GameSpew's Reviews
If you are craving that Burnout action but can't be arsed to pull out an old console, then sure, Danger Zone will at least remind you of those glory days. Unfortunately it'll do little else.
The best analogy for NBA Playgrounds is that it's like a leaky ship. The exterior, with its charm and aesthetically pleasing look, hides an interior rife with small missteps and annoyances.
There's something about Tokyo 42 that makes it quite engrossing. Playing it often feels like hard work due to the annoying camera, but it's strangely rewarding.
Shadow Warrior 2 surprised me. It takes a chance by adopting a more open-ended structure, but it pays off. All the humour of the original game remains intact, and there's more emphasis on you simply having fun, whether that's by yourself or with others. And what fun it is.
Between poor controls and downright tedious gameplay, Tango Fiesta fails to incentivise players to invest in its tough-guy premise.
It's by no means perfect, but Friday the 13th: The Game has a lot of fun to offer when you can get into matches. It delivers the promised tension of the film series, and you can see the love for the franchise in nearly everything. Unfortunately, as it's currently a multiplayer-only experience, the connection issues really do sour the game a bit, and it really could have done with a final bit of polish.
For any Samurai Warriors veteran, Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada will feel like a pair of comfy old slippers – easy to slide into, and once you're in their warm embrace you won't want to part company with them until they've become a little too sweaty and overbearing.
Big things come in small packages, and much like its levels, OVIVO shows that it's not about getting caught up in the details; it's about looking at the bigger picture.
What really makes From the Gallows stand out as one of the better episodes this season is that in and among all the action and drama, there are some really touching moments of laughter and love.
Tequila Works' RiME is an audiovisual tour de force that wants to astonish you with its beauty, charm you with its loveable protagonist, and move you with its powerful emotions. And if you give it a chance, it'll succeed in all three.
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.