Lara Jackson
For those who’ve been patiently waiting for an up-to-par follow-up to the immensely popular Until Dawn, The Quarry might not be it. While its immersive gameplay and dynamic characters are enough to carry the majority of the game, the title is a narrative adventure with no resolutions for its heroes. A post-credits scene revealing how The Quarry survivors escaped - and what came next - or even just a reunion between the friends after their ordeal would have gone a long way in saving what ended up to be a disappointment. While The Quarry is an impressive graphical showcase of new-gen possibilities, it seems that in terms of story, players will have to continue waiting for a true successor to Until Dawn.
Though No Straight Roads is filled to the brim with character and style, it can’t overcome its needless complexity in a game which is more taxing than it is fun.
Despite its flaws, The Otterman Empire shows a lot of promise and delivers some really fun co-op play – if you can overlook its issues.
With its charming world, enjoyable soundtrack, and dogs brimming with character, there’s lots of fun to be had with Pupperazzi. Unfortunately, replaying the levels even with variable weather conditions and day/night options can get stale a few hours in. Exploring is a joy the first time, but once players have seen everything there is to offer, there’s not much else. There's also some inconsistencies with dogNET, with users' responses sometimes praising a photo for elements it doesn't include. Despite this, Pupperazzi is barking up the right tree for dog fans. Thanks to its simple controls, this wholesome indie game is one that can be enjoyed by the whole family, and with its humor and cute pups, it’s hard not to crack a smile while snapping away.
If you’re looking for new linear adventures for your favourite Sim – and if you have even a vague interest in Star Wars – there’s definitely lots of hours of fun to be had with this one
A beautiful and wonderfully executed story, Raji: An Ancient Epic is definitely an enjoyable way to spend a few hours of your time. Its combat mechanics are functional and fine, but rarely stray into the realm of “fun.”
If you want a brain-scratching and belly-tickling point and click puzzler, Darkestville Castle is a great option though it won’t be one which appeals to everyone.
If you were a huge fan of the original, or if you’ve never before played a farming sim, this will be right up your alley. If, however, you know your Portia from your Stardew, you won’t find anything new here.
All in all, Cannibal Cuisine is a huge amount of fun, especially if you’re already a big fan of similar games.
Despite its few flaws, The Devil In Me is a more than fitting end to The Dark Pictures Anthology Season One, improving on its predecessors in the main area in which they drew criticism: weak story. The endings of both Man of Medan and Little Hope, in particular, left many players unsatisfied, but The Devil In Me offers a substantial and sinful story full of dastardly deeds, classic crimes, and unabashed gore. The Devil In Me is a game that immediately deserves a second playthrough after the credits roll - and perhaps even a third, or fourth.
No More Heroes 1 & 2 are two games I’ve been waiting for on Switch, and while their Accessibility features could be improved, there’s little else to criticise the re-releases for. Both games are challenging and fun, though the NSFW language and the occasional sexist comment might turn some people away. If you’re looking to feel like a powerful sword-wielding assassin then these games are for you. If I had to pick one, I’d go for No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle over its predecessor, simply because it looks a little better, feels a little more dramatic, and you can help Jeane lose some pounds. You can’t go amiss with picking up both titles though – as long as you don’t mind some potty humour!
Where Man of Medan (slightly) failed to meet the standards set by Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope comes closer to what I wanted to see from these games. Though it’s not quite the fun-filled, horror-fuelled romp that Until Dawn gifted us with, it’s a lot more spooky and immersive than Man of Medan. Little Hope is a must-play for horror fans, and it’s one totally deserving of a place in your games library.
If you’re fine with the occasional minor graphical bug, Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm is an essential RPG for the Nintendo Switch, and it might just tide you over until we get a new Zelda.
Double Pug Switch is a fantastic addition to your games library if you’re a fan of tough but rewarding gameplay.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is a game definitely worthy of the Assassin’s Creed name. It’s fun, it’s vast and it continues to give players the freedom to do pretty much whatever they want to do in the game.
Though it’s about as far from a technical masterpiece as you can get in 2020, it has more style and heart than most of the AAA experiences on the market right now, with genuine laugh-out-loud moments.
All in all, Moving Out is a stand-out party game for kids and adults alike, though it can take a while to get into.
I’ve been waiting a long time for Bloober to finally nail down true horror, and The Medium is a wonderful example of how to do scary without relying on cheap tricks. If you’re a fan of Silent Hill, Clock Tower, Haunting Ground or even if you just want to test out the capabilities of the latest Xbox consoles, The Medium is a must-play.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder could be Mario's most magical adventure, offering up an enchanting experience that shines among the best of the side-scrolling Mario games.
The Last of Us Part 1 is a must-play game. However, for those who already own the remaster, the price tag may be too much to swallow.