Expansive's Reviews
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.
Maneater was a real genuine surprise for me. I guess it kind of leans into that long debated scientific anecdote – that we might know more about space than we do our own shores. It seems baffling, perhaps improbable, but Maneater is a game I had no knowledge of, yet it’s a title I’m grateful I’ve spent time exploring and playing. Plus it feels good playing as a shark for once. Sharks are amazing creatures, even if this game proves they’re also incredibly scary!
I get this isn’t the newest game on the block and the appetite is ravenous for an all-new Saints Row. Fortunately, there’s never been a better time to dive into Saints Row The Third, which can still draw a smile and runs like an absolute dream. It’s as close to a remake as the game will surely get, utilising the best modern technology of the day, coupling it with rock solid performance. You honestly couldn’t ask for more. Seriously, let’s just get Sperasoft remastering everything from now on.
This has the soul of the ultimate super hero adventure because it’s not just about a group of almighty heroes with amazing abilities, but those who believe in them and work together as one. While I wish the remaster had offered a little bit more in terms of improvements, there was always going to be a challenge bringing a two screen game one single screen hardware. Either way, I’m so grateful to have the chance to play this smart little game one more time and I’m sure many of you will be too.
Ion Fury is a great reminder of how far First Person Shooters have come in twenty years, but it also shows that sometimes the old ways of doing things can still be very entertaining.
The UI looks a bit rough and some of the environments can appear a bit pixelated. There also seems to be a bit of rotation lag when looking around, but this is a decent, surprise port, that was a delight to revisit. I haven’t thought about Myst in a long time, and this was a wonderful trip down memory lane. It’s not quite a masterpiece, but realMyst is a wonderful tribute to one of gaming’s most influential – and enjoyable – adventures.
This game is a tour-de-force, the soundtrack is a love letter to every great sci-fi film from the 80s, as is the overblown weaponry, neon lighting, and quirky costume choices. For a retro side-scrolling fan like me, it’s absolute heaven.
Children of Morta is such a complete experience. The narrative is surprisingly strong, the gameplay really gets its hooks into you, the characters play so differently and are well balanced, and the world around you is rich and detailed. I am so excited to watch Children of Morta grow through 2020. This is a game I keep coming back to and one I seem to appreciate more and more each time I play.
The more I play Hex and understand it, the more I love it. And when more and more enemies come, as the game starts to feel more and more like the films, barely giving you any respite or chance to catch your breath, the closer I feel like I’m connecting to the character. The concept of John Wick Hex is genius and it works better than any of us could have imagined.
Deliver Us The Moon is a spirited, fascinating adventure full of exploration. You can really lose yourself in this world, despite its linearity, and you’ll actually find many of its key moments leave a lasting impression. This is the closest I will ever get to venturing into space, and I’m so very glad I took the trip.
Hyper Parasite has more to it than first appears – the quick and easy movement system via the map is mega convenient, and there’s some really nice sequences and the range of characters keeps things interesting. It’s not the best in class roguelike you’ll find out there, but this hybrid shooter has some unique hooks and takes that offer decent replayability and entertainment throughout.
While I still miss that PlayLink support, UNO Flip is brilliant and essential for any UNO fan. The new ruleset will keep you playing for hours on end and it’s a real nice step up in difficulty for those seeking a new challenge.
This is a truly lovely game that shows us it doesn’t always have to be about guns, explosions, and epic battles to be compelling and interesting. If you’re looking for something a little bit different on Switch, In Other Waters should be right near the top of your list. It looks and plays like nothing else out there right now and that’s both refreshing and exhilarating in of itself.
Streets of Rage 4 is a monumental effort. It’s easy to fall into, compelling enough to keep you interested, and is a more than worthy sequel to one of the most beloved franchises ever made.
I really enjoyed Gears Tactics. Everything just comes together so well and without doubt, it’s one of the surprise packages of 2020. Cast it aside and discredit at your own risk Gears Tactics is a brilliant game that works as well as any other in the genre on almost every level.
There’s a lot of great games vying for your attention right now, but Creature in the Well shouldn’t be confined to the shadows like its namesake.
We touched upon it in our preview last year but while Resident Evil 2 Remake was an exceptional piece of work, and at the time the standard by which all remakes would be judged, I now believe Square have taken hold of the baton and are the ones running with it. Whether this is your first trip to Midgar or a return one, the characters, world, battles, music, and graphics harmoniously unite to deliver a very respectful and incredibly epic swansong for this generation. Square have somehow made one of the greatest games ever made even better and I am now more excited than ever to see what they do with some of my favourite characters in this universe.