Paul Hunter's Reviews
Aliens: Fireteam Elite is pure joy to play when all the stars line up. By that I mean when playing with friends or when you're lucky enough to get matchmaking online to work. There's a lot to like here, from the intense moment-to-moment combat, to the deep class system and the exceptional weapon variety. It's really too bad the game is severely lacking on the matchmaking front so here's hoping this gets addressed quickly. If it does get resolved, I can see this being my main go-to online multiplayer game for many months to come.
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.
I'm having such a great time playing Samurai Warriors 5. I've already beat all six chapters, completed all the Citadel missions and have put in over 60 hours so far, and I still have interest to keep on playing more. The bottom line is that if you're a musou fan you absolutely don't want to miss this gem of a game. The revamped graphics alone are enough reason to dive in but the refined gameplay and plethora of modes are just icing on the cake.
Song of Horror isn't the most graphically-impressive horror game I've played in recent years, but it does deliver where it matters most: intense, unrelenting terror. I'm a big fan of classic third-person horror titles so this game definitely spoke to me and made me pine for more retro titles in the same vein. If you like Resident Evil or Silent Hill don't hesitate to check out this Lovecraftian nightmare.
I've had a lot of fun playing Habroxia 2 on PS5. At only $10 it's a steal and certainly a must-play game for shoot 'em fans on every platform. You can get the Platinum trophy in about ten hours, so it's great for achievement hunters as well. I play a lot of longer games, so whenever I get fatigued and need a break it's great to know that Habroxia 2 will be there to jump into for some quick and fun arcade shmup action.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood isn’t bad, but it’s not amazing either. It’s a serviceable Wolfenstein entry with some great standout parts—like the gunplay—but also has odd coop mechanics that detract from the gameplay. The difficulty feels unbalanced: you start out super weak and enemies are super bullet spongy. This eases over time as you gain levels and purchase gun upgrades, but it’s a slow grind.
Cadence of Hyrule is a fantastic mix of two great series: The Legend Of Zelda and Crypt of The NecroDancer. It takes the best elements of both properties and marries them perfectly into what I’d consider an instant classic.
With so many characters to level up, skill trees to unlocks, and crystals to collect there's tons to enjoy here long after the campaign finishes. Initial load times are bit a long, but once missions begins it's all action. All in all, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is a superb game that should be enjoyed by Marvel and action fans alike.
No matter which way you slice it, Super Mario Maker 2 is a juicy new addition to the Nintendo Switch library. The value here is off the charts: 100+ pre-made levels, a full course editor, thousands of fan-created courses to download and a full multiplayer offering. This is a Super Mario game that will evolve and enlarge over time as more created courses are uploaded by the community.
Days Gone is glorious. It took some time for the story to find its groove, but once it did I was hooked. After completing the game I immediately hoped for a sequel, and if that's not a glowing endorsement I don't know what is.
Days Gone is glorious. It took some time for the story to find its groove, but once it did, I was hooked. Deacon is a deep, interesting protagonist that's far more nuanced than he initially appears. The Oregon setting is visually breathtaking, heightened by the dynamic weather system that significantly adds to the moment-to-moment feeling. Encountering hundreds of Freakers roaming in a horde is intense, and battling them is an adrenaline rush unlike any I've experienced before. The map is huge, too, offering a minimum of 50 hours of gameplay, and likely much more if you're a completionist. After completing the game, I immediately hoped for a sequel, and if that's not a glowing endorsement I don't know what is.
The bottom line—and this seems to be a common theme among Nintendo's releases—is once again we have another must-have game to add to your Switch library.
Yoshi's Crafted World is a blast to play and it's easily one of the best Yoshi games yet. It's even better played locally with friends or family, if you have other gamers in the house or neighbourhood. The wonderful, handcrafted visuals are a real treat on the eyes, and it's just as fun playing levels on the reverse "flip-side". Toss in a huge number of collectibles and 180+ costumes and you've got extremely high replay value.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice cleverly evolves the Souls formula in a compelling and refreshing direction. Feudal Japan is an era ripe with opportunity and the developers made the most of it with beautiful vistas, elaborate castles, and mesmerizing enemies—both era-appropriate and mythical creatures. While the name FromSoftware comes with a lot of expectations, Sekiro stands on its own as one of the team's best efforts yet
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice cleverly evolves the Souls formula in a compelling and refreshing direction. Feudal Japan is an era ripe with opportunity and FromSoftware made the most of it with beautiful vistas, elaborate castles, and mesmerizing enemies—both era-appropriate and mythical creatures. Sekiro is slightly easier than your typical Soulsbourne game, but the challenge is still very stiff and requires careful precision timing. Plus, there's a secret method to increase the difficulty if you're a glutton for punishment. While the name FromSoftware comes with a lot of expectations, Sekiro stands on its own as one of the developer's best efforts yet.
There's a lot to love about New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. The graphics are bold and beautiful, the story is light and whimsical. The game provides plenty of challenge, yet is still approachable for younger gamers thanks to the new characters Nabbit and Toadette.
Being the first, and likely only Devil May Cry game of this console generation, Capcom has really stepped up and delivered for their fans. What’s not to love? Devil May Cry 5 offers an excellent story with three very interesting protagonists, matched by superb gameplay delivering extreme style. Top it off with an awesome metal soundtrack, detailed graphics, and lots of modes to extend replay and you have the total package.
Being the first, and likely only Devil May Cry game of this console generation, Capcom has really stepped up and delivered for their fans. What's not to love? Devil May Cry 5 offers an excellent story with three very interesting protagonists, matched by superb gameplay delivering extreme style. Top it off with an awesome metal soundtrack, detailed graphics, and lots of modes to extend replay and you have the total package.
Sure, I would like to have seen a few more updates from the Wii U version, but there's enough in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe to keep even the most die-hard Mario fan happy. If you have a Nintendo Switch, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a must buy!
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.