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Joe Apsey


90 games reviewed
75.2 average score
80 median score
58.9% of games recommended

Joe Apsey's Reviews

Staff Writer at The Loadout covering the latest PS5 and Xbox Series games.
Nov 4, 2020

Yakuza: Like A Dragon is an impressive and quality JRPG that successfully acts as a jumping in-point for new fans and also ties itself to the series' past in exciting and engaging ways. The turn-based combat has been infused with some mechanics that help retain the action and over-the-top hilarity the series is known for. Mini-games once again shine and there is a lot packed into Ijincho. Like A Dragon paves the way for a bright future for the franchise.

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8 / 10.0 - Cloudpunk
Oct 21, 2020

Cloudpunk is a fantastic sci-fi dystopia, with some great writing and voice-acting which helps bring the stories of the people of Nivalis to life. Whilst the experience can get a bit repetitive the excellence elsewhere ensures it is worth experiencing.

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Oct 19, 2020

The Jackbox Party Pack 7 brings us a collection of five games that make for one of the better packs to release in recent memory. Talking Points and The Devil And The Details should be new mainstays for how frantic and fun they are, with Champ'd Up and Blather Round complementing them nicely. Quiplash 3 disappoints with its changes, but the package as a whole is a thrilling collection for any party or group gathering.

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Oct 5, 2020

Crash Bandicoot 4 is a masterpiece in almost every aspect of the experience it offers. The excellent N.Verted mode, tough Flashback levels, extra characters, objectives to hunt down, collectibles to collect, and engaging campaign and bosses come together to provide one of the best platforming games on PS4 and an experience that rivals Nintendo's best 3D platformers. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is nothing short of an essential experience for everyone.

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5 / 10.0 - Tamarin
Sep 29, 2020

Tamarin has a quirky and fun concept (a monkey with a gun), but its poor 3D platforming, inability to inform the player properly about objectives and where to go, and dated look with bugs make it a title that few people have any good reason to play, especially when there are much better games of the genre out there right now on PS4.

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Sep 27, 2020

Crysis Remastered is still the same game you remember, but for the most part, this remaster doesn't sufficiently improve the game's visuals enough. The lighting can look good, but dated textures and gameplay, poor AI, and a number of bugs and glitches hold this remaster back. Crysis Remastered is only worth checking out if you haven't experienced the game yet.

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Sep 23, 2020

Whilst the environments of Reisum and the bosses in the Subject 2923 DLC are some of the best in the game, the opening of the DLC and the overall package doesn't feel like a satisfying end to Remannt's story, making it a fine add-on for hardcore players, but not offering much reason for lapsed players to come back.

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6 / 10.0 - Windbound
Sep 2, 2020

Windbound is a serviceable survival game that offers a unique sailing experience to keep hardcore fans of the genre interested. But with simplistic and bland-feeling combat and an experience that doesn't engage with its narrative (despite promising to), Windbound isn't recommended at full price.

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6.5 / 10.0 - No Straight Roads
Aug 25, 2020

No Straight Roads is an overambitious game that tries to do many things and fails to impress with any of them. Despite fantastic world-building, loveable characters, and great voice acting the game fumbles in the narrative department and suffers from noticeable and frequent technical issues. Lacking gameplay polish also makes No Straight Roads more of a flop than a surefire hit.

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9 / 10.0 - Spiritfarer
Aug 24, 2020

Spiritfarer is a truly gorgeous game in every aspect. A stunning art style, gorgeously melodic music, and a lighter and less punishing take on the management sim genre make it one of the best indie games of the year and a title that will be remembered for years to come.

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Aug 6, 2020

Fall Guys is one of the best online party games of the generation, offering a hilarious and intense battle royale with a ridiculous amount of customisation. A speedy pace and a substantial amount of different modes at launch mean that the game is always fresh and exciting. Even the Battle Pass and store are some of the fairest and less money-grabbing I have seen. Fall Guys is a must-play.

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7 / 10.0 - Relicta
Aug 5, 2020

Relicta tries to strike a balance between narrative and gameplay, but that balance ends up hurting the final experience by making the game a slog to go through and puzzles becoming infuriatingly complex in the second half. The story and excellent voice acting are a nice differentiator and the level of detail in the environments is impressive, but Relicta is a game that is hard to stick with in its second half if you don't have a guide.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Othercide
Jul 27, 2020

Othercide is the most pristine AA game I have played. Its haunting world and grotesque creature design cement themselves as some of the best in gothic horror, whilst the unique, timeline-based combat provides a twist on traditional tactical games. Othercide is far more than just a striking art style and everyone should give one of the most unique games of the year a shot.

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Remnant: From The Ashes' Swamps of Corsus DLC redesigns an area of the game to be the best-looking location in it. But, a lack of changes to outdoor environments on Corsus, bugs and issues that are still present ten months on, and a general feeling that there isn't much meat on Swamps of Corsus' bones left me underwhelmed with what is here. Fans looking for a more substantial offering should wait for the final DLC in August.

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Despite a few issues with a lack of upgrades in some areas, Saint’s Row The Third Remastered is a great way to dip your shoes back into the franchise and remember why Saint’s Row 3 helped the series find an identity, allowing it to go on to do bigger and better things in Saint’s Row IV.

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7.5 / 10.0 - SnowRunner
Apr 27, 2020

Whilst the opening hours suffer from a lack of communication, SnowRunner is an excellent and rewarding vehicle simulation.

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10 / 10.0 - Telling Lies
Apr 27, 2020

Telling Lies is a flawless piece of work. This is Sam Barlow perfecting what he was able to achieve with Her Story and bolstering it with a bigger story and being supported by four powerhouse performances. Telling Lies offered me five incredible hours and everyone should experience this masterpiece with their own eyes.

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Mar 23, 2020

Whilst a little tricky at times, Paper Beast is an experience every PSVR owner should play at some point as it is quite simply a one-of-a-kind experience.

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9.5 / 10.0 - Persona 5 Royal
Mar 17, 2020

Persona 5: Royal is the definitive Persona 5 experience. Atlus has refined the already excellent base game, trimming the rigid, sharp edges and creating a smoother experience filled with new and interesting activities, characters, story moments, and even an entirely new palace and optional ending to the game. Persona 5: Royal is one of the best JRPG's on PS4 for both new and returning players.

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8 / 10.0 - Bloodroots
Mar 3, 2020

Bloodroots combat is fast and frenetic that is on par with games like Hotline Miami and The Hong Kong Massacre. With great presentation and a good amount of replayability, Bloodroots is a wildly bloody and thoroughly satisfying time.

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