GameSpew's Reviews
We absolutely loved Final Fantasy VII Remake, but it’s safe to say that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth surpasses it in every possible way. It’s a masterpiece. It tells a grander tale, with more twists and turns that keep you on your feet. And while some new story elements may rub some players up the wrong way, they keep things feeling fresh, and make us keen to see where Square Enix will take things next. Ultimately, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has exceeded our expectations, building on the original game and indeed Final Fantasy VII Remake, delivering a sequel that feels bigger and better in all regards.
Please Touch The Artwork 2 is a short experience, but one that leaves a lasting impression. It’ll likely only take you an hour or so to complete the game, unless you’re determined to not utilise the hint system. Either way, it’s bite-sized creative fun — and best of all, it’s completely free. You simply can’t beat it.
If you fondly remember Mario vs Donkey Kong from its Game Boy Advance iteration, we’ve no doubt you’ll get a kick out of seeing it with a gorgeous, fresh coat of paint. You still will if you’re a newcomer: it’s a treat for the eyes, but it’s also a fun little puzzle game to pick up for 10, 20 minutes at a time. It’s not going to set your world on fire, but those mini Marios are sure to put a smile on your face for a little while.
No two games of Balatro are ever the same, which is only one of the reasons why we love this poker roguelike so much. Sure, it’s annoying if your run doesn’t get off the ground — it’s easy to fail early on if you can’t get your hands on a good Joker. But when you’re in the swing of things, scoring tens of thousands with just one hand, you’ll feel like the most powerful card baron there ever was. Simple and devious, Balatro is, quite frankly, brilliant — and I’m going to be playing this for months to come.
Server issues aside, which eventually should be eliminated, jump into Helldivers 2 and you’re bound to have a good time. Its battles are challenging and engaging, it’s got a fun sense of humour, and it’s rewarding seeing your war efforts pay off. Whether you find yourself fighting against fearsome automatons while waiting for your flag to be raised, or squashing bugs while racing to take down an illegal radio signal, chances are you’ll have a big grin on your face while doing so. And that’s what really matters. Helldivers 2 isn’t particularly big or clever, but boy, is it a lot of fun.
Those niggles aside though, we can’t deny that Islands of Insight is one of the best puzzle games we’ve ever played. The sheer amount of puzzles on offer here is incredible, without ever being overwhelming. There’s a solid sense of progression, with goals to work towards – but you’re also free to explore however you wish, tackling the puzzles that interest you and, for the most part, ignoring the ones you don’t enjoy as much. It’s already great but with a few updates over time, Islands of Insight could really be something special.
CLeM isn’t a very long game: you’ll finish it in around three hours, much less if you know what you’re doing with all the puzzles. Short but sinisterly sweet, then, it’s just the right length to fit in a good amount of puzzles without overstaying its welcome. If you’re a fan of Mango Protocol’s other games – or indeed anything with a slightly dark undertone – you’ll love this.
It may not be quite the leap forward that some would expect from a fully-fledged sequel, but it can’t be denied that Under Night In-Birth 2 Sys:Celes is still an accomplished fighting game. With its expanded roster, new mechanics and implementation of valued features such as rollback netcode, this is an enticing offer for series fans. And while newcomers might have a hard time when dipping their toes into its online offerings, it at least offers a myriad of ways for them to improve their skills.
Being a live-service game with plenty of content to come post-launch, it’s impossible to say right now whether Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will have legs. There’s certainly the possibility of it getting better in the future, if missions can be made more interesting and loot can lead to more unique builds. At the moment, though, when the campaign is the main focus and there’s limited endgame content, it’s hard to not be disappointed by what’s on offer. This isn’t a bad game by any means, but poor mission variety and some other minor issues really do suck much of the fun out of it.
While it can be a little ham-fisted with its messaging, Silent Hill: The Short Message is a suitably dark and disturbing experience that certainly captures the look and feel of Silent Hill. Those who dig into it will find that it offers an interesting take on how these stories can occur outside of the actual town of Silent Hill, too. In any case, for the price of free, it’s hard to complain about a short horror experience that is as good as (or better than) most of its ilk released at a cost.
Our only real reservation about Boxes: Lost Fragments is how close it is to The Room. But should we really chastise it for taking heavy inspiration from a classic puzzle game? Whatever the answer, we can’t deny that this is a beautiful, clever puzzle game that’s provided us with a few hours of engaging gameplay. The puzzles here are excellent, and it’s a visual treat.
Even with the issues you can pick at in this remake, though, there’s no denying that Persona 3 Reload is one hell of game. Its story is as engaging as ever, and now its gameplay has been notably improved, giving you more options in combat and out. Along with the new visuals and soundtrack, Persona 3 has never looked, sounded or played as good. It’s just silly that it’s arrived so close to the remaster of Persona 3 Portable: if you’ve played that recently, it might not grab your attention throughout due to its authenticity. For those who are yet to jump in or are keen to relive the classic yet again, however, simply play and enjoy.
You can finish the game in two to three hours, but it’s just the right length for this slice of suspense (and the game’s £8.49/$9.99 price tag). Engaging and shocking in equal measure, Bahnsen Knights is a wild ride you won’t regret taking.
Lil’ Guardsman is so much fun to play. Players will be laughing out loud from the very beginning and will enjoy the fun references and silly jokes throughout. And those that like to play games multiple times will be able to see all of the different options and outcomes.
Taking into consideration its wealth of content and aggressive combat system, it’s clear that Tekken 8 is one of the best fighting games around. With its numerous single-player modes and online offerings, there’s something here for everyone. And its character roster should be applauded for its depth and variety. Above all, though, Tekken 8 succeeds because it’s simply such good fun to play. Stunning visuals work with its clever camera to inject battles with genuine drama. And thanks to more accessibility options than ever, more players can have fun whether they’re a seasoned pro or an absolute newcomer.
The biggest Yakuza game to date, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth certainly doesn’t disappoint. While its story is somewhat hampered by frequent diversions to introduce new mechanics or side-content, there’s still plenty to keep you gripped. And while we have to admit that we enjoy the combat more when it’s action-based, the turn-based system here is entertaining. In any case, Infinite Wealth delivers exactly what you’d expect by now: a lengthy story full of surprising twists and turns that manage to elicit a wide range of emotions, and a ridiculous volume of side content that will keep you playing long after the credits have rolled – or simply delay that from happening.
If you enjoy seeking and finding, you’ll get a big kick out of playing Hidden Through Time 2: Myths and Magic. With more than 30 beautifully designed environments, there’s plenty to keep you searching – and when you’ve had enough, you can try your hand at making your own levels. Sure, it’s not going to be for everyone, but if hunting out objects is your jam, there are several hours of fun to be had here.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a bit of a no-brainer for fans of the series – it’s three more solid entries enhanced for modern consoles alongside a wealth of extras and quality of life improvements. What’s not to love? Saying that, however, we’re of the opinion that this offers the weakest selection of games when it comes to the three collections now available. If you’re new to the Ace Attorney series, perhaps start with the Phoenix Wright Trilogy or Great Ace Chronicles, then think about picking this one up.
Throw in additional unlockable Crumblings (and the promise of more), and you’ve got a game that’s wonderful wall-to-wall whimsy. Crumbling is best enjoyed in bites – you’re not going to spend an entire day pottering around the toy shop – but it’ll leave you with a smile every time. If you’ve got so much as a single action figure, Skylander or Amibo sitting on your shelf, Crumbling is for you.
As a whole, Home Safety Hotline doesn’t outstay its welcome, and it’s an absolute treat for lovers of folklore or fans of the uncanny. I never thought I’d say it, but this is one call centre I’ve absolutely loved clocking into.