Matthew Zimmari
With so much promise in the lead-up, Ghost Recon Breakpoint falls flat of reaching its goal in satisfying expectations. With a lot of things to do but no real reason to do it, the game puts up barriers such as strange loot systems, a subpar plot, an extreme solo difficulty and a requirement for online play. If you can convince your friends to get a copy and play with you, your experience may be better – but chances are you'll find your time better spent elsewhere.
A great little adventure for South Park fans or for those wanting a casual game to play with friends, South Park: Snow Day has all the charm of an episode of the show, but its roguelite nature becomes a tad frustrating with wild difficulty spikes and a lack of checkpoints. Chock full of references and jokes without filter, the game is definitely entertaining; but with a lack of a roadmap or post-release content, some players may be left in the cold with its short story and repetitive loop.
As far as gameplay goes, Cricket 24 is great fun. With different bowling and batting styles to entertain, it has a level of depth that will appeal to both newcomers and existing fans of the series. But beyond this, it's a mixed bag. While heavy on international licensing, it lacks in visual fidelity and polish. Big Ant Studios are a team known for their dedication to constant improvement, and we may see these things fixed in patches and updates, but for now it's a game that doesn't quite hit the mark.
Underneath the extremely rough and laggy exterior, Fallout 76 has the makings of a great and entertaining game. To some, the damage may have already been done and the appeal may have already worn off, but with Bethesda's level of support, the game has potential to grow into something much more than it currently is.
On its own merits, Sonic Generations does its best to bring the best of both Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic together in a fun and creative adventure that's sure to please Sonic fans all around. However, it tries too hard to fit itself into the same mould while attempting to keep true to the 3D Shadow experience, ultimately falling short of the lofty heights it aims for. Die hard fans might enjoy, but more casual players may find themselves overwhelmed by the sense of speed.
The Invincible brings Stanislaw Lem's work to life in a faithful adaptation that plays out as if it were ripped directly from retro-futurism art of the 1950s. Starward Industries have gone to great lengths to craft an experience that is visually appealing and makes great strides to maintain Lem's philosophical concepts while being grounded in hard science fiction. But where the game excels in some areas, it loses its way in others, falling victim to pacing issues and hollow choices, resulting in hurried endings that may leave you feeling lost in space.
Skater XL is definitely going to be a polarising game for some – the intuitive and deep control methods coupled with the expansive open-world environment make for a great time to just chill out and skate around, but some players may miss the ‘action’ of the game or feeling a necessity to reach a goal. While challenges will keep you going to better yourself, some may be turned off by the limited game modes and replayability. All in all, Easy Day Studios have crafted a truly interesting skateboarding experience that gives players the ability to skate without leaving their home.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX is an entertaining and quirky adventure that serves well to fill a gap between the next major title release – with revamped and vibrant visuals that accompany a different take on a Pokemon game. With accessibility for both newcomers and experienced players alike, the game keeps it simple but plays well, although the gameplay may leave you wanting more or have you preferring to play in shorter sessions.
While returning to its roots in some ways, Pokemon Sword and Shield feels stuck in a transitional phase
God Eater 3 doesn't particularly do anything new and amazing for the hack-and-slash RPG genre – but what it does, it does really well. Despite the drags of the narrative, and extreme gripes with button bindings (and sometimes forgetting which buttons to press), God Eater 3 manages to keep you wanting more through combat, weapon upgrades and different battle tactics.
Capcom aren't going to be able to please everyone every time, but where this game makes strides in its fighting mechanics it lets down in many other facets; and while it is still a quality game to play, it leaves a lot to be desired. Don't let it sway you too much though – newcomers will find the game easily accessible and enjoy working out the best way to defeat opponents with a mix of combos and special attacks. Long-time fans of the series will take warmly to the changes that come with new techniques and will enjoy using characters they know and love, but may be left wondering what happened to the look and atmosphere of the previous games.
Digimon World: Next Order excels with a fairly easy combat system and simple gameplay mechanics, but I was let down by the repetitiveness of the world and environments, as well as some pretty unresponsive controls (mostly in dialogue sitations). The nostalgia factor and the excitement of evolving my digital partners was what kept me playing, but the drawn-out travel methods and consistent grinding in training didn't impress me too much. Digimon World: Next Order is a bit of a mixed bag – die hard fans will likely love it, but newcomers may be turned away by some of the gameplay mechanics and extreme grinding.
Make no mistake – Gran Turismo Sport is fun to play and is a surprisingly fresh step (in a different direction) for the developers, but it feels like it comes at a cost for many reasons – the lack of variation in cars and manufacturers, the shallow depth in single-player (and even offline mode) campaigns, and even a lot of the tuning and adjustment features are missing from the game.
Despite initially being a first-party title for a Sony handheld, the decision by Bandai Namco Entertainment to expand Freedom Wars Remastered to other consoles is a masterstroke, as the game is definitely more deserving of audiences with a potential to a sequel in the future. While some of the graphics feel quite dated, and there is an awful lot of wandering that takes place at the start of the game, Freedom Wars Remastered is a game that will have you coming back for more and wanting to fight for the Greater Good.
Weaving a tried and true gameplay style with a historic documentary twist, Age of Empires IV reminds us not only how great the series once was, but how much better it can be going forward. Bringing back the excitement of real-time strategy, it keeps both the past and the future in mind - and with that, World's Edge and Relic Entertainment have created an experience that fans of the original games will love, that is also accessible to newcomers of the series as well.
Whether you’re a Yakuza veteran with a desire to relive the franchise’s previous instalments, or a passive observer who has always wanted to dive into the series, the Yakuza Remastered Collection represents great value in a single package.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is the best example of a remaster I think I've seen in years. Where some titles have played fast and loose, with full overhauls of their game mechanics or visual styles, Aspyr has taken a classic trilogy and revamped it as a love letter to its origins, bringing memories of old back to life. As more and more titles get the reboot or reimagining treatment, it is refreshing to see an old classic come back in a new style.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection really nails what a library of retro titles should look like. Hitting that sweet spot between nostalgia and playability, it is clear that Konami and Digital Eclipse have gone to great lengths not only to preserve some of the best beat-'em-up titles from the late 80s and early 90s, but to make them accessible to younger Turtles fans as well. With stacks of bonus content to explore as well as online and offline multiplayer modes, grab yourself a pizza and kick some shell.
Whether it's the super-catchy theme song, the nostalgia-evoking gameplay, or simply the very basic fun of hunting new Snax to transform the Grumpuses, Bugsnax is a game that is well worth your time. Its simple yet addictive challenge of catching the cute yet strange creatures coupled with some wholesome storytelling delivers a well-rounded and fun adventure.
Completing the updated trilogy, Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition breathes new life into the franchise with the impending fourth instalment on the horizon. Fans of the original are sure to love the tweaks to the gameplay and graphics as well as the addition of two new civilizations, while new players will be able to dive right in to learn the mechanics of the game as well as jumping into the historic battle story mode. Now, all that's left is an Age of Mythology revamp.