Paul Hunter's Reviews
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.
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.
Every aspect of Spider-Man Remastered is a masterclass in game design from the edge-of-your-seat story to the fluid gameplay to the eye-popping ray-traced graphics to the near-endless accessibility options. The game gets a perfect score from me because really, what more could a Spider-Man fan ask for?
The Last of Us is arguably the best video game ever created, and this PS5 remake is better in every single way. So if the original game was a groundbreaking 10/10 experience, there's absolutely no way this game could be scored worse. Naughty Dog is in a league of its own, and this remake just reaffirms that.
The Resident Evil 4 remake is a phenomenal experience that simply has to be played by everyone that has a PlayStation, Xbox or PC. Quality is through the roof, whether it's the snappy gameplay, gorgeous graphics, smartly remixed campaign or the many quality-of-life improvements. The game sits next to the original RE4 as the two greatest entries of this storied franchise.
Metroid Prime Remastered is an exceptional upgraded version of one of Nintendo's greatest games ever. Anyone that enjoyed Metroid Dread or plays action-adventure games in general needs to get this title which stands tall among the Switch's crowded library of triple-A first-party bangers. Gaming doesn't get much better than this.
Street Fighter 6 has completely reinvigorated my interest in the Street Fighter series and fighting games in general. I can easily see myself hitting 60 or 70 hours in the World Tour mode alone, and that's on top of already putting dozens of hours into Fighting Ground and Battle Hub. This is the most feature-complete fighting game I've ever played and sets a new high bar for Capcom's legendary series.
The Last of Us Part II is a masterpiece, and this Remastered version is the ultimate way to experience the groundbreaking title. Graphically I didn't notice too many improvements, but the PS4 version was already visually stunning and the same holds true for the upgraded PS5 version. The Lost Levels, developer commentary and No Return roguelike modes are impressive additions, while the Guitar Free Play and Speed Run Mode just sweeten the deal.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is simultaneously the swan song for Wii U, and the greatest possible beginning for Nintendo Switch. The experience is so phenomenal, it deserves to be in the conversation about the best Zelda game of all-time, if not the best games of all-time. When I say Breath of the Wild is a must-play title, it's not hyperbole, you simply must play this game.
There was a lot riding on the shoulders of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and it hasn't let us down. It's the definitive Super Smash Bros. game and the best fighting game of 2018. It's impressive on all accounts, from the detailed graphics, to the massive roster, to the in-depth World of Light story mode.
The Director's Cut is so incredible it's a shame DLC typically is never considered for end of the year awards. Because this expansion is easily making my list of best game experiences of the year, it's that good. PlayStation fans are used to getting a steady flow of quality titles, but even by Sony's high standards, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut ranks among their best of all time.
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.
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.
AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is an exceptional follow up and a must-play title for all fans of visual novels and murder mysteries. If you've played Danganronpa, Zero Escape or the original AI you'll absolutely love the superb blend of engrossing storytelling and two-part detective and puzzle gameplay on offer here. Stellar character designs and quality voice work round out this amazing experience not to be missed.
Sony's latest God of War game is Ragna-rock solid. It outdoes the previous game in every way, from expanded gameplay to exciting new realms to explore to a banger of a story to new characters to meet and play as. Graphically, it's a stone cold stunner with pristine 4K visuals, plus DualSense integrations that add tremendously to the immersion. With dozens of hours of side content, on top of the lengthy main campaign, this is among the most content-rich games of the entire year.
Dead Space remake pays full tribute to the original game and adds exciting new features and improvements, making it a brilliant and terrifying survival horror experience. EA Motive clearly saw what Capcom was doing with their Resident Evil remakes and managed to hit a quality bar on par with those efforts.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a glorious mash-up of two incredible franchises and it's simply sublime. Whether you're a long-time fan of Dead Cells or a newcomer like me, this is a meaty Castlevania expansion you can really sink your teeth into.
I'm totally blown away by the bold, brave new approach this game has taken, which will surely shake up the Final Fantasy formula for years to come. It has some of the best boss fights I've ever seen in gaming, along with a bonkers story that left my mouth open in disbelief. It is truly an epic experience that every role-playing fan deserves to experience for themselves.
You know the old question 'if you were stranded on a deserted island and could bring one game with you, what would you bring'? If that choice was posed to me today, I'd likely respond with Diablo IV. This is a game I feel like I could easily sink 500 hours into without ever getting tired of the rewarding gameplay loop.
Spider-Man 2 is hands down the best superhero game I've played yet and is the pinnacle of Insomniac's work. Every facet is better than the previous games, from the elevated story, acting, gameplay, visuals, fluidity, and more. This is the Spider-Man game I've always wanted, and then some.