Putty Squad isn't a good game by modern standards. It's repetitive, confusing, dull, and a reminder that the medium has evolved. That doesn't mean that there isn't a niche that may still enjoy this, and if you happen to squeeze into that cross-section then there's plenty to sink your teeth into here. Everyone else looking to relive the past may be better off tackling one of the Blue Blur's adventures, though – and letting this blue blob fester in the pipes beneath the sink.
Games like Project Root make you contemplate the futility of existence, and not in a good way like the philosophical musings of Postman Pat. It's not a bad game – not like Rambo or Ride to Hell: Retribution – it's just very, very boring. There needs to be a reason to play, and there's just nothing here to get excited about.
Shadow Warrior is more than just puerile jokes and demons – there are some quite interesting technical faults in there as well. The personality of the game is enough to recommend to those that enjoy old-school shooters, but it comes with a warning: Wang should probably be taken in small doses.
If you look up "average" in the gaming dictionary, a poster for this game will sit next to it. It's not a broken mess, but it's so run-of-the-mill you won't ever feel like you've missed out if you don't play it.
DC Universe Online lacks the 'pow' of the properties that it's inspired by, but it's a decent enough MMO with some solid ideas and a strong following. As a free download, it's hard not to recommend – even if you only intend to give it a try. Just remember that being a superhero isn't all about tight clothing and Christian Bale-esque angry acting, as it takes a lot of hard work to keep the grunts of Gotham in line – and that's exactly how you'll spend most of your time in Sony Online Entertainment's caped crusade.
Tiny Brains definitely isn't great. In fact, it's not even very good. However, for the group of friends that opt to enjoy it together, it may just provide enough laughs for a decent night in. Technical issues, an extortionate price point, and a slender running time mean that you should approach with caution – but if you're looking for something to play with your buddies, then you may enjoy the experience all the same. Just like Facebook and instant soup, this experiment is very much what you make of it.
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is a decent game, especially with friends – but it'll never surprise you. The basic mechanics work well, but you'll struggle to shake off the feeling that they could have been utilised so much more effectively. With no plot and no great rewards, you'll be playing just for the sake of getting to the end, which won't be enough to hold everybody's attention through to its premature conclusion.
The Escapists is excellent at what it does, there's no doubt about that, and it's cornered a market that nobody else dares to touch. It's generous with content, it's deep, and, at times, it's extremely satisfying. Still, it can be very tedious, and as such, unless you're actually in prison and have time to kill, there are probably better ways to spend your limited gaming hours. If the premise intrigues you then by all means give it a go – otherwise, you may want to refrain from spending your time behind bars.
If you're the type of person that likes to brag on Twitter about how many times Bloodborne has kicked your backside, then Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones may just be the challenge that you're looking for. Others should pause before purchasing, as your patience threshold will determine just how much enjoyment you get out of this sneaky sequel.
Our first hour with Titan Souls was fantastic, but after that the cracks start to show. It's not a bad game, and the atmosphere is excellent, but you'll get to the end knowing that it could have been better. The lack of information about the world makes you feel like you're just roaming a random castle or tower, like those Mega Drive roguelikes where the only goal was to get to the end. The length and price just help to make this excellent idea more unattractive.
For $15, this is a good game to burn through over a weekend. Expect anything more than a above average tie-in, however, and you'll be left disappointed. Good for fans of Heroes (both of them) and anybody who longs for the days of endless licenced media.
Don't bother buying unless you already know you'll love it. It's a hard game to judge, but most people are better off going for something more entertaining, or at least getting it on PC. Starpoint Gemini 2 could be great, but probably won't be.
It's sad that a game with so much potential ends up being a little bit buggy. There are a lot of positives, but a few too many negatives, so only those with a definite interest in rallying need apply.
MXGP2 is a fun game, with plenty to see and do. Obviously, fans of Motocross will get the most out of it, but there are way worse driving simulations out there.
Fortified is an enjoyable romp through a criminally underused setting, but is held back by the jack of all trades nature of the action tower defence genre. It'll be fun with friends, and for a few hours alone, but mileage may vary.
The Swindle is a solid game, but it's a swag bag short of our full recommendation. As a title to play over a weekend – or between other games with more substance – it can't really be knocked, but don't expect to be feeling light fingered forever. This is a cunning con, a solid swizz – but it's been robbed of crime of the century status.
If epic stories are your thing, then you probably won't get much enjoyment out of Deception IV: The Nightmare Princess. But the point of the game is its murderous sandbox, and things have only improved in that regard since the original outing was released. Go mad – that's kind of the point – and slash up some do-good knights and confused Satan worshippers. After all, it's what Daddy would want.
The return of zombies was an exciting part of the previous release, but the continuation of that and the lack of any standout maps makes Ascendance a less interesting prospect than its predecessor. That doesn't mean that it's bad, though, and fans will lap up the fresh environments. However, the next pack will need to go above and beyond if it wants to keep people excited ahead of Black Ops 3 in November.
Sportsfriends is a party game for the type of people that appear in Nintendo Wii commercials – but real-life is never quite that perfect. As such, this is a fun package, but one that will rely on the right kind of investment from your buddies if it's to become the life and soul of your social gathering. With a low price, it may be worth splitting the cost between close pals for an evening's worth of entertainment – just make sure that you know what you're getting into first.
As this is an indie title closely aligned with Sony's PlayStation Plus programme, Road Not Taken has its work cut out right from the very start of its arduous journey. Taken on its own merits, however, it offers an enjoyable ride for the five to ten hours that it lasts. Niggling performance issues aside, it's hard not to enjoy being the star of your very own fairy tale world – even if that fictional realm has a particularly odd approach to infant safety.