I enjoyed my time with The Gardens Between and appreciated it dealing with a topic that almost everybody can identify with but few games have tackled. Contemplative and moving, The Gardens Between is perfect fodder for a rainy morning in bed spent reminiscing about friends lost and the years separating then and now.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is everything players have come to expect from the series – humour, heart, honour, drama and karaoke. It stands alongside the likes of Shadow of the Colossus as one of the best remakes of this console generation and should be in the library of any Yakuza fan, old or new.
However, for those in a situation like myself who missed its initial launch and are playing indie catch-up, Inside is the type of short but gratifying experience that the Switch is perfect for delivering.
The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit is a moving piece that explores grief, love, abuse and the resilience of children in just over two hours. Given that it is provided completely free of charge, I would implore everyone to give it a chance, even if you didn’t enjoy Life is Strange. For gamer parents out there, it should be considered an essential experience.
At the end of the day, Casey Powell Lacrosse 18is a serviceable title working with a limited budget for a niche audience. While I could call it out for many faults compared to competitors working with much larger budgets and licenses, at the end of the day I’m not the target audience. That said, for lacrosse fans both here and overseas, it really is a choice between this and, well… nothing.
Yakuza 6 is a powerful and finely crafted game that provides a moving closing chapter to the story of Kiryu Kazuma. For fans of the series, it is without a doubt an essential addition to your 2018 gaming schedule and shouldn’t be missed under any circumstances.
This is slow burn gaming experience that is not for everyone, but those that fall into the demographic it’s aiming for are going to be absolutely smitten with it. Where The Water Tastes Like Wine is like nothing else I’ve ever played and is a title I intend to keep savouring over coming weeks.
It’s hard to imagine UFC fans not getting something out of UFC 3 – after all, there aren’t really any other options. Were this an annualised franchise, I’d perhaps recommend waiting until 2019 as this feels like an entry that, with some more development time, could be all-encompassing. However, with a 2-year release cycle, there’s no reason for fight fans not to take the plunge right now.
Had Beholder released 5 years ago, it would have been hailed as a ground-breaking title for its subversive qualities and biting commentary. As it stands, it is a solidly realised idea that unfortunately falls under the shadow of Papers, Please – a much leaner, older title that is more efficient in conveying many of the same messages.
For dedicated fans of the series, The Fractured But Whole is an essential purchase. It greatly rewards those who have an extensive working knowledge of the past twenty years of the television show. Fortunately, it is also finely crafted enough that casual and lapsed fans who might have left the show behind but still have a fondness for it will find plenty to enjoy about it.
Cuphead is a delightful experience that won’t endear itself to all but its visuals will win over many who might otherwise avoid the run and gun genre
A wonderful budget-priced title with no current competitors in the particular niche it occupies, Everybody’s Golf is a fantastic experience even for those who aren’t dedicated fans of the sport.
I’m still happy to recommend Yonder as a great experience for people looking for something a bit more laid back and I think parents with younger kids just getting into gaming might get a lot out of this title.
For those itching to spend more time with Kazuma Kiryu following Yakuza 0, Kiwami is exactly what you’ve been waiting for and an essential purchase. If you happen to be looking to start the series, it’s hard to recommend Yakuza Kiwami over its immediate predecessor.
Ultimately, one’s enjoyment of The Surge can be largely predicted based upon enjoyment of similar titles. With a fresh take on some old formulas and an aesthetic that moves away from the grim fantasy players are used to, there is no doubt than fans of the genre should give it a shot. That said, it won’t be a revelation to any who have remained disinterested thus far.
The problem for Dragon Quest Heroes II is that it fails to provide anything different of substance and so for a more casual consumer of the Dragon Quest franchise, there’s little incentive to pick the game up.