TrustedReviews
HomepageTrustedReviews's Reviews
This isn't a definitive verdict. There's still a whole lot to do and see in Forsaken, and if we've learnt anything from Destiny 2 it's that this is a game that changes and evolves – or sometimes fails to evolve – as you keep pushing through the endgame content. How many of us raved about Destiny 2 in the early days? Yet right now Forsaken seems to be taking Destiny in the right direction, giving us that killer combination of Halo and Diablo that we've always wanted.
It begs the question who exactly SNK Heroines is for? The hardcore fighting game fans aren't going to find enough here to pull them away from Dragon Ball FighterZ or Tekken 7 and yet, they're the ones who are going to appreciate the references to SNK's arcade history throughout.
Slime Rancher is an enjoyable foray into virtual ranching, yet fails to provide enough meaningful depth beyond its adorable visual identity.
The addition of PSVR is gimmicky, but fun, with VR shining in cabin-based games like this one, was re-jigged to be. The rest of the game despite showing its age heavily in places manages to feel a fresh experience, as surprisingly nothing has really come out in all this time that comes close to how slickly agile aerial mech combat feels here.
This game shares a lot of DNA with the Dragonball Xenoverse titles but manages to falter at almost every aspect, with flaws in the mission structure, the combat, the way you attain loot and in the way that you develop your character.
Marvel's Spider-Man has a surprising amount to say for itself and continues Sony's run of best-in-show first party exclusives. Comic book fans will fall in love with Insomniac's loving rendition of the webhead's Manhattan, but fans expecting the next God of War might find themselves a little disappointed.
Pool Panic isn't quite engaging enough to heartily recommend. The fact there's an option to mute the music suggests that Rekim are well aware of how irritating it can be, but the gameplay isn't always compelling or tight enough to make it the next big thing. The price is right, but don't expect to be playing this one in a month's time, but that's not the worst thing in the world.
Firewall can be an incredible experience – and easily the most exciting and immersive VR shooter that I've played. It's just a shame that there's not more co-op and single-player action, more competitive modes or shorter waits between the game's bite-sized matches. The core action is more than strong enough that anyone with a PSVR headset and Aim controller should buy in, but don't go in expecting perfection – it's good, but not there yet.
Two Point Hospital takes us right back to the nineties glory days of the management sim, with compelling gameplay, eccentric humour and a healthy dose of gently anarchic fun. You might complain about the save games or the fact that it sticks very closely to the old, established path, but few sims of recent years have been this accessible to get into or this interesting long-term. Miss the good old days of Theme Park, Theme Hospital, and The Movies? This enormously lovable sim will more than fill the hole.
Despite the writing, which is definitely an acquired taste, The Messenger is a truly excellent classic platformer and a bloody good Metroidvania. There's enough of a twist on both genres to make it stand out in an increasingly crowded market. It looks great, in both the 8-bit and 16-bit sections, and the music sounds like it's ripped from the best NES game never made.
Overlook these little niggles and Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the best RPG to make it to consoles since The Witcher 3. It's vast, engaging and surprising. The willingness to accommodate many different types of play may have its drawbacks, but once you've understood the systems and given thought to what kind of hero you want to be, you can sink literally hundreds of hours into your life on Rivellon.
Scoring Strange Brigade was a tough proposition. When the game works and you're in the thick of combat with friends fighting alongside you, it sings. However, there are moments when it doesn't quite come together, and the adventuring feels like an asinine dawdle through a variety of pretty locations. However, it's key to state that these are incredibly pretty locations.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is another fantastic entry in a series that's become recognised for its high quality in the JRPG genre.
If you want to get into MHGU then you'll need some external help, but the addition of this title on Switch makes it perfect to take on the go. It complements the preparation and hunt loop upon which the game relies, with minimal performance hitches or issues.
Pro Evolution Soccer remains the best, most accurate representation of football you can play without suddenly realising you can play out from the back like Harry Maguire.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is another spectacular entry in the long-running series. It brings the 2006 classic into the modern generation with gorgeous visuals, engaging combat and a melodramatic story that hits all the right notes.
Predictably, as is always the way with an MMO, this is very early days for Battle for Azeroth. There's a world of promise here, and scratching the surface will quickly draw you in.
Dead Cells could be the most surprising success of the year. Coming into the crowded Metroidvania genre was a bold move, but one that seems to have paid off as Dead Cells has delivered the best example of the genre in years. The game is deep and rewards exploration, with exceptional combat and so much content it's honestly a little intimidating.
Stardew Valley is the best of its kind, surpassing the classic titles it shamelessly imitates to create one of the most delightful games of the past decade.
Sonic Mania Plus isn’t a vast improvement on Sonic Mania, but given the quality of Sonic Mania, we’ll let that slide. Encore mode extends and expands the appeal – and the challenge – of one of the hedgehog’s finest outings, while the new characters and enhanced Competition mode are fun.