Dominic Sheard's Reviews
Omega Force's new reimagining for the series does not change up much from a gameplay standpoint, but more to deliver a better story and pretty presentation.
In the end, Capcom has made a faithful resurrection for Ghosts 'n Goblins, keeping true to the original game in so many areas that it causes it to also suffer from the same issues I have with the older games.
Capcom Arcade Stadium is a great way to look through the history of some of Capcom's arcade titles, and boy does it reveal how much some of these games were coin eaters! Jokes aside, this collection is a lovely way to revisit your nostalgia.
Sumire is a beautiful game, but it is not for everyone.
In all seriousness, what is here in Guilty Gear Strive should not be snuffed at.
Even with my gripe with this release, this is still the best version of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, and so that within itself is a recommendation to play the game.
It will not set the world on fire for open-world RPGs, since this is a collection of borrowed ideas from many other games on the market and does not innovate the genre, but Biomutant is enjoyable, if a somewhat formulaic approach to this genre. What makes it stand out against some of those other games it has borrowed ideas from is the fascinating setting and bizarre character design. It is strange in all the right places but just cannot jump above the games it took inspiration from for its gameplay.
Tasomachi: Behind the Twilight sits in the middle of the landscape for 3D platforming.
Neptunia Virtual Stars ends up coming on stage as one of the poorer entries in the Neptunia franchise.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy's core elements come together to make for understanding and engaging friendly JRPG. It has the option to automate complex elements and the battle system can be grasped early on without hours of learning, helped with the solo focused action.
Persona 5 Strikers is an explosive return to the world of Persona 5. Care has been taken to keep the essence of Atlus’ RPG intact to recapture the soul of Persona. Omega Force could have easily gone the standard Warriors route, but they changed their plan, adding in their own little twist to the formula by adjusting the battle system to real time and streamlining the experience. Combat is exciting and quick, the story interesting, once again putting the wonderful characters into the spotlight and adding more to their already defined traits. Persona 5 Strikers might not be the full fat Persona experience nor a true Warriors game – it is certainly targeting the Persona fans more than Warriors fans – but it is a quality extension to the Persona 5 story, a worthy summer road trip that might be advertised as a spin-off, but truly feels more like a sequel with a new flavour sprinkled on top.
The Medium is an interesting title to play through, but I think it is fair to say that while the split-screen, dual world element is a fascinating idea, it never truly excels at pushing the idea to its maximum potential.
Project Wingman is a good substitute for Ace Combat. Since it has been over two years since we last got an entry in that series, it seems a perfect time for fans of arcade combat flight games to jump into Project Wingman – it will cost you less than half the price of a standard retail game, coming in at £19.49. The story campaign does have issues with a lack of variety in its mission design, although it does save itself somewhat with great sandboxes to fight within. The combat is intense and engaging, with great visuals to help showcase the impressive action.
Torchlight III is a strange one – it comes with some good ideas but falters in others.
This is a review of the PC version, but in reality, Dirt 5 makes a good buy for people with shiny new consoles, having those people see the visual tease of what could be possible with the new hardware.
Ghostrunner has focused itself on bringing a precisely sculpted, fast, action puzzler that wonderfully blends all its design and action with the beautiful visuals and a banging soundtrack.
Drake Hollow can be bisected into its survival and combat gameplay elements. On one hand, survival and building aspect is very enjoyable – there is something rewarding about a base growing from nothing into a beautiful, drake living paradise, and seeing the drakes go about their business to entertain themselves. But the other side of its core gameplay, the combat, is painfully lacking, making combat quickly turn from exciting to repetitive, with nothing available to spice up the threat of the game’s feral enemies. It is a shame that Drake Hollow could not bring more in-depth combat, because everything else about the game is enjoyable, and as a bonus, it has a stellar visual design and cute plant people to warm up your heart.
I absolute had a blast with Spellbreak. This is a title in the overpopulated battle royale that deserves to find success and is gunning for your attention – it simply is ticking a lot of the right boxes for someone who might have issues with the slow nature of the genre.
Once again it is the stages that make playing WRC 9 a brilliant time.
As mentioned in the beginning, Gerrrms is a budget released party game that fits its price tag making it ideal for a title that can be picked up, played a while and then probably only ever brought out at family occasions.