The overarching theme with Forspoken seems to be one of under deliverance. On paper, the game should be a roaring success. From its unique premise and mix of combat and traversal, through to its narrative, there are solid ideas scattered throughout. Alas, much of this potential is left to the wayside. The main protagonist is especially unlikeable and forgettable, yet her story is one which, on paper, absolutely needs to be experienced. The world is empty and bland, yet on paper it might be one of the most intriguing settings in an open world title since The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Combat and exploration also leave a lot to be desired in the long run, yet they sounds so good to any outsider who reads the brochure… and herein lies the issue. Forspoken is a surface-level star, but when digging deeper, evidence suggests it will become nothing more than an unspoken disappointment.
Simply put, it is incredibly challenging to recommend The Last of Us Part I to anyone who owns, or has played, the original release or its remaster. The game is exceptional in its quality, and features the same masterful story that arguably dwarfs that of the sequel. It features some of the most loveable (and hated) characters the video gaming has ever seen, and it looks absolutely stunning. The issue, however, is how it simply does not justify its own existence. There is no doubt how The Last of Us Part I is the definitive edition of the game — it will go down in history as an essential part of gaming. However, the knowledge of how it is, truthfully, nothing more than a visual upgrade with no multiplayer mode, and heavily marketed accessibility features, is downright disappointing – to say the least.
Gran Turismo 7 is a driving simulator at heart. As such, the game’s overall driving experience is the primary point on which it should be judged. As far as professional racing simulation goes, Gran Turismo 7 once again finishes in pole position. From the attention to detail in car design, through to how vehicles feel on track and the way the controller feels in-hand; it is all rather exceptional. However, a game must be judged on everything it encompasses, not simply its core experience. Therefore, when observing the package as a whole, there are some truly weird gameplay design decisions, which detract from the overall experience. Sifting through hundreds of dialogue pop-up and lore turns the game into a Wikipedia simulator more than anything, and sitting through a six-minute unskippable cutscene every time the game boots up is rather annoying [Editor’s note: it can be turned off within the menu, but why the extra steps when a simple ‘skip’ button would suffice?]. Furthermore, the dissatisfaction of reduced rewards in favour of a forced “need” to spend on micro-transactions; especially after having to play entire hours of practice rounds, then ensuring one can make it through the tournament without hitting too many cars, cutting too many corners, and placing first; is utterly demoralising and removes any and all enjoyment from the overall experience. What should have been a wondrous new king of the streets has been turned into a digital billboard no better than a copy/paste FIFA; and this, truly, is the worst feeling ever for such a beloved franchise. As a result the game is, simply put, not even worth the cost of entry.
It is unknown whether Grove Street Games worked on quality assurance at all or whether the studio actually bothered to patch out some bugs, but that is most certainly not how it seems. All games in the collection have lazily been ported from their mobile counterparts by a company who has seemingly never worked on other platforms before. All games have furthermore been given a remaster treatment so shockingly bad, they have somehow recessed and now look and play worse than any kind of emulated version ever would; and the entire Grand Theft Auto franchise, as masterful and great as it is, will now forever be marred by incompetence — let alone three classics forever disrgraced in such a way. There is no argument that Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is an abhorrent mess, and an incredibly disappointing one at that.
It comes as a massive disappointment to call Aliens: Fireteam Elite a mess, but that is exactly what it is. Take some solace in knowing many of the issues displayed in the game can easily be patched out; but gamers should never bank on that happening when purchasing a title. The game has a few things going for it (namely the franchise), but the sheer amount of unfortunate design decisions, whether out of budgetary constraints or release schedule, overshadows even those. With great sadness, Aliens: Fireteam Elite does nothing more for the Aliens franchise than Aliens: Colonial Marines before it… and that is a crying shame.
For what it is worth, Ghostrunner will give any cyberpunk fan a decent experience. The marketing materials surrounding the title make it clear how this is a game for players who prefer focused action. Specifically in terms of gameplay requiring fast reflexes and quick thinking. While it mostly promises on that front, it is a shame how the Nintendo Switch port fails the title from a technical perspective; resulting in more frustration than enjoyment due to visuals taking favour over the need for precision controls. Overall, it is a game with a lot of potential, but it falls short on Nintendo’s portable platform and instead delivers a decidedly disappointing experience.
It is baffling how a franchise more than a dozen titles in, would suffer from such unusual and strange game design decisions as those found in Harvest Moon: One World. This is unfortunate, given how the premise tries its hardest to intrigue, and its aesthetic is somewhat enjoyable (with a glimmer of a unique gameplay feature here and there for good measure). Unfortunately, it is overshadowed by an overall gameplay design that simply does not work. In a way the charming nature of the game makes sense: it is an indie title meant for the occasional pick up every time someone has a free minute or two to spare. Tackling the game head-on, however, with the misconception that it is a true simulator, thus having in-depth gameplay beyond the huge lore dump at the start; will leave gamers with nothing but seedless disappointment.
Truth be told, Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood has a lot of promise. From its narrative hook that sadly never catches on, through to its would-be addictive gameplay loop that never delivers, it is clear to see where things should have worked out well. Unfortunately, the emptiness felt from the repetitive levels and incredibly samey mission structures are too difficult to ignore. On a positive note, the dialogue system feels modern and less primitive than its overall design, and the RPG-lite system can be fleshed out in a possible expansion down the line. Sadly, these positives are not enough to sway away from the tepid gameplay, aged visuals and a total missed opportunity to further explore the copious amounts of lore and background from which the game is based! Until the developers pull some Hello Games antics and completely end up bringing more to the table than what this game offers, it simply cannot be said that Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood is any good.
Whether one believes this remaster should exist or not; there is no question about the outstanding story present in The Last of Us Part II Remastered. It is a narrative absolutely deserving of being experienced by any and all. For newer gamers, this remaster is a no brainer. Whether it is worth upgrading for fans who have likely already experienced all the game truly has to offer, even at the low price point, however, makes the existence of this remaster no more than an average iteration of already available excellence.
Immortals of Aveum exists in the intricate intersection of contemporary FPS dynamics. Nestled between the resurgence of high-octane “boomer shooters” and the expansive, narrative-driven FPS realm, the game endeavours to harmonise adrenaline-fueled gameplay with storytelling depth. Jak’s journey as an Immortal and Triarch Magnus in a world consumed by perpetual warfare is undoubtedly intriguing, but execution ultimately falters. While his backstory possesses depth, his often-clichéd dialogue detracts from his impact. Thankfully, the stellar cast and animation imbue the world with life, yet occasional shortcomings dampen its immersive potential. Sadly, one cannot even fall back to the gameplay, where mechanics may be solid and magical elements introduce variety, simply because they feel more like reimagined weapons than unique features. While the introduction of Furies adds excitement, they also expose limitations in resource management ultimately resulting in repetitive combat. In the realm of FPS gaming, Immortals of Aveum aspires to weave a complex narrative within dynamic action, reflecting the inherent challenge of this genre fusion. Armed with strong ideas, a captivating world, and commendable performances, Immortals of Aveum falls short due to too many flaws. There is so much potential on offer, but it ultimately falls short; turning a good game into an average experience.
While Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak remains a must-have for players keen on experiencing the complete post-launch content, the initial release content is lacklustre. The impressive new wyverns and elder dragons offer excitement, and the gameplay tweaks are noteworthy, but the glaring omission of Rise’s signature “Rampage” mode, and the requirement for hours of gameplay before accessing substantial new content, leave room for disappointment. Ultimately, the expansion falls short of matching the exceptional main campaign, despite its redeeming qualities.
Predictably, NBA 2K23 is the best NBA video game to date. While it sounds like a misnomer, and a little bit of an exaggeration, there is simply no other way to put it. Fans of the franchise will find the most fun and the best quality of life updates in this version, while fans who have held out for a few years might find a refreshingly updated experience awaiting them. The game is by no means breaking any new grounds, and it will take Visual Concepts a heck of a lot more effort to make the game feel like it stands above all the others, but it is one of the standout experiences in terms of annual sports titles in 2022.
Whether gamers wish to support publishers beyond buying a game more than once, or have perhaps been holding out for the series to come to PC, now is the perfect time to complete the Nathan Drake saga. At its worst, the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection for PC does the franchise a disservice by being called a "collection", even if it does include two incredible titles worthy of the suggested retail price. However, as a PC port, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves is nothing more than a means to end, making the release merely average at best.
It needs to be said how Saints Row titles have always been a fun and extravagant romps. This reboot is pretty much just more of the same, but with additional safety nets. The revamped humour is appreciated, and the current-generation take on what is a decade-old franchise is most certainly enjoyable, to say the least. It is just a shame how boring and, ultimately, forgetful, the overall experience is – leaving players with no real desire to return to the world. Characters are masterfully designed, and the open world is truly a marvel; but a boring slog of a campaign, literal game-breaking bugs, and an over-reliance on a faction system that ties into the campaign, is just not desirable. The game is good, but oh-so-forgettable.
Despite its misgivings, Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong remains an enjoyable experience. Players use to visual novels and text-based adventures will find a lot to love with this game. Similarly, players who can look past truly horrendous lip synching can revel in the beauty of the unique Deus-Ex type art style. The overall totality of immersion to be found is also immense. The game is slow and deliberate, and while the story really does not touch on any World of Darkness aspects beyond the surface-level, a lot of care and effort has been made to ensure players feel like they are part of the underbelly making up The Masquerade and its many coteries, camarillas, and seedy gangs. There is no denying how rough around the edges the game is, and likely will remain. Despite this, the title knows its place and comfortably fills a gap many Vampire: The Masquerade fans may have as they patiently wait for Bloodlines 2 to divine itself into existence.
The current Steam Early Access build of Sphere – Flying Cities most definitely showcases a few areas in need of serious polish. The narrative absolutely needs work and proper tutorials and explanations of key points do need to still be added. While the premise is alluded to with the game masterfully playing off the key concepts, it comes as a bit of a shock to to discover a lack of a full-fledged campaign. Where are the moral quandaries that come with a burning home planet? Where are the ideological questions and philosophical musings one must consider? How long can a player hold out before upgrading water reserves or building an extra domicile? Thankfully the game is still a preview for a reason, but with an Early Access release from October 2021, these questions become more prominent as the game is consumed by the public. Small improvements to the narrative (perhaps through answering some of the aforementioned questions) and other much needed gameplay changes, could very well elevate everything good about Sphere – Flying Cities, into a rather unique and exceptional experience. Until then, the game serves as a base for the possibility of something great.
While not exactly what fans of the franchise might want (more so after the outstanding remasters released in recent years), The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD serves its purpose: closing/starting the confusing time loop for the current generation. Hardcore fans and collectors will definitely find their money’s worth in this title, and new players can be rest assured how it will bring them a decent amount of entertainment as they wait for the next inevitable remaster or remake… or Breath of the Wild 2.
It is extremely challenging to think of a reason why anyone would want to buy and play the game if it is already available on other, more accessible platforms, for free. Furthermore, Afterpulse is an anomaly of a title that feels like it has no place on Nintendo Switch due to how the experience seems to be the same – or inferior in some cases – across the other respective platforms. It is clear fundamental changes needed to be made for it to work on anything other than mobile. Auto-aim, for instance, is so heavy-handed that no skill is ever required to win a match; while guns can be levelled up and more powerful equipment be made available at the swipe of a credit card. Players who do want a decent first-person experience are much better off looking at something like Call of Duty Mobile or just trying this one out on iOS or Android. The game is not bad, but it leaves a heck of a lot to be desired on a console platform like the Nintendo Switch.
Space Commander: War and Trade has a lot of promise. Unfortunately, it is let down by the extremely obvious nature of its mobile game heritage. Sure, this may not be the exact same game that launched on mobile platforms years ago, but it certainly feels like it in terms of gameplay and features. Space commander: War and Trade is by no means a bad game; but it does fall short in terms of what is expected from 4X games — even on Nintendo Switch.
Mortal Kombat 1 ultimately serves as an outstanding soft reboot of an iconic franchise, bringing a fresh perspective while still honouring its rich, three-decade-long history. This instalment also places a pronounced emphasis on storytelling, providing depth and context to the characters’ backstories. Invasion mode increases replayability, whereas the all new Kameo system opens new avenues of play; whilst the thorough tutorial systems keep new players from feeling overwhelmed. Despite feeling somewhat similar to previous entries in the franchise, Mortal Kombat 1 stands out for its commitment to delivering an engaging narrative, consistent performance, and visceral, detailed graphics. Overall, it serves as both a nod to long-time fans and a refreshing take on the classic fighting game.