Expansive's Reviews
Inscryption is one of my Games of the Year and is an absolute must-play. If you even have a passing interest in card games, mashed in with a bit of horror and puzzle solving, you’ll find this impossible to put down until you get all the answers to your questions. From the well designed mechanics, to the gradual narrative and creepy, menacing score, this has atmosphere and engagement in abundance and won’t let up until the credits roll.
BROK is a really well written character in a world that is rich, thoughtful and well laid out. The artstyle is stunning, the characters really come to life through voice acting and the hybrid gameplay works really, surprisingly well. Some clunkiness, presentation and puzzle frustration aside, this is a great point (punch?) and click adventure you really should take a chance on.
A remake that opens up the possibilities to more players and communities than ever before, The Last of Us Part 1 has never looked or played better, despite the game now being several generations old. It feels natural and completely at home on PlayStation 5 despite the stripped-out multiplayer and the eye-watering price-tag. All that considered, there’s never been a better time or place to enter the world of The Last of Us in a version that’s definitive and ensures the franchise continues to evolve and won’t be lost to time.
Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a fine party game that offers a nice alternative to other Nintendo properties, uses the Kirby license well and is at a competitive price point to other indies that it borrows elements from. The variety is limited, and the games are quite repetitive, so it’s not of the same caliber and quality of other party games but what Dream Buffet does, it does very well.
Chenso Club looks, sounds, and plays the part for a good hour or two, but you soon see its limitations the more time you spend with it. Whether it’s the slippery controls, the overly chaotic gameplay, the half-hearted story or progression uncertainty, it’s a game that is confused by its own identity and never really stands apart from its competitors.
Thymesia has some well developed, in-depth combat mechanics that are well implemented and executed. And for the most part, it is an entertaining Souls-Like, though it’s been really overshadowed by Elden Ring and others in the genre that bring all these elements together in a more cohesive and enjoyable way.
The Cowabunga Collection truly is one of the best compilations of retro quality I’ve seen in a long time. Not every title is a hit and particularly enjoyable, but the way each game has been lovingly presented and masterfully recreated for modern formats deserves infinite praise. It’s also a fantastic reminder of how important this license was for Konami and the love, respect and care they showed it can teach publishers important lessons for years to come.
If you ever loved Tony Hawks, Jet Set Radio, Max Payne or any/all of the above, you should definitely look into Rollerdrome. It’s a smart, well-designed, polished genre hybrid that genuinely does something a bit different while still giving you a game you’ll enjoy and be familiar with.
South of the Circle is a really well-presented game, from art, music, voice acting, narrative and direction, everything aligns almost perfectly, crafting a high-stakes, enjoyable adventure through to its divisive, but ultimately clever conclusion. Its conversation system is different and intriguing, though sometimes feels like a shot in the dark in certain situations and can alienate some players with its focus on timing. All told, it’s a game we should all make time to play!
Stray is just infectious. At one moment, fun and silly, in another, heartbreaking and emotionally engaging But all throughout it is a game where you truly sit back and marvel at its animation. Where you applaud its design and narrative implementation. Stray is like nothing else out there, and yet it’s also a game you’ll feel right at home with. A truly special title that will hold a place in my heart for years to come.
The Serpent Rogue just didn’t hold my interest for too long and despite numerous times dipping in and out, I found myself easily distracted and disengaged from the experience. A real shame.
Sonic Origins absolutely represents the best way to experience these classic games on modern platforms if you’ve never had the chance before. For people who’ve been here before, though, it’s questionable whether the new content is quite worth the premium price tag, especially with a bunch of surprising new issues.
Neon White is full of some of the most refreshing, engaging action I’ve seen in ages, but it also has surprising soul and heart in its characters and story. It’s a total package in every sense of the word. Just be prepared, it’ll keep you glued to the screen long into the night and deep into a weekend.
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.