Steven Impson's Reviews
I’ve had a great time levelling and fighting with my Necromancer so far, and am super excited to be able to play the game with friends when the game is released for everyone very soon. As long as the monetisation strategy doesn’t get in the way of the game being fun to play, I think this could be a game I get hooked on for a while.
I struggle to think of a positive experience over the thirteen-odd hours I spent playing this game. Gollum is uninspired and dated and The Lord of the Rings fans deserve better than this.
The simple gameplay of Wrath of the Mutants can be enjoyable in the right mood, but don't expect anything more than a bland and repetitive button masher.
There is some joy in the mindless blasting, but overall G.O.R.E. is a messy, repetitive experience that could have used a bit more time in the oven.
I suspect that people with fondness for the original Pac-Man World, or even just this specific era of platforming games will be the ones who get the most from RePac. It's a style of game that has been out of fashion for a while, but it's simplicity could still hold some appeal. When you can get lovingly re-created versions of the standard-setting Crash Bandicoot series for the price of this though, the value proposition for a remaster of one fairly short and unremarkable game is hard to swallow. One for the fans.
The appeal of Hacker's Memory will hinge greatly on your acceptance of the grind and your appreciation for Digimon as a franchise. It's fun collecting and fighting with the huge range of Digimon available, and it's wrapped up in a story that, while a little slow off the mark, does develop into an interesting exploration of themes. Being squarely aimed at players of the original Cyber Sleuth, it's unfortunate that so much of the world is straight-up re-used from that game.
The short-lived but exciting FlatOut modes are great fun for a minute, but between the unexciting visuals, frustratingly unpredictable collision physics and overly aggressive AI, racing in FlatOut 4 is too hostile to be fun.
There’s a lot of story here for those looking to delve further into the Psycho Pass world.
I'm not sure if straight to video, shallow Christmas film was what the Capcom Vancouver were aiming for here, but it's what we've got.
Detective Pikachu Returns is a decently fun little detective story. Don't expect any intense logical deductions or unpredictable twists – but it's fun enough to follow along with even so. The relationship between Tim and Pikachu is a highlight as are the Pokémon who help you along the way. Uninspired human character designs marr an otherwise decent presentation full of cool Pokémon and fun music.
Samba de Amigo is a hoot with friends, sure to generate laughs and memorable moments. Just don't expect an engrossing single-player rhythm game experience.
Scars Above's exploration gameplay is rewarding, if a little trite and it's characters mostly forgettable – but some inventive combat saves it mediocrity. A decently fun, if not overly groundbreaking, sci-fi action adventure.
As it stands, Persona 3 Dancing in Moonlight and Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight are fantastic ways to explore their respective soundtracks from a new perspective. However, they lack the glue that a story mode brought to the previous game in the series that could have made it feel like a cohesive whole rather than a broad but disparate list of songs and customisations.
It's a shame that the story takes so long to become engaging, especially since the title itself places such importance on the story, but if you think you'll enjoy training Digimon enough to persevere through the initially slow narrative there is a lot of fun to be had with Cyber Sleuth.
Ninja Pizza Girl is an effective exploration of bullying and self-esteem told through gameplay mechanics that are simple enough for a wide audience, but that can offer some challenge to platforming fans as well.
Though it might not be particularly remarkable or memorable as a whole, the science fiction future setting is a nice departure from the dark fantasy that pervades hardcore action RPGs, and there are some new ideas in combat and advancement that differentiate The Surge from its peers.
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is great fun in short bursts. The chaotic energy, ridiculous car designs, new abilities and commitment to the miniature racing aesthetic make for a bombastic racing experience, for a while. The campaign storyline left me cold, and the freedom to screw up might be fun in a silly multiplayer session but becomes annoying solo. The sheer amount of track and car customisation options should at least add longevity to the online multiplayer experience.
It's unfortunate that pervasive online requirements and microtransactions sully what is otherwise a chilled out, holiday vibe in The Crew Motorfest, but I had a good time regardless. Hanging out on O'ahu, learning about various car cultures and driving some awesome-feeling vehicles over varied terrain and event types is just damned good fun.
The Switch port of Red Dead Redemption is a faithful way to get into the world of Red Dead. It looks good as long as you adjust expectations and consider the game's age, and performs consistently well in both handheld and docked modes. While many aspects will feel dated, I still had a fun time exploring the old west with John during the last gasps of the American frontier.
There's a lot to like in Unbound, but some of the characters and the tedious police chases bring down what is otherwise a thrilling high-speed race through Lakeshore.