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EA Sports UFC 3 is definitely fun to play and does an amazing job at recreating several aspects of competing in MMA's biggest organization. But despite the knockouts it delivers in some places, it's unforgiving submission system, uneven AI, and a few silly UI and gameplay choices means it's still susceptible to a few knocks itself.
If you've got a need for speed and plenty of death through trial and error, then Remnants of Naezith will easily scratch that itch with its mix of platforming and finding the perfect path through its numerous deathtraps.
Though the first game's starting to show its age as far as visuals go, the relentless action remains timeless. Fast, frantic and frivolously fun, it's still worth playing. The sequel, however, improves upon everything; deliver a more focused, more nuanced and more refined. It's a glorious masterclass in design and flow.
Lost Sphear is a bit of a hard sell to people who are not fans of JRPGS and even though the writing and characters are quite stereotypical, the story has a lot of heart. The battle system and customization options make for a fun game.
Aegis Defenders comes highly recommended. The level design is inspired, challenging players to adapt their playstyle on the fly, and the gameplay is riveting and enjoyable. And it's all just so charming, with vibrant characters, witty dialogue, and a story that unfolds at a natural pace.
Dragon Quest Builders is every bit the captivating building adventure on the Switch as it was when it first released. It's strong sense of progression, charming aesthetic and easy mechanics make it great for casual play, while its robust worlds and interesting characters make for a charming tale. It takes a misstep or two along the way, but Dragon Quest Builders isn't an adventure you want to skip out on.
Quick on the attack and heavy on style, Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] is a fighting game that requires an equal mix of brawn and brain to survive its unique take on all-or-nothing fisticuffs.
Monster Hunter World is an addictive, thrilling but ultimately satisfying experience. It's the perfect starting point for newcomers, but it also has all the depth that long-time fans enjoy, making this easily the best game in the series.
Every bit the genre-defining, captivating adventure that it was 13 years ago, Shadow of the Colossus reminds you yet again just how masterful design and keenly focused art direction never age. But it's Bluepoint's respect of these elements and the smart decisions to tweak and improve them that make this the most definitive version of the Team Ico classic you're likely to ever get.
The line between hero and villain is further blurred in Telltale's latest Batman episode, as a world of half-truths and lies comes crashing down on players in the most unexpected of ways.
Subnautica harnesses feelings and fears we experience in reality and uses them to drive us to want to survive in this alien world and find our way back home. It is simply you versus the vast, unknown expanse of the ocean.
The definitive Dragon Ball fighting game, bar none. Arc System Works have created a game which walks across many a fine line, blending style with substance and accessibility with reverence for the source material. It's wild, it rocks my dragon and it sets a benchmark for the series that proudly enters the domain of fight game gods.
The Inpatient is a fittingly terrifying visit to the sanitorium that set Until Dawn in motion and does a good job pivoting from campy slasher tropes to more psychological horror. Its choices lack the same punch though, and despite its shorter runtime, The Inpatient does a worse job of convincing you to play through it multiple times. Despite that, it's captivating world and solid opening remain engrossing, even if its upended near its closure.
InnerSpace wears its inspirations on its sleeve, and manages to replicate the tranquil atmosphere it's clearly aiming for. Its flight is enjoyable, with breath-taking views and colourful planets to poke around in. But it's progression and overall narrative really buckle under the weight, making the crumbling Inverse a wasted space for this otherwise relaxing exploration title.
Clocks and glocks all come together in a game that makes the most of its signature idea, as Time Recoil adds a new twist to the twin-stick shooter genre with its chronal-stretching gameplay.
Challenging, quick on the draw and leaning heavy on the action component, Fallen Legion+ may be unnecessarily frantic at times but it still packs in two interesting stories to great effect. A complete edition that falls just a little bit flat of truly realising its potential, Fallen Legion+ is still an ambitious title with plenty of charm.
Crimsonland has always been a book that you can judge by its cover: A loud and silly twin-stick shooter that throws buckets of enemies at you as you fend them off. Not the most complex game ever devised, it's still a firm slice of action that's perfect for killing aliens and time.
It may have a sparse selection of tables on the Nintendo Switch and visuals that looked more jagged than the inside of a shark's mouth, but Zen's Pinball FX3 is a magical replication of the joy of pinball thanks to some savvy use of the Switch hardware that'll delight any pinhead on the go.
With staples like the persistent timer and sporadic saves gone, the urgency and dread is gone – allowing Dead Rising to be the silly, absurd bit of zombie-slaying mayhem it always wanted to be. Purists may scoff, but there's no denying that it's fun – and just about the best Christmas game in existence.
Blending the mundanity of virtual work with the mania of wave-based shooters, Shooty Fruity perfectly pulls off an experience that's both absurd and satisfying.