James Swinbanks's Reviews
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night’s excels with its art and design, and once it’s up to speed, offers some wonderfully enjoyable platforming action. But its slow start will inevitably push some players away.
F1 2019's fast and strategic racing elevates it to the top step of the podium.
Steel meets flesh in this violent but refined take on large-scale medieval combat.
The Blue Blur is back in this fast and fun kart-inspired arcade racer, with a few twists for good measure.
This third-person stealth action game is better left alone.
A frenetic ride through a demonic underworld teeming with bad guys and plot twists that will have you smiling all the way till the credits roll
It’s pure joy for enthusiasts, offering a detailed and engaging driving experience to those who are after the sort of thing that hasn’t been on offer since the days of Richard Burns Rally.
Earth Defense Force 5 is brash and outlandish, making for an absurdly fun action shooter.
While this arcade-style cricket slogfest shows potential, Big Bash Boom's bugs and technical issues mean it struggles to make a lasting impression.
Frozen Synapse 2 is a stylish, tense, and tactical game of chess. With guns.
018’s V-Rally 4 feels like it’s missing an identity; a marquee feature to make it stand out from Kylotonn’s other rally titles, and Codemasters excellent DiRT games. Though considering its absolutely abysmal car handling, even the strongest identity couldn’t save you from the disappointment that is V-Rally 4.
Two Point Hospital offers more than just nostalgia for classic management sims.
F1 2018 nails a new lap record with its most complete package to date.
This 2D action-platformer is a gorgeous but frustrating test of patience.
Earthfall is too derivative to stand out and too disappointing to inspire repeat trips through its 10 mediocre missions.
Destruction Derby meets Flatout in this excellent new racing game.
An enjoyable management sim 65 million years in the making.
This hardcore survival sim is too dense for its own good.
This compact action-RPG will charm you for days on end.
It remains to be seen how Sea of Thieves will grow in the future–being a live game it almost certainly will change at some point–but it’s hard not to come away feeling disappointed. Because Sea of Thieves is really a likeable, charming game that I want to see become better. It’s just not there right now.