Expansive's Reviews
There are issues with the game’s foundation which cannot, nor should not, be ignored, and the constant cycle of death with no easy resolution can be massively demoralising and off-putting. However Sifu remains one of the most entertaining brawlers in recent memory. This is a game that rewards just as quickly as it upsets and it definitely won’t go easy on you and, in turn, you’ll probably go even less easy on your poor control pad.
I would go as far as to say Pokémon Legends: Arceus is my all-time favourite Pokémon game. It’s one I’ve already spent an obscene amount of time with, but also a game that has found a smart way to play into familiar tropes, while also evolving and developing them for a newer generation. There’s a more engaging story that opens up exciting possibilites for the wider world, the graphics and animations are beautifully suited and the game feels stable even during heavy conflict and activity. Even the music is something to treasure with tracks you’ll find yourself quickly humming along to. If 2022 is going to be the best year for Switch yet, Nintendo couldn’t have started it any better with this absolute treasure and sure-fire Game of the Year contender.
Endwalker is a thank you to the fans for their patience, passion and perseverance. Without question, it’s the defining moment of one of gaming’s greatest ever comeback stories, now somehow more popular than it’s ever been. Because of that, I truly hope we’ll see these faces again someday, taking on new stories and venturing to new places. Square Enix can be proud that this is the best Final Fantasy has been in many years and it sets the bar high for anything that follows.
This is a real treat for Jurassic World fans. Evolution may have laid the ground work, but Evolution 2 manages to improve upon the issues of its predecessor and offer some really tasty, enjoyable, and quality content that will satisfy those familiar with the franchise while creating a really great jumping on point for those who’ve never visited before. Easily one of the best Jurassic World games of all time.
If you’ve never played a Mario Party game before, this is the perfect jumping on point – celebrating the best the series has to offer. And even if you’re not, there’s no better collection and assortment out there than Mario Party Superstars. A perfect party game that’s accessible to everyone.
I had fun with Sherlock Holmes Chapter One. I was able to look past its shortcomings and frustrations, and pretty much got into a routine of skipping combat entirely because I like what Frogwares are building here. The game is rough around the edges like the younger, brasher, lead character, so there’s work to do for Chapter Two, finding the right balance with what worked well before, but there’s a structure and promise here with some very exciting potential indeed.
If you’re feeling upset, frustrated, angry and need a complete palette cleanser to feel a little bit better, Rainbow Billy is an indie game I’d recommend everyone take a moment to play.
Call of Duty: Vanguard’s campaign, all told, is pretty much standard fare. It’s by no means the best nor worst, but while it strives to do something different, it inevitably continues to just play things safe.
No question about it, Playground Games have redefined the genre with Forza Horizon 5. Visually, mechanically, and everything else in-between. This is a remarkable achievement in every sense of the word and a truly incredible video game that’s the most accessible next-gen title to date. When Microsoft talk about how Xbox Game Pass will alter the landscape of the industry and is more than just a selling point for a console, Forza Horizon 5 backs up every word as its flagship title.
Far Cry 6 is a stunning game, with great acting and a few nice new touches, but ultimately you are playing a game that will feel incredibly familiar to you right from the get-go. You will absolutely know what you’re getting with Far Cry 6, for better or worse, and that’s either going to sound like a dream right now, or a complete turnoff.
House of Ashes is really enjoyable and that’s even after a second playthrough because the content can differ so drastically. For me, unquestionably, this is the standout Dark Pictures tale so far and if the preview of the Season One finale at the end is anything to go by, I feel very confident in saying the future is very bright … and dark in equal measure.
NHL 22 may be finding its feet a little bit with its new engine and mechanics, but it’s the one sports-game I’ll definitely keep going back to this year!
NBA 2K22 remains an entertaining entry in this ever-growing franchise. There’s lots of smart changes and good adjustments that make this installment even more interesting to play, but there is also a lot of familiarity and unsettling extras which are starting to hold the entire property back with each passing year.
I am blown away by just how good Metroid Dread is. I’d been anticipating the game, but this has exceeded my expectations in just about every way possible. For me, there’s been no better experience in any game this year. And few experiences better on the Switch to date. It’s good to have you back, Samus!
All Star Brawl runs and plays absolutely fine, and probably has just about enough to keep itself interesting for the younger gamers with its extras. As long as you don’t expect something on the scale of Smash, in terms of content and replayability, this is a really well made and built fighter that will definitely offer lots of laughs and plenty of fun.
Diablo 2 is a game I loved once upon a time and played it for many hours. I think Resurrected has perhaps made me realise that while some elements of the game are as strong as ever and still hold up exceedingly well, my preferences as a gamer have changed. I now crave a convenience that was never present here and feel like the franchise has moved on for the better.
Get It Together is experimental in many ways, like the series is taking a turn and it needs more time to fit the mould. It’s still incredibly good fun and there’s more reasons than ever to keep dipping in and playing, but the selection of mini-games on offer isn’t the best around and the team selection/character changing feels a little bit jarring and can make things overly confusing.
Even though it’s devoid of color, TOEM’s personality is clear for all to see. It's wonderful and even though the indie field is extremely competitive this year, I would easily rank it among the very best I’ve played. It’s smart, refreshing, and is so much fun to play. Please play TOEM!
I appreciate what Bonfire Peaks sets out to do as it does it very well. The puzzles are the right blend of head-scratching, chance, and skill, and for a game that ultimately is about stacking crates, there is a soul and essence here that makes the game feel much more interesting than its premise makes it appear. No doubt, it won’t be for everyone, and many might even find themselves switching off early on, but if you allow yourself the time to get truly sucked into the world, its varying mechanics really add dynamism to the puzzle-solving and you may come out the other side invested in ways you would never have expected.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is easily the best party game of the year and is also one of the most generous packages in terms of offerings and pricing I’ve had the pleasure of putting in my PS5. If you’re looking for something wild, a bit different, and a game that will give you hours of multiplayer fun, there’s no easier recommendation to make.