Baz Macdonald's Reviews
Life is Strange got off to a so-so start, but strong storytelling and impressive choice and consequence mechanics boost its first season. Soon the world really gets its hooks in, and you'll enjoy it despite yourself.
Call of Duty is undeniably a piece of propaganda fiction that glamorises and bolsters the image of war, as well as the perspective and ‘righteousness’ of western forces
Control is a mesmerising dive into the warped world of the supernatural that sets a new high bar for world design alongside its bizarre, yet compelling story, and power fantasy combat.
Diablo 3 on the Switch may be a graphical step-down and far from the best place to play multiplayer, but if you're looking for the perfect platform on which to sink into the end-game grind by yourself – there is no place better to play it.
Pokémon: Let's Go is a fun, light nostalgia trip for long time players, and an easy on-ramp into the Pokémon console games for new players. Its greatest feat is presenting a stunning graphical style and approach which wonderfully blends players desire for 3D Pokémon games with the core tenets of the franchise – setting high expectations for the Generation Eight debut on the Switch next year.
39 Days to Mars manages to make steampunk more than tolerable with this charming and innovative adventure game, developed by Christchurch designer Philip Buchanan.
Detroit is great step forward for interactive storytelling, with the impressive scope of its branching narrative and world ultimately overcoming the continued failings of David Cage's writing.
Farpoint is a generic shooter with a cool aim-down-sights mechanic that's elevated by its great story and affecting cutscenes.
The games contained in the N. Sane Trilogy were the ammo with which the PlayStation team fired – so, for a 90's fanboy, this feels like a significant moment.
Tacoma's augmented reality cast allow it to tell its engaging story in a unique way. It's a slow burn of a game that deftly interrogates interpersonal relationships in an engaging sci-fi setting.
The Banner Saga 2 isn't mechanically distinct from the first game and its story suffers second act syndrome, but it's nonetheless a cracking title that will both satisfy and leave players in desperate need of the trilogy's closing act.
The static narratives and roguelike gameplay in Sunless Sea don't always gel together harmoniously, but Failbetter Games has succeeded in delivering a tense and engaging experience and a rich and atmospheric setting.
I Am Bread arrives after a slew of physics-based "comedy" titles, but is nonetheless a winner thanks to compelling play and a shockingly-decent story.
Ori and the Blind Forest is breathtaking in more ways than one: it's dazzlingly beautiful, cleverly designed, and its demanding platforming will test your patience.
The Flame in the Flood is a grim game that challenges players not only with gameplay, but also with subtle ideas about life and humankind. Yet, despite how literary the game can be, it's a deeply enjoyable experience that scratches the primal itch of surviving in the wild.
With interesting characters, refined mechanics, and a few excellent new additions, Assassin's Creed Syndicate reminds us what's great about the series. Even those turned off by the bugfest that was Unity will be won over by this terrific entry. It's the best Assassin's Creed game to come along in a long while.
InXile's classical RPG translates beautifully to console, and should be picked up by RPG fans – even those neck deep in that other big post-apocalyptic title.
Doom Eternal has taken what were already some pretty innovative new approaches to gameplay, and either refined, expanded, or built upon them in a way that elevates this visceral, kinetic and exhilarating approach to combat up several hundred notches.
Dreams has opened up the artform of games to the experimentation and creativity of anyone and everyone in a way never before achieved. As a result, it is an experience that is wonderous, fulfilling and exciting - regardless of whether you are learning to develop, developing something, or playing something made by others.
As much as we love remasters, it is not often they are as justified as Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled has proven itself to be. The well-balanced difficulty of this games map and AI fills a niche in the Kart Racing genre that is sure to delight multiplayer parties and provide a healthy challenge for both nostalgia-filled millennials and newcomers alike.