Seb Hawden
This is the first time I have given a game 10/10. I said I never would give a game that score but I cannot find anything bad to say about Gris. Its near-perfect. Brilliant art style, beautiful music and brilliant gameplay. It all combines into a controllable watercolour of pure joy. Just go and play it now, I wish I could experience it again for the first time.
Well, praise the gods, it’s finally here! I have managed to play more hours of Hades over the last few days than I care to admit and I have relished every second. Supergiant Games are one of my favourite developers. Ever since I played Transistor I have been completely captivated by their games. They ooze charm, they drip with quality and everything about them is so impeccably done.
It seems like forever since we had a big Nintendo Switch exclusive and while Pikmin 3 Deluxe may not be a true exclusive, this port certainly has enough bells and whistles to entice players back in. Not only that, I am sure a lot of Switch players, due to not owning a WiiU, will be playing it for the first time, you lucky buggers. Pikmin is a very popular franchise and I will be splitting this review up into two halves, half talking about the game itself and half discussing its improvements from the WiiU version.
Well, here we are people, the latest instalment of Capcom’s beast slaying RPG is here. Monster Hunter Rise is the latest in what used to be a niche series, that was until Monster Hunter World’s massive success. It is now seen as a popular household title and I could not be happier. I am no longer the black sheep that played Monster Hunter alone. Come with me people as I take you through the latest and maybe greatest Monster Hunter title to date.
The room is spinning, I feel queasy. Who am I? What am I doing here? Where the hell is here? Where are my bloody shoes? Welcome to Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, a game about a gruesome murder, amnesia and copious amounts of alcohol but more importantly, a game containing a web of choices. Choices that will lead you down memorable paths, into hilarious situations and wittily written conversations.
Ever feel like you are just playing the same day over and over? Feel like you are stuck in a rut? Well, in Deathloop from Arkane Studios on the PlayStation 5, you are. It’s like Groundhog Day with guns, supernatural abilities and murder. I had seen a little on the title before I slipped the disc into my PlayStation 5 but little did I know what I was letting myself in for.
Songbird Symphony is one of the best games I have played this year. It came from no-where and melted my heart. It's a fantastic blend of several genres that is truly unique. It's a fun, easy-going musical adventure with a touching story. The art style and music is to die for and I cannot find any faults with it whatsoever. I want to play it for the first time all over again.
Just go out and buy this amazing game now. It’s brilliant, funny, well made and nostalgic. Its soundtrack is to die for, it’s gameplay simple yet technical and the whole presentation on offer deserves the highest praise. Its characters and dialogue are well written and comical, it points fun at itself, at video game culture and it’s delightful.
If you don’t mind a challenge, don’t mind learning systems and techniques, you will love Sekiro. It does not hold your hand and does not mess about. It will be hard, you will hit walls you cannot overcome straight away and must evolve as a player to proceed. Its rewarding gameplay is like nothing on the market and once you understand the game it becomes very addictive. I was stuck on a boss for hours yesterday and when I finally beat it, it was euphoric. That is the feeling I want from gaming, all the time. I had to change, learn and be better to progress and it was beautiful.
I love games that are different every time I play, games like Binding of Isaac and Rogue Legacy, games where you never know what going to happen. Slay the Spire fits into this category too but is much different to the aforementioned titles. The way this game handles its stats, it’s UI and enemy attacks really open up the strategy and tactical nuances of the combat system. It’s easy to learn but has a massive amount of depth if you wish to pursue it.
If you have a PSVR headset then there is nothing else for it, you need to buy this game now. The gunfights are amazing and they are interspersed between great set pieces and interactive scenes for you to enjoy. Seriously, I did not expect to enjoy the stuff between the gunfights as much as I did. Its all designed and implemented so well, even unscrewing and hacking alarm panels is fun. The developers have added lots of stuff to do and collect, there are a lot of weapons to use and you can even give people ‘the bird’, seriously, what’s not to like?
Beautiful, bright and bold. Wargroove is a fun, tactical war title with a lot of content. It's deep, rewarding, and never overwhelming. Its art style is something to die for and the presentation is beautiful. It does a great job of explaining everything gradually to the player and drip new content and features. Wargroove is a must-buy for fans of the strategy genre.
Cat Quest II has everything that made the first game so enjoyable. It has added co-op and a few new features that make it different enough for returning players to enjoy while maintaining its charm and great style. It's fun, simple and fun for everyone, while the art style and animations are to die for and a lot of players will fall in love with it. It's a breath of fresh air in the overcrowded role-playing game genre and is a delightful experience to savour.
Vacation Simulator is without a doubt an amazing follow up to Job Simulator. It brings fresh ideas to the table along with the series trademark humour. Its very fun to play and even more fun to mess around in its varied environments. If you loved the previous game you will love this. Both me and my family were glued to this game the whole time we played it, its a joy to play.
From it's cute inhabitants to its picture book environments, Ghost Giant is a joy to be part of.
I am addicted, my sons are addicted and we have to share a Switch. Frankly, its hell. Once Forager gets its long claws into you, you're in trouble. Its so moreish, its a lot of fun and there is always something to be doing, some new items to find or build. Just go and buy this game now its great fun. Its definitely one of my favorite games of the year so far.
If you like turn-based RPG’s or card battlers you will adore this game. If you like both of these genres you may as well stop reading and go buy Steamworld Quest now.
I have nothing but good things to say about Knights and Bikes, it has a great story, great presentation and it is fun to boot. It has a beautiful art style, great music and will keep you entertained throughout its short but very sweet campaign. If you like simple but entertaining games, you will love it, as I did.
Blasphemous takes a few well trodden genres and mashes them into something that is fun, rewarding and downright beautiful. Its story, themes and macabre nature will not suit everyone but I could not get enough of it. Its difficulty is near-perfect, not too hard but enough of a challenge to please most players. Metroidvania fans, Souls-like fans and gamers who want a challenge will revel in this games gorgeously crafted world. Its a brilliantly crafted experience that needs to be played.
I love Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. It feels fresh while keeping some of the great traits of the first game. The changes may even change the minds of players which did not enjoy the game that preceded it. It controls very well, looks great, sounds great and is a lot of fun. Just give it a shot, I think you will like it.