Expansive's Reviews
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.
I had fun with Sherlock Holmes Chapter One. I was able to look past its shortcomings and frustrations, and pretty much got into a routine of skipping combat entirely because I like what Frogwares are building here. The game is rough around the edges like the younger, brasher, lead character, so there’s work to do for Chapter Two, finding the right balance with what worked well before, but there’s a structure and promise here with some very exciting potential indeed.
If you’re feeling upset, frustrated, angry and need a complete palette cleanser to feel a little bit better, Rainbow Billy is an indie game I’d recommend everyone take a moment to play.
Call of Duty: Vanguard’s campaign, all told, is pretty much standard fare. It’s by no means the best nor worst, but while it strives to do something different, it inevitably continues to just play things safe.
No question about it, Playground Games have redefined the genre with Forza Horizon 5. Visually, mechanically, and everything else in-between. This is a remarkable achievement in every sense of the word and a truly incredible video game that’s the most accessible next-gen title to date. When Microsoft talk about how Xbox Game Pass will alter the landscape of the industry and is more than just a selling point for a console, Forza Horizon 5 backs up every word as its flagship title.
Far Cry 6 is a stunning game, with great acting and a few nice new touches, but ultimately you are playing a game that will feel incredibly familiar to you right from the get-go. You will absolutely know what you’re getting with Far Cry 6, for better or worse, and that’s either going to sound like a dream right now, or a complete turnoff.
House of Ashes is really enjoyable and that’s even after a second playthrough because the content can differ so drastically. For me, unquestionably, this is the standout Dark Pictures tale so far and if the preview of the Season One finale at the end is anything to go by, I feel very confident in saying the future is very bright … and dark in equal measure.
NHL 22 may be finding its feet a little bit with its new engine and mechanics, but it’s the one sports-game I’ll definitely keep going back to this year!