Paul Hunter's Reviews
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a flawed, but actually quite enjoyable action RPG. The story is surprisingly good, combat is incredibly satisfying and the excellent character customization goes very deep. Graphics are a major sore spot, as was the disappointing end-game content, but overall I'm glad I got to experience this game.
It's been a blast playing Ghostwire: Tokyo largely because of how authentic and awesome-looking Tokyo is. It feels great being in this game world, much like what SEGA's achieved with their Yakuza series.
Triangle Strategy is the real deal for tactical RPG fans. A mesmerizing story, strategic combat, wonderful aesthetics, a lengthy campaign and plenty of replayability.
Horizon Forbidden West is an incredible experience that PS5 and PS4 owners shouldn't miss. The graphics are stunning, the story is engaging, the machines are awesome, and the end game content is vast. If the gameplay was a bit faster and more fluid this game would have gotten a perfect score.
Elden Ring is a triumph. It's the best game FromSoftware has ever made, easily, and sets a new benchmark for the Soulslike genre. Everything about this game is perfectly polished and after 50 hours of logged game time I feel like I still have so much side content to explore. Not only is this the best Soulslike game ever, it's one of the best games of all time.
Sifu is a sheer delight to play with its immaculate gameplay and breathtaking graphics. Be prepared to get your butt kicked though, but if that appeals to you as much as it does for me, then this game should be at the top of your must-play list.
OlliOlli World is skateboarding bliss. I've already plunked a few dozen hours into the game and it's a game I'm going to keep coming back to, whether that's to expand on my trick skills or to simply chill out for an hour and while having a blast. I love the new cel-shaded graphics and kudos to Roll7 for making this iteration a lot easier to get into. If you're a fan of Skate or Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and are craving your next skateboarding fix, this game absolutely delivers.
I'm having a blast playing Dying Light 2 and could easily see myself breaking the hundred hour mark, or more.
There's no question that PlayStation fans need to check out Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy so I highly recommend getting the Legacy of Thieves Collection for the definitive editions on PS5. Even if you've beat the games on PS4, the three graphical modes, DualSense features, 3D Audio, and faster loading enhancement are more than enough reason to revisit these classics.
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain is a real blast, especially Ghost Clash mode and the Party multiplayer mode. I really enjoyed all 20 activities and their inherent fun-factor encourages me to come back daily to see if I can beat my high score.
Whether you're an older gamer like me that grew up with the Smurfs or are looking for your next family-friendly gaming adventure, The Smurfs - Mission Vileaf is a good game to check out.
WRC 10 is my new pick for best game in the series with its new and enhanced game modes, livery editor, better graphics and improved physics. It's a nice celebration of 50 years of WRC rallies and I particularly thought the anniversary mode was an excellent touch. It's sad to see Kylotonn will soon pass over the torch to Codemasters, but great to see them wrapping up the series with the best entry yet.
Hot Wheels Unleashed was way more fun than I'd expected it to be. It's also accessible enough for young players while deep and challenging for seasoned racers. It's easily the most fun I've had playing an arcade racing since Mario Kart 8 on Wii U and that's saying a lot. Whether it's for nostalgia, for competition or purely just for fun, this is a game arcade racing fans don't want to miss.
All in all, I had a bubble-blasting good time with Puzzle Bobble 3D Vacation Odyssey. It was fun to rethink my Bust-a-Move strategies in 3D, and while the third perspective does create some camera issues, I still really enjoyed this fresh new take on the classic series.
Centipede Recharged takes a beloved classic and reinvents it for the modern era with exceptional graphics and inspired gameplay upgrades. This is the perfect game to unwind to when you've got an hour to spare or a great bite-size game to play between those all-consuming AAA titles. I'm hooked on this game and it's making me excited for the next Recharged titles Atari is cooking up, like Black Widow Recharged and Breakout Recharged. It would have been nice for the game to ship with more modes, but with it's incredibly satisfying gameplay loop and $9.99 price point, retro fans shouldn't hesitate to pick this game up.
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon is an exceptional entry in this iconic vampire-slaying franchise and certainly a must play for fans. Considering the entire Castlevania Advance Collection is only $24.99 US, just this game is worth a good chunk of that value alone. I really enjoyed how fresh this game is given the unique RPG elements and the DSS card system. After playing Metroid Dread and F.I.S.T. this year, I have to say that Circle of the Moon holds up nicely compared to both of them. An easy recommend from me!
Carrion is a devilishly enjoyable horror experience where you can swoop up enemies in your tentacles and rip them apart with a smile on your face. It's a short adventure lasting around 6-7 hours, but it's worth it for the gameplay alone. The awesome reverse-horror story is icing on the cake. It's too bad there's no in-game map as that would have eliminated getting lost and made this an even better game. Still, with what's on offer it's an easy recommend for anyone wanting their next juicy horror experience.
Diablo II Resurrected is an impressive remake of the classic game that manages to elevate the beloved experience of the original in virtually every way. The game's improvements in graphics and sound design, combined with its cross-progression feature, make it a must-play title for fans of action RPGs. While it does have its shortcomings, such as its outdated design elements, it still delivers a captivating and satisfying experience that is sure to keep veterans and newcomers coming back for more.
Games of this caliber are exceedingly rare. Death Stranding Director's Cut is a masterpiece, without question the definitive version for one of the best games I've played in the last few years. Whether you've played the PS4 version or are thinking of checking it out for the first time, don't pass up your chance to play this gem on PS5.
Deathloop is a superb adventure that rivals the best from Arkane Studios. If you’re a fan of their games or action-adventure titles in general, don’t miss your chance to break the loop and end the cycle for good. While the bugs were frustrating, I still had an amazing time playing the game and I'm already looking forward to my next attempt to plan the perfect assassination.