Adrian Burrows's Reviews
The Alters is one of the stand-out survival games of this generation. Imbued with a fascinating sci-fi concept for the ages - one that asks genuinely fascinating ethical questions – and with high-pressure survival mechanics that keep things stressful from beginning to end, this is quite the experience. Did I enjoy playing it? Not really, but good grief, I'll never forget it.
More akin to playing through a proof of concept than a finished game, Scar-Lead Salvation fails to live up to the pitch of being an anime Returnal.
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a highly influential classic, one that deserves a lot more love from Capcom than this drab remake has to offer. There was a brilliant opportunity to spoil the player with behind-the-scenes developer content here, but that chance has been squandered. Instead, you get to swap weapons with a button press rather than by going into the menu and sharper visuals. You're best off saving your money and digging your PS2 out of storage, I say.
Too much of my time with Kiborg was spent thinking how much more fun I'd be having if the game dumped the roguelite elements and just went full old-school third person action brawler. So many of its failings could be ignored in that form. Instead, Kiborg is a slightly underwhelming rougelite that looks like it should be far more fun that it is.
Spritifall is a stupendous roguelite that feeds on Smash Bros. style brawling. Brilliant fun from beginning to end, Gentle Giant have crafted one of the best recent entries in the genre.
Rusty Rabbit is good, simple, rather old-school, fun. Sure, the flat and uninspired combat means this Bunny lacks a bit of hop, but it still bounds along at a gentle pace, providing a satisfying Metroidvania without the insurmountable difficulty of others in the genre.
Commandos: Origins is probably very good; an interesting historical setting, charming visuals, and deep and varied strategic options. You won't notice any of that if playing on console however, you'll be too busy wrestling with the terrible controls to be having much fun. That, and the buggy visuals, make this one to be missed unless you're on PC.
If you are a mud enthusiast, then you'll find a lot to love about AI Limit and will likely see it through to completion. If, like the rest of us, you're ambivalent about mud, then AI Limit doesn't do nearly enough with its combat, nor with its world-building, to keep you playing for long.
Fans of Assassin's Creed have waited an era or two for a series entry that lets you be a ninja and explore Feudal Japan. Thankfully, the wait has been absolutely worth it. Assassin's Creed Shadows is an astonishing achievement. Vast, impossibly detailed, immaculately researched, and enormously fun, Shadows is easily one of the best games in this storied franchise.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a comprehensive remake of Team Ninja's finest game, rendered in beautiful modern visuals. Combat is as bombastically brilliant as it ever was, though the awful camera will put off many of those new to the game, it really hasn't aged well. Still, as a reminder of how good Ninja Gaiden can be, this remake offers a tantalising taste of what we can all look forward to when Ninja Gaiden 4 is released later this year.
There's a lot to like about Big Helmet Heroes, it's a delightfully silly and fun side-scrolling beat 'em up, but substantial patches are required to fix the game before contemplating a purchase.
Bloomtown: A Different Story is everything I want from a video game. A hugely enjoyable story, slick script, bombastic battles, and the freedom to interact with the world in odd and inventive ways. It's pretty much essential.
There's a lot to like about Laika – Aged Through Blood with its motorvania concept that absolutely delivers, offering a fresh and compelling take on the often staid metroidvania formula. Personally, the high difficulty was not for me, the grind becoming so choresome that getting the bathroom cleaned became deeply alluring. Still, if you like a serious challenge then you might enjoy Laika – Aged Through Blood. Just give it a miss if you're playing on a Nintendo Switch Lite or in handheld more.
I was more excited than a mouse starting on a cheese-dinner to finally play Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, particularly after I had such a great time with the original game, but this sequel left me underwhelmed. Sure, the same gorgeous world to explore and brutal combat to endure is present and correct, but it is bogged down by poorly implemented and unnecessary new gameplay mechanics hold it back.
Avoid Liberté like a one-way ticket to the Guillotine. Instead, if you want to experience the French Revolution, read a book instead. It will be more interactive, the loading times will be much improved, and the graphics will probably be better too.
With more development time, copious patches, and some decent tutorials, the good game hidden deep inside Flint: Treasure of Oblivion could be dug up and unearthed. But for now, that treasure remains hidden, with only a map inscribed on the back of a wooden peg leg to try and find it.
Shadow Tactics: Aiko's Choice is the kind of stealth game that makes me reconsider my opinions on stealth games. Finely crafted and gloriously conceived, if you've missed out on Shadow Tactics before, don't let Aiko's Choice sneak on by... but you should play or replay the original first.
I was so excited by the prospect of Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind, it looked like a vivid nostalgia infused dream-game for 9-year-old me. Don't be fooled though, this is not the game your inner child has been looking for. Repetitive and lacking in imagination and finesse, Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind should be rewound and begun again.
G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is a total and complete waste of a classic license. Avoid the unrelenting pull of the nostalgia tractor beam and give this one a miss.
Redacted ain't no lazy Hades clone, instead it offers an experience that is unique amongst the crowded Roguelike genre. Put up with the steep difficulty and slow progress and you'll experience an immensely enjoyable game, one that is cram-packed with slick combat and brilliant characters.