John-Paul Jones's Reviews
Overly fiddly controls combined with a brief duration, slow starting narrative and inflated price point make Loading Human's opening episode difficult to recommend, which is a shame given the sizeable ambition that lurks behind its otherwise subpar execution.
Presentation hiccups and an undercooked Promo Engine aren't enough to take the shine off of 2K's latest take on the WWE franchise. Generously stuffed with the largest roster seen to date along with an encompassing creation suite, WWE Universe mode and a whole host of significant tweaks to the core experience, WWE 2K17 is the best entry in the series since Brock Lesnar last found his mug on the cover.
An engaging surrealist horror that is elevated by some great sound design and a wonderfully nihilistic setting, Here They Lie might not change up the formula too much but it remains an effective PSVR scare-a-thon that you don't want to leave in the ground.
Though relatively slight in duration, Wayward Sky proves to be an easy recommendation for PSVR owners. With its charming story and visuals, clever use of depth and remarkable suitability for younger players, Wayward Sky easily cements its place as one of the most intriguing games in the launch line-up for PSVR.
Though a sizeable visual step down from the regular version of the game, DriveClub VR remains a worthy offering. Boasting tons of content, great handling and some cleverly implemented VR immersion, it’s a worthwhile buy for PSVR owners looking for a decent racing game to showcase their latest purchase.
Limited in scope but easy to play and difficult to put down, SuperHyperCube might not be the flashiest PSVR title out there, but it is a resoundingly enjoyable one for both experienced and new PlayStation players alike.
Occasionally stupid AI and the lack of split-screen play aren't enough to dull the formidable lustre of Warhammer End Times: Vermintide as one of the most entertaining and flat out enjoyable online co-op games you can get on PS4. Killing rats has never been so much fun.
Though technically flawed and lacking in additional modes, Aragami still gives a great account of itself as a stealth adventure that infuses inspiration into its creative DNA from genre efforts old and new alike. This is one stealth adventure that deserves more than to be consigned to the shadows.
Boasting a wealth of challenge and a litany of well considered changes, Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 feels like a Grandmasters Tour of series architect Toru Iwatani’s magnum opus. Accessible and compelling, Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is one of the finest arcade games you can buy on PS4.
Showcasing a clever narrative steeped in great performances and anchored by a real sense of place, The Bunker sadly doesn't last long enough or offer sufficient incentive to return to its titular subterranean dwelling once the credits roll on this interactivity-light adventure.
A landmark title indeed, Dear Esther’s debut on PS4 serves as a timely reminder not just of The Chinese Room’s seemingly bottomless well of talent, but also of Dear Esther’s capability to fulfil that oldest of gaming mantras – escapism, with vigour and aplomb in fashion that very few other games have managed to before and since its original release.
Supremely easy on the eyes and simple to pick up and play, Jotun’s depiction of Norse mythology is flamboyantly atmospheric. Somewhat less up to the task however, is the longevity of the game itself which leaves you craving for more beyond the relatively meagre playtime that the game offers. All the same, Jotun: Valhalla Edition manages to secure its place in the pantheon of action adventures with verve and aplomb on account of it's superb boss fights and varied mystical realms.
A tremendously well optimised PC port of one of the better Japanese action RPG franchises out there, God Eater 2 Rage Burst gives a great account of itself on PC to the point that you nearly forget that Monster Hunter even existed.
Much like The Great War itself, Verdun is rough, grim and wholly unforgiving. A perpetual lesson in patience and poise which decisively punishes fools but rewards frugal armchair tacticians, Verdun makes the player work in every way that a good shooter should. Emboldened by an impassioned take on one of history’s more overlooked conflicts, Verdun’s rough appearance is not enough to detract from one of the finest shooters on PS4.
Look, it's very simple. If you are a fan of Attack on Titan, you will want this game and if you're not, you should probably knock a point off the score below and try it anyway. Regardless of where you fall however, the evidence is telling; though somewhat starved of game modes and a little tarnished by some repetitive side missions, Attack on Titan remains the best game Omega Force has put out in *years* and is an accomplished action effort quite unlike anything else the Japanese developer has ever done.
Blade Ballet is something you don’t see every day on PC; a real, heartfelt attempt to replicate the compelling trappings of Capcom’s Power Stone, it succeeds as an accomplished go-to prospect for local and online multiplayer party shenanigans but the lack of a single-player mode and other content presently hamstring its ultimate potential.
The Girl and the Robot’s interesting take on conveying a fairy-tale narrative is unique and it sits neatly alongside the platform and puzzle-based conundrums that make up the game’s duration. That said, the poorly implemented combat system and a distinct lack of polish both drag The Girl and the Robot far beneath the lofty standard for which it aims.
Arguably, Brut@l lacks the depth of some of its genre contemporaries while the uniquely touted ASCII-inspired veneer, though a flamboyant shift from the norm, results in some visually repetitive environments. All the same, Brut@l still acquits itself nicely as a decent hack and slash yarn whose prospects are elevated by co-operative play and a neat level editor that adds a good number of extra hours to its playtime.
The "it's not a game" crowd will invariably struggle to see the appeal with Abzû's monumentally relaxed pacing, but they will arguably be the ones missing out here. An absolutely resplendent experience that is thoroughly and generously stuffed with memorable moments, Abzû's beguiling audiovisual presentation lends it an atmosphere and sense of place that very few, if any, games can match. This is the very apex of videogame escapism.
A furiously engaging speedrunning platformer, 10 Second Ninja X is as much about shaving seconds off your time in each level as it is concerned about shaving slivers off of your sanity, but never before has laying waste to your mental state while running a gauntlet of almost obscenely well-designed platforming levels been so much fun.