Expansive's Reviews
Yes, Your Grace loves putting the player in a difficult position, but even when it does, you’ll still keep coming back for more because you want to know how it all ends – good or bad.
Through its incredible acting, compelling dialogue, gorgeous score, subtle touches, and ever-flowing, easy to grasp gameplay, The Last of Us Part II will undoubtedly be vying for Game of the Year Awards – probably winning many of them – but its impact is greater still. This game will change the way storytelling is done in games forever. In the eyes of the mainstream, this has further legitimized games as a powerful tool to tell a deep, enriching tale that will stay with you days, weeks, even years later. Naughty Dog have outdone themselves once again, and given the PlayStation 4 the world-class exclusive it deserves to not only say goodbye to a generation, but provide the next one with the boundless possibilities for amazing stories to come.
Atomicrops is an excellent balancing act that will keep you on your toes time after time, but the further you get, the more you’ll unlock, and the better prepared you’ll be next time. This is one of those mashups that probably shouldn’t work, but really truly does and will hook you for hours on end. Compared to others in the genre, Atomicrops truly is out standing in its field.
Desperados 3 is easily one of the best tactical games I’ve played this year and is one you’ll find yourself coming back too – often through gritted teeth – because you’re determined to see it through.
My heart feels full playing Beyond Blue. An adventure of exploration as much as anything else, but complemented by a story with some surprising hooks. Ultimately, though, it’s just about looking out at sea, taking in the stunning visuals appreciating what’s in view, and that all I needed Beyond Blue to be and precisely what I’ve been looking for in a game between intense experiences.
Seven Sirens may not be the best of the Shantae games, but the characters it introduces, the forms it plays with, the story it tells, and the world it crafts boasts exciting possibilities for the future. WayForward have once again done what they do best and given us a brilliant side-scrolling platformer to remember, whether you’re a Shantae veteran or you’re just hearing about the Half-Genie Heroine for the first time.
I am fully absorbed in this world, ravenous for more. If you’re looking for a deep, rich RPG, and you didn’t play this the first time around, absolutely pick up Xenoblade Chronicles on Switch.
For the most part, this was a lovely trip down memory lane. Which feels sort of strange to say when it also served as my introduction to gaming’s new groundbreaking, revolutionary platform in Stadia. On both counts, I had a great time, and the experience has made me want to play more Stadia games, as well as get higher scores in Panzer Dragoon. Whichever way you look at it, that experience has clicked and combined quite marvellously.
This is a scrappy, occasionally interesting horror, that has the capacity to creep you out and make you jump. And it plays with some unexpected, fascinating themes that will at least give you something to think about. For those who remain and see it through to the end, that is.
I really enjoyed the Aftermath story campaign, though, appreciating all the twists and turns it presented throughout, watching a mastermind like Shang Tsung at work. Price range aside, it’s an absolute must for Mortal Kombat fans and is sure to set the fan theories into overdrive as to what comes next.
Whether you’ve ever played Minecraft before or not, Microsoft and Mojang have really crafted something more than just a spinoff. This is a franchise that needs time to thrive on its own. I can’t wait to see how it expands.
There’s a lot of content to unpack here, with a good 20-30 hours worth of missions to work your way through. And at a bargain price, it can also work as a great entry point for the franchise if you’ve always been curious. The smaller mission structure suits drop in and drop out play, it remains tactical but approachable, and best of all it still captures the best of XCOM while providing something fresh and different. XCOM Chimera Squad is the best surprise of 2020 in more ways than one.
Maneater was a real genuine surprise for me. I guess it kind of leans into that long debated scientific anecdote – that we might know more about space than we do our own shores. It seems baffling, perhaps improbable, but Maneater is a game I had no knowledge of, yet it’s a title I’m grateful I’ve spent time exploring and playing. Plus it feels good playing as a shark for once. Sharks are amazing creatures, even if this game proves they’re also incredibly scary!
I get this isn’t the newest game on the block and the appetite is ravenous for an all-new Saints Row. Fortunately, there’s never been a better time to dive into Saints Row The Third, which can still draw a smile and runs like an absolute dream. It’s as close to a remake as the game will surely get, utilising the best modern technology of the day, coupling it with rock solid performance. You honestly couldn’t ask for more. Seriously, let’s just get Sperasoft remastering everything from now on.
This has the soul of the ultimate super hero adventure because it’s not just about a group of almighty heroes with amazing abilities, but those who believe in them and work together as one. While I wish the remaster had offered a little bit more in terms of improvements, there was always going to be a challenge bringing a two screen game one single screen hardware. Either way, I’m so grateful to have the chance to play this smart little game one more time and I’m sure many of you will be too.
Ion Fury is a great reminder of how far First Person Shooters have come in twenty years, but it also shows that sometimes the old ways of doing things can still be very entertaining.
The UI looks a bit rough and some of the environments can appear a bit pixelated. There also seems to be a bit of rotation lag when looking around, but this is a decent, surprise port, that was a delight to revisit. I haven’t thought about Myst in a long time, and this was a wonderful trip down memory lane. It’s not quite a masterpiece, but realMyst is a wonderful tribute to one of gaming’s most influential – and enjoyable – adventures.
This game is a tour-de-force, the soundtrack is a love letter to every great sci-fi film from the 80s, as is the overblown weaponry, neon lighting, and quirky costume choices. For a retro side-scrolling fan like me, it’s absolute heaven.
Children of Morta is such a complete experience. The narrative is surprisingly strong, the gameplay really gets its hooks into you, the characters play so differently and are well balanced, and the world around you is rich and detailed. I am so excited to watch Children of Morta grow through 2020. This is a game I keep coming back to and one I seem to appreciate more and more each time I play.
The more I play Hex and understand it, the more I love it. And when more and more enemies come, as the game starts to feel more and more like the films, barely giving you any respite or chance to catch your breath, the closer I feel like I’m connecting to the character. The concept of John Wick Hex is genius and it works better than any of us could have imagined.