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So, while there are elements of Tales of Xillia that don't quite measure up to today's standards, the core adventure remains rock solid, and the remaster brings some welcome additions and extras to the table. This PS3 RPG deserved a good re-release, and it's got one.
Much like the remasters before it, Once Upon a Katamari is a great reminder that there's still nothing quite like this series, and it feels as fresh today as it did with Keita Takahashi's original over two decades ago.
1000xRESIST is all in on story, and this laser focus allows it to tell one of the most captivating and intriguing experiences you can have in video games.
ARC Raiders has well and truly been worth the wait. This is a phenomenal showcase of what immersive multiplayer can be. Every run is different, and your squad will come out with stories to tell each time. It can be tougher on those planning to play solo, and the extraction loop won't be for everyone. But as far as extraction shooters go, this is one of the most accessible, and it respects your time, giving you a fun experience from your first match. We can easily say that ARC Raiders is one of the best multiplayer games this generation.
An agonisingly in-depth archive of Mortal Kombat's importance to the industry, this is the kind of kompilation the franchise has always deserved. While its absent online features do put a small dampener on the bundle at launch, the sheer scale of this kollection and the quality of its supplementary materials make it a must buy – even for kurious passers-by who may find themselves discovering the franchise for the first time.
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For those who appreciate a great movement system in a VR game, Reach is worth checking out for that alone. It’s lacking the same vibe as Synapse, with a dull story and repetitive environments, but if you give it time, there’s fun to be had here.
Much like Vampire Survivors, it's extremely compelling; time will slip away without you realising it. The gradual sense of progress is well judged, and there's just enough to keep track of, between unlocking characters and stages and totting up persistent upgrades, to hold your attention.
We think we could forgive its simplicity if the handling was better and the price was lower, because there is fun in the outrageous nature of some of the tracks.
The Outer Worlds 2 succeeds in being a bigger and better sequel, buoyed by an even greater emphasis on player choice and freedom. Its RPG mechanics are largely fantastic, and there are key improvements to both combat and exploration.However, despite Obsidian's clever writing, there's a underlying dreariness to the property that it just can't seem to escape. These dull characters and their one-note factions are difficult to truly care for.
Roguelites are all about repetition, and Full Metal Schoolgirl has that "one more go" factor that makes the genre so darn compelling.Its tongue in cheek premise resonates in these wild times, and its gameplay – with a bit of tinkering – blends character action with third-person shooting in a fresh and interesting way.You just need to be prepared for a bit of frustration and a pinch of jank: this isn't a straight-A student by any stretch, but its robotic heart's in the right place.
PowerWash Simulator 2 isn't reinventing the wheel; it's an overhaul of the original that improves just about every aspect. It won't win over any sceptics, but if you loved the serene, zen-like satisfaction of hosing down houses, this is a no-brainer.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 is exactly what it needs to be. There's new additions to the formula set by its predecessors that enhance the experience rather than detract from it, and it accentuates what the series did well before to new heights. Dinosaurs are the name of the game, and whether you're here to help create dino families or if you just want to see a giant lizard eating the clientele, this third instalment delivers.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is a rock solid action game that delivers on what's most important - the combat. While some of the surrounding aspects are a little less successful, such as repeated environments and a forgettable story, the intense battles and myriad challenges are where the game shines, whether playing as Yakumo or Ryu. It doesn't hit every mark, but the simplistic structure, emphasis on technical combat, and even the cheesy performances combine for an action game that feels like it's from a bygone era, in the best way possible.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 is a shambles. Its best qualities are always short-lived, buried deep beneath the frustrations of non-existent RPG elements, extreme padding, and diabolical technical issues. Beyond the promise of its opening hours, this is a tragic misfire of a game.
It's designed in such a way that you're constantly given reasons to keep playing, and runs are short enough that it's easy to excuse "just one more". The game is so cleverly done and so moreish to play that fans of roguelites and quick-fire arcade fun simply have to check it out.
When you consider how far Train Sim World 6 has come since its original introduction, it's staggering. But compared directly to its predecessor, this new version doesn't change a lot.The new Riviera route is breath-taking, and we really appreciate the addition of passenger announcements and the random events that can impede your journey.But if you're not immediately attracted to any of the new lines, we'd recommend you focus on the free Starter Pack and wait for some of the upcoming expansions, which will include all-new countries like Japan, Portugal, and Czech Republic.
Absolum is both a brilliantly crafted beat-'em-up and a devilishly addictive roguelike. Although the overall experience does feel slightly short-lived, you'll seriously struggle to tear yourself away from the game's striking fantasy world - especially when all of its systems start to click.
Battlefield 6 isn't worth buying for its campaign alone - although we suspect no one's really doing that anyway. For us, it's a nice starter while we're waiting for the main meal. It showcases how great the gunplay feels and how nice the game looks as a whole. But it's not breaking any boundaries from a narrative, mechanical, or immersive perspective. Did we enjoy our time with it? Yes, in a turn your brain off kind of way. Will we remember it by the time we're deep in the trenches of the multiplayer? Probably not.But, as mentioned, this is only a part of the Battlefield 6 experience. Once servers go live with real players, and we get some serious sessions out in the field, we'll update our review and score the game accordingly.
In short, Yooka-Replaylee is a brilliant remake of the original game. It expands and improves upon so many areas that it leaves the original release in the dust. It took a long wait, but Yooka and Laylee finally have a 3D platformer worthy of the Banjo-Kazooie comparisons.