James Swinbanks's Reviews
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.
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.
All in all, Project Cars 2 is simply excellent. Yes, it has issues, some of which are glaring, and some that most people will never notice. But when weighing up the problems versus the advantages, it’s hard to hold back my excitement.
Despite its ties to old issues, Forza Motorsport 7 is the game on Xbox for those who worship both automotive speed and beauty.
I consider myself a fan of the genre, and whilst discovering new systems and tactics was compelling at first, it didn’t take long to turn into something completely aimless, thus losing its ability to hold my interest.
Dirt 4 is spectacular, there really is no other way to put it. From the meta of running your own team and how that can affect your car performance, to the sheer variety of surprises that can hit you during a run… it’s just a beautifully dynamic racing experience, which is really the biggest game changer here
The combat is tactile and purposeful and the story is one you’ll want to see through, but the grind to do so is long and frustrating one. It fails to take advantage of the way it successfully alters the formula by failing at others and, in doing so, doesn’t end up hitting the heights of the game it derives from so heavily.
GT Sport is very good at what it’s trying to do; create a core racing esport on console, and to that end they’ve offered up a solid core.
A competent, if unambitious arcade racing game that puts in a solid midfield performance, but falls well short of making the podium.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a pretty rough ride that takes two steps back for every step it takes forward.
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.
The cars are faster than ever and feel better to drive than ever thanks to tighter controls and base improvements to the game’s car handling. Equally, the addition of accessibility features like steering help and the casual modes open up F1 2020 to an even wider degree of players, from those with a casual racing interest to people with full-blown personal racing simulators.
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.
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
This third-person stealth action game is better left alone.
This hardcore survival sim is too dense for its own good.
Earthfall is too derivative to stand out and too disappointing to inspire repeat trips through its 10 mediocre missions.
Elex is an open-world RPG that aims big, but only manages to shoot itself in the foot.
This nostalgic puzzle-platforming action game, newly transported into the modern day, looks great but feels old.
While this arcade-style cricket slogfest shows potential, Big Bash Boom's bugs and technical issues mean it struggles to make a lasting impression.