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Jon Clarke

Benfleet
Sikamikanico
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Favorite Games:
  • Halo 3
  • Sea of Thieves
  • Zelda: Ocarina of Time

41 games reviewed
78.7 average score
80 median score
63.4% of games recommended

Jon Clarke's Reviews

Co-founder and EIC of XboxEra.com - full time parent, long time gamer, prolific Halo Forger and I co-host the XboxEra Podcast.
7.5 / 10.0 - The Plucky Squire
Sep 17, 2024

The Plucky Squire is a game clearly made with a serious amount of love for the wonderful medium of glorious interactivity that is video games. And for it being the first title from development team All Possible Futures, it’s a staggering achievement in art, design and ideas. It’s just a shame the gameplay didn’t get as much attention as the nostalgia it so skilfully indulges.

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Sep 12, 2024

For fans of Jackbox games, myself included, this is a rock solid addition for game nights with friends and family (maybe not your parents though). The addition of genuinely adult subject matter is a lot of fun, even though at times, it literally devolves into drawing multiple cartoon dicks or boobs.

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7.5 / 10.0 - Towerborne
Sep 10, 2024

Towerborne is slick, chaotic, gorgeous and above all – fun. I have high hopes that with an eager community and the team at Stoic at the helm, listening and reacting, and above all working with that community, Towerborne can grow – from a unique and interesting game into something genre-defining, and proving perhaps, that new live-service games can succeed, even now.

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8 / 10.0 - Flock
Jul 15, 2024

What a refreshing delight Flock is. Bright, bold and absolutely bursting with vibrant colour and the kind of charming quirkiness that constantly teases a smile; this is truly a world of creature comforts. It doesn't do a lot 'new', but what it does do, it does brilliantly. If you're an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you should absolutely add this one to your download queue.

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Jul 9, 2024

The Case of the Golden Idol is not a game for everyone, but I suspect many who miss the classic adventure and point-and-click games of yesteryear will find an enjoyable and satisfyingly tricky detective based puzzle game to tackle here. The plot thickens as a family yearning for power ‘battle’ over the Idol, and there’s a neat twist to the proceedings that I won’t spoil here. But I fear that many will struggle with the sheer patience required to play on controller, and while it all works just as well it can, it’s a case that many players may not want to solve in the end. And that’s a shame. Here’s hoping touch support on Cloud can step in!

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May 21, 2024

Despite the backing of a company as large and as well-funded as Microsoft, Ninja Theory have, in my opinion, nurtured their independent spirit and kept it well and truly alive in every facet of Senua's Saga: Hellblade II. It's brutal. It's breath-taking. It's brilliant. If this is “Independent AAA”? Sign me up for more.

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May 13, 2024

The addition of the commentary tracks from creator Jonathan Blow and friends was a very interesting listen. For fans of game design, art, music and more, it’s a fascinating insight in to the very creation of the things we love. A worthwhile package is on offer here with Braid: Anniversary Edition. I’m pleased my memories on just how great this game was and is, haven’t been jumbled or misremembered in the slightest.

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6.8 / 10.0 - Harold Halibut
Apr 15, 2024

Whether you’ll enjoy your time with Harold Halibut and the various Fedorans you’ll meet really comes down to what kind of person and gamer you are – if you enjoy deeply narrative games where the focus in more on story and a sense of place, with a very simple gameplay loop, then you’ll fit right in -and I suspect come to adore your time aboard the Fedora.

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7.5 / 10.0 - The Outlast Trials
Mar 4, 2024

Outlast Trials may not be for everyone, but I feel confident in saying that those that do love it, will really love it, and considering Red Barrels approach to listening to player feedback throughout it’s early access, it’s sure to be a worthwhile investment.

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To say any more would delve deep into spoiler territory, but suffice to say, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is still a journey worth taking, and remains a shining example of how gameplay and narrative can combine to produce something that only this medium can provide. However, fans of the original will find little new here outside of a very nice coat of fresh paint and some easy to obtain achievement points.

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6.8 / 10.0 - Skull and Bones
Feb 19, 2024

It may not be the “AAAA” game Ubisoft touted, but with a solid enough foundation, a decently planned bevy of seasonal content ahead of it, and the uniqueness of making the ship and gear the focus, it may be finally on the right course after all.

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Feb 15, 2024

A Little to the Left is at its absolute best when it’s focusing on finding just the right spot for everyday things, and at its worst when it’s operating on its own, chaotic-puzzle logic. Those two worlds and design choices are at odds in my opinion, and collide to unfortunately produce an uneven end result. However, I feel confident in saying any puzzle game fan will find something to like and perhaps even love here, and with it being available to try on Xbox Game Pass, it’s worth a download.

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Nov 21, 2023

The big question I asked myself when it came to writing a review was this: Is this just a low-effort cash grab, or is it worthy of the fantastic show? I’m pleased to say, I feel they’ve landed firmly in the latter camp. The usually impeccably imparted ‘lesson’ each episode of the show delivers arrives here in the game exactly where it should be, heart and warmth intact.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Jusant
Oct 31, 2023

Jusant then – a beautiful, relaxing adventure that players can tackle at their own pace. Exploring every nook and cranny of this world, and charting your own path is something that should be savoured, and you should absolutely add it to your download queue via Xbox Game Pass.

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7.5 / 10.0 - High on Knife
Oct 2, 2023

I had a great time with High on Knife, and I do plan on going back in to clean up some undiscovered items, which thankfully, the game allows you to do, even after completing the main questline. If you loved the off-beat humour, gross body horror and Rick and Morty style humour of the original game, you’ll hardly be making a mistake picking this mini-expansion up. It’s Knifey’s time to shine (or stab everyone)…or both.

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9 / 10.0 - Cocoon
Sep 28, 2023

Cocoon is an impeccably designed game that stands as a shining example of how this medium alone can teach mechanics and intent without saying or displaying a single word. Any players who prefer to solve problems with their brain and not a gun, should without delay, go forth and discover the many beautiful worlds of Cocoon. The choice, and indeed, the world(s), is in your hands.

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May 1, 2023

If you can handle some curious design quirks, a few bugs, and don’t mind poking around in the dark looking for clues, The Last Case of Benedict Fox might just be a breath of fresh air.

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7.5 / 10.0 - Minecraft Legends
Apr 14, 2023

Minecraft Legends wasn't a game I was particularly excited about, mostly due to its strategy leanings. However, it's always nice to be surprised, and there's a lot of fun to be had, particularly with friends online. The single player can be as chill as you'd like it to be, but PVP is absolute panic enducing carnage in the best kind of way. Who knows, perhaps it'll breed a whole host of new strategy fans? Either way, learn the ropes in campaign, but grab a few friends and team up in multiplayer to get the best bang for your buck.

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3 / 10.0 - Wanted: Dead
Feb 14, 2023

After spending 12 or so hours with review code, I’ve come to the conclusion that frankly, this game just isn’t very good

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7 / 10.0 - Somerville
Nov 14, 2022

Somerville feels like great ambition being stretched a little thin, and fundamentally, the way it feels to actually play makes me wish it spent a little longer in the oven, refining and polishing the best parts. Fans of the genre, and sci-fi fans in particular will absolutely find a lot to love in this 5 hour or so adventure, but once the credits roll, you may be left feeling more than a little underwhelmed.

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