GameSpew's Reviews
The Jackbox Party Starter serves as a strong welcome to the franchise.
Escape Academy may be a fairly brief experience for some, then, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that the puzzles here are thought-provoking and masterfully crafted. They test your ability to spot patterns and problem solve without ever being too obtuse. Throw in a surprisingly engaging story and co-op, and you have one of the most enjoyable experiences of the year so far. It might even make you want to do some real-life escape rooms – imagine that.
These issues aside, there’s no denying that LOUD is an enjoyable little music rhythm game with a lovely positive message and plenty of spirit. It may be a little brief and rather basic, but it’s nicely presented and well put together. If you’re into rhythm games and rock music it’s worth a look, but it definitely won’t blow your socks off.
Mothmen 1966 is a haunting outing that, with the exception of one awkward line, uses quality writing rather than jump scares to keep you on edge. Yes, you’ll get a little extra out of it if you’ve an appreciation for cryptozoology or astrology, but that’s by no means compulsory. It’s entertaining and unsettling in equal measure and if, as its developers suggest, it’s the first of many, we look forward to seeing where LCB takes the series next.
For run ‘n’ gun fans, there’s a hell of a lot to like about Spidersaurs. Its enemies are varied and fun, its boss fights are challenging, and it’s excellently presented throughout. Only the odd difficulty spike that feels a little unfair and the stickiness of your character are likely to frustrate a tad. And so for its very reasonable asking price, it’s easy to recommend to those who want some attractive bouts of exhilarating action.
Krut: The Mythic Wings isn’t a terrible game – there’s nothing outright awful about it – but it’s sub-par in every single way. So, unless you’ve seen the animated film that it’s based on and really want to immerse yourself in its world a little more, it’s best to give it a wide berth. Though even then, we can’t imagine anyone genuinely having fun with it.
Had the additional DLC package been included with the game as standard, we’d probably suggest Klonoa Phantasy Reveries Series as a must-have for fans hungry to spend time with its cool cat protagonist again. It would be easier to recommend to newcomers, too. But as it is, while some will get plenty of enjoyment out of it at full price, most might want to wait until it goes on sale. Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is an enjoyable blast from the past, but it’s by no means essential playing.
We can certainly see ourselves going back to Little Noah: Scion of Paradise time and again. Its gameplay is simple but engaging, helped along by pleasant and colourful visuals. You’ll quickly care about Noah and her sidekick Zipper, and even when you die you’ll be raring to go again: this is a game that nails the ‘just one more try’ aspect that’s the driving force of any successful roguelike adventure. Little Noah deserves more attention, and with such a low asking price, there’s no reason not to dive straight in.
It’s so easy to recommend Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes to not only fans of Fire Emblem, but also those simply seeking a high-octane action game. And if you also happen to enjoy politically-charged stories, you’ll absolutely fall in love with it. This is, without a doubt, one of the best Warriors games yet, taking strategy elements of the Fire Emblem series to embellish the gameplay in all the right ways. And the masterstroke is that, despite being set in the same world as Fire Emblem: Three Houses, its narrative cleverly makes playing that title an option rather than a necessity.
Ultimately, if you love horror games, in particular P.T., simply know that you need to play MADiSON. This is the best pure horror game in years, shredding the nerves of even the most brave of souls. It can be a little frustrating when you get stuck on a devious puzzle, but when you finally find the solution it’s very rewarding. No game has horrified us quite as much as this debut from Bloodious. We just hope the studio is ready to follow up with something else even scarier.
By simply providing a fun and fairly authentic game of tennis it manages to outshine its rivals. And because of that, whether you’re buying it to get stuck into its single-player career mode or take on all-comers in online multiplayer, chances are you won’t be disappointed.
Our only pause with Rabbids: Party of Legends is its price point. At £34.99 it feels rather steep for a party game that’s realistically only going to get pulled out for an occasional hour or two. Particularly when you add in there’s no online multiplayer options either. It is a lot of fun though, and perhaps one of the best minigame compendiums of recent years. By all means pick it up, but perhaps wait for a sale.
There you have it: Autobahn Police Simulator 3 is the worst game we’ve played in some time. It’s definitely the worst PS5 game we’ve ever played, that’s for sure. It’s not even fun in a “this game’s so bad it’s fun” kind of way; the technical issues suck out any joy that might have otherwise been found in the premise. And so, for the love of god, don’t buy it. Just don’t. Find your crime-fighting thrills elsewhere.
Still, it doesn’t take away from the fact that for those up to task, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak delivers. You could say it’s just more of the same but that would be doing this expansion a disservice. Like Monster Hunter World’s Iceborne expansion before it, this is essentially a full game served up as DLC. With its generous number of gameplay improvements and hunting opportunities, it’s an absolute must-have for series veterans. And while it’s still not the most accessible game on the whole, it’s undoubtedly the best starting point for aspiring hunters.
If you’ve been longing for more Cuphead, then The Delicious Last Course is for you. But if you were, for whatever reason, hoping for a big shake-up in terms of gameplay or difficulty, you’re not going to find it here. Brutal but beautiful, this is simply more Cuphead, be that for better or for worse.
It’s safe to say that we’ve been taken by surprise by DNF Duel. We were drawn in by its trailer showcasing its eye-catching visuals, but have been very happy to find that it has real substance. Its combat is exhilarating and easy to get to grips with, yet has enough depth to keep you going back for more. And with its many characters – ahem, classes – as well as a pleasing selection of modes, there’s plenty to go at. Whether you’re new to the fighting game malarkey, or a seasoned pro, this definitely deserves your attention.
Ultimately, Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel is a bit rough around the edges. Its voice acting isn’t great, which ruins the tension at times, as do its poor enemy animations and sub-par combat. But in an age where new, half-decent survival horror games are few and far between, this isn’t worth writing off completely. Its puzzles are enjoyable, and it does a good job of creating an eerie atmosphere. Particularly if you’re a fan of the classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, it’s worth checking into St. Dinfna Hotel.
For Formula One fans, it’s easier than ever to recommend F1 22. Significant changes have been made here to not only keep the game up to date, but also more immersive, more expansive and more fun. The only real disappointment is F1 Life, which feels a like a good idea in principle but very poorly executed. And of course, the lack of a story mode will be a let-down to some, too. Ultimately, F1 22 takes a couple of steps forward and couple back, but where it matters – in its gameplay and stellar career mode – it’s still very much at the front of the pack.
Ask yourself this: did you play Outriders simply for its campaign and then drop it, or did you push yourself through its expeditions, going as far as you could go? For those in the former camp, Worldslayer probably isn’t for you. At least not at full price, anyway. You’ll blast through the campaign in 10 hours or less and then be left twiddling your thumbs. For those enamoured with Outriders‘ unique brand of high-octane combat seeking to max out their characters and optimise their builds, however, Worldslayer should be considered a must-have.
So, if you enjoy off-road racing, you can do much worse than MX vs ATV Legends. It’s certainly the best the series has been in some years, and looks better than ever thanks to being on PS5 for the first time. There’s a wide range of gameplay options available, and being able to wrangle with one of three vehicle types means you’re unlikely to get bored very quickly. The AI and balancing could do with a bit of tweaking, but it’s not enough to ruin the experience.