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Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales features some of the sharpest writing on PS4, and it's all embedded within a superb story stuffed with brilliant characters. Meanwhile, Gwent makes up most of the gameplay, and although the card-based system does have flaws, it's easy enough to look past them when the surrounding journey is so masterfully told. Ultimately, Thronebreaker is an easy recommendation for Witcher enthusiasts and fans of strategic RPGs -- a surprisingly robust and rich tale that shouldn't be overlooked.
Gungrave VR has a poorly implemented control scheme, a lack of story content, it doesn't take advantage of the technology available in the PSVR headset, and ultimately lacks enjoyment in its core gameplay. Unfortunately, Gungrave VR has failed to raise the series from the grave and we'd advise everyone to let this one lay to rest.
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds manages to differentiate itself from its battle royale progeny with its more tactical spin on the formula, even with its obvious lack of presentational prowess. While its grounded approach can be brutal at first, if you take the time to immerse yourself in its stress inducing battles, you'll find yourself involved in epic engagements that will have you sharing your successes – and failures – with anyone willing to listen. It may not be the king anymore, but PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds still more than deserves a place at the top table.
Override: Mech City Brawl is good fun with a friend or two sitting on your sofa, but it lacks the kind of depth that a smaller release like this needs to be consistently compelling. The game's got some cool mech designs and watching big robots tumble through buildings is always enjoyable, but it's just not quite enough to carry the rest of the release.
While Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden has managed to build a cohesive system for tactical turn-based battles to take place in, it's far too difficult for the average player. Hardcore genre fanatics are sure to get a kick out of proceedings, but those looking for a more introductory take on things will find more frustration than progress.
Everything aside from the story is simplistic, but it doesn't matter if the puzzles are non-existent or that the graphics are basic, because The First Tree packs an emotional narrative and is a game that every indie fan should play as a result.
Just Cause 4's traversal system can be wonderfully entertaining, and the chaotic, explosion-sim physics in play are frequently exhilarating, but they're manacled to a game that has absolutely no idea how best to use them. What's the point in giving players an array of tools that lets them cause wanton destruction on a gargantuan scale, and then designing a campaign full of drab, copy-pasted missions that barely require you to use them? It's a bit like getting the coolest BMX on the market for Christmas, but then your Mum tells you you're only allowed to ride it around the garden where she can keep an eye on you. Cheers, Mum.
Earth Defense Force 5 is an intentionally bad-looking and dated technical mess of a third-person shooter that boldly relishes in its campiness and mechanical simplicity. Mowing down the endless seas of extra-terrestrial arachnids and UFOs while melodramatic voice clips play in the background makes for an excellent stress reliever or a fantastically fun time with some friends, but its complete lack of depth causes the monotony of repetition to quickly seep into what's an otherwise joyous celebration of video game escapism. If this is your first giant bug slaying rodeo, there's plenty here to keep you keep you amused for dozens of hours, but it functions best as a distraction from our notably less zany reality.
Just Deal With It is another disappointing addition to the PlayLink library. The online functionality will certainly be a selling point for some, but as a couch party game it fails to add any major draws that separate it from physical card games. It may do what it says on the tin, but that's about it.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey: Legacy of the First Blade - Episode 1: Hunted is a solid starting point for what could turn out to be an interesting story. While the DLC doesn't bring anything new to the table in terms of gameplay variation, it does provide a well made slice of open world adventuring, complete with some thoughtful character moments. It goes without saying, but if you're a fan of Odyssey, then you're going to enjoy Hunted.
Arca's Path is yet another title that PlayStation VR users won't want to miss. It's most importantly a relaxing and tranquil puzzler, but with a brand new way to play, controlling the experience with the movement of your head is an ingenious input method that proves how far the technology has come. Fun, inventive, and beautiful, Arca's Path should be played by every VR aficionado.
YouTubers Life OMG is an agreeable video-making tycoon game wrapped up in a few fundamental problems. The main gameplay loop is compelling, and it's a pleasure to watch as your subscriber tally and bank account start to soar. However, some poor presentation, a clumsy camera, and a couple of other small issues stop it from being the viral hit it wants to be. Those looking for a casual management sim to tackle may find some enjoyment here, but it's hard to recommend it to anyone else.
Ultimately, Asterix & Obelix XXL2 is a PS2-era remaster that's not worth its near-AAA asking price. The brand new additions and lack of availability undoubtedly add some value, but this still feels like the decade-old game that it is. It may be worth the fairly hefty price tag for those with Asterix nostalgia or for an audience that wants to see what a late PS2 licensed platformer looks like, but it's hard to recommend otherwise. It's a game that deserves to be remembered and preserved, but the high cost will prevent many from experiencing this strong albeit unoriginal adventure.
RIDE 3 will be loved by fans of motorcycle sims, but likely won't be the game to invite new audiences to the genre. The sheer number of unlockables is impressive and the extensive campaign mode is sure to give fans a lot to sink their, er, wheels into. However, some slightly sloppy visuals and the difficult to pick up gameplay will keep it reserved for that niche audience.
Floor Kids is a stylish and fun breakdancing title, with an intuitive control scheme and unique look and feel. There's a good chance you'll enjoy its scribbly presentation and Kid Koala's tracks, but the game unfortunately comes apart after a few hours of play. With no real increase in challenge, repetitive music, and lack of variety in the cast of characters, there's little reason to keep playing once you get to grips with it. There's plenty to like here, but there's just not quite enough of a game here to keep most engaged in its fun, freeform gameplay.
Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight is a rock solid and super stylish rhythm game. Its jazzy remixes are top notch and its presentation is excellent, resulting in a good-time-title that keeps you coming back for more.
Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight has some of the best music on the PS4, and mastering its beats is immensely rewarding. It's a top tier rhythm game that's sure to strike a chord with fans of the PS2 classic, but more than anything, it's made us realise just how desperate we are for a Persona 3 remake or remaster.
Darksiders hasn't changed much since 2012. It's still a fun mishmash of genres with a great protagonist and undemanding combat systems, but it's a pity that it feels outdated compared to its genre peers and stumbles when injecting Souls-like sensibilities.
While some may be disappointed with the lack of new features or gameplay additions in this string of DLC, the effortlessly fun swinging and fighting, along with an interesting narrative, makes it worthwhile for those who are happy to play more of Marvel's Spider-Man. The Heist continues the City That Never Sleeps story well, further developing characters we're familiar with as well as introducing us to a nasty new bad guy in Hammerhead. It's not the longest or most original DLC out there, but those looking for an excuse to keep playing will definitely be satisfied.
Each mission in Hitman 2 is a treasure trove of wonderful emergent gameplay, excellent satirical writing, and lashings of delicious, jet-black humour. The targets you'll hunt are almost universally rotters which thankfully takes care of any lingering moral quandaries you may have about their imminent demise. It's better that way. We really don't want to feel bad about tinkering with an old man's oxygen tank so it blows up and kills him when he sparks up a cigarette, do we?