Jordan Campbell's Reviews
I won't lie, I become invested for countless hours in creative games like Planet Coaster 2 and it retains the qualities from 2016 and then some. As someone who pretended to be ill in my school days so I could stay at home and plough extra hours into adventures like Theme Park and Rollercoaster Tycoon in the 90s, this sends me back to that headspace. What we have here is a joyful, addictive and rich park builder which will no doubt become more fruitful with updates over time. The real draw though is how reasonably priced the game is. At just £39.99 for the base edition and £49.99 for the deluxe version, it is well worth the money and your time investment if you adore this genre like I do.
On the surface Tiebreak: Official Game of the ATP & WTA is a well constructed and playable Tennis title, but often its mechanics had me feeling a bit frustrated. It felt more simplistic to get to grips with than Top Spin 2K25, but the mechanics and AI become infuriating to deal with at times. If you’re looking for a Tennis title though that has the largest roster available with accurate atmosphere and feel of the real sport though, this one might be for you. But in my opinion it does fall short in terms of gameplay and modes despite its excellent presentation. I do hope Big Ant Studios return next year though with some refreshed mechanics to compliment its sterling work everywhere else.
Squirrel With A Gun never takes itself seriously and it doesn’t need to. Me and my little lad loved playing this one together and at various points, he did have to hand me the controller for a helping hand with some of the trickier platforming moments throughout. The game doesn’t focus on just mindlessly gunning everything down in sight, it has some puzzle elements and areas for you to explore and discover along the way. But if you ever fancied taking a tree rat into moments akin to The Matrix and Max Payne, then this is a real treat. For the price point, it offers several hours of enjoyment and whilst it is a little clunky and frustrating in particular moments, it never stops being fun. For those with youngsters who are out for a laugh, or just want some casual fun its worth a punt.
Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 stays true to the previous titles and carries the torch into this interesting period for Call Of Duty. For Xbox players with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, it is fantastic that it is available to players on launch. Not only will this reign in veterans, but the casual crowd can dip their toes in if they choose. From the multiplayer perspective, it is a welcome change from Modern Warfare and bears similarities to Cold War in how it feels to play. A classic prestige system being re-introduced allows players to digest the game at their own pace and not feel left behind by seasonal updates. This year feels like Call Of Duty has gone back to basics. It still angers me that Xbox still doesn’t allow players to switch off the crossplay options within the internal menu system and skill-based matchmaking appears to be ever-present. These issues aside though, we have a nice refreshing return to Black Ops that not only looks great but also feels satisfying to play for hours on end. For now, time to level up those guns for Warzone on November 14th!
Well, I am glad I listened to all the great feedback about this game and picked it up for a review. If you’re into RPG titles with simplistic turn-based combat that doesn’t have you diving into millions of skill trees and classes, then you’ll love the experience. This will go down as one of the most memorable indie titles I have played not just in 2024, but probably ever. Every year I collate a pot of indie titles that are bordering on masterpiece status, games like Cuphead, Cult Of The Lamb, Deaths Door and Balataro. This belongs in that pot and stays there for sure, and is worth every single penny of the £14.99 asking price. As indie titles go, this is a must-buy, don’t even hesitate just go and play it.
If you missed the boat with Dead Rising in 2006, I highly recommend picking up the Deluxe Remaster. It has been wonderfully reworked across the board to bring a refreshed experience that is more aesthetically pleasing and satisfying to play. Even though I had completed this one back in the day, I would say it is also worth a replay if you’re on the fence. Capcom has done a fantastic job not only giving the visuals an entire overhaul but also some great adjustments to other elements of the experience. The auto-save is a much-welcome addition and NPC’s appear to behave a little less erratically this time. I have to say though, I enjoyed the game just as much today as I did 18 years ago and in this congested schedule of games, I kept going back for more. It retains all the qualities and story from the original game and the wackiness and spontaneous nature of smashing zombies in with a variance of weapons doesn’t seem to tire. Sometimes I do roll my eyes at the amount of remasters and remakes that seem to surface lately, but I guarantee you, this is one of the great ones and Dead Rising deserves some new eyes to the franchise. That said, Capcom we need a Dead Rising 5.
After around 20-25 hours with Starship Troopers Extermination, I wish I could recommend it for purchase. But in its current launch status, it is a bit of a mess. During my playtime, almost every single match crashed and threw me to the Xbox dashboard. During gameplay, there were endless frame drops, and textures loaded slowly, and overall, the performance is frankly terrible at present on Xbox Series X. With this said, I’m almost certain the team will be working on bugs (excuse the pun) and other issues. When the game plays well it is an absolute blast to experience and whilst content seems lacking, there is a roadmap with more on the way. I’m rooting for this game to be something special because it is ambitious, but perhaps it should have had some rigorous beta testing on consoles before launch. I’d advise waiting for confirmation of fixes before taking the plunge.
It is nice for Predator: Hunting Grounds to finally see the light of day on the Xbox platform. Illfonic has been wise and opted for the low entry cost of just over £16 for the bog standard edition of the game. The team hasn’t just ported the game across in the hope of a quick buck, either. Overall, the presentation has had a good polish and gloss-over for this new lease of life on the green side of the fence. It was fantastic to see the early crashing issues promptly resolved within a matter of days of launch, I can now report that the game runs like clockwork. Bearing in mind that the game is four and a half years old at this stage, you have to forgive that it will look a little dated. However, what we essentially have for Xbox is a brand-new FPS for the console, and we always need more. What I adored about Predator: Hunting Grounds is the ability to have fun whether playing alone or with friends online, you can succeed in both scenarios. The intensity of being stalked by whoever is playing as Predator always has you on edge and brings the atmosphere of the movies into the game. For its low-cost entry and an absolute ton to unlock and level up, it is well worth a punt!
Alchemist: The Potion Monger is a unique experience that can be enjoyable for certain players. It is an accessible title for the most casual gamers or a nice break from the online world of competitive multiplayer games. It is family-friendly, and those with a love of animals may love its cutesy, colourful aesthetics. Don’t let the simplistic-looking screenshots sway you from giving this one a try, because there is a surprisingly deep 8-10 hours of gameplay here if you want it.
House Of Golf 2 is a well-crafted title which I had a great time with and whilst I did find it immensely challenging in parts, this drove me to like it even more. If you’re like me and get frustrated at your talents but are determined to succeed, then it is one of those experiences where practice makes perfect. There is a plethora of courses that are wonderfully designed to get hands-on with over 100 holes to attempt. If you’re the type of gamer who is constantly looking for titles to play that you can pass the controller around the room and involve friends and family from the comfort of your home, then this is absolutely for you. For the lone players out there though, there is plenty of room for addictive gameplay with chasing those all-important leaderboard scores and gaining all the cosmetic unlockables throughout. As Golf games go, this is easily up there with some of the best.
There are many adjustments in this year’s instalment of EA Sports FC, plenty of them minor and some of them a bit more obvious. I always come back to the fact though that it must be incredibly difficult to change a football game year on year without changing the gameplay loop. The stand-out addition for me is the addition of Rush in both Pro Clubs and Ultimate Team, allowing you to play five a side without those silly Volta power-ups from years gone by. If you’re on the fence about whether you want to spend your hard-earned on a game that may not differ much if you invest time in a particular mode, then I recommend playing the ten-hour trial.
Looney Tunes: Wacky World Of Sports is one of those games you’ll want to perhaps explore if you’re looking for options to play with your family with same-screen fun. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t feature any online multiplayer which I found a bit odd as this would have easily increased the longevity and replayability. Whilst the overall presentation of the game is very charming with characters I’ve grown up watching as a kid, the game does get stale very quickly. Playing alone allowed me to discover everything in just under an hour of gameplay which isn’t great for a game that is £39.99/£49.99 to purchase. That said, I did have a couple of hours of fun and laughs with my six-year-old. So whilst I recommend this as a game to factor in for time with younger ones, it doesn’t justify its high price tag in return for its content.
Train Sim World 5 builds on the previous games and just keeps getting better. You won’t find a more true-to-life simulation of train driving. The beauty of the yearly releases means that you can pull across any previous routes you’ve purchased and have them all accessible at any given time. The introduction of conductor mode brings a new aspect of working a train from the perspective of the exterior of the driving cab. If you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber then there has never been a better time to give it a go if you haven’t tried it. If you’re a fan of previous games or just into your traction, then you will find hundreds of hours of gameplay here if you want to divulge in the hundreds of timetable scenarios both in the driving seat or dispatching trains from stations. The creator club will allow you to customise and curtail your experience alongside creating your very own scenarios. Train Sim World 5 is the best in the genre and the greatest it’s ever been.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is near perfect and the greatest game I’ve played in that universe. With a meaty campaign, fantastic horde-based modes and PvP online multiplayer included, there is the potential for hundreds of hours of gameplay here. It is far more exciting playing this co-operatively with friends but I had great joy from reviewing this alone in the weeks leading up to launch. The team at Saber Interactive already has a well-established roadmap for the next 12 months which adds even more in the way of cosmetics, weapons, modes and more. The future for this title is exciting and whilst it retains an active player base, I believe the team at Saber will keep adding content to the game. For Xbox Series X players though, this is one of the best-looking games I’ve seen on the console to date and for the most part performance is buttery smooth throughout. For die-hard Warhammer fans, this is an absolute must-buy, but for those who just love the shooter genre as a whole then this will be one of the best you’ll see in 2024.
Powerwash Simulator has a strangely addictive nature to it and you really have to play it to understand why. Before I took the plunge and played this I was questioning what the appeal was, simply because watching someone power wash is just as boring as in real life, you are itching for a go. Anyone who has read my reviews knows that I have played and reviewed almost every simulator-based experience on console. This one is by far the most polished in terms of its visual appearance and mechanics.
Parkitect: Deluxe Edition is honestly fantastic and well worth the purchase if you are into park builders. Not only does it give me the nostalgic nod to the past that I very much needed, but it does it in a modern style with beautiful polish and shine. The fact that you get access to the already-released DLCs in this entire package makes for potentially hundreds of hours of gameplay if you want it. I found it difficult to draw any criticisms from the entire experience other than some fiddly controls especially when laying underground pipes and some other fine-tuning elements. Aside from this though, this is an incredible indie title which has all the same vibes as Bullfrog Productions Theme Park from 30 years ago. For £19.99 it is an absolute steal and well worth every penny and a game that I will continue to play even after this review it is that brilliant.
Dr Cat is both cute yet dark in its jigsaw designs and whilst I had fun solving them, the experience is short-lived and no more than a few hours long. This is reflected in the price point though and for the price of a Happy Meal at Mcdonalds’, it is worth giving it a go if you just want to switch off for a short period and top up your Gamerscore.
For veterans of this series of games, no doubt it will be much more of the same for you ultimately and whilst the online multiplayer is limited with only 6 of you competing, it is a great start at building in competitive play with real life players. There is a potential for tens if not hundreds of hours of gameplay here depending on how you enjoy the game and what you want to gain from it ultimately. On consoles though, you aren’t going to find a better competitive cycling game than one that is dedicated to the biggest event on the planet in this field. Tour De France 2024 is a solid entry and worth a look at.
House Flipper 2 certainly scratched the itch that I had left from the first game once I’d finished with it. Essentially with this experience it is much more of the same but vastly improved in visuals, fluidity and variety. There are some frustrating moments to be had with a controller in hand but thankfully most of those seemed to vanish once you get used to how the game functions. This is one of those games that will always be one I go back to when I want some downtime from high intensity multiplayer titles. Once you are consumed in a project, hours feels like minutes and it becomes incredibly moreish, addictive and almost therapeutic. If you’re a fan of the original title then I highly recommend investing in this follow on and for newcomers there is a lot to be discovered here for you too. Some may want to try the first instalment with the DLC packs before diving into the second. One thing I can say for sure is that you’ll have a flipping great time with either!
Still Wakes The Deep is just a must play experience and whilst it does sound short at around 6-8 hours for a playthrough, it is sheer quality gameplay throughout. Everything about the adventure from the setting on an oil rig in the middle of the ocean, to the personalities of the colleagues who work there and the sheer randomness throughout just consistently shines through. The development team have done wonderful work at setting the tone and atmosphere both in the design of the rig and the events that unfold. If you’re looking for a horror title that constantly has you on the edge of your seat filling you with that anxiety in the dark that something will jump out at you, then this is the game for you. Horror fans will adore this one and if you’re normal go to games are titles such as Resident Evil, Silent Hill and the likes, then there is more than enough for you here. Those on Xbox will be happy to know that it is part of the Xbox Game Pass catalogue, so you can dive right in now and get stuck in. But for those on other platforms, not only is it well worth your time, it is well worth a purchase. One of the best games I have played so far in 2024 which gripped me from start to finish!