House of Ashes is definitely the best game in The Dark Pictures Anthology, with major nods to Until Dawn. Although gameplay might have primarily stayed the same, the improved writing and addition of the new camera just show that the series still has room to grow and I'm excited to see what Supermassive Games do next.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a visually pleasing action-adventure that really captures what fans love about the series and the characters. The gameplay is very linear but the game makes up for that with its great script, cast and accessible gameplay. This will definitely be a fan pleaser no matter what medium you are a fan of.
It is lacking a thorough tutorial at the start of the game which can leave players frustratingly dying a lot really early on. But Skul: The Hero Slayer is a captivating indie game that offers a really challenging experience with plenty of replay value.
Other than the flashy combat there isn't really enough here to attract non-fans with something different from what's already out there. But fans will relish being able to play as the Senran Kagura characters after a long time even though there aren't a lot of them they are well realised.
Vanguard feels like so much like the previous Call of Duty games and even the WWII setting isn't enough to elevate it. While a strong entry in the franchise, there really isn’t enough here that sets it apart, however, it does feel that much more accessible and what is here has been polished till it shines.
A Boy and His Blob retains all the charm that made past games such precious titles. There's a good amount of replayability with this title, especially for newcomers, but there really isn't anything new other than the portability for returning fans. The Nintendo Switch version improves the performance of the Wii version, so this is probably the best way to play the game.
Blue Reflection: Second Light is a nice follow up with a lot of much-needed enhancements. I feel the series is still finding its footing, but currently, it's striking the right balance between a great narrative and engaging gameplay, so I really look forward to where this series can go.
These titles will definitely please old fans who will adore the updated visuals, the Hideaway and tweaks to gameplay, that all make for an improved experience.
But this trilogy is just plagued with so many bugs, glitches and performance issues that really ruin this long-awaited comeback. Fans will have to wait in hope that any patches that are being planned happen right away.
It's a stunning homage to the original comics that will excite fans whilst being a great way to introduce newcomers to the series. The game is lacking some much-needed depth, and even though it's a good length, there are still many missing features that are synonymous with the beat 'em up genre.
Solar Ash does a lot of things right but it still lacks some much-needed depth to make it a complete package. It may have come later than expected but Solar Ash is a hidden gem that shouldn't be missed by gaming enthusiasts.
Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX retains all the features and content that made them such unique titles when first released. However, after the long wait, I feel this revival is slightly half-hearted as it still features dated graphics, dated audio and the lack of aspect ratio options is a big miss. It's great that they have been revitalised after so long, but I feel this one is solely for the fans as there is too much choice within the monster tamer genre for this to stand out.
Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space is a great follow up for the franchise and Skunkape Games have done an amazing job on implementing the much-needed updates without losing any of the originals charm. Die-hard fans will welcome all the obvious and subtle changes that have been made and the release of a new version on the Switch was definitely a great choice to introduce a new generation of fans to the surreal and insane world of Sam & Max.
Life Is Strange: True Colors is an amazing entry into the series, featuring the best location and characters to date. Even though the Nintendo Switch version is visually inferior to other versions, this doesn't sully the experience at all, as the great narrative massively makes up for it.
Windjammers 2 is a great follow up to the original arcade classic and worth the wait. The major improvements to the overall aesthetic are fantastic and a testament to Dotemu's stellar work.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is visually a great way to experience these two games alongside the great audio, especially for newcomers.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a must-have for fans of the series as it’s an experience like no other. The only downside is that the game could do with a graphical facelift, especially the character models who aren’t anywhere as detailed as they should be.
Outside of the boss rush mode and speedrunning there just isn't much replay value I'm afraid. However, Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a great homage to the source material and fans will relish the experience.
Sifu is a martial arts epic that prides itself on authenticity and realism yet without losing any of the fun and addictive gameplay. It's great to see the lengths that the developer Sloclap have to go to create a genuine experience. Although tough and gruelling at times Sifu can be seen as one of the best martial games on the market that will greatly impress purists of the genre.
Rise of The Third Power is a charming retro-inspired JRPG, that offers an entertaining plot, a great cast of characters and a unique battle system. However as good as it is, it doesn't offer something new within the genre and borrows a lot from its predecessor. But fans of the genre should still look to pick up this 35-hour rollercoaster as it's a solid JRPG.