Critical Hit
HomepageA stunning remaster of one of the greatest game trilogies of all time. Whether you've played them before or just want to relive the magic, this is definitely worth picking up.
Anno 1800 can become confusing and complicated over time, what with the in-depth nature of this civilization sandbox franchise. But those willing to step up to the challenge are rewarded with a gorgeous and comprehensive game, built on micro-management and period-set obstacles and factors that nudge you along in your mission to build the next great island metropolis. For what gaming experience it represents, the franchise looks and feels great.
We. The Revolution is a gorgeous, high stakes, intense exploration of politics during the Reign of Terror and combines interesting mechanics and storytelling to fully immerse the player in a story of corruption and desperate survival
The Mystery of Woolley Mountain certainly serves up rewarding mental challenges, but they're paired with a constant challenge of another sort: the game's unsophistication in almost every other department. Stilted in its art style and comedic choices, it will test your nerves as much as your brain.
Islanders is simple and straight-forward but still manages to make each of its city-building runs engrossing with a high-score to chase and procedurally-generated spaces to explore. It's the charming visuals and meditative soundtrack that make your brief stays worth it, enrapturing you in a relaxing aesthetic as you try to survive as long as you can.
Jetstream is a simple, uncomplicated gem of a puzzle game that does well to keep things accessible whilst also missing the opportunity to expand on many of the games more interesting challenges
Xenon Racer harks back to the simpler days of arcade racing. It includes all one might need and expect from a game of its genre. Buts it starts to choke thanks to a compromised handling of the vehicle. The races are unappealing, despite you being in a drop-dead set of wheels.
FromSoftware proves yet again that they're masters of their craft. Every aspect of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is just so lovingly crafted that any flaw feels like a droplet in an ocean of brilliance. Sekiro is the full package with immensely satisfying combat and an intriguing world to explore and discover.
Effortlessly charming, fun for any age and an imaginatively designed spectacle of origami originality. Yoshi's Crafted World is fine art fun on the run or at home.
As a first step towards a future of more live service content, The Division 2 already feels amazingly complete. It works from day one, its various systems are staggeringly deep and its combat is in a class of its own. Everything else that's still to come over the next couple of years? That's a satisfying cherry on top of an already massive sundae of excellence.
Life Is Strange 2: Episode 2 is a disappointment. While it contains a number of revelatory moments and a couple of scenes that pack real tension, thanks to its lousy pacing and absence of agency, only the most committed fans of this series are advised to pick it up. Here's hoping Episode 3 picks up the pace.
With sumptuous hand-crafted visuals and a throwback LucasArts approach to puzzle-adventure gaming, Trüberbook is a treat for genre fans. Well, in part anyway. It's a pity that all the goodwill the game generates is drained by an unsatisfying story that doesn't bother to answer even half of the questions it's raised.
The difficulty curve is spot-on but storytelling pacing could be better and more emotional. With core game play that becomes as monotonous as you'd expect, the side-stories needed higher stakes for more emotional investment.
The Wizards: Enhanced Edition wrestles with the limitations of PSVR and never wins, deeply undercutting its enjoyable spellcasting with inaccurate motion tracking. These issues are only made worse by uninteresting missions and repetitive combat, making the initial splendour of this spellcasting adventure fade very quickly.
Move or Die is a fast-paced and frenetic party game committed to delivering you and your friends the most enjoyable and fun experience possible and at that it truly succeeds
The Occupation's clever real-time investigations and immensely engrossing story are undone by its dedication to inducing tension by restricting saving, which is exasperated by uneven technical performance.
A new twist on the old formula, The LEGO Movie 2: The Video Game offers up some new mechanics and gameplay but fails at delivering an experience that is either memorable or fun
Devil May Cry 5 is a masterpiece in action. It has heart and charm in its epic story that comes full circle on the series. It looks sexier than the sun setting over a billionaire's collection of cars that are parked on a Santa Monica strip in California. It plays phenomenally well and will leave you drenched in sweat and satisfaction when the end credits roll, while wishing for more of its sassy attitude.
Degrees of Separation is a visually gorgeous and charming game that, while having some innovative mechanics, devolves into tedium due to a poorly paced story and repetitive puzzles
Jump Force is a stunning explosion of iconic manga characters across decades of publication, all wrapped up in a single package of over the top brawling that is decadent on the outside and ultimately hollow inside when cracked open.