Players with a passing interest aren't going to put the hours in to get past the initial chapter, and in doing so, are going to miss out on an enjoyable experience with a lot to offer for both casual players and hardcore fans. Stick with it.
Having Ulala back is a welcome return and, Space Channel 5 VR manages to capture the world perfectly, and tug at all the correct nostalgia related heartstrings. It would be great to get lost in the cosy bosom of that feeling... if there was just more to offer. The promise of new characters, songs, and DLC, should rectify some of these issues, but with the already high price tag it's hard to imagine anyone outside the already committed fanbase to take a punt. As nice as it is to see a return to the news desk, hold out for a possible GOTY edition.
Overall, there really is nothing fundamentally wrong here, but with its reliance on deriving humour from treating RPG standards as dated and ripe for mockery, Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl - Gold pretty much shoots itself in the foot.
Well, it was never in doubt really, was it? Super Mario 3D All-Stars represents the pinnacle of platforming goodness and with perfect ports, as well as top notch optimisation for the console, it's a must-buy.
At the end of the day, you know exactly what you are going to get from a F2P title like World of Tanks: Blitz. Micro-transactions are never welcome, but a necessary evil in this market, and graphics are of a mobile standard, with everything other than the pretty accurate recreations of the vehicles themselves, and all operate with as much heft and weight as expected. Great if you are a tank enthusiast, but for everyone else moving a sluggish brick around a low textured map can get tiresome quickly. This is countered by the length of matches being short enough that a quick tactical battle can be done while waiting for the kettle to boil, and dived into if something a bit more spectacular is installing. Newcomers are going to enjoy the pick-and-play factor. Stalwarts are going to make the most of cross-save and cross play to add a few more layers and months to their experience. It'll stay on the system, but only likely revisited when frustration kicks in from major titles and taking it out on any poor soul that dared to challenge a Switch owner with a Pro Controller.
Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty! is a faithful recreation of the PS1 gem that is going to welcome back fans of the original. With some worthwhile future proofing in the form of quicksaves and screen panning, the trip is that little more accessible. For new players however, there is a chance that the awkward controls marring the precision timing needed might alienate and frustrate. Give Abe a chance however and even with the wealth of platformers available on the Switch, this stands tall as a title worthy of the purchase. A delicious remake.
Being terrible at any kind of multiplayer experience, but a lifelong fan of Star Wars (to the point of not changing my name even after years of school taunting) picking up Star Wars: Squadrons was a long and thought out deliberation. With a great single player story and addictive multiplayer mode that that puts any player in the heart of the movies, there isn't a shred of buyer's remorse. A few bugs have sullied enjoyment at time but these have been reported by the community and are sure to be patched out quickly. At a budget price, gamers are getting a difficult to put down flyer that currently holds the crown as greatest current-gen Star Wars title. Buckle up, make those pre-flight checks and don't get cocky kid.
It was a bold move for Ippon Nichi to go in this direction with an already packed release schedule full of stalwarts in the JRPG genre. Thankfully, it's a gamble that has paid off. Mad Rat Dead initially will frustrate as players get to grips with the early stages, but in truth most are likely to keep hitting that restart button to enjoy both the excellent soundtrack and gorgeous visuals. It's a morbid but fascinating 'tail' that may be a huge departure from the usual studio offerings, but a very welcome one.
The Angry Video Game Nerd: I & II Deluxe may actually have permanently damaged any further AVGN episodes by James Rolfe. By taking all those years of experience reviewing the worst of the worst, the game based on his visage has taken all those elements and crafted an incredibly fun pair of platformers. As a re-release there have been a number of welcome additions and compared to the original PC releases both are a lot more forgiving than previously. It's a must buy for any fan and an invitation for new players to revel in the unique humour while playing a tight, fun platformer at the same time. Not a whiff of Buffalo Diarrhoea to be found here.
With WWE 2K Battlegrounds, 2K has made it impossible to recommend for price and value. All aspects of the game revolve around microtransactions and by offering so little to begin with, the motivation to continue playing isn't present. Even the little things that make WWE games worth playing, such as seeing your favourite star enter the arena, are ruined with short audio clips and the same punch out of casket or box entrance. With baffling modes and gameplay that doesn't ever need to extend past single button bashing, it really highlights how 2K have gone for the cash grab and decided a mobile game may reach a wider audience on consoles. This is one title that needs to Rest….In……Peace.
The latest Watch Dogs does seem ripe for criticism, but at its core is a solid, fun title that is yet to leave the disk tray. Cruising through the London suburbs is a thoroughly enjoyable experience with a lot of replay-ability, if only to use the games camera mode to snap a selfie with a landmark. Some of the missions are also creatively designed and structured in a way that will live long in the memory and be the talking points with any friends on the fence about purchasing. The biggest downfall of Watch Dogs: Legion is the promise of something more. With no real incentive for recruitment outside characters given in missions, it remains very much a title for the generation. With a little more thought put into the mechanics and gameplay, focusing on how they could really have been revolutionised, this could have been an experience as future-proof as the world portrayed within it.
Peril on Gorgon is a welcome addition to an already great game, that provides some solid, seven/eight hour-long adventuring for anyone wishing to dive back into some silly space jaunts. A meaty main story filled with gut-wrenching moral choices, fits very snugly into the already developed world. The most fun to be had however, as with the main experience, are the side quests. Getting to know Gorgon's bizarre inhabitants really develops the world, and every personality encourages missions to be completed to their fullest. A great start to hopefully a lot of DLC to come.
The Pathless is a worthy addition to the minimal release list this early in the PlayStation 5 lifespan. It delivers engaging gameplay, as well as frankly beautiful visuals. The issue is that feeling of familiarity *cough*Zelda*cough* coupled with a lack of activities to indulge in. Too often does this feel like a template of greater things to come, and it's a massive hope that this will spawn a sequel. So many great ideas needing to be expanded upon, mainly the excellent movement, as no game this year has given a greater feeling of speed in its unique traversal system, and along with the excellent boss battles, this comes recommended. Here's to The Pathless 2: Less Travelled.
It's been a long wait for western audiences to get their hands on [i]Moon[i/] and for the most part, it's been a wait worth taking. The initial hours are certainly going to put off gamers looking for a normal RPG experience but for the more patient, unlocking the full potential of what is on offer here is going to be extremely rewarding. Around every corner is a mystery wrapped up in a Mr E. Nygma presented in a gorgeous style only found in the games of the decade it was originally released in. Lose yourself in the world and characters, be helpful to anything and anyone and ensure that a world can be saved not through a fully levelled titan but with the power of love and cookies.
As an early adopter of Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, it's a delight to see nWay listening to the initial issues and addressing them as thoroughly as they have. Rosters and stages have increased exponentially and by focusing firmly on the Shattered Grid storyline of the comics, have created a fanboys dream in terms of a story mode. Mostly all series are represented here and with game expansions and updates being added constantly, if your favourite isn't there, rest assured they are coming. Fans are also being consulted on next additions which is really appreciated. At its core, there has always been an in-depth well crafted fighting game on offer, but now with all the bells and whistles raising it to a real contender for the fighting game throne. This has got the power.
For any newcomers to the Neo Geo resurgence occurring on the Nintendo Switch right now, it can seem a bit daunting deciding exactly where to set up your stall and enter the fray. Rest assured, the decision is made here with SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium being a choice that does not disappoint. Back during its release in 1999, the collaboration between these two giants was monumental and even now in 2021, its clear to see how much love was put into its creation. With a diverse, full roster, great sound and graphics as well as a variety of modes to keep players returning, it's never been a better time to begin your Neo Geo library.
Overall, Observer: System Redux is a great pickup for those looking to see just exactly how well their shiny new consoles can perform, as well as having an interesting experience to boot (you know, like a computer). Environments are beautiful in a truly depressing, atmospheric manner, and lead Rutger Hauer really makes the effort to portray a downtrodden detective tired of the new cybernetic world order. This is a clear pick up for fans of psychological horror drama, looking for a few jump scares and… uncomfortable-ness over a few hours. For the rest, however, it's an interesting experiment that perhaps could benefitted from less of the shocks and more of the Detective chops.
With its short playtime, Iris.Fall doesn't overstay its welcome and presents an interesting distraction that never bores. Variety is the spice of life in this instance, so it's unfortunate that new elements are sometimes introduced that are so baffling that players may be discouraged from seeing the story through to the end credits. For those that do, however, a beautiful and unsettling adventure awaits with some great mechanics laid over some even greater visual design and cues.
A great addition to anyone's Switch catalogue, Battle Axe provides some neat pick-up-and-play value with an Infinite mode accompanying the standard story fare. In tandem, these modes are perfect for coping with the daily commute with some bashing and slashing and are backed by a fantastic soundtrack and gorgeous retro art style. Although it has a savagely brutal difficulty curve for the young'uns (as well as older folk who don't have the reaction times they once did), Battle Axe is a decent conversion full of nostalgic fun.
For a PS5 owner desperate for a 2D fighter to add to their collection, this is a no brainer. With a long history of 2D fighters in this reviewer's back catalogue Guilty Gear Strive has gained a place in the top tier pantheon of the genre. Fantastic graphics, excellent gameplay that has the perfect balance of easy to pick up, difficult to master and some real thought put into the obligatory online mode mean it is likely to remain unbeaten for a long time to come. Maybe until the next entry in the series is released. Brilliant Brawling.