro" style mode of any sports title, with the voices of NBA stars added for authenticity. The gameplay is much smoother too, and the game just looks great. The loading times do still need work, and hopefully 2K will address that with patches and in next year's NBA game. The server issues also need to be resolved for a better online experience but a new bar has been set for all sports games here.
Overall PIX The Cat is incredibly fun and addictive. Every time I said it would be my last go I would also drift to the restart button, and have another go. The art design is really good looking, and just jumps out of the screen in some cases. The music is very well composed too, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game. The only real problem is the small amount of lag from analog input on PS4, which costs time in a game where every second counts. Since the game is currently free on Plus it really is worth playing, though if you do miss the Plus promotion it is worth picking up if you're looking for a modern day Pac Man or Snake, with better presentation.
Metro Redux puts together survival horror and survival action in such a well presented first person package, that if you're a fan of any of them then this is for you. A solid story, an interesting cast of characters, and two games that make you panic in a good way. It's worth the price of entry.
MouseCraft is a game that manages to take inspiration from two classic titles and create something fun. The fact that I became obsessed with making sure every mouse made it through the obstacle course tells you how addictive this game can be. Of the 80 levels included, there are a few that can stop you in your tracks and put you off from returning, but that minor flaw aside, MouseCraft is a great game that puzzle fans should take a look at.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is easily one of the most engrossing games I've had the chance to play. The story and characters are well worth the experience alone, and the world expertly draws on the desire to explore with its massive scale. You never know what will greet you or beat you just a few seconds down the path, and that's what is exciting about this game. There are some issues that will need to be improved. The combat is better than the Witcher 2 but isn't quite there either, but The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the first game in a while that has held my attention for so long that I don't notice the time pass. CD Projekt Red haven't just created a great game but a modern gaming masterpiece.
Kerbal Space Program is one of the most educational games I have played in years. While I'm nowhere equipped to apply for the ESA or NASA Kerbal Space Program does make understanding the science of space travel easier to digest. It is a complicated game but offers a real sense of achievement when you get something right. There are a couple of issues when it comes to the actual user experience, like the movement of non fixed cameras and text sizes, but even if you have just a small interest in Space travel then this is recommended.
The Book Of Unwritten Tales 2 is one of the best point and click adventure titles to be released, and stands as an example of what the genre has to offer. I would easily place it in the company of revered adventure titles like Grim Fandango or Tales Of Monkey Island, perhaps even surpassing them as it takes what made those titles great and expands upon them. KING Art has created a game that rarely falters over its 21 hour playtime and if you're a point and click fan then The Book Of Unwritten Tales 2 is highly recommended.
Neverending Nightmares doesn't go for the big set pieces, but relies on you to fill the gaps with your own imagination before unleashing some horror on you. Its slow pace combined with ominous sounds and music help to build tension in environments that gradually fall apart, as Neverending Nightmares masterfully gives off a sense of dread in its short playtime.
This War Of Mine: The Little Ones is more than a game, and can be considered one of the most effective anti-war tools ever created. This is not a game you play for fun or to unwind, and the addition of children for the console release makes it even more poignant, as the realisation dawns that all over the world people are living through these hellish conditions. This War of Mine: The Little Ones doesn't just drive home how desperate people get in times of war, but also makes you take note of how lucky so many of us are to live in a more stable place.
Football Manager 2016 may not be a huge overhaul over previous titles but the game feels a lot more accessible for anyone to pick up and play. Sports Interactive continues to show why Football Manager is the most dominant of sports management sim. 2016 isn't a game you can just switch off and leave behind. At moments during the day you'll be thinking of tactics to use, potential signings to bolster your defence, and who to drop. Most of all you'll be looking most forward to match day as you wait to see if your preparation is good enough or not. Football Manager 2016 isn't just a game, it becomes a major part of your life.
As someone who has played almost every MMA game since UFC Undisputed 2009, many of the controls came naturally to me, but UFC 2 features quite the learning curve if you’ve never played a UFC game before. Whether it’s Ultimate Team, knockout physics or improved grappling, EA have made great strides to improve and make UFC 2 the best MMA game on the market so far. That isn’t to say there isn’t still room for improvement but there is a lot of fun to be had here.