Adam Siddiqui's Reviews
Trials Rising captures the franchise’s signature motorcycle platforming action along with the intense challenges that come with it. The developers have remained dedicated to the game’s iconic formula and complex gameplay but at the same time provided a training option for newcomers without sacrificing the game’s core systems. Players diving into the series will need to devote time to learn the tricky systems while veterans will be able to pick and play just as always. Trials Rising delivers an outstandingly challenging experience requires nothing but your best if you want to succeed.
Unlike the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, the Xbox One doesn't have an acclaimed title that would entice someone the purchase Microsoft's console. When Crackdown 3 was announced many hoped it would become the system seller the Xbox One needed, even those unfamiliar with the franchise were excited for this. After numerous delays Crackdown 3 is finally here and it was not worth the wait. A mediocre campaign stuffed with busy work and a tacked on multiplayer makes Crackdown 3 only worth playing if you own Xbox Game Pass.
Far Cry New Dawn serves as an excellent sequel to Far Cry 5, providing much of the same experience with new characters within a mutated environment. Much of the title focuses on optional objectives and building on the story of the previous game, with a set of great brand new antagonists. Far Cry New Dawn captures everything that made the previous game such a hit while ending the story on a high note.
The battle royale genre has become a crowded field, with many developers and publishers attempting to cut their own piece of the pie since PUBG and Fortnite skyrocketed the genre. Now, Respawn Entertainment decided to throw their hat into the arena with their own game that was leaked and released in under a week, Apex Legends. As a free-to-play game, Respawn Entertainment has successfully created an incredible game using the formula.
BlazBlue Centralfiction captures all the intensity and mayhem of an excellent fighting game with beautiful visuals for on the go. The large array of options available can be staggering at first but once you test the huge character roster and start diving into the many modes available you'll quickly lose yourself. The Nintendo Switch version provides the same experience as the PS4 and PC versions, but extensive content that will keep gamers challenged and busy. BlazBlue Centralfiction is a densely packed, artistic, challenging fighting game that requires dedication if you wish to experience everything.
Since the release of Resident Evil 7, Capcom has been dedicated to returning the acclaimed series to its survival-horror roots. Resident Evil 2 2019 is a terrific addition to the survival-horror genre that modernizes the classic 1998 title while also capturing the original game's atmosphere with improved visuals and gameplay mechanics. There are some small flaws in the consistency of damage and the slow running speed but these are minor issues. Resident Evil 2 2019 is an experience that will have even the most veteran survival-horror fan trembling in fear.
Life is Strange 2 started strong, with the first episode introducing the new protagonists and having the player decide on profound choices after a tragic event. Life is Strange 2: Episode 2 Rules continues that momentum but not without inconsistent bumps in the energy. There are some technical issues but fans of the first episode will find a lot more to enjoy here. The brothers will still have to endure many troublesome decisions that can lead to one of many endings.
The Walking Dead: The Final Season has had a roller coaster of a ride setting up new characters and a new environment for Clementine. With the first episode placing Clementine and A.J. in a brand new group and episode 2 having Clementine take charge. Episode 3: Broken Toys is one of the most emotional episodes in this series, providing more touching connections between the characters as they put their faith into one another for what is a suicide mission. Telltale's The Walking Dead: The Final Season - Episode 3 Broken Toys is one of the best episodes of the series and sets up the finale with a bang.
The Wii U was one of Nintendo's biggest failures but despite this, the system has some strong exclusives and New Super Mario Bros. U was not one of them. Given the Nintendo Switch's large success Nintendo decided to release the title for the Nintendo Switch with all the DLC, gameplay tweaks, a new character, and powerup. While the changes definitely improve the experience New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe still remains a weak installment in the 2D platforming franchise.
The Mario & Luigi series has seen incredible popularity since its debut with Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is regarded as one of the best in the series. It brought back Bowser as a playing character and teaming him up, unknowingly, with Mario & Luigi; something that hasn't been done since Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Like the remake of Superstar Saga Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey brings back the original game with updated visuals, new content, and changes to the original game that makes it more accessible. For those who missed out on this gem of an RPG now is your chance to experience this outstanding adventure and if you did there's plenty of reasons to journey again with Mario, Luigi, and Bowser again.
The final DLC campaign for Marvel's Spider-Man The City that Never Sleeps accomplishes much more than finish off this extensive story. It adds new narrative elements that provide insight into what players can expect into the upcoming sequel. It does add a lot more tedious busy work and one character's ending is unfulfilling but Silver Linings is more than an end to Marvel's Spider-Man, it's a bridge to the next game.
Marvel's Spider-Man is widely considered one of the best superhero games ever made, rivaling that of Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham Asylum. The recent finale for The City that Never Sleeps campaign released this week, marking the end for the title. Not only does this campaign extend the previous adventure but bridges the story in the expected sequel. Spider-Man must take on new challenges as incarceration of Wilson Fisk leads to a power vacuum and then an all-out gang war that sees the return of old allies, new frenemies, and a villain with a lot to prove. The City that Never Sleeps shares many of the qualities of the original campaign with hours of extensive Spider-Man action but also has its faults.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings new characters, stages, and everything that was included in past entries into one package. Thanks to an easily accessible control scheme and so many popular characters to choose from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of the most friendly games to pick and play while also delivering a deeply competitive experience that rivals some of the best fighting games. The online matchmaking suffers from connectivity issues but it's hard to play the title without getting sucked in. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate doesn't only uphold the expectations of this franchise, it smashes them.
The Council Episode 5: Checkmate ends the series on a high note, manifesting all decisions you've made since the beginning for one last run. Right until the end, the consequences of your choices can lead to one of the multiple endings. The constant load times, stoic animations, and game breaking issues can disrupt the experience but The Council Episode 5: Checkmate has provided a solid ending to this journey.
Darksiders has been a fickle franchise. The first game faced polarizing reviews due to the bland gameplay and mediocre puzzles but its sequel improved on many of the previous games issues thanks to incredible boss fights and more fluid combat. Darksiders III takes a different route, attempting to change the meta of the entire franchise by implementing modifications that make Fury's adventure distinct from the previous games. Making Darksiders III much harder and more linear than previous entries that can be seen either detrimental or beneficial to the overall gameplay.
Fallout 76 entices that same feeling of exploring a vast open world full of unknown locations in a vast world. Constantly uncovering hidden areas and finding exotic items is here but it's hindered by the game's massive technical problems and multiplayer balancing problems. Fallout 76 is a technical mess that will have you fighting the game itself.
Since its debut, Battlefield V has been facing an uphill battle due to its poor marketing campaign. However, Battlefield V successfully captures the essence of what's this franchise such a monumental hit with fans and critics. The single-player is unexciting and serves as a passable tutorial for the multiplayer but like past entries in this franchise, Battlefield V is about large-scale multiplayer combat. And that's where Battlefield V's best moments exist, on the large maps against dozens of players in destructive warfare.
Spyro the Dragon was one of the most acclaimed franchises for the original PlayStation. Spyro Reignited Trilogy brings back the iconic purple dragon, allowing modern and veteran gamers to experience some of the best platformers with a modern touch. The updated visuals give Spyro a much-needed update similar to Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy but like that title, the core mechanics are still as strong as ever. Spyro Reignited Trilogy provides the best adventures from Insomniac Games' creation and shows why Spyro is so beloved.
Hitman 2 feels like an expansion than a fully realized sequel. This isn't a bad thing as IO Interactive has provided 6 new sandbox missions where players can construct elaborate plans to eliminate their targets. Each one is a playground of options where you can make layered plans for complex stealth kills and leave without anyone noticing. Hitman 2 delivers the same experience from the 2016 revival, allowing players to use identical skills to uncover the wealth of possibilities available.
11-11: Memories Retold doesn't attempt to tell a grand tale about World War 1, instead it decides to take a more personal approach. Following 2 soldiers as they take part in The Great War for personal reasons. The adventure is a deeply enriching tale about endurance, friendship, and honor where large-scale fights take a back seat. The abundance of collectibles and technical issues sometimes hamper the experience but these are minor issues. 11-11: Memories Retold is a moving tale of 2 soldiers trying to survive The Great War without killing thousands of NPCs and lots of guns.