GameSpew's Reviews
Easy to play but far harder to master, Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2‘s cast of ridiculous characters, improbable moves, heavy rock soundtrack and accessible fight mechanics will keep you engaged and challenged.
Jump into Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception expecting a traditional Japanese visual novel experience, and you'll no doubt be a little disappointed… but look past its intermittent battle sections and there's a fulfilling character-driven tale just waiting to be uncovered.
With the credits rolling, sat in the dark having begun playing when it was light outside, I felt fulfilled with what I'd just played; a game that is assuredly made by a very talented group of people wanting to make something different.
The Caligula Effect is a difficult game to review, mainly because of how contradictory it can be at times. Its writing can make it seem leagues above most other JRPGs despite its low production value, yet many of its systems are too complicated to recommend, despite however deep they may be.
While there are hints of fun to be had if you search hard enough, I don't think Strafe ever makes the small moments in between worth scavenging.
Last Stitch Goodnight carves out its own unique place in the metroidvania genre, largely thanks to its whimsical take on presentation, puzzle-solving, and narrative.
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs is a safe bet for anyone looking to scratch an old tactical JRPG itch. It may not reinvent any part of the wheel, but it reconstructs it in a way that is quite admirable.
As horror games go, Narcosis is a triumph, managing to get under your skin and stay there long after you've put the pad down.
The Dream Machine is a flawed, yet stunningly gorgeous game. The time and effort that went into it from such a small studio is mind-boggling, and every minute of it was well worth it from an aesthetic point of view.
Akiba Beat's biggest failure is, undoubtedly, its disconnect with what makes Akihabara so enticing. It is missing the heart of what you'd expect a game of its kind to have.
This grim, pixellated gorefest successfully channels the spirit of 8 and 16 bit shoot-'em-ups but doesn't stand up to sustained play; spend too long with Butcher in one sitting and it starts feeling like an infuriating grind.
Prey expertly blends a compelling narrative with open level design, a fear-inducing mechanic and near-unparalleled player freedom to deliver an appealing, atmospheric and aesthetically pleasing chunk of sci-fi that will get sink its spiky teeth into you and never let go.
Expertly designed with a brilliant and unique concept, Super Rude Bear Resurrection kept me hooked even in its latter stages, where the game's flaws started to become more irritating.
Hilarious and empowering, even if it is frustrating at times, Human: Fall Flat is definitely worth at least one play through.
GNOG is an artistic fever dream that oozes imagination; it is equal parts delightful and bizarre.
By the end of my time with Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3, I was left very much disappointed. Not because of the poor story and acting, but because of the technical issues that kept the game from being anything more than mediocre. It's a shame too; it's a good – if not amazing – looking game, with some really fun mechanics.
I'm tempted to describe the entirety of Birthdays the Beginning as ‘bittersweet'… it's equal parts massively addictive yet horrendously frustrating, but it somehow manages to always provide an enjoyable challenge.
Cosmic Star Heroine's excellent combat system and well-executed retro stylings make it a must for those who hold the classic JRPGs of the past close to their hearts.
Baboon! isn't a bad game per se, but because of its flaws I can only really recommend it to the most die-hard of platform fans looking for a new quirky challenge.
Dawn of War 3 is a well-crafted RTS that eschews some of the tired old tropes for a faster pace and a tighter experience.