Matt Hewson
Matt Hewson's Reviews
Time-consuming, life stealing, family-friendly fun. Stardew Valley is all of that and more and you would be mad if you didn’t give it a shot.
Saying any game is one of the finest of the year 2017 is a big call, but it isn’t out of place here. It comfortably stands with 2017’s elite and in the realm of the $20 – $30 indie title it is fair to say Steamworld Dig reigns supreme.
NBA 2K18 is a low point for the series, which is a shame because the balling is as good as ever. 2K need to seriously rethink the structure for next season
Ruiner is the perfect experience for a twin-stick veteran looking for something a little different to cut their teeth on or a gamer that thrives on challenge and doesn’t have a squeamish stomach. Ruiner is a gory journey that is worth taking, just don’t be afraid of dropping the difficulty. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
But what sets this Madden apart is the wide open arms it has for newcomers, which is something a lot of serious sports titles forget to include. If you have ever thought about dipping your toes into Madden but have been put off by the complexity, then this is the year to do it, you will probably never get a better chance.
The mileage you get out of Agents of MAYHEM will depend on where your tastes lie. If you loved the humour from the Saints Row franchise, like to make your own fun in an open world and enjoy some over-the-top story telling then I am sure you will get a kick out of Agents of MAYHEM.
Redeemer is a brutally satisfying brawler that will push players skill limits and rage limits in equal measure, making it a must buy for fans of the genre.
Is the game a must buy? Perhaps not, but it is easily the best Rugby League game ever made and despite its problems, there is plenty for fans of the sport to enjoy.
The game isn’t the greatest looking space sim or the best sounding but in the end, Everspace is a wonderful and rewarding challenge that all fans of spaceships or roguelikes would do well to pick up.
The Golf Club 2 is challenging and rewarding recreation of what it is like to play golf in the real world. It captures the ups and downs of the sport wonderfully and should be played by links fans everywhere.
With Serious Sam Bogus Detour you get exactly what you would expect out of a Serious Sam game. Fast combat, dumb yet persistent enemies and a big chunk of attitude. Only, in this case, it is all in 2D as opposed to the first person perspective.
“Despite its disappointing final few hours, Prey is a wonderfully unique and slightly unsettling experience that deserves your time”
NBA Playgrounds is a slightly less flashy, but more skillful version of NBA Jam that should keep fans of the formula very happy. A must buy for party gamers everywhere.
This is family gaming at its finest and caters to all ages with ease. If you are looking for an open world title that is suitable for everyone in the house, look no further.
If you already own Bulletstorm there isn’t much new here for you, however, if you missed it (like many did) it really is a unique spin on the FPS genre that is well worth playing. Just wait till the price drops before you dip your toes in.
If you are jonesing for an authentic N64 experience then this will certainly fit the bill but if you are after a quality 3D platform game you would be much better served picking up Ratchet and Clank or waiting for Mario Odessy. Sadly Yooka Laylee is too stuck in the past to take the genre into the future.
The combat and open world are sensational, with a huge amount of depth and tactical options at the player’s disposal. When joined by a group of friends that entertainment only grows. However, there is a host of little things holding the game back from being a must buy title.
I think for me this game is at it’s absolute best in the unscripted moments that come about just wandering the world. That isn’t to take away anything from the missions themselves because they are excellent but things happen in that wonderful open world that leave me breathless
Overall this is the most fun I have had with an RTS in quite some time. If you are a returning RTS hound or new to the play style you could certainly do a lot worse than Halo Wars 2. It is everything I wanted, with a couple of surprises thrown in for good measure.
The joy of discovery, the thrill of a perfect run and the wonder of the European alps are all represented wonderfully in Steep making it one of the most pleasant surprises of the year.