Lucie Mansell
Whilst Cubikolor is not a bad game, it lacks the imagination and something special to make it stand out from the crowd. It's an interesting title for a quick pick-up-and-play but is nowhere near as gripping as it could be, given that the core idea behind the gameplay is fairly interesting. Unless you're an absolute puzzle fanatic, you can safely skip it.
Short, simple and fun, Factotum 90 is a must-have addition to any puzzle game fan's collection. With a unique premise and an interesting plot, it only ever tries to be exactly what it is and offers enough of a challenge to be a satisfying experience. A refreshing addition to the ID@Xbox collection.
Hyper Void is a stellar shoot 'em up experience that passes the time in a fun and exciting way, with gorgeous high resolution graphics and an action-pumping soundtrack. All for a price tag that, in our opinion, is worth an adrenaline-fuelled romp, even if it the whole thing doesn't last as long as we may have liked.
The Escapists: The Walking Dead gives what was already a great game a culturally relative coat of paint and does so with an ease that should make other video game tie-ins sit up and take notice. Staying true to both franchises, this standalone game offers enough of a variety of options to cater to most players without becoming too frustrating, while posing puzzles that are in-depth and complex enough to appeal to more serious strategy fans. A great introduction to either series and well worth the asking price.
The retro-inspired pixel graphics and frenetic pace will ultimately not appeal to everybody but there's enjoyment to be found, even for even novice players.
The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 is a sprawling adventure that does not take itself too seriously, yet offers up fantastic storytelling in an immersive and gorgeous-looking world. Its slow pace and lack of true action will not appeal to everybody but with popular culture references galore and a cast of heroes that you can't help but develop a fondness for, it's a title that can sit proudly with others in the genre...if it can get away with mocking them all mercilessly, of course.
Leo's Fortune is platforming as it should be and is definitely reminiscent of a time gone by, when little blue hedgehogs and Italian plumbers adventured across the screens in games that were as simplistic as they were enjoyable. There is enough variety in Leo's adventure to keep it fresh as the game progresses and the overall length, while shorter than we may have come to expect from modern games, will leave you wanting more.
All in all, the game is a novel way to pass an afternoon but is unlikely to have you clamouring for more.
Brothers is a game that will endure in the hearts and memories of those who have experienced it for a very long time and should feature on many "Games You Must Play" lists. Fans of the game will find themselves once again transfixed as they embark on the journey once more and for those have not yet taken the plunge, now is definitely your chance. Just remember to keep the tissues handy. You might be in need of them.
Obvious comparisons will be made to the Portal franchise but for players who never played those games it offers a fresh, new dimension to physics based puzzling and in terms of the story, it offers an altogether more mature and serious narrative throughout. At the price, it's a must-have for any puzzle fan.