Dominic Sheard's Reviews
Chime Sharp builds upon the original Chime by stuffing it with more game modes and improving the presentation. The series once again brings a consolidation of simple, but addictive puzzle mechanics and a wonderfully pleasing dynamic soundtrack that combines together with the colourful visuals to deliver a challenging treat for anyone who likes a stimulating puzzle game with fantastic music.
God Eater 2: Rage Burst inclusion of new mechanics, monsters and weapons marginally improve it over God Eater Resurrection.
Futuristic racing fans finally have something exciting to play with this surprisingly well crafted racer.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided might fail on delivering a complete story that feels important or wide scoped, but that thankfully does not mean it falls flat.
Abzû might not offer an easy to digest story, but those missteps are made up with a dazzling experience, some marvellous set-pieces, beautiful visuals packed with vivid colours, and a lovely soundtrack.
Carmageddon: Max Damage remains so tightly attached to the 90s that what sounded like a good idea, and what should have been a stupidly fun game, sadly does not manage to equate to anything but being a boring and rough racing game.
While the game doesn’t strive to evolve the classic gameplay, I Am Setsuna is a nice journey, a good 21+ hour charming adventure that despite its cold environments, warms the heart with its tragic themes, while answering the question that our memories of classic Japanese RPGs were not blinded nostalgia trips.
Following in the footsteps of its brilliant predecessors, Zero Time Dilemma continues to bring a thrilling form of storytelling that can only be done with the interaction of the video game medium.
What you have here is two thirds of a good show that has been axed by the television network, leaving the studio to sort itself out, bringing an end to the season early, except what was offered for a closure was a cop-out, robbing The Detail of a truly satisfying ending that it deserves.
The story might be forgettable, but Grand Kingdom's gameplay certainly is not. This is a game that features a refreshing and unique battle concept for a genre that can often feature formulaic combat, mixing its deep mechanics to bring a challenging, beautiful and inventive game that is a fascinating breath of fresh air for tactical RPGs.
The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine signals the end of CD Projekt Red’s adventures in master-crafting an engrossing story and the exceptional world building that has been portrayed in The Witcher 3 and its last expansion.
Table Top Racing: World Tour’s transition to PC was a disappointment for me, especially since the things that inspire this game should have made it such a blast to play.
Project CARS: Game of the Year Edition is a great package packed with everything one needs for a thrilling and demanding racing experience, being the perfect jump in point for newcomers to get everything available from the get go.
8-Bit Armies minimalistic approach to real-time strategy makes it a good gateway for people wanting to sample the genre, enabling those to get in and instantly pick up the game without worrying about complexity.
Battleborn isn't quite the innovative blend of MOBA and first-person shooter that it could have been, but that does not stop the game from delivering fun with a group of friends or random people online.
It bums me out that Zheros isn't a better game. It begins with such a promising start with its beautiful visuals and art, but trips up where it matters with scrolling beat 'em ups – the gameplay. There isn't enough variety in its level design and themed environments, the difference between characters isn't enough and awkwardly implemented traps cause frustration.
I have nothing but praise for Codemasters' return to the muddy motorsport of rally. This might be barebones when it comes to its presentation, but with the loudness stripped away, what is here, and what matters, is the amazing execution of its gameplay. Dirt Rally is a visceral monster of a rally game, bringing an additive and unforgiving driving model that makes it all so more rewarding when a stage goes right.
It sounds like I am being hard on Return to PopoloCrois, but that is because I am a little disappointed with Return to PopoloCrois and how it doesn’t blend the two things I enjoy (RPGs and Harvest Moon) in a way that sets a good example for both properties involved.
Nights of Azure has a story that could have been great, especially with its same-sex relationship between the two main characters coming across as natural and not judged in the game's world.
Stranger of Sword City takes the fundamentals of the dungeon crawler and coats it with a twist of Japanese.