John-Paul Jones's Reviews
A superior sequel absolutely layered in emergent player opportunity and a true evolution of the enduringly robust foundation lain by its predecessor, Dishonored 2 sets a staggering high standard for its genre peers to try and follow. The waiting is over; your Game of the Year is here.
If you want to show off PSVR to your friends, Robinson: The Journey is the game that you use to do it. Equally, if you want to lose yourself in your very own Jurassic Park style fantasy, Robinson: The Journey is undoubtedly a triumph in this respect; just don’t expect to find an overly challenging core lurking underneath its resplendent veneer.
Falling short in just about every way a title of this ilk can, everything Super Dungeon Bros attempts to do, the three year old Diablo III does better. Avoid.
Despite falling shy of true greatness, Tethered is nonetheless just what Sony's new gaming platform needs to convince the naysayers of its suitability for ‘traditional’ gaming experiences. This is one PSVR title that you’ll want to hold onto.
After the relentless grimdark of FROM Software's stellar Souls and Bloodborne offerings, Necropolis feels like a breath of fresh (fetid, really) air. Hellbent on not taking itself too seriously and offering solid roguelike, dungeon crawler mechanics underpinned by a finely tuned combat system, Necropolis is not a game you want to be sleeping on.
With the promise of far better PSVR horror titles on the horizon, not to mention the superior Here They Lie being available right now, the only thing that will be weeping will be you if you buy this subpar, scare-free effort.
A finely tuned turn-based strategy effort that takes place in Warhammer's grim Mordheim game universe, Mordheim is furiously enjoyable but it demands both patience and skill from its prospective armchair generals in spades.
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.