GameSpew's Reviews
For the most part, Dead in Vinland is a gorgeous-looking, entertaining survival romp that is well worth hopping into a longboat for.
Gal*Gun 2 is every bit as good as its predecessor, even with its new types of stages not always entertaining as much as they should due to their increased difficulty. It's not as outlandish, which may disappoint some, but its gameplay has been fleshed-out and made more involving.
Had ARK Park just been about freely exploring a theme park full of dinosaurs with the occasional bout of shooting thrown in for good measure, I feel I would have enjoyed it a hell of a lot more. Instead, it's a game that's full of busywork without much payoff for your troubles.
The ramped-up difficulty towards the end of the game may be off-putting for some, considering its very much kid-friendly exterior, but if you don't mind a bit of a challenge, The Adventure Pals is very much a worthwhile romp.
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs isn't a stand-out game in any means. The combat is challenging but achievable and there won't be any fights that you will tell your grandkids about. The plot is humorous and the characters are enjoyable, but neither the narrative nor the characters will set the world alight. What Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs is though, is a JRPG that stands on its own two feet, and despite taking many influences and using certain generic conventions, it manages to carve its own identity.
With Injustice 2, NetherRealm Studios has leveraged its work on its Mortal Kombat franchise and taken on board feedback about the original Injustice, allowing it to craft its finest and most feature-rich release to date.
While you're not likely to remember its story in a few months' time, and the erratic driving of friendly civilians may frequently alarm you, its gameplay shines and that's what's important. Setting you free in a stunningly realised open world, Far Cry 5 gives you all the tools you need for tens of hours of outrageous fun.
For fans of the Trials series looking for a similar experience on Nintendo Switch, Urban Trial Playground comes highly recommended. It may not feel like quite as skillful a game to play, but it's still challenging and entertaining nonetheless.
Penny-Punching Princess is a classic example of a game that has a bright idea but implements it in such a ham-fisted way that it becomes an annoyance.
I loved Outlast 2 when it first came out, but I can't deny that dying repeatedly until I worked out where I needed to go in some areas annoyed me a little. With those annoyances heavily reduced, the game really does shine even brighter.
It's always great to see a videogame try and do something different, and Minit does so with gusto: it takes a tried-and-tested formula and turns it on its head with one very simple mechanic. It makes a standard adventure game into a test of memory, of patience, of skill, and even though it'll frustrate you, it'll have you coming back for "just one minute" time and time again.
In Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings, there's a charming story and intricate systems that help make it one of the best entries to date. I can't think of a better way to help celebrate 20 years of this long-running series.
Western Press makes for a brilliant and inexpensive party game. Its basic nature means you're not going to get much out of it when played on your own, whether online or offline, but with friends it's an absolute riot.
Developer 34BigThings offers a unique, engaging, and plain old fun game with Super Inefficient Golf. Though it's painfully short, it's an excellently crafted experience.
Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered takes the game beyond PC quality levels, making it without a doubt the best way to experience the game.
If you've got a bunch of silly friends that will revel in mowing down hordes of llamas just as much as you, seriously, you should check it out.
A Way Out is pretty much the best interactive movie you'll ever play - just make sure you've got a friend to bring along for the ride.
As far as party games go, however, Scribblenauts Showdown might just be one of my new favourites. It's certainly going to be the new go-to videogame whenever friends come over. And I've been honing my skills, so they better watch out.
Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is a wholesome, delightful adventure that any fan of traditional JRPGs would be wise to jump into.
It's not perfect, but with Diablo 4 yet to be officially announced, Titan Quest on console will scratch the loot-based action RPG itch that many gamers may be feeling, albeit with some frustrations along the way.