Paul Murphy's Reviews
Super Ping Pong Trick Shot is a game you probably wouldn't even buy on a mobile device to waste a bit of time, let alone a dedicated gaming system. It's cheap, but so are some other eShop titles and your money is better spent elsewhere.
The most amazing thing about Vroom in the Night Sky is that it was actually greenlit at all. It's ludicrous that someone at Nintendo thought it would be a good title for the launch line up over some more notable games. You have to wonder if they played it at all. Because it's simply not good.
It's another rushed effort from 2K Games which botches the launch of an eagerly anticipated title. It's so frustrating because WWE 2K18 is packed with content and could have been truly special, if a little more care had been applied. Maybe a patch can salvage this release but for now you want to avoid it.
Skylanders Imaginators feels tired. A game that either needs a significant break or possible retirement, it's difficult to recommend to anyone but younger gamers - and parents would probably prefer to avoid it due to the additional character cost. There are plenty of other games more worthy of your cash, and if you desperately must have this game, buy it on another system where the starter pack will be cheaper.
American Fugitive is plagued by poor controls, runs inconsistently and suffers frequent and annoying game crashes. Throw in awful loading times, and you’ve got some big issues. It could have been a GTA clone; it’s just a shame that it’s not fun.
It doesn’t matter how clever or interesting your idea is, or how stunning and vibrant your game looks when it’s just no fun to play. Perseverance with Fe could ultimately yield some satisfaction but for me it was just too boring.
The Switch is perfectly suited to strategy games, but ACORN Tactics isn't one that should automatically go in your collection. It's a shame, because despite being quite charming, it isn't any fun.
There’s a lot to do in Sniper Elite V2 Remastered and it’s very well presented, and addictive. It might get old quickly – essentially executing the same play repeatedly – but you’ll definitely have fun whilst you are doing it.
It’s a clever take on a somewhat redundant genre, and it’s hard not to be impressed initially with Starlink: Battle For Atlas. Despite some serious repetition there’s a whole lot to like here and the Star Fox content makes the Switch version the one to get, if you want it. Its the closest thing to a Nintendo Switch Star Fox but I suspect you could see it in bargain bins before too long.
It plays a cracking game of tennis, both with simple mechanics or the enhanced ones and you’ll certainly have fun with friends. For the solo player, you’ll breeze through the tournaments with ease, though, and that Adventure mode is one of THE most infuriating gaming experiences I’ve ever encountered, which is a shame.
It’s more expensive than the Variety Kit and although initially more impressive, is perhaps even more niche and surprisingly suffers from getting old much quicker. If you have a burning desire to unlock your inner Optimus Prime and have £70 that you want to throw down, then you’ll be impressed.
A high launch price and a lack of online multiplayer mar what is an otherwise enjoyable local multiplayer romp. If you have loads of friends locally then Stikbold – A Dodgeball Adventure is certain to bring laughs, at least until the next great local multiplayer game comes along.
It's all become a bit "paint by numbers" with LEGO styled games, but what's on offer in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is enjoyable. There's plenty of content and Marvel fans young and old will no doubt enjoy it.
It would be hard to make a bad chess game, but it's not easy to make a beautiful one and that's what Ripstone have achieved with Ultra Chess. It's priced reasonably, plays and looks fantastic and if you are a strategy or chess-afficiando then it's a no-brainer. Unlike some of the matches you might play...
It's charming, and definitely an experience. It features explosive gameplay of sorts, but not what you'd expect. Little Inferno isn't for everyone, but for those looking for something different - and who just want to waste a little time, or watch the world burn (figuratively speaking) - you could certainly find something to enjoy.
1-2-Switch is guaranteed to generate more than a few laughs in social situations, even if some of the games will only be played once or twice. It's definitely THE title to show off the Switch's features, if you wanted to show them off. It lacks any real long term sustenance, though, and definitely should have been a pack in.
It's a welcome return for Bomberman with an unwelcome price, but you will have a lot of fun with the game - especially with others. For me it isn't the best game in the series, but if you've never played it before that won't matter. If you are looking for a party style game or just something different, then Super Bomberman R is worth a look.
It’s the middle part of a story and at times it certainly feels middling. More polished that the first title yet nowhere near as enthralling or captivating, it feels like it was dragging the story along at times. Fans of the first title will still find plenty to enjoy, and I hope that the final part sees some of the choices pay off.
LEGO City Undercover is an action-packed platformer filled to the brim with secrets and charm. Whilst the series as a whole has evolved - negating how impressive this was back in 2013 - you'll still find plenty to enjoy on its own merit.
I wasn’t expecting much from Outrun, and initially I wasn’t impressed. Thankfully I persevered and found a surprisingly charming little racer that occupied me for many days. If you are looking for a simple, cheap and cheerful racer you could do far worse.