Expansive's Reviews
South of the Circle is a really well-presented game, from art, music, voice acting, narrative and direction, everything aligns almost perfectly, crafting a high-stakes, enjoyable adventure through to its divisive, but ultimately clever conclusion. Its conversation system is different and intriguing, though sometimes feels like a shot in the dark in certain situations and can alienate some players with its focus on timing. All told, it’s a game we should all make time to play!
Stray is just infectious. At one moment, fun and silly, in another, heartbreaking and emotionally engaging But all throughout it is a game where you truly sit back and marvel at its animation. Where you applaud its design and narrative implementation. Stray is like nothing else out there, and yet it’s also a game you’ll feel right at home with. A truly special title that will hold a place in my heart for years to come.
The Serpent Rogue just didn’t hold my interest for too long and despite numerous times dipping in and out, I found myself easily distracted and disengaged from the experience. A real shame.
Sonic Origins absolutely represents the best way to experience these classic games on modern platforms if you’ve never had the chance before. For people who’ve been here before, though, it’s questionable whether the new content is quite worth the premium price tag, especially with a bunch of surprising new issues.
Neon White is full of some of the most refreshing, engaging action I’ve seen in ages, but it also has surprising soul and heart in its characters and story. It’s a total package in every sense of the word. Just be prepared, it’ll keep you glued to the screen long into the night and deep into a weekend.
Without question, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is one of the best side-scrolling beat-em-ups in years and it stands proudly alongside the quality lineage of products we’ve seen from the genre over the years. It might even be an unexpected Game of the Year contender. Just delightful.
This adorable fox won’t win everyone over, but everyone else will wax lyrical about Tunic for weeks and months to come. For me, it’s a stunning triumph that enchanted me every step of the way. From its retro manuals to its hidden secrets, this is a world I lost myself in for days at a time and never wanted to leave. Nothing has come close to matching the joy I felt from Link to the Past all those years ago, until now!
Grand Theft Auto V on PlayStation 5 is almost as big of a leap as we saw from the PS3 to the PS4. The loading times are rapid, the visual quality is blindingly beautiful, its smooth as silk and many of the game’s mechanics still hold up very well. Some things definitely have not aged as well, though, and it is a game, you feel, which is beginning to run on fumes.
This Wave, and almost certainly the rest of the Booster Course Pass, makes one thing very clear. Mario Kart 8 not only has longevity, but it will go down in history as the best Mario Kart of all time.
Chocobo GP is a fun racer and one of the best outside of Mario Kart since the Sonic Racers. But unlike those games, it doesn’t quite get its handling and balance right and also serves up an offputting progression system that is more interested in taking than giving.
Triangle Strategy is one of the best RPGs Square Enix have put out in years. It’s far superior to Octopath Traveller in terms of its story and flow, and is yet another must-have Nintendo Switch game in 2022. There are so many hours of gameplay here, most of them are memorable and enjoyable. Despite some technical hitches, and a few scenes that do go on for a bit too long, you’ll be blessed with a solid cast of characters, an enriching world you’ll be eager to explore, and a level of strategizing that is just as good as Nintendo’s own Fire Emblem. Unmissable.
WWE 2K22 is the best WWE game 2K have released in a very long time. It’s still not perfect and there are moments that still hamper it, but it’s a lot more user-friendly, there’s a good chunk of content here, there’s a lot of customisation possibilities, a healthy, varied roster is available – even though many of them don’t work at the company anymore – and you’ll find a lot of investment for your time here between MyGM and MyRISE. A real step up and improvement from WWE 2K20, things are definitely back on the right track.
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.