GameSpew's Reviews
While not every part of the story hits the mark – we didn’t quite gel with the ending, for example – it’s still very easy to recommend South of the Circle. If you’re the type of person who enjoys interactive dramas, like the recent As Dusk Falls or Gone Home, you’ll likely find yourself engrossed in the narrative that unfolds here. It’s interesting, cleverly told and very intelligent – and, if nothing else, it’ll likely encourage you to learn more about the Cold War and the Antarctic Treaty. Any game that inspires us to educate ourselves more about the world around us is a win in our book.
It may seem strange releasing Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate Definitive Edition on PC now, but as they say, better late than never. It feels archaic in some ways, but there’s no denying that even all these years later it’s still one of the best Warriors titles. And with it comprising of the base game and pretty much all of the content released post-launch, it offers a lot of bang for your buck.
If you’re a fan of quirky JRPGs, consider Live A Live a must-have. Each and every one of the stories offered up here is distinctive and interesting, keeping your attention held like a vice. Along with a fantastic combat system, and numerous improvements to the presentation of the overall package, we’re overjoyed that this title is finally available in the west. Only the occasional frustration brings it down a little, but they’re very much worth pushing through.
With the side-scrolling beat ’em up genre currently going through somewhat of a revival, it’s a shame that Samurai Riot: Definitive Edition disappoints. It’s unique in the space and genuinely does have some good ideas. But when it comes to the gameplay, it just can’t compete with the likes of Streets of Rage 4 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Shredder’s Revenge. If you really like the game’s setting and art style it might be worth taking a gamble thanks to its budget price, but chances are you’ll find it overly repetitive, as well as a bit dull and frustrating.
For fans of the genre, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town is a great example of a life/farming sim at its finest. There’s a mixture of everything here: farming, town building, exploration, relationship building, fishing, cooking, crafting – and it’s all blended together so well. If you’ve got the time to sink into it and you’re looking for something seriously relaxing, you really can’t go wrong.
Short but poignant; that’s ultimately what Endling: Extinction is Forever is. It perfectly conveys the horrors that mankind is capable of, and how it affects the land and animals around us. And it doesn’t pull any punches. There’s no happy ending here, no matter how good you are at looking after your cubs. It’s a game that should be played though, as its message is important. Just be ready to have your soul destroyed by the time the credits roll.
If you enjoy Forza Horizon 5 and want more, this Hot Wheels expansion comes highly recommended. The track-based antics here are more restricted, which may put off players who enjoy the off-roading freedom that the base game provides, but in turn it’s a whole new experience with a completely different feel. As long as you like driving really fast and performing insane stunts, you’ll love Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels. You don’t even need to be a fan of actual Hot Wheels cars to appreciate it.
Still, with its impressive visuals and non-stop action, Bright Memory: Infinite is worth a look for those who value thrills over playing time. Beyond multiple difficulty levels there’s not much reason to spend more time it, and that’s a real shame as we’d love to get into more scrapes as the capable Shelia, despite her awful name.
For fans of 3D platformers, Hell Pie has a lot to offer. It’s an inventive little title with an original premise and setting, and while it has some issues, it’s enjoyable on the whole. For those that can see past its drab visuals and overcome the occasional frustration, then, it’s worth picking up. Well, as long as you’re happy with ripping off horns from defenceless animals for your benefit.
Thanks to titles being available individually, however, possible duplication shouldn’t put you off Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium. The bundle still offers excellent value for money if you’re a fan of classic arcade games. And when you factor in the additional features and solid emulation, you really can’t go wrong. Ultimately, Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium might not be as essential as its predecessor, and you might wonder why these games couldn’t have just been delivered as DLC, but it’s still a fantastic retro collection.
We have a lot of gripes about As Dusk Falls, but we’ve still very much enjoyed our time with it. Its story will keep you hooked from start to finish, but some of its narrative gaps will leave you with questions. Should that keep you from playing? No – ultimately, this is a very well-executed narrative drama complete with excellent voice acting and a unique art style. Yes, it could have been better in many ways, but it’s still worthy of your time.
As it is, Stray may be short, but it’s perfectly formed.
The Jackbox Party Starter serves as a strong welcome to the franchise.
Escape Academy may be a fairly brief experience for some, then, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that the puzzles here are thought-provoking and masterfully crafted. They test your ability to spot patterns and problem solve without ever being too obtuse. Throw in a surprisingly engaging story and co-op, and you have one of the most enjoyable experiences of the year so far. It might even make you want to do some real-life escape rooms – imagine that.
These issues aside, there’s no denying that LOUD is an enjoyable little music rhythm game with a lovely positive message and plenty of spirit. It may be a little brief and rather basic, but it’s nicely presented and well put together. If you’re into rhythm games and rock music it’s worth a look, but it definitely won’t blow your socks off.
Mothmen 1966 is a haunting outing that, with the exception of one awkward line, uses quality writing rather than jump scares to keep you on edge. Yes, you’ll get a little extra out of it if you’ve an appreciation for cryptozoology or astrology, but that’s by no means compulsory. It’s entertaining and unsettling in equal measure and if, as its developers suggest, it’s the first of many, we look forward to seeing where LCB takes the series next.
For run ‘n’ gun fans, there’s a hell of a lot to like about Spidersaurs. Its enemies are varied and fun, its boss fights are challenging, and it’s excellently presented throughout. Only the odd difficulty spike that feels a little unfair and the stickiness of your character are likely to frustrate a tad. And so for its very reasonable asking price, it’s easy to recommend to those who want some attractive bouts of exhilarating action.
Krut: The Mythic Wings isn’t a terrible game – there’s nothing outright awful about it – but it’s sub-par in every single way. So, unless you’ve seen the animated film that it’s based on and really want to immerse yourself in its world a little more, it’s best to give it a wide berth. Though even then, we can’t imagine anyone genuinely having fun with it.
Had the additional DLC package been included with the game as standard, we’d probably suggest Klonoa Phantasy Reveries Series as a must-have for fans hungry to spend time with its cool cat protagonist again. It would be easier to recommend to newcomers, too. But as it is, while some will get plenty of enjoyment out of it at full price, most might want to wait until it goes on sale. Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is an enjoyable blast from the past, but it’s by no means essential playing.
We can certainly see ourselves going back to Little Noah: Scion of Paradise time and again. Its gameplay is simple but engaging, helped along by pleasant and colourful visuals. You’ll quickly care about Noah and her sidekick Zipper, and even when you die you’ll be raring to go again: this is a game that nails the ‘just one more try’ aspect that’s the driving force of any successful roguelike adventure. Little Noah deserves more attention, and with such a low asking price, there’s no reason not to dive straight in.