There’s no doubt in my mind that this is the cleverer of the two titles, boasting an inventive central mechanic that informs some thoroughly brilliant level design. Regardless of which may be the superior Pac-Man, this second round of Championship remains a bloody terrific time.
Eden isn't as big as No Man's Sky's universe or even Far Cry 4's mountainous terrain, but it's got far more compelling reasons to stick around.
The Tomorrow Children is bland, clumsy, and monotonous. A fantastic core idea wasted on yet another cumbersome burden of a game.
In short bursts, Attack on Titan can be a fun distraction. It definitely looks and feels like the animated series, runs through its narrative nicely, and features lots of stuff to unlock, upgrade, and play through. Sadly, almost every mission feels just like the last one, and with very little to shake up the process.
Despite a few missteps, Valley is an overall rush of an experience. Taking cues from BioShock with some Fern Gully on the side, there are few games that can claim to put players into the metal legs of an interdimensional necromantic freerunner, and be bloody infatuating while it does so.
Even with a somewhat disappointing final furlong, one can't help but be satisfied by what Mankind Divided has to offer. A solid story that manages to keep its more ridiculous elements in surprising check, tons of gameplay options with hours of optional material, and the simple satisfaction that comes with being a mechanical metahuman, the latest Deus Ex is possibly the most accomplished in the series, despite not being as complete as it seems it should've been.
ABZÛ is a lesser game than Journey, but since I consider Journey to be one of the more sublime pieces of interactive entertainment I've enjoyed, that's hardly a damning indictment. While it struggles to be truly resonant, Giant Squid's aquatic adventure is nonetheless enjoyable, alluring, and ultimately pleasant.
Bound really is stunning to see in motion, but the keyword is “see.” I dare say I’d have had a lot more fun watching someone else playing it as opposed to playing it myself. Simply soaking in the color and music is captivating. All that splendor, however, is balanced with equal weight by the troubling truth that it’s just really, really not that enjoyable to play.
Reigns is shrewd and playful, with a straightforward interface and a handful of terrific twists thrown in for good measure. Whenever things risk getting too stale, a new event or set of cards can turn up to keep one hooked, and a single playthrough won’t uncover all the secrets, as well as the ways to meet some grisly fate.
I’ve seen so many planets, met so many aliens, and mined so much goddamn carbon and not once have I been surprised. Not once has the game thrown me a curveball. Every new location is just a different coloured home for the same old routine, and the procedural generation means that things feel far less diverse than they could be –- when randomized pools replace handcrafted designs, the lego bricks piecing everything together are far too obvious.
Rhythm Heaven Megamix is a great jumping off point for series newcomers, collecting some fantastic games while adding a healthy portion of fresh material. Old hands will still find lots of love thanks to the remixed levels, added challenges, and scores of bonus content.
It could have – and should have – been far better than it is. Held back by a lack of ambition and never daring to crawl from the shadow of better games, I Am Setsuna stops itself being something special.
With The Technomancer, we have a game trying to be a sprawling sci-fi adventure while paradoxically not trying much at all.
BoxBoxBoy! is just more Boxboy! when you look at it plainly.
It should go without saying that Inside is an easy choice for anybody who enjoyed Limbo. At its most basic, Playdead’s newest presentation is a continuation of its prior work – a macabre puzzle-platformer with a gloomy visual style and forsaking atmosphere. Beyond that, however, Inside is so much more…
Dead By Daylight is a fantastic concept that, in practice, needed much more work put into it. I love its 80s horror aesthetic and the occasional match can be thoroughly enjoyable. There are going to have to be a lot more changes for the thing to have any sticking power, however. Should Behavior continue to work on it, I could see Dead By Daylight turning into something I adore. Right now, it’s just not there.
It’s sad because I’d have actually loved for this game to be enjoyable. The idea of an Umbrella training simulator where agents are battling against each other isn’t the worst idea for a spin-off I’ve heard – in fact, the concept is appealing to me. Unfortunately, the execution is bereft of life and sloppier than the contents of Boris Johnson’s diaper.
Kirby: Planet Robobot is yet another Kirby game, which I personally consider a positive. The new abilities and mechanized gimmickry are huge fun to fiddle around with, boss encounters are beautifully delivered, and the level design is some of the series’ most accomplished.
It's not offensive, and it's not an actively bad time, but it's so very bland and uneventful. I can't really speak for the developers, but Catalyst certainly gives the impression that they'd rather be working on literally anything else.
If you’re sick of all the military shooters vying for your attention but still want an honest, straightforward FPS experience, Hard Reset has the cure for your fever.