All in all, FIFA 18 doesn't feel like as drastic an improvement as its predecessor did over FIFA 16. Its improvements to offensive play certainly allow for some spectacular goals to be scored and help the fluidity of play.
Forza Motorsport 7 feels like the racing sim that embraces modern day technology. Its AI assumes the persona and driving styles of other players thanks to the power of the cloud.
Though it drags a little during the middle, episode four did manage to hook me back in by the end. I'm intrigued to see exactly how the series pans out considering the state of the Guardians by the episode's close.
There are a lot of little stories going on in Before the Storm, and each one of them has me hooked and I can't wait to see how they all come to an end in episode three. If episode one introduced us to the Rachel and Chloe's relationship, episode two cracked it wide open, showing a more vulnerable and emotionally open Rachel from the closed-off one we were initially introduced to in episode one.
As a season, Guardians of the Galaxy delivered the kind of experience I wanted. It's the most I've found myself laughing and smiling since Tales From the Borderlands, and I enjoyed the adventure and story laid out here more than the sequel movie that released this year.
If you enjoyed the gameplay experience in Horizon Zero Dawn, you'll enjoy what's on offer in The Frozen Wilds. Its machines pose even more of a threat than some of the most intimidating beasts you came across in the main game, side quests help to flesh out the concise story experience, and the new weapons and outfits on offer are powerful additions to your arsenal. The Frozen Wilds offers a delectable slice of familiar action in a new, dangerous, yet beautiful land with plenty of lore and content to keep you exploring The Cut long after you've completed your quest.
Deck Nine had a pretty tall task when it came to Life Is Strange: Before the Storm. Creating a prequel that would satiate the series' fans is tough enough, and they've passed with flying colors in that regard. However, it's the way in which Deck Nine has really honed in on the identity of the original series that makes it so special.
If you're an absolute die-hard fan of Life Is Strange, which you likely are if you're considering the deluxe edition, then jump right in and say your own goodbyes to Max and Chloe. However, if you've not played both the original series and Before the Storm in their entirety, Farewell likely won't resonate with you in the same way.
Far Cry 5 is exactly that – more Far Cry. If you've never been a fan of the series, this doesn't do anything to change your mind. If you loved liberating outposts and blowing shit up in the Himalayas, you'll enjoy doing it in Hope County, too.
I had a lot of fun with State of Decay 2… when it was all working. Its core gameplay loop is repetitive, but there's a sense of satisfaction in seeing your community move from a small base with no water and power to a dominant force in the town capable of sustaining itself on its own that kept driving me forward.
Unravel Two may not have been at the top of players' wishlists, even those who enjoyed the first, but the addition of co-op breathes fresh air into its yarn-based platforming.
The Crew 2 still isn't fully delivering the ambitious open-world racer that Ivory Tower nor Ubisoft wants the series to become, and I can't help but feel it's because it's trying to accommodate both the single-player and multiplayer camps. Its single-player content, while fun, lacks any real impact due to its literally non-existent story, and its the absence of any PvP feels like a massive missed opportunity.
After 30 hours, I've wrapped up Spider-Man's story, completed a substantial amount of its side content, and have almost got every suit mod and skill in the game, and I just want to keep playing. Though it has a few minor blemishes here and there, they're never significant enough to really detract from the overall experience.
Two Point Hospital is everything that Theme Hospital fans would have been hoping for from a successor, and then some. It may still have some finicky issues, which hopefully, can be addressed with a post-launch update, but all of its charm and witty humor make managing hospitals far more entertaining than it really should be.
The wasteland of West Virginia is a dangerous one, filled with interesting things to uncover off the beaten path and the potential to improve. But right now, it's hard to recommend it to anyone outside of die-hard fans of the series.
I'm not inclined to play back through it right away, but it'll be staying downloaded on my Switch for those lengthy flights and commutes where I want to do nothing more than slash through countless enemies in style.
Honestly, discussing many of the major narrative beats, decisions, or gameplay in The Walking Dead: The Final Season would do it a disservice, particularly for those who have been following Clementine since she was rescued from the treehouse in her back yard all those years ago. However, just know that both the development teams at Telltale, and the smaller-scale one that was resurrected under Skybound didn't let Clementine down.
If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air and fancy venturing out into space for a laid back exploration and a damned good time, Outer Wilds should be your first port of call.
It might not be perfect, but it’s certainly got enough going for it to make a solid challenge for Mario’s crown as the king of kart racers.
If you’re in the market for a short adventure to tide you over for an evening or two ahead of September’s big releases and its atmospheric premise intrigues you, go right ahead. However, if you’re looking for the next smash-hit horror title, you’re best going elsewhere.