Expansive's Reviews
Bleed 2 does what it does very well. It’s accessible, entertaining, sometimes tactical, other times infuriating, but it's one of the best modern day side-scrollers we’ve played.
Poochy and Yoshi's Woolly World is Nintendo platforming at its finest
There’s no question that Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy is a very welcome sight on a platform not owned by Sony. The Switch version has exceeded my expectations in almost every conceivable way and Crash still remains one of the finest examples of platform gaming from the 32bit era. A must own.
Wonderboy The Dragon's Trap is one of my favourite experiences on Switch to date
The Escapists 2 is feature rich and runs a treat on Nintendo Switch
Vostok Inc will draw you in and is fun, satisfying and addictive
Kingdom: New Lands is a diamond in the rough that is just a few extra tweaks and refinements away from being another sparkling gem in the eShop lineup.
Slayaway Camp is a great, grisly and gory little puzzler that has found the perfect home on Switch
The Red Strings Club poses important questions to think and reflect on in an effective, harrowing way.
The Fall Part 2: Unbound goes deeper narratively than its predecessor but suffers from oversimplification of some mechanics
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is one of the bravest, most unique independent experiences out there
Octahedron has a brutal difficulty curve but is also incredibly rewarding if you give it the time it needs
Flipping Death is heartfelt, ambitious and wonderfully creative. I love everything about it, faults and all.
Lunar Great Wall Studios have crafted a thoughtful and lasting experience that defies convention and pushes new boundaries. A fantastic achievement
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.
While Silver Lining is certainly a concluding arc to this chapter of game development, it never feels like an ending. The over-familiarity will wane on you, but it’s clear there’s much more to come from this franchise. Even though Silver Lining has plenty of optional extras to mop up once the final credits roll, it’s hard not to be more excited about the future. In that, the DLC has served its purpose perfectly.
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.
Planet of Lana is the rare combination of potential and quality. With a soundtrack that will surely win awards, an unforgettable cinematic style that constantly impresses, mechanics and gameplay that evolve smartly, giving you just the right amount of challenge, and a friendship that warms the cockles of the heart. This is a wonderful adventure that, bar a few minor misgivings, has a bit of everything and will stick with you long after the credits roll.
In Tanta We Trust is a short, sweet DLC that has a good flow and energy. It paints a picture an intriguing, compelling picture of the wider world, and sets the scene for a future, despite the fact it remains uncertain. Content size, occasionally clunky dialogue and no major changes in content from the base game may be offputting for some, but what is here makes for a solid, well-rounded addition to Forspoken, whether it serves as a continuation for a player or an entry point.
Humanity is one of the finest puzzlers I’ve had the pleasure of playing. I learned something from each stage and couldn’t wait to see what the game had for me next,. The developments and surprises keep coming along with the challenges and there’s plenty of long tail to come with user created stages and builders. Minor fiddly controls aside, this will be one I keep going back to and will surely stay among the best games I’ve played all year.