Mick Fraser's Reviews
Spellforce 3: Reforced is a confident mixing of genres that does well with both elements, and brings a ton of content to consoles.
The simple mission structure, replyability and overall catharsis of After the Fall make it a triumph of VR gaming.
There's not much here to really dazzle, but if you haven't yet played it, Outward Definitive Edition has a lot to like for RPG and survival fans.
Hardspace: Shipbreaker is like no other game out there, and offers a genuinely immersive and rewarding experience.
There are dozens of alternatives out there either for Dark Souls fans or sci-fi nuts, and Dolmen is just too riddled with issues to recommend.
If you have a Quest and are looking for something to help you relax and wind down, Little Cities VR is the perfect city-builder to while away a few afternoons.
V Rising could be the next big survival game. Whether you want to play alone, with, or against other players, this has you covered. Once you get the hang of the combat you’ll begin to feel more and more powerful, crafting a towering castle that will terrify any delivery driver to their very core. I’m confident this will do well, and Early Access will continue to add new touches, tweaks and content between now and the eventual full release. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own castle, only descending into the neighbouring villages to rip people open and finish them in one swallow like a Froob, V Rising may be the game you’ve been waiting for.
Salt and Sacrifice may not be the best Metroidvania ever made, but as a 2D distillation of the Soulslike formula, this is pure gaming alchemy.
Aside a few complaints here and there, King Arthur: Knight's Tale is a grim, compelling take on the legend of Camelot.
If you're into crafting and gathering, steep challenge and risky exploration, The Serpent Rogue is a concoction worth tasting.
None of Green Hell VR: Quest Edition feels like filler. It takes some adaptation, but it's still an immersive adventure into the unknown.
Warhammer 40,000: Battledsector has a meaty campaign to blast through, and lives up to the grimdark promise of its universe.
Chernobylite does the tension of survival better than most, but the hokey horror element lets it down.
Green Hell is the best survival game I've played since The Long Dark. It respects your time, doesn't treat you like an idiot, and expects you to learn from your mistakes.
Chinatown Detective Agency is sometimes a little too clever for its own good, but it's well written and charming with it. If you can overlook the issues with the save system, it's well worth a look.
Forgive Me Father is certainly atmospheric and a lot of fun, although fans of retro boomer shooters will find much more to like than those who prefer a more modern approach.
Despite some flaws that are too big to ignore, Weird West is an ambitious, intriguing, sometimes unique action-RPG set in a nightmarish world.
The Death Stranding Director's Cut on PC is well worth it for fans and for those who missed it first time around.
The Ascent on PS5 is the same game with a few tweaks. Best played with friends, it provides a gorgeous, if inconsistent, experience.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands may not win over many new fans, but it refreshes the existing formula and re-injects it with humour and heart.