Jordan Campbell's Reviews
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!
Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game is the game I never knew I wanted and needed. It takes all the great characteristics of similar titles and runs with them in its own unique way. It is way more fun to experience this with a group of friends but I found myself also having a great time when I played alone. The teams have done an amazing job of ensuring that both the humans and clowns have a fair balance in the gameplay loop, neither side ever felt more overpowered than the other. Bring with this an addictive levelling system that can feel a bit of a grind but extends the longevity of the game. With the greatest visuals I’ve seen in a game in this genre and you have an excellent asymmetrical horror title of cat and mouse that is just a great time!
Cat Pipes is a simplistic puzzler that is perhaps far too easy and short. The price point of £4.19 reflects the small return on content here, but it may prove as a nice challenge for the younger generation. I let my 6-year-old play a few levels and he appeared to be invested in solving the puzzles, chanting “Yes” and air punching when he clocked each puzzle. The repetitive nature does kick in though after about ten levels and even though I am not bothered about achievements, I found myself playing through the 45 levels to clock it. I’d recommend this one for younger gamers who are just getting familiar with gaming and the achievement hunters.
Classified: France ’44 is one of the best in the genre and sits beside games like XCOM2 in terms of its quality and deep progressive gameplay loop. It handles brilliantly with a controller and plays buttery smooth on the Xbox Series X. The overall experience captures the era and timescale and sets the tone and mood with the atmosphere. There are areas of the game where it may not come across as pretty as perhaps it would do on Windows PC but I would highly recommend giving this one a shot especially if you’re a lover of turn-based strategy and have an avid interest in the historical element of War.
Gigantic: Rampage Edition is a fun time with a bit of a learning curve to climb. Whilst I find the change to a paid entry rather than free-to-play a little baffling, it isn’t a huge cost to purchase and with the promise of more content for your money then it isn’t all doom and gloom. The connection issues to servers were really frustrating and honestly offputting but then the game had only just launched when I started this review. These issues are almost always resolved so I can give them the benefit of the doubt here. If you’re a huge fan of the original game or just fancy a new shooter experience then I’d say it is worth the investment especially if this genre is your jam. If you played the last one to death or bounced off it back in 2017, then you won’t see much in the way of changes apart from a new mode and a few characters. But the gameplay loop is still the same satisfactory fast and fluid fun as it was 7 years ago.
Pacman Chomp Champs is a game I’ve found incredibly addictive and moreish. One of those experiences where you have just that one more match, which then turns into another few hours of gameplay. It is nice to see this title revive from the dead after the demise of Google Stadia. My concerns are the entry cost and whether it has staying power. I couldn’t wait for a review copy so I invested £24.99 which is very steep for the base game with some fancy exclusive cosmetics. For me, it was about getting hands-on a week earlier than the official launch which is 9th May 2024. With the base copy being £15.99, it still feels a bit much for something with all the signs of a free-to-play game. The question is replayability in the long term. If the team can keep cosmetics coming, maybe some different spins on the Battle Royale experience and trickling content into the game then we are onto a winner. If it’s left to its own devices then it may get stale pretty quickly. That said, if you’re a hardcore Pacman fan or just love the BR genre then this will be your cup of tea.
I went into Top Spin 2K25 expecting a mediocre experience since we haven’t seen a Top Spin game in so long and nothing has come close to the glory days of the previous entries. My time with the game has been a really enjoyable and whilst I found there to be a fairly steep learning curve, my 30 or so hours have been addictively moreish. There is much more skill required than just pressing buttons and returning the ball. You have to gauge positioning, response, stamina and how to outwit your opponent. Whilst the monetisation aspect of the game bugs me a little, what we do have is a solid re-entry into the Top Spin catalogue. If they can build on the foundations of the fantastic gameplay loop and work on player animations and crowd integration then we would be sitting on one of the best sports games out there. Is it worth it though? If you love Tennis games then this takes the crown as the best one out there since Top Spin 4. The Grand Slam Edition asking price of 105 English pounds is a huge ask though unless you want everything the game has to offer. Future tennis star additions are coming for free though.
Dead End City provides a few hours of fun but its basic nature and not much in the way of progression regarding weaponry or special powers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t provide the replayability or memorable moments as some of the classics from the early 90’s. Those who are well into the genre will still have a good time here especially if you are competitive. The online leaderboards and different modes may just provide enough staying power for some.
I’d never have imagined seeing this game come to fruition on the Xbox family of consoles in all of its beautiful glory. This is no watered-down and rushed version of the game, it is the fully-fledged all-singing and all-dancing edition that you’d see on PC.
Rhythm Sprout is an absolute blast and whilst it is hard as nails in the later levels, I really enjoyed airing my frustrations at my personal ability and starting a run again when I got a note wrong. Being a perfectionist when it comes to this genre is what turns into an obsession and addiction for me.
Gunfire Reborn is one of those games I’d now recommend immediately if you’re looking for a co-op title to play with your friends. Its deep levelling and skill tree system with several options of difficulty keeps me returning for more. Replayability and longevity is a key point here and I’m talking about a potential of hundreds of hours. If you can grin and bear the occasional matchmaking issues and the odd disconnect then it’s an absolute blast almost all of the time.
It’s clear that Tango Gameworks took a gamble with a whole new project after Ghostwire Tokyo and The Evil Within, and they have absolutely smashed it out of the park. Hi-Fi Rush is hand on heart one of the most memorable and special adventures I’ve had on Xbox and the surprise element of the shadow drop straight onto Xbox Game Pass has thrust 2023 into a promising year for the brand.
Startup Company Console Edition can be a little daunting at first and I think that is because it is a unique game that I have never really experienced on consoles. With the complexity of number crunching and always keeping observations on the running and operations of your business, it may put some off from a gameplay perspective.
Let’s Build A Zoo is exactly the kind of game that is required to sit amongst some others in the genre such as Two Point Hospital and Campus along with Planet Coaster. 2013’s Zoo Tycoon was lacklustre when it came to the gameplay element and became more of an interactive simulation rather than the deep and intricate running of a business. The development team have done fantastically here with ensuring the game echoes those nostalgic Theme Park vibes whilst creating a potentially never-ending addictive gameplay loop.
Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance honestly surprised me as romance isn’t really my jam if I am honest, my partner will confirm that most probably. But between the three people who worked on this, they honestly have done an exceptional job across the board in a genre that won’t be loved by everyone.