Alan Bell's Reviews
Blood & Truth absolutely nails VR with a high-octane ride through a cinematic story filled with action packed moments and some of the best gunplay we've seen on PSVR to date. If you own a PSVR setup, you need this game. For those that don't have the headset, now may be the time to make the jump.
Should you buy it? Absolutely. Call of Duty remains a fun game to play and for those that are looking for a multiplayer title with legs, Ghosts will certainly sit atop the pile for the next 12 months.
Skylanders: Trap Team is packed full of clever ideas and sharp design. It's well presented and well executed, but be warned: if you let your guard down, it'll also crit your credit card for massive damage.
Transformers Devastation is a loving homage to its '80s cartoon source material that features the slick and satisfying combat we've come to expect from PlatinumGames. Shame it's so bloody short, though.
With great dungeon designs, enjoyable turn-based combat, and a new story that adds context to the turn-based action, The Fafnir Knight makes for an excellent addition to the 3DS library and an excellent homage to Heroes of Lagaard. Recommended.
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is a wonderful addition to the Switch. While it may not appeal to all fans, those who enjoyed Gwent in The Witcher 3 will find a lot to love. There's enough nuance and strategy for those hungry for a challenge and it does a great job of adding to the mythology of the world and it's excellent characters.
While it doesn't reinvent the genre or lend it much additional flare, Smite is still a worthy addition to the legions of MOBA games that are now available. In particular, it works pretty well on the Xbox One, where you'll never feel gimped by the reduced number of inputs available to you on the controller.
Trackmania Turbo isn't substantially different from other games in the series: it's polished, fleet, and enjoyable. That makes it a great purchase for long-neglected console players, but it offers less to series veterans on PC.
W.M.D does more than enough to justify its existence. In fact, it gets the series back on track after several recent-ish disappointments. Now 25 titles deep, Worms is truly the cockroach of the gaming world.
City of Brass is a fairly standard rogue-lite that distinguishes itself with its setting, visual stylings, and fun-as-hell whip.
All in all, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - Owltimate Edition is a great platformer that lets you get by as you learn and feels great to ace once you nail the skills. It looks cool, works well in both handheld and docked modes, has tight controls, and enough depth to make replaying its copious content worthwhile. Recommended.
My Hero One's Justice stays faithful to the source material and offers a wealth of quality content. The story may be a bit convoluted for those who haven't seen the anime but the depth of combat nuance will keep most fighting game fans happy.
Yoshi's Crafted World is another successful main game Switch debut for one of Nintendo's favourite characters and is wonderfully accessible for every kind of gamer. The games adorable art style is a joy to behold, and it's always fun to play with a friend in co-op. It may not be perfect, but it's a lovely little adventure that should be experienced by all fans.
MLB The Show 19 is another fine entry in the series, with Sony San Diego doing what they do best. The new Moments and March to October modes offer some dynamic new ways to play, while the rest of the game finds a strong balance between engaged control for the parts that matter, while offering an autopilot for the things that aren't for everyone.
[I]f you've got a next-gen console and you're into racing simulators, it's your only choice - and it's far from a bad one. Just don't expect it to be the "next step" or any kind of evolution of the genre.
With around five hours of content and a more engaging story, inFamous: First Light is easy to recommend to players familiar with the universe. New players should consider starting elsewhere.
It looks like Zelda and plays like Dynasty Warriors. Yep, it does pretty much what it says on the tin.
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn may be a bit forging for die-hard platforming fans, but it still manages to offer a fun adventure for gamers of all ages. While minor control issues hold that game back from the greatness typically associated with Nintendo platformers, its more laid back approach and focus on straight-forward fun is the perfect entry point for those new to the genre.
For now, our recommendation would be that if you're looking for a fighting game that skimps on story and has just a handful of options, but still delivers tournament-ready credentials, look no further. Killer Instinct is making a brash play at the top table and, as far as we can tell, it's got the goods.
Travel the universe and meet hordes of interesting alien species, then shoot them repeatedly in the face - with friends.