Expansive's Reviews
Draugen isn’t really a game with many multiple choice situations or varied outcomes, therefore not really lending itself to a second runthrough. There is a cool 1923 mode which lets you play it all in black and white, a really refreshing aesthetical touch that doesn’t drastically alter things too much.
My Friend Pedro is a fun game and so appropriately a handheld game, making Switch a very natural home. It will definitely satiate your appetite in looking for something a bit different.
Judgment is one of my favourite games this year. I love the action and the way its mixed in with puzzle solving, throughout the main story it really does feel like a good split. Without a doubt, I want to see more from this franchise, but perhaps see it explore new boundaries and take more risks to carve out its own niche. As hard as it may be to believe, I think it has the chance to better than the Yakuza games if given the time, money, and resources to grow and shine.
No doubt about it, Asobo Studio have created a sure-fire contender for Game of the Year and I couldn’t be happier for them. This is a great game that deserves to be played. That is, unless you’ve got a phobia of rats, then it’s probably best to stay well away…
I think it’s a very bold, brave, and intelligent game that smartly weaves its plot together through a mix of dialogue, environment, and suspense. Storm in a Teacup are one of the most promising and talented new studios out there and while this game isn’t perfect, there’s enough in here to convince me of their vision and ambitions. I cannot wait to see what they do next.
Basically, if you think you’re good enough at Puyo Puyo, pick this up and have a go. You might find yourself a new path to eSports as this definitely feels like the next logical step for the franchise on a global stage. As for me, I think I’ll dip back into Puyo Puyo Tetris instead. While the matchmaking and online portion is so much better in Champions – both in terms of stability and competition – I think I’m more of a solo player and so PPT is more my bag.
For me, it shows how deep the MK lore has become, how many interesting and surprisingly well-developed characters the games have, and how easily the franchise could carve out a narrative-focused niche for itself.
It’s not often games get a second shot at a Game of the Year Edition, but Borderlands 1 makes the most of it. If you’re getting swept up in the Borderlands 3 hype and have somehow never played the original, there’s never been a better time or opportunity to start.
There’s true charm and a surprising amount of substance in this delightful little romp. Every time I booted up my Switch to play, it felt like the console was giving me a loving hug and when my time was up, it left me with a warm glow inside. With its gleeful tunes, soothing sounds, and stunning design, Yoshi’s Crafted World is another wonderful jewel in the Switch’s platforming crown.
Du Lac & Fey is a game I’d recommend anyone play as the story is one of the best I’ve seen in a point & click for a long time. But several patches deep, it’s still ruined by some irritating, occasionally game-breaking glitches. I don’t know if Du Lac & Fey will ever be truly fixed or how much support the game will continue to receive, but I’m rooting for Salix Games to get it right. This game deserves an audience and is a series which must be allowed to continue, but in its current state, sadly, many of these issues are difficult to look past.
The 3DS version is by far superior to the Wii counterpart, and still offers enough new content that it’s worth a double dip. With all the new abilities, extras, as well as the Amiibo support, it’s a fantastic little port which manages to work wonderfully on 3DS and is a typically wonderful Nintendo platformer which really takes the Kirby franchise in fascinating new directions. This is a true classic Nintendo platformer in every sense of the word.
Devil May Cry 5 is an absolute triumph. It’s a true return to form for a beloved franchise, and absolutely full to the brim with smash mouth, in-your-face action. One of the most stylish and slick fighters you’ll ever have the pleasure of committing to your hard drive.
It all started so well, then it tripped and stumbled in the middle, only to partially redeem itself at the end. Legacy of the First Blade is such a mixed bag but it does, at times, offer the best of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and the absolute worst.
The most important and arguably the greatest Civ Expansion of All Time. Just thinking about it now is giving me the itch to dive back in. Wonderful!
Ape Out is a very special, surprisingly wonderful, downright brutal arthouse experience
STEINS GATE; ELITE is as important to the genre as it is the intellectual property and is one of the most surprisingly entertaining interactive experiences I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying for some time.
Band of Bastards sticks to what it knows and as DLC goes does a good job of adding to the overall narrative, giving Henry several surprising, encouraging opportunities to express himself.
Two words can sum up Shadow Heritage, messy and forced.
Broken Toys gets the Season back on track and has helped prepare me for the curtain call, the episode I never really wanted to play, but one I knew had to come.
Hunted is a strong start for the Legacy of the First Blade portion of the Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey Season Pass. I’m intrigued to peel back some of Darius’ layers and learn more about The Order of the Ancients pursuit of the Misthios. Amazingly, Hunted has made me want to play even more of Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey which, after a hundred or so hours, is quite an impressive feat.