Jonathan Leack's Reviews
Ubisoft deserves a round of applause for addressing the industry’s severe lack of snow sport games with something bold and ambitious. Steep might suffer from play value issues, but there’s nothing comparable. For the more than 10 million skiers and snowboarders around the world, this is a moment of liberation that should go recognized.
Just when everyone counted Resident Evil out, Capcom has shown up to prove otherwise. Resident Evil is alive, and although it isn’t quite as we remember, its new perspective has brought with it a terrifying and intimate experience.
Boss Key Productions' first crack at making a first-person shooter has resulted in something that stands out from the competition, scratching the itch of players looking for a classic arcade shooter experience, with the benefits of modern game design.
At a time when the definition of the MMO genre has been challenged by the allure of mainstream success, Albion Online has arrived to remind us how deep and compelling massively online worlds can be. It might not have the lively gameplay of its peers, nor the visual spectacle, but it makes up for most of its shortcomings by prioritizing community and presence as vital elements of the game structure.
Shadow Warrior 2 is in position to become Fall 2016's premier sleeper hit as not many gamers are talking about it, and there certainly isn't much in the way of a marketing campaign. Even then, its gameplay dynamics are so well executed that it could walk among this year's biggest games. If you're looking for a fun online co-op game to play with friends, this might just be the game for you. Just don't go in expecting a satisfying story.
I warp drived into Andromeda with low expectations, but emerged a fan. While many common complaints are absolutely true, such as the storytelling and animations being rough around the edges, the experience is successful in its mission of delivering the generation's first epic space opera. I can't wait to see what comes next.
Something unlike any other game on the market.
What Final Fantasy XV succeeds at more than anything is providing an unpredictable and memorable adventure. Captivating story and characters were sacrificed along the way, but more than anything this game needed to prove that Final Fantasy can still execute greatness while taking risks.
Elite: Dangerous has come a long way since its debut in 2014. It's now a much more complete product, making it an attractive option for PS4 gamers who have the urge to leave Earth and see what the Milky Way galaxy has to offer.
Leveling suffers from repetitive quest design and its zones are troublesome to traverse until you can fly, but these issues are soon left in history as you plunge into Heavensward's magnificent story conclusion, and engage in its wonderfully composed group content.
Project CARS is an outstanding racing simulator that only falters in content design.
World of Warcraft: Legion has learned and acted upon mistakes made by previous expansions to deliver an experience that offers nostalgia alongside compelling new gameplay experiences.
Final Fantasy XIV is like a sculpture that has been handcrafted. Beginning as a rough stone lacking definition or vision, through unrelenting developer perseverance and support by fans that stone has been drawn into something beautiful and magical, an awe-inspiring work that sits proudly representing the Final Fantasy IP for all eyes to see.
This is one of the best single-player RPGs to ever embrace PC, delivering a long-lasting adventure that entertains with its exciting gameplay while piercing the senses with the story it has to tell. Arriving just days after its console version, it serves as an example that the PC platform hasn't been forgotten.
Although inspired by greatness, Nioh is a superb game in its own right. Its test of precision and timing strays from the accessibility of most modern games, reminding us all what the thrill of overcoming obstacle feels like. While not everyone will agree with its hard mode approach to design, its combat system is well-crafted enough to win everyone over. This samurai tale might not be so simple, but it's a legendary one that won't soon be forgotten.
It's amazing that after five years The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition can manage to fit right in with the best of the current generation. Its cold wilderness appears breathtakingly beautiful, and has been expanded on console with the introduction of mod support. Though, this package makes much more sense for console gamers who previously didn't have a way to enjoy the experience with the benefits of new hardware; on PC you don't get much for the inflated price. Nonetheless, any excuse to head back out into Skyrim and become consumed by its sense of wonder and enchanting sub-stories is a good one.
This is a captivating game, one that consumes your time and gives back more than you put in. It’ll test your ability to make sound decisions, and anticipate the future. While diplomacy and numbers tuning will be required to combat some of the frustration that the game brings, this is yet another outstanding 4X game from Firaxis Games that will undoubtedly become one of the most popular PC titles for the years to come.
It isn't common that you encounter a game as charming and delightfully addictive as Stardew Valley. It finds a harmonious balance of progression, activities, and rewards resulting in each day being distinct and memorable. It's a triumph in indie game development, demonstrating that a single developer with tremendous heart can make something more meaningful and captivating than even the most prolific AAA studios.
Rare Replay is a momentous celebration of gaming history. The package has been constructed with care and attention to detail, offering gamers of all types a glimpse into the past of one of the industry's greatest studios.
Its campaign is a joy to play, only hampered by a story that doesn't do the franchise justice. However, it's easy to look past that as this is the first time that veterans can not only become engrossed in the rich strategy of StarCraft, but have a good reason to invite even their most RTS-reluctant friends to come and see why the franchise is one of the industry's greatest.