GameSpew's Reviews
This is the sort of game that’s easy-going, relaxing and enjoyable to play. You don’t need to think too much about it; simply turn the game on, switch yourself off and enjoy. And right now, that’s something we all need more of in our lives. If you’re looking for a platforming game that breaks the mould, this isn’t it. But if you simply want a solid entry into the genre, one that sticks to the rules but does so with finesse, you’ll love Kao the Kangaroo.
While Sniper Elite 5‘s campaign feels a little familiar, and largely more focused on sneaking than sniping, we can’t help but be impressed by the overall package. With co-op, competitive multiplayer modes and a new invasion mechanic, Sniper Elite 5 has something for everybody. And a range of difficulty settings make it suitable for all skill levels. So, unless you go into it expecting to snipe everything that moves, chances are you won’t be disappointed.
Overall, though, the good far outweighs the bad. Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers does a great job of living up to its predecessor, offering a story and cast of characters almost as engaging and lovable. Whether or not you’ve played the first game, this is a worthwhile visual novel for anyone who loves the arcade scene and wants to get engrossed in a narrative enriched with gaming culture.
Fans of Touken Ranbu will likely enjoy Touken Ranbu Warriors, but those who are also keen gamers will see its obvious flaws. This is a cut-down Warriors experience, for better and for worse. Newcomers may appreciate the more bite-sized maps that you move through in a linear fashion, but others will find them suffocating. And ultimately, the gameplay just feels more repetitive than ever. Still, if you want to follow the story of Touken Ranbu and feel like you’re part of the action, it might be worth a look.
For shoot ’em up fans, Rolling Gunner + Overpower truly is a treat. Everything about it – from visuals to gameplay – is top-notch, ensuring that you have a big grin on your face from the moment you boot it up until you decide to turn it off. But the amount of difficulty options here, and the features introduced by the Overpower DLC, make this accessible to newcomers, too. We reckon this will be remembered as a classic in years to come.
It may not be entirely original, then, and it’s certainly generic in the looks department, but Amazing Princess Sarah is good fun for those who like old-school platformers such as Castlevania. It’s the type of game that you can play through in one or two sittings, having fun flinging one enemy at another. Then maybe you’ll return to it from time to time to tackle its hoist of additional unlockable game modes. You certainly can’t go wrong for its budget price.
Ultimately, how much joy you’ll get out of Golf Gang depends how much you like playing online. For those who regularly have digital get-togethers with friends, this is a must have. And considering its bargain price (£7.99/$9.99), there really is no reason to jump in: mad-cap, hilarious fun is guaranteed. For those who prefer to play solo, though, you’re better off giving this one a miss.
Evil Dead: The Game has quickly become our favourite 4v1 horror title, and we can’t wait to see how it grows and develops. There are two distinct experiences to be had playing as either a demon or a survivor, but both are huge amounts of gory fun. And thanks to the fantastic atmosphere generated by the game’s visuals and map design, you’re genuinely kept on the edge of your seat as you play. We’re so glad that some 40 years after the release of The Evil Dead, the series remains relevant. And on the back of Evil Dead: The Game we think it’s got much more life in it yet. Come get some.
If you’re after a shoot ’em up that’s bold, colourful and offers plenty of replayability, you can’t really go wrong with Cotton Fantasy. For those new to the genre it will simply be fun working your way through its stages, doing your best to survive. But for veterans out there, there’s a high skill ceiling and a robust scoring system, presenting hours of fun to be had.
As far as sci-fi Souls-likes go, Dolmen sits somewhere between Hellpoint and The Surge in terms of quality. It can offer a rewarding experience to Souls-like fans, but it falls short of the bar set by the creators of the genre. Still, for those who have patience and persistence, and like the idea of exploring a new, futuristic setting while engaging in challenging combat, it’s worth checking out.
For fans of vampiric tales, dark narratives and grizzly visuals, there’s a lot to love about Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong.
You won’t have played anything like Eternal Threads before, and unless Cosmonaut Studios makes a follow-up, you likely never will again. This is a remarkable piece of storytelling, expertly written and crafted, weaving together the ordinary and the futuristic to create something incredibly compelling. You won’t want to put it down, and once you’ve finished, you’ll be thinking about it for weeks to come. It truly is something special.
So: if you like the idea of a puzzle game set against a backdrop of an old-school RPG, you’re going to love Dungeons of Dreadrock. Its aesthetic is excellent, and its puzzles are wonderfully designed, offering a meaty challenge for anyone willing to take it up. For such a budget price, you really can’t go wrong.
Soundfall is one of the most unique experiences of the year so far, and that alone ought to pique the interest of gamers. But it’s those who love music-rhythm games that are assuredly going to get the most out of it. And if they also like twin-stick shooters and loot games, they’ll be in heaven. In any case, this eclectic mix of genres works, and whether played alone or in co-op it’s largely a beat-filled blast.
You shouldn’t hesitate to pick up Unpacking. This is a true indie gem; a game that deserves to be celebrated for years, or even decades, to come. From the clever storytelling through objects to the incredible sound design imprinted into each and every item you pick up, every minute spent with this game is a joy. You’ll be invested from start to finish – and you won’t want it to end.
If you fancy yourself a bit of a budding sleuth and enjoy a good murder mystery, you’ll love The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story. The narrative is rich and twisting, and even as it jumps between time periods it always manages to keep you engaged. As long as you don’t mind a bit of ham and cheese (and stay away from the English dub), you’ll have a grand old time with this whodunnit.
With its engaging combat and dark world that begs to be explored, King Arthur: Knight’s Tale is a treat for those who love RPGs they can sink their teeth into. It might not be the deepest in terms of mechanics or character development, but that just adds to its allure, keeping it relatively frictionless. It’s the fact that this is your journey that will really win you over though. Will you rule over Camelot as a tyrant, or try to bring peace to the land? It’s up to you. And there are many other important decisions to be made along the way.
If you’re drawn in by the art style, chances are you’ll have some fun with Wildcat Gun Machine. Fans of the twin-stick shooter genre might want to check it out, too. It makes a refreshing change for this type of game to not be a roguelike in the current market, and while it won’t be featuring on anyone’s GOTY lists, there’s still hours of entertainment to be had with it.
With its to-ing and fro-ing and overly basic combat for its first hour or two, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Those that stick with it though, will find a game that develops into something very enjoyable indeed. This is a charming adventure, with combat and platforming that grows ever richer with each new upgrade and ability you obtain. But it’s the world that’s the real star here. The story of Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising might not be all that grand, but it’s full of characters that we’ve already grown to love. And so, as a taster for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, it does its job admirably.
Ultimately, despite not really doing anything new, Serious Sam: Tormental has that “one more go” draw to it that makes it worth adding to your Steam library, especially if you’re a fan of Sam “Serious” Stone, twin-stick shooters or roguelikes. If you like all three, it’s a must-have. Even better, you can play it in co-op, and it has much more to offer such as challenges and gameplay mods that will increase the difficulty somewhat, but also the score you can earn. This is Serious Sam, but not as you know it. But it’s still a barrel of laughs.