GameSpew's Reviews
Gigapocalypse isn’t for the masses. Those who don’t mind hammering buttons to destroy towns and their inhabitants, however, are likely to have a fair amount of fun with it. It has its issues, but developing kaiju is a rewarding affair. And once they’re powered up there’s a lot of pleasure to be derived from causing mass destruction. Add in the fact that there are nine kaiju to develop overall, each their own unique appearance and skills, and you have a game that will have lasting appeal to those who gel with it.
Two Point Campus might not reinvent the wheel, but this is a game that knows exactly what it is and who its audience is – and it nails it.
GigaBash doesn’t try to do anything particularly new, but it doesn’t really matter. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up, resulting in an accessible brawler that’s not only pleasing on the eyes, but also a riot to play. Mastering each monster on offer is a joy that’s only rivalled by picking other players up and throwing them across the screen, or gathering enough energy so you can grow to epic proportions for a short while. Needless to say, if the idea of battling friends and family while levelling cities appeals to you, GigaBash is worth a look. Well, as long as you can stomach its price.
After Wave: Downfall isn’t a game we can recommend. There are plenty of other vertical scrolling shooters out there, and many of them are more worthy of your time and money. Still, if you do happen to pick it up you might have some fun with it, and it’s at least got an original premise at least. But with its various issues, it feels very much like a missed opportunity.
If you love 2D action RPGs such as the aforementioned Odin Sphere or Salt and Sanctuary, Lost Epic may be worth taking a punt on, especially considering its modest price. It has its issues but some players will find them easier to look past than others, and there’s one thing for sure: it looks beautiful. Just don’t expect it to blow you away, and Lost Epic will eat up hours of your time. But chances are you won’t remember it when you’re done.
Ultimately, there’s a lot to love in The Sims 4: High School Years. It feels as though the Sims community has been waiting a long time to finally be able to accompany their teenage Sims to school – and we think it’s been worth the wait. Provided you’ve not been affected by a bug, this is a fantastic, well-rounded expansion, bringing a beautiful new neighbourhood, plenty of new items and a whole new experience to The Sims 4. All the stress of high school, without ever stepping outside of your front door. Ah, bliss.
Lord Winklebottom Investigates isn’t perfect – the arbitrary order of some of the puzzles in particular is bothersome, and some of the solutions are too obtuse for their own good. But despite its rough edges, we’re glad we stepped into Lord Winklebottom’s weird, wonderful world. And if there are further adventures on the cards, you can count us in.
Severed Steel‘s campaign may be short, but it’s very sweet. And the high-octane nature of its action is intoxicating, meaning you’re likely to engage with firefight mode and perhaps even play through the campaign again with Mutators active. A single-player only experience, those who like waging war while feeling like a badass will be in their element here. It’s an absolute blast from beginning to end.
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.