Jim Hargreaves's Reviews
Still, this beautiful wrapper isn't enough to cover up Poncho's fundamental flaws. It's a lovely experiment and although it works well in some parts, an overall sense of cohesion is missing. Being able to move along the z-axis is a clever feature yet Poncho uses this as a crutch, failing to flesh out other essential areas of the game. In short, there's certainly something special here yet, sadly, only a minority will succeed in finding it.
Wasteland 2 is an excellent game, but at the same time does nothing particularly new or ground-breaking within the RPG genre. It's easy to see why PC gamers have become so enamoured with it, yet it's hard to imagine Wasteland garnering the same appeal on consoles. Despite inXile's valiant effort in bringing the game to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, it never feels quite at home.
Niggling flaws aside, Vermintide is easily one of the most surprising games to launch this year. Although there's a clear lack of originality, Fatshark has done a brilliant job in throwing together a patchwork of borrowed designs with its own previous work on games like War of the Roses. It's got the makings of a sleeper hit and hopefully, with a few more refinements, can grow into the next multiplayer must-have.
Guitar Hero Live is exactly what the franchise needed after its five-year hiatus, and I'd go as far to say it's what the whole genre needed. Although naysayers will lament the lack of more instruments or complain about the non-permanence of extra songs, for many, Live will become the quintessential party game and is already set to be a permanent fixture in my sitting room.
There's no escaping the game's hack and slash origins, yet Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below certainly offers an interesting spin on the traditional Warriors template. By focusing on a smaller concentration of characters on-screen, it has a slightly more tactile, RPG feel. Combined with some inventive gameplay features and that charming Dragon Quest aesthetic, Heroes succeeds in creating its own identity. It may fall short of greatness yet serves as an ideal solution for those eagerly awaiting the series' next mainline instalment.
If you've yet to buy Samurai Warriors 4, we'd strongly recommend grabbing an earlier version of the game – whether that be the original or Samurai Warriors Chronicles 3. Although 4-II certainly has its perks, it fails to push the series in a new, more innovative direction as a whole. Thankfully, with Samurai Warriors 4 Empires already in the pipeline, it looks as though our favourite historical brawler may very quickly get back on track.
If you've bonded with the series before then it's a small concession to make. However, for first timers, Mario Party 10 isn't the immediate smash hit you may be expecting off the back of Super Mario 3D World and Mario Kart 8. Bringing the game to Wii U has meant a facelift and some nice new bells and whistles to fiddle around with. However, Mario Party 10 is much like the latest iteration of an established board game: although it may look different, love them or hate them, the rules are still very much the same.
Overall, SuperChargers is a competent sequel and one that's bound to keep the Skylanders fandom transfixed for yet another year. Where previous iterations have kept the series afloat using fun albeit superficial gimmicks, this latest edition feels more like a genuine step in a new direction. It's great news all around, yet the developers at Vicarious Visions and Toys For Bob will definitely be feeling the pressure in trying to top this latest effort next year.
Disney Infinity 3.0 steers the series back on track after last year's small spanner in the works. It's a fun and enjoyable game that never outstays its welcome while also striving to innovate within the existing framework. To say 3.0 is without its own shortcoming would be a lie, however. Disney Interactive and its patchwork of studios have yet to forge something that feels truly cohesive and consistent throughout.
Danganronpa’s break from the visual novel genre doesn’t produce the best results. It was definitely an experiment worth trying yet the action gameplay does little to hold up its side of the bargain. Once again, it’s the story and character development that really drive the experience, serving up plenty of fan service. For that reason, I’d easily recommend Another Episode to those who adored the first two games – newcomers, on the other hand, may struggle to see the appeal, especially when wading through shooting segments just to watch the plot unfold.
Over the years, Koei has clearly continued to refine it's original strategy template, layering an interlocking mesh of game systems and mechanics. When the cogs start turning, Nobunaga's Ambition becomes this intriguing spectacle as clans employ a variety of strategies in order to adapt, survive, and expand. Although far from perfect, this is likely the best grand strategy title you'll find on a home console.
Despite this being my first Pirate Warrios game, my years of experience with Warriors titles goes back to its reincarnation as a 3D action brawler. After all these years, there's something refreshing about Pirate Warriors 3. Although familiar, the combat takes on a new feeling thanks to the change in setting. That said, I'm sure those who have played previous One Piece adaptations won't get that same sensation.
Although presented in a nice package, Onechanbara Z2 feels outdated compared to most modern day action games. Tamsoft may have upped the ante on a number of fronts, yet it's the core gameplay where this sequel suffers most. It's all well and good creating an offbeat world in which to put players, but Onechanbara is missing the depth to keep them there.
With its immersive world, branching narrative, and lifelike character work, Until Dawn will have players on the edge of their seats while pounding them with jump scares and a bone-chilling soundtrack. Having previously worked on ports and smaller titles for Sony, Supermassive Games have shown that they can play with the big boys and we can't wait to see what they come up with next.
As much as I wanted to fall in love with Submerged, it's standing proof that a game needs more than good looks and a unique angle to win me over. With the 'emotional' story-driven approach slowly receding from the frontline of gaming, I'm left craving fun and challenging experiences that have us do more than haplessly roam within the confines of a digital sandbox.
Where episodic gaming has usually left me nonplussed, King's Quest has had an enthralling effect, leaving me in eager anticipation of the next chapter.
Whether looking to relive a forgotten favourite or simply in the mood for an old school action platformer, The Legend Of Kay is more than just serviceable. It's a fun, inspired take on the genre that plays well despite its lack of ground-breaking features.
Although not exactly risky or adventurous, it's the follow-up many have been dreaming of for years and now it's finally here.
Manga die-hards are bound to get a real kick out of J-Stars Victory VS+. The level of fan service here is on point and there's a solid fighting game to back it up. That said, after just a few hours it begins to lose steam, becoming less and less appealing as something you'd want to play for long sessions.
There's nothing wrong with modernising older games. However, therein lies the problem for Miracle Cure: it's just a modernisation. Over the years Nintendo has continued to innovate with its stable of core franchises, yet this feels more like a simple repackaging. Dr. Mario fans will no doubt jump at the chance to play it on 3DS, but for those used to cheaper, more fulfilling puzzle games on other platforms, Miracle Cure will prove a tough pill to swallow.