Carl Phillips's Reviews
While exploration takes something of a backseat this time around, the result means Revelations sets up a grand finale for Dreamfall Chapters. Previous player choices make some big impacts throughout, and it's clear there'll be more to come thanks to some key scenes in Book Four. With the game engine's upgrade to Unity 5 a huge success, let's hope that Red Thread Games can focus on delivering an engaging conclusion to Zoe and Kian's journey.
While there may be bugs everywhere, it's hard not to be in awe of the extensive open world Bethesda have created with the Commonwealth. Streamlined progression, an improved narrative, and extensive customisation make Fallout 4 a serious contender to the RPG throne.
With staggering depth to both its map design and new Mastery progression, Heart of Thorns gives Guild Wars 2 players old and new plenty of engaging ways to keep playing. There are still refinements to be made in certain areas, but ArenaNet have shown they are up to the task, making this a worthwhile expansion for MMO fans.
Like a box of assorted chocolates, you might not like everything in the box, but what does take your fancy will have you coming back for more. Coming in at the perfect price point, the Jackbox Party Pack 2 gives you five varied games that will entertain you for hours. Perfect as a party piece, especially with Christmas just round the corner.
While it may be short and lack replayability, Funcom have delivered a well-crafted and finely tuned psychological experience with The Park. The exceptional audio design helps to build a chilling and tense ambiance that will delight fans of The Secret World, while even newcomers can enjoy the chilling tale of one mother's search for her son. A true psychological thriller that you'll want to play with the headphones on and the lights off.
While there are still blemishes that stop it matching the heights of Brotherhood or even Black Flag, Assassin's Creed: Syndicate restores faith in the series by delivering a highly enjoyable open-world experience. Jacob & Evie make for entertaining characters in a beautifully crafted Victorian London filled with content that will keep you busy for weeks. So pick up your hidden blade - it's time to return to the creed.
The Vault of the Traveler finishes off what Escape Plan Bravo began, delivering an entertaining conclusion to the Tales From The Borderlands series. Even at this late stage, important choices are made and help create a finale that is fun and satisfying.
[SPOILERS] This is, without a doubt, the finest series Telltale Games have produced to date. Whether you're already a Borderlands fan or not, Tales From The Borderlands delivers an emotional, entertaining, and downright fun episodic adventure title.
It doesn't fix everything that was wrong with Destiny, but The Taken King does enough in all the right places to make it a highly enjoyable FPS experience overall. A renewed focus on narrative and a streamlined progression system helps to push Destiny in the direction it should have been heading all along.
The unfortunate truth is that its narrative fails to deliver a coherent and satisfying conclusion to the series, but as a stealth sandbox The Phantom Pain is peerless. Responsive controls, freedom to approach objectives, and extensive replayability make it an absolute joy that you won't want to put down. It's a diamond that may be flawed, but it is one that Kojima (and gamers) can hold with awe.
As the situation escalates for Fiona and Rhys, we're treated to another slice of masterclass storytelling from Telltale. Hilarious, exciting, and containing several unexpected twists, Escape Plan Bravo delivers what can only be described as an emotional roller coaster.
This alternate timeline in the Sword Art Online universe is reserved for only the most hardcore of fans. Poor frame rates in the social hub, curious customised character restrictions, and a lack of true narrative focus will get to players over time thanks to repetitive content. A true lack of visual improvements makes the Vita-to-PS4 transition ultimately appear underwhelming, but those desperate for more adventures with Kirito no doubt enjoy running around the colourful world of Aincrad – so long as they employ patience while getting to grips with the combat system.
A few linear moments and one rather lazy twist aren't enough to derail what is perhaps the most faithful representation of the TV show to date. Well paced scenes and yet more agonising choices make Nest of Vipers a strong penultimate episode, and set up a big showdown for House Forester in the conclusion of Telltale's Game of Thrones series.
Once the balancing had been fixed it could be a great team-based shooter, but its monetisation and unlock system will no doubt rub a lot of players to wrong way. That said, it's free and a fairly small download, so it's certainly worth a look, but time is running out to get things right with new competitors almost ready to steal the spotlight.
The Forrester's finally make a stand as the second act of the series comes to a close. Great pacing ensures this action-packed forth episode is enjoyable throughout, but it's quite clear that greater dangers await players in the next instalment. Regardless, Telltale have done a fine job with Sons of Winter, as the quality of the series continues to rise.
Combining with frantic combat and an utterly barmy sense of humour, the side-scrolling action of NOT A HERO can be just as unforgiving as it can be enjoyable. Providing you have the patience to overcome its challenging later levels, BunnyLord's flawed yet commendable political campaign is certainly worth your vote.
Fantastic visuals and enhanced AI behaviour makes the virtual world of San Andreas come to life, and the Rockstar Editor is a powerful tool for machinima creators. It really is the definitive version of a modern classic.
After two episodes of build-up, we finally get some narrative progression in Episode 3. Choices are starting to matter, the dangers becoming more immediate, and the decisions harder to make. Along with effective use of the TV show's soundtrack at key points, it makes the The Sword In the Darkness the best episode yet, and a fine half-way mark for Telltale's series.
Despite some technical gremlins causing cosmetic issues throughout the game at launch, Book Two: Rebels successfully builds upon Book One's excellent start. More agonising moral choices lie in wait on the streets and Propast and Marcuria as Red Thread Games deliver another well-written and entertaining instalment of Dreamfall Chapters.
Its level design may be repetitious, especially on solo play, and it may not innovate on the genre or the Sniper Elite franchise, but if you're looking for some competitive co-op fun that prioritises non-stop action over narrative, Zombie Army Trilogy hits the mark, and then some.