Mick Fraser's Reviews
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.
ANNO: Mutationem is an enjoyable cyberpunk adventure with enough confident swagger to distract from its shortcomings.
Ghostrunner: Project Hel is an intense slice of DLC that feels a little too similar to the original to truly excite.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a decent action RPG, but it's occasionally weighed down by unnecessary mechanics and inconsistent difficulty.
That Babylon's Fall comes from Platinum Games is perhaps the biggest surprise here. A banal, uninspired hack 'n' slasher with no imagination or personality.
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen feels like something built for the veterans, for the long-standing fans. It's both a culmination of years of story and prelude to something much bigger.
Shadow Warrior 3 takes the franchise back to basics in terms of structure while adding new mechanics and weapons to keep it fresh.
Elex II is another example of Piranha Bytes aiming far too high. It's a plodding, often clunky adventure with few bright spots.
Deep, wide, and absolutely packed with adventure, Elden Ring's immense, deadly open world is nothing short of game-changing.
Total War: Warhammer III offers the incredible depth synonymous with the series, while adding expansive new multiplayer features and some great faction mechanics.
CrossfireX has some interesting ideas in Remedy's dual campaigns, but everything else feels dated and generic.
Infernax is a great mix of pixel-art nostalgia and modern narrative design that never fails to entertain.
Lost Ark is fantastic, but like all MMOARPGs, it demands a massive time investment and a ton of extra reading to get the most from it.
Sifu is a difficult game, and not always by design. But when the combat clicks, there are few games that make you feel so badass.
The Waylanders is an interesting concept let down by poor dialogue and inconsistent challenge, but it's not without its charm.