GameSpew's Reviews
Still, for those who love old-fashioned, action-packed first-person shooters where taking cover is frowned upon in favour of outmanoeuvring your aggressors while unleashing a hail of bullets, Serious Sam Collection is a must-have. Packing in a massive amount of content, there’s so much strafing and shooting to be done here as you move through wonderfully scenic environments.
What you should take away from this, then, is that Spirit of the North: Enhanced Edition isn’t a great game. I’d even struggle to call it good. It’s overly simple at times, and when the puzzles do ramp up, they quickly become repetitive or let down by the game’s stilted controls. But it’s not all bad. You’ll no doubt enjoy taking in the picturesque scenery and listening to the game’s wonderful soundtrack, and there are some pockets of fun to be found. If you’re after something a little bit different and have a lot of patience, give it a try, especially if you like foxes. If not, steer clear, or maybe pick it up in a sale.
Essentially LOST meets Impact Winter, there’s a lot to love about The Wild Eight. A few bugs and niggles hold it back from being great, but its intriguing story filled with mystery and surprises will keep players hooked. Even when you die (which you likely will), you’ll be keen to jump back in just to find out what waits around the next corner. If you’re a fan of survival games, or looking to dip your toes into the genre, The Wild Eight is worth venturing into.
Needless to say, if you’re a fan of twin-stick shooters, Tesla Force is up there with the best of them. It wastes no time in throwing an overwhelming number of monsters at you, and to succeed you need to become a master of shooting, dodging, and collecting those mech parts. It’s simple, but it’s fun – and gunning down a full horde of nasties with a machine gun is oh so very satisfying.
The Journey Down is an unexpected delight. While point-and-click games can often be frustrating, The Journey Down manages to remain fun and engaging throughout. Its excellently-told story, beautiful art design and humorous characters certainly help in keeping you hooked. If you love classic point-and-click adventure games, make sure The Journey Down is on your radar.
Still, there’s no doubting that NBA 2K21 on next-gen consoles is the most authentic representation of the sport yet. And even better, it’s got the most expansive and engrossing selection of modes and features. If you’re a basketball fan who’s lucky enough to own a next-gen console, you ought to consider NBA 2K21 a must-buy. The only drawback is that if you’ve already played it on your current-gen console, you won’t be able to carry forward any progress other than that made in MyTeam.
By largely sticking to its own tried-and-tested formula, Let’s Sing 2021 is yet another opportunity to have an enjoyable time belting out some tunes to the best of your ability. Is it worth buying if you have last year’s version? It depends if you think its selection of songs is any good, and if you like singing alone. If the answer’s no on both counts, then don’t bother. Otherwise, it’s probably worth adding to your collection.
Cut from the very best cloth of open world games, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a pleasure from start to finish. Though overwhelming in its early hours, once you settle into Eivor’s shoes, exploring England is an exhilarating journey like no other. Try as you might to focus on the main missions, the lure of exploration is too strong, and you’ll find pleasure in every tiny discovery. Is this the best Assassin’s Creed game yet? That’s difficult to say – but it might just be. Especially if you enjoy the beauty of British countryside and the contrasting brutality of viking combat.
Still, with these minor annoyances aside, Visage goes far beyond cheap jump scares and will chill you to the bone if you give it half a chance. It might never completely shed its inspiration, but it spins it in enough clever (and unsettling) ways to keep you hooked. If you’re a fan of horror, you won’t regret stepping into Visage‘s suburban haunted house – even if your character might.
Still, back on point, if you haven’t already invested in Mortal Kombat 11, this Ultimate edition is a steal. For the price of the base game just over a year and a half ago you get the full package, which includes two great story campaigns, 37 customisable fighters and a whole lot more. Its combat might not be as fluid or enjoyable in action as the latest Street Fighter or Tekken, but it makes up for it elsewhere. As fighting games go, none are more generous than Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, especially when it comes to single-player content. None are gorier, either.
There’s nothing revolutionary in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Nothing that screams “this is a must-buy”. But once again it’s a solid all-round package that has a little something for everybody – providing they like shooting in first-person. Its campaign is a nice little diversion with some exciting set-pieces and moments of thrilling stealth, while Zombies provides some solid fun when getting together with friends. And then there’s Multiplayer, which some will prefer over Modern Warfare‘s offerings and others will be less impressed with. Each element is far from extraordinary, but when all put together, it’s not a bad deal at all.
Ultimately, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a treat for both Warriors fans and those who adore The Legend of Zelda series.
Undoubtedly, Overcooked! All You Can Eat is the best way to play Ghost Town Games’ excellent co-op party game. There’s a ridiculous amount of content here, and the new features make it a truly impressive package. It’s just a shame that it’s only available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and there’s no discounted upgrade if you own any of the games on the previous generation. But if you’re lucky enough to have a next-gen console and want something to play with friends, you won’t be disappointed with this co-op extravaganza.
You’ll grind your teeth when you’re the last man on the moon, but the more you persist, the more Mars Horizon pulls you in. If you’ve got even the slightest interest in the Space Race, this is one of the most engaging ways to experience it.
It was a joy to visit Part Time UFO again outside of a smart phone. Being on Switch gives the game new life, and it’s more enjoyable than ever. Thanks to its varied levels and its ridiculously cute characters, you’ll come back to it again and again. Just don’t expect too much from its multiplayer mode.
But alongside the visual upgrades, improved gameplay mechanics and the somewhat budget price they are. Observer was a great game, and Observer: System Redux sees it further improved in every area. It’s just a shame that the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions haven’t been created equally. Still, if you’re after a comparably inexpensive game to show off what your next-gen console can do, it’s well worth picking up, especially on PS5 where it particularly shines thanks to its DualSense implementation. Though be warned: it’s not for the faint of heart.
FMV games are a little like Marmite; you either love them or hate them. But while others spin tales of murder mysteries, espionage or the end of the world, Five Dates is a grounded, human story about something we can all relate to: love. It’s simple, touching and heartening – and thanks to its excellent acting and low-key but on-point production, it’s a pleasure to experience. If you’re a softie at heart and love a good romance story, Five Dates will put a smile on your face.
Ultimately, The Pathless is somewhat an uneven experience. Its epic boss battles are thrilling, and the majority of its puzzles are enjoyable to solve. It’s just a shame that there’s so much aimless running around between all the fun. Even dashing around at full speed grows tiresome after a while. Providing some sense of direction may go against what The Pathless strives to be, but it would help make your time with the game feel less wasted, and more fulfilling.
Like almost all of The Sims 4‘s expansion packs, Snowy Escape adds plenty of content, making this a worthwhile addition to any collection. The new location of Mt. Komorebi might just be the prettiest yet, and seeing your Sims try (and often fail) at skiing and snowboarding is wonderful. The new Japanese-inspired furnishings are the cherry on top, allowing you to create homes in a completely new style. If you’re a regular Sims player, you won’t regret walking into this winter wonderland.
As far as quiz-based party games go, Family Feud is solid. It’s put together very well and manages to capture the feel of being on a gameshow better than most. It’s of course more fun if you have friends over, but it’s a welcome touch that you can play solo if you want. With the holidays just around the corner and family gatherings (hopefully) on the horizon, Family Feud is a worthwhile party game to add to your collection.