Expansive's Reviews
Superliminal can be a decent challenge, but once it’s over, it doesn’t feel like a game you’d revisit in a hurry. It struggles to recapture that sense of wonder and magic. Still, for a short blast puzzler, this really does offer something different, and on the strength of that alone, stays memorable and lasting
Beyond a Steel Sky is ushering in an exciting new era for adventure games. Revolution Software have gone above and beyond with this sequel and reinvigorated a classic franchise in the best possible way.
Spongebob Squarepants Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated is expertly redesigned, thoroughly enjoyable, stylish platformer that fans of the show are going to go wild over. Spongebob is the perfect pick-me-up to lift your spirits and remind you just how fulfilling, wholesome, and most of all, entertaining the platform genre can truly be.
As someone who appreciated SUPERHOT for what it offered originally, I am a much bigger fan of this much more fulfilling, well-rounded experience. The roguelike aesthetic really suits the tone of the game and makes the Mind Control Delete experience absolutely essential for SUPERHOT fans, whether you loved it in VR or not.
Edna & Harvey The Breakout Anniversary Edition is a labour of love for all involved. Another fantastic adventure game that finds itself on Switch that you simply must add to your library.
If this is the kind of quality we can expect from Konami in the years ahead, there could well be a renaissance on the cards. They have Ukuza Games to thank for crafting a compelling, stunning, and overall, very entertaining platformer that, surprisingly, you’ll be smiling through as opposed to grimacing.
The quality, fantastic score, and pulse-pounding action are the perfect throwback to one of gaming’s greatest eras. Platformers were in their prime in the 90s and Ultracore is a great example of the creativity that studios were dishing out back then. If you’ve been desperate for a slice of 16 bit quality shooters, Ultracore will absolutely scratch that itch.
The Darius Cozmic Collection Console feels like a piece of history every retro enthusiast must own, and every gamer who wants to understand the legacy of the industry has to try for themselves. At least once.
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.