I seriously enjoyed my time (and still am) in the world of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and it is easily in my top three games of 2024. BioWare have done a wonderful job at revisiting this franchise from its engaging narrative, realistic characters and gameplay that takes RPG to a whole new realm. With next-gen graphics, superb audio, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is gunning for game of the year!
However as an arcade game, Astro Bot ticks all the right boxes and really challenges the medium but in a good way with its crazy mechanics, sturdy controls and next-gen experience, particularly with the DualSense Controller.
If your kids loved the previous game, My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery is an updated and dare I say more enjoyable version that will allow children to become fully immersed in this enjoyable game from start to finish. Controls are well mapped and for the most part, the gaming mechanics are sturdy and require limited parental input. It's a kid game made with respect for the characters and the younger gamer.
Wizardry Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlock is a fun walk down memory lane which successfully brings the original game in its entirety with updated graphics and slightly tweaked gameplay. Given that, this is not a remake of Wizardry but rather a remaster. Definitely for the gamer who is seeking that old school atmosphere without the old school graphics.
If you're undecided, go out and check the demo out for Stellar Blade but if you're seeking a challenging yet rewarding third person action game, this title hits the mark and more than likely Game of the Year!
The Developers definitely succeed at creating a fun game for younger gamers, especially if they are fans of PJ Masks because everything is there. Additionally the control mechanics are well mapped on the Xbox Series controller that immediately had our younger player picking up the controller and start playing. In the end, PJ Masks Power Heroes Mighty Alliance is a sturdy platformer with a few different gaming genres thrown into the 2D platformer mix that offers gameplay targetted for kids, unlike some crash grabs out there.
As a Star Wars game, Survivor has some very big boots to fill and given the lore contained in this universe and fan expectations, I can safely report that it successfully expands on the first game and on the PlayStation 5 delivers a true next-gen experience. Sure there are a few slight gameplay glitches here and there, however as a whole it is a very polished game from its fine-tuned gaming mechanics, Star Wars inspired graphics, wonderful narrative and characters, including the music, sound effects and voice acting, In the end, Respawn Entertainment efficaciously draw you into the character of Cal Kestis as you fight the good fight to keep the "dark side" at bay.
Pushing the J.K. Rowling controversy to the side, Hogwarts Legacy is a true celebration of the magical universe that she created which perfectly transitioned to film. Her universe has equally been adapted well into this game courtesy of Avalanche Studios with its gameplay and story. Whether the story will become canon is yet to be seen but again this is as close as you can get to the core of what the extended universe of Harry Potter can be that not only plays well on the PS5 but looks fantastic.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on the PlayStation 5 is indeed a next-gen experience and while it is the same game at its core, CD Projekt Red have done a commendable job at improving the graphics and tweaking the gameplay to make an already excellent game still relevant on these next-gen consoles. Add in all the DLC's released, including some of the best player mods and some links to the Netflix series, you really cannot fault this game at all. So whether you're coming back to the franchise or starting your new journey, the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on the PlayStation 5 is the must have game of 2022 and dare I say 2023.
If you're a PS5 owner… do yourself a favour and get this game now.