Expansive's Reviews
Without question, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is one of the best side-scrolling beat-em-ups in years and it stands proudly alongside the quality lineage of products we’ve seen from the genre over the years. It might even be an unexpected Game of the Year contender. Just delightful.
This adorable fox won’t win everyone over, but everyone else will wax lyrical about Tunic for weeks and months to come. For me, it’s a stunning triumph that enchanted me every step of the way. From its retro manuals to its hidden secrets, this is a world I lost myself in for days at a time and never wanted to leave. Nothing has come close to matching the joy I felt from Link to the Past all those years ago, until now!
Grand Theft Auto V on PlayStation 5 is almost as big of a leap as we saw from the PS3 to the PS4. The loading times are rapid, the visual quality is blindingly beautiful, its smooth as silk and many of the game’s mechanics still hold up very well. Some things definitely have not aged as well, though, and it is a game, you feel, which is beginning to run on fumes.
This Wave, and almost certainly the rest of the Booster Course Pass, makes one thing very clear. Mario Kart 8 not only has longevity, but it will go down in history as the best Mario Kart of all time.
Chocobo GP is a fun racer and one of the best outside of Mario Kart since the Sonic Racers. But unlike those games, it doesn’t quite get its handling and balance right and also serves up an offputting progression system that is more interested in taking than giving.
Triangle Strategy is one of the best RPGs Square Enix have put out in years. It’s far superior to Octopath Traveller in terms of its story and flow, and is yet another must-have Nintendo Switch game in 2022. There are so many hours of gameplay here, most of them are memorable and enjoyable. Despite some technical hitches, and a few scenes that do go on for a bit too long, you’ll be blessed with a solid cast of characters, an enriching world you’ll be eager to explore, and a level of strategizing that is just as good as Nintendo’s own Fire Emblem. Unmissable.
WWE 2K22 is the best WWE game 2K have released in a very long time. It’s still not perfect and there are moments that still hamper it, but it’s a lot more user-friendly, there’s a good chunk of content here, there’s a lot of customisation possibilities, a healthy, varied roster is available – even though many of them don’t work at the company anymore – and you’ll find a lot of investment for your time here between MyGM and MyRISE. A real step up and improvement from WWE 2K20, things are definitely back on the right track.
The Witch Queen is, without doubt, the best Destiny 2 expansion. The things it sets in motion, the flow between missions, the beautiful setpieces, epic battles, and wonderful voice acting marry up beautifully to create an unmissable expansion, even if some questions still remain about Destiny 2’s treatment of its content and how to access some of it.
Shadow Warrior 3 doesn’t quite top the 2nd for me but what it does, it does very well. It is very limited in terms of its offerings and there are some technical hitches that slow its momentum which games like this really rely on. But on the whole, I had an enjoyable time with Lo Wang and co, and the weapon variety really helps keep this interesting from beginning to end.
FAR: Changing Tides is a game that surprisingly inspires some deep thinking but also has a more relaxing pace when compared to pretty much everything else on the market right now. I loved every step of the journey and encourage everyone to make the time to play, what is sure to be, one of the best indies of 2022 and a perfect palette cleanser to break up the full-on releases we’re in the midst of.
Martha is Dead is not going to be for everyone and if the disclaimers attached to the game leave you uncertain, we’d advise exercising caution before diving in. For the most part, there’s a really powerful, engaging story at play here, with subjects handled mostly sensitively, and quality direction that’ll inspire the industry for years to come.
Dying Light 2 is vast, enjoyable and definitely worth playing. It’s hard to recommend against some of the titles it’s currently up against (and likely others to come) but what it offers is mostly polished content with a solid gameplay flow. Repetition rears its head quickly, though, combat regularly frustrated me, and I definitely found myself more tuned out than in with the game’s story.
KOF XV is a good, solid, safe fighter with a relatively rich roster, that looks great and plays slick. It may yet be the best King of Fighters game for years, but it doesn’t really feel like a next-gen fighter that pushes limits or ‘shatters expectations’. SNK probably should have added more offline content to balance things out and help build upon the gradual success the franchise has gained over the years. While KOF XV may have the honor of being one of the first major XSX/PS5 fighters, it’s probably one that’ll be mostly forgotten about in short order.
Cyberpunk 2077 finally feels at home on PS5, but remains a cautionary tale rather than a comeback story.
This is an exciting new direction for the franchise and easily the definitive edition of an already fantastic skating game. OlliOlli World looks, feels, and plays like a dream whether you’re looking for the next fix following Tony Hawks or it’s the first time you’re hopping on a board. Roll7 and Private Division make an excellent team and I’m so excited to see what else they’ll bring to the game in the months and years ahead.
There are issues with the game’s foundation which cannot, nor should not, be ignored, and the constant cycle of death with no easy resolution can be massively demoralising and off-putting. However Sifu remains one of the most entertaining brawlers in recent memory. This is a game that rewards just as quickly as it upsets and it definitely won’t go easy on you and, in turn, you’ll probably go even less easy on your poor control pad.
I would go as far as to say Pokémon Legends: Arceus is my all-time favourite Pokémon game. It’s one I’ve already spent an obscene amount of time with, but also a game that has found a smart way to play into familiar tropes, while also evolving and developing them for a newer generation. There’s a more engaging story that opens up exciting possibilites for the wider world, the graphics and animations are beautifully suited and the game feels stable even during heavy conflict and activity. Even the music is something to treasure with tracks you’ll find yourself quickly humming along to. If 2022 is going to be the best year for Switch yet, Nintendo couldn’t have started it any better with this absolute treasure and sure-fire Game of the Year contender.
Endwalker is a thank you to the fans for their patience, passion and perseverance. Without question, it’s the defining moment of one of gaming’s greatest ever comeback stories, now somehow more popular than it’s ever been. Because of that, I truly hope we’ll see these faces again someday, taking on new stories and venturing to new places. Square Enix can be proud that this is the best Final Fantasy has been in many years and it sets the bar high for anything that follows.
This is a real treat for Jurassic World fans. Evolution may have laid the ground work, but Evolution 2 manages to improve upon the issues of its predecessor and offer some really tasty, enjoyable, and quality content that will satisfy those familiar with the franchise while creating a really great jumping on point for those who’ve never visited before. Easily one of the best Jurassic World games of all time.
If you’ve never played a Mario Party game before, this is the perfect jumping on point – celebrating the best the series has to offer. And even if you’re not, there’s no better collection and assortment out there than Mario Party Superstars. A perfect party game that’s accessible to everyone.