Michael Barrow
A game that offers gameplay surrounding a vast number of classic franchises seems like a perfect concept on paper, but Funko Fusion is held back by not really knowing the audience it’s targeted towards. This, piled on with a number of bugs and performance issues, means we can’t really recommend this to the average gamer.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster feels more like a Remake than a Remaster, with a hefty visual upgrade and some quality-of-life improvements to refine the original experience. This title will be the perfect entry point into the Dead Rising series for any fan of the zombie-slaying action-adventure genre.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is what the fans have been waiting for. The captivating story and characters, as well as the generous offering of weapons and customisation do the heavy lifting, as the repetitive combat is an acquired taste that won’t satisfy everyone.
Star Wars Outlaws is a game you will tip your hat to. Ubisoft’s open-world formula is stripped back to a more palatable level and explores an intriguing story from a new perspective in a galaxy far, far, away. From the action, stealth, space battles, and juggling of cartels, there are elements in Outlaws that will appeal to just about everyone.
Cygni: All Guns Blazing is a dark, challenging, and ultimately rewarding experience that showcases Konami’s ability to blend retro inspiration with modern gameplay mechanics. Whether you’re a seasoned Shmup veteran or a newcomer looking to try something different, Cygni: All Guns Blazing offers a rich, immersive journey that will keep you hooked from start to finish. So grab your controller, choose your difficulty wisely, and prepare to dive into the action-packed world of Cygni: All Guns Blazing.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a dark, challenging, and ultimately rewarding experience that solidifies Atlus’ reputation as a master of the JRPG genre. Whether you’re navigating the treacherous Netherworld or uncovering the secrets of modern Tokyo, the game offers a rich, immersive journey that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The complex characters, intricate storylines, and strategic gameplay combine to create an unforgettable gaming experience. So grab your controller, save often, and prepare to dive into the dark, twisted world of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance.
Senua’s return is authentic to the original, only with more polish. The captivating and emotional story is thrusted forward with Hellblade 2’s hefty visuals and audio. The only thing letting it down is how repetitive some of the gameplay is.
Sand Land falls victim to some pretty dull combat and level design but is uplifted by the entertaining cast, charming Borderlands-like graphics, and a decent vehicle upgrading system.
Alone in the Dark’s reimagining remains faithful to the original game but is not afraid to take some traits from its modern counterparts in the survival horror genre. Be prepared to become heavily immersed in the Decerto Mansion once more, but don’t expect much variety in the co-existing stories or puzzles.
Contra: Operation Galuga brings the Contra series back to its former glory. This run-and-gun shooter is best enjoyed with friends; however, newcomers to the series may struggle to be drawn in.
WWE 2K24 doesn’t add a lot to the existing formula but refines what already works. With a roster of over 200 WWE Superstars, including homegrown Aussie Rhea Ripley, WWE fans will find endless hours of entertainment playing the latest title in the series. This is the best the franchise has looked on console.
Justice League: Kill the Suicide Squad started as a divisive game out there in the gaming community but I truly think that once people give this a go, they will enjoy the single-player aspects and potentially be won over by its continued support as a live service game. There are a few annoyances that are remedied by variety, but with a few side missions getting stale by the end, the long load times are to be rewarded after each mission. But this was not enough to spoil my fun time with the game.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth excels at showcasing the organised chaos that the Like A Dragon series encapsulates. The change in scenery from Japan to Hawaii makes Infinite Wealth feel like a totally brand-new experience that old fans and new ones are sure to love. RGG Studios expands the series even further with a healthy assortment of mini-games and, of course, the game within a game – Dondoko Island Resort.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown shines a bright light on a beloved series showing that it can thrive no matter what genre it expands to. New and old fans will be thrilled to find an epic and captivating journey with gameplay that will have you saying “just one more try”. While this wasn’t the Sands of Time remake fans have been longing after, The Lost Crown is a wonderfully crafted game to help relive the wait.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora should have been a home run of a game using the Far Cry pedigree with an interesting world and franchise, but I couldn’t help but become frustrated by some of the mission designs and story progression. While the game excels technically, it is sometimes drawn back by the lack of enjoyability. I truly believe if they had dialled back some of the explorations and trimmed the mission fat from the game, I would have been much more engaged in this title.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R reinvigorates a classic game with a beautiful blend of 2D and 3D graphics. While the game requires a bit too much grinding to progress in the story, the narrative and core gameplay make it all worthwhile. Square Enix has delivered one of their best remakes with Star Ocean: The Second Story R.
It’s clear RGG Studio went with a less-is-more approach to Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, but the game continues to offer the charm of other titles in the series. While the combat can feel repetitive at times, the story and subquests allow for the game to shine.
The Invincible may have simple gameplay mechanics, but where it shines is the story, making you question what comes next, or at some points, your sanity. Starward Industries has crafted a captivating experience that is hard to put down.
Whether you are playing this on the go or sitting on the couch, the story of Detective Pikachu Returns is engaging and kept me wanting to play through the game even though it got repetitive at times and I feel that says a lot for the overall presentation of the game. If you have a little one or a Pokémon fan in the house, don’t skip this game.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the game many fans of the series have been waiting for for a long time. The game no longer strays from the assassin-based combat from the earlier titles, promoting a more stealthy approach to combat. That, combined with the culture-rich story contained in a world that is genuinely fun to navigate will have new and old Assassin Creed fans satisfied.