John-Paul Jones's Reviews
Draugen is a gripping detective adventure that weaves psychological and Nordic mythological themes to grand effect. Though a short duration and some technical hiccups take the shine of the package somewhat, Draugen remains a compelling propostion for armchair slueths everywhere.
A stellar remastering of two of the previous generation's most legendary action titles, the Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle gives a whole new generation of PlayStation gamers a golden opportunity to experience these games in their definitive form.
Even though the visual remastering is a touch on the modest side, Sega have nonetheless done great work here. With reworked localizations, improved sidestory finding and smoother gameplay overall, the Yakuza Remastered Collection nonetheless proves itself as the definitive way to play Sega's PS3 trio of core Yakuza games.
All conspire to create a game that, while ultimately enjoyable, cannot survive comparisons to the series it so desperately wishes to be.
Though overly tame crashes and a no-frills campaign rankle, a superb handling model and improved feature set both ensure that Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 3 is the best the series has ever been and clearly showcases Milestone's Supercross franchise on an upward trajectory.
A soaring achievement in the genre, very minor technical issues aren't enough to detract from the fact that Pillars of Eternity 2 Deadfire: Ultimate Edition is the first must-have game of 2020 and the finest RPG in an age. Adventures don't come much more essential than this.
An attractive trio of JRPG titles given a new lease of life with polished audiovisual presentation and a range of quality of life fixes, there's no better entry point to the Ateiler franchise than this highly enjoyable trilogy for newcomers. However, previous players of these games will find little to return to them as the range of improvements are ultimately meagre.
An enjoyable enough bite-sized FPS offering, Demon Pit simply doesn't do or offer enough to hold attention in the long-term, as its presentation, firearms and enemies all feel like discount versions of greater games that have come before it.
Though this is one bird that requires more meat on its bones, the meagre length of Untitled Goose Game isn't enough to greatly detract from the impish comedy and free-roaming sandbox shenanigans that define it as one of the most enjoyable games of the year.
Blair Witch is easily the best videogame take on the licence to date and an effective, frequently petrifying horror effort. Unfortunately, a much too long final chapter and pointless stealth sections late in the game sadly detract from a genre effort that is overflowing with dread and atmosphere.
Though the dated presentation and omission of some multiplayer features undeniably rankle, Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition still manages to acquit itself ably as a landmark RPG that deserves to be absorbed by an entirely new generation of gamers.
A charmingly clever multiplayer title, Tools Up! takes the madness of Overcooked! and distills it into a far less chaotic, though ultimately more thoughtful set of scenarios that players of all ages will surely enjoy.
A surprisingly deep and wholly satisfying side-scrolling brawler, Fight'N Rage is massively enjoyable genre effort that stands shoulder to shoulder with its classic counterparts.
An otherwise robust combat system is summarily undone by dunderheaded AI, repetitive grinding, a lack of modes and uneven presentation. We've wanted to return to Ancient Rome for years now on PS4, but not like this.
Munchkin: Quacked quest is certainly a colorful and charming dungeon crawler. Sadly, uninspiring hack and slash fundamentals and a lack of variety conspire to drag down what is otherwise a fairly charming and occasionally enjoyable offering that is best enjoyed with friends.
A thrilling marriage of Uncharted, Dark Souls and Metroid, a few technical hiccups aren't nearly enough to derail the best Star Wars game in years. Rewarded, your patience has been.
Though simplistic and lacking in some variety, Bee Simulator is a great introduction to open-world games that everybody can enjoy and is also a towering celebration of Mother Nature's most vital workforce.
A heavy metal steeped side-scrolling blaster that is awash in blood, gore and super solid platforming shooter beats, Valfaris is essential for anyone looking for a challenging affair that does ample justice to Konami's poorly treated Contra franchise.
Between the game breaking bugs, the glitches, the recycled moves, grating commentary, stale presentation and now the unneeded content barriers and paywalls, I have exhausted my patience with this series. WWE 2K20 is the worst wrestling game to come along in a decade and is in desperate need of a ground up rebuild.
A combat-free, refreshingly wholesome and decadent exploration focused yarn, Eastshade celebrates the spirit of discovery with aplomb and feels like the closest you'll get to a digital holiday.