Simon Brown's Reviews
A polished, well put together remaster of a game that never really got a fair shake during its original release. If you like mecha punching each other or the idea of piloting one in VR is your thing you can do a lot worse than giving Zone of the Enders The 2nd Runner: Mars a go.
Shenmue I & II brings the Dreamcast classics to a new audience as well as those nostalgic for the old days. They are still fun, exciting games even with a few quirks due to their age and are well worth playing in 2018.
A fun little momentum shooter with a drab visual style that is perfect for quick bouts of play. The difficulty and repeat play design won't be for everyone but if you are after a Luftrausers-esque title at a budget price you can't go wrong.
A great improvement over the original that almost nails the aesthetic and feel of the games it lovingly recreates even if it is a little rough around the edges. For those yearning for Burnout's Crash mode or that just enjoy score attack games there is a lot to enjoy here!
A beautiful, challenging game that is supremely polished in every area. A fantastic blend of tactical combat mixed with metroidvania style progression. Combined with an interesting and very quirky setting makes it a compelling package overall.
An interesting attempt to blend roguelite elements within a narrative and a welcome return to Prey's quirky alien world. It won't be for everyone but it's a satisfying, fun and challenging experience for fans of one of last year's best games.
A quirky, fun premise let down by poor design and implementation. Bright but inconsistent visuals and reliance on meme-style humour can't disguise the lack of fun within this budget RPG/Golf hybrid.
An unmissable strategy gem that will unquestionably keep you playing one more contract. If you like mechs or tactical strategy games you'll have a great time here whether you are a newcomer to the universe or not. BattleTech gets my full recommendation.
An interesting sequel to one of the best games of 2016, delving further into the role of government as an all-seeing eye with interesting questions about privacy and truth. Doesn't add much to the original's formula but still well worth playing.
A fun but challenging strategy game that blends a fun time-travel aesthetic with great turn-based mechanics. Interesting time pressure gameplay makes every battle rewarding. Heartily recommended.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is an extremely solid and polished remaster of the most unusual mainline entry. If you've never played FFXII this is the best way to give it a go and if you are a veteran, having the changes from the previously Japan only IZJS version give you another reason to revisit Ivalice.
This surprise expansion for Titan Quest takes you on a journey to the frigid north after exhausting all the sun-soaked options before getting you hooked on loot all over again. The slower pacing and combat might not be for everyone but for those that love the original or action-RPGs from that era there is a lot to like.
Battlestar Galactica Deadlock finally gives us a solid game based on the popular franchise. It doesn't attempt anything new but some polish issues aside it's a solid strategy game that does a good job of translating the feel of the show.
A fun, interesting dungeon builder that lacks confidence in its own identity. Clever mission design with an interesting overworld/dungeon dynamic is overshadowed by an over reliance on pop-culture parody.
Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire continues the story with an imaginative and fun campaign filled with great character moments and a reverence for the world of Tyria that is infectious. The addition of mounts that feel more than a speed boost is a welcome one but the lack of dungeon and raid content sticks out.
Castle of Shikigami is a decent port of a fun but difficult bullet hell SHMUP. With some nightmarish enemy designs and plenty of replay value it's a solid package let down by a dated appearance and its lack of extras.
A competent if uninspiring roguelite platformer that provides a fun, challenging time with lots of things to unlock. Satisfying combat and challenging enemy AI makes the moment to moment gameplay worth a look.
Valkyrie Drive -Bhikkhuni- hopes the abundance of cheap titillation will distract you from the uninspired repetitive brawling. There isn't anything wrong with the game per se but it doesn't do anything you can't find done better elsewhere and that's a shame.
Injustice 2 is a fantastic fighting game with great visuals that is a lot of fun to play casually but with enough depth to master. The new Multiverse mode will keep you playing for a long time while you build the perfect Batman.
A great little shooter with some niggly PC port issues. A challenging but fun title whose ghost bullet gimmick makes the gameplay aggressive and intense. Not for everyone but for fans of the genre it's a solid title.