GameSpew's Reviews
One of the best games of the year, Alan Wake 2 is utterly mesmerising and truly unique. It’s a work of art that blends videogame and film like never before.
It’s a shame that Ghostrunner 2 isn’t a little more polished, as its imperfections can frustrate a little at times, but this is still a mighty achievement for One More Level. It remains a challenging experience that’s not for the fainthearted, but it packs in more variety and depth, expanding the world of Ghostrunner to levels we never anticipated or thought possible. If you’re a fan of the original Ghostrunner this is an absolute must-have, but we reckon this is a good place for newcomers to jump in too. Although some might want to wait until a patch or two has landed, just to smooth over some of its rough edges.
The Gap is a very pleasant surprise, and a great amount of praise needs to be showered onto its developer, the two-person team of Label This. This is a clever and engaging thriller, brought to life with believable characters and a very grounded approach to science fiction that we can really get behind. It isn’t without the odd hiccup, but they’re easy to forget once you’re absorbed into Joshua’s compelling story.
With its wonderful pixel art and minimalist but atmospheric soundtrack, we’ve been pleasantly surprised with Full Void. We honestly launched it while waiting for another game to download, but then couldn’t pull ourselves away until it was over. Needless to say, while it’s quite short and relatively simple, it’s an experience you shouldn’t overlook during this absurdly busy period. Especially if you have a fondness for old-fashioned 2D platforming adventures.
Solving a compelling mystery is always rewarding, and Agatha Christie – Murder on the Orient Express absolutely nails the thrill of stepping into the shoes of a celebrated detective. Allowing you to take the lead on a intriguing case, Microids’ latest visit with Poirot gives players just the right amount of agency, presenting us with a varied and engaging mixture of puzzles to solve. Add to the mix pleasing visuals, good voice acting and a story that’s worth sticking around for, and you’ve got a very good mystery game indeed.
Hellboy Web of Wyrd has a handful of issues that somewhat mar what is otherwise an intense and rewarding experience – but they don’t completely ruin it. Like many roguelites, the core gameplay can become repetitive over time, and there isn’t the widest selection of helpful perks and boons on offer, but at least the combat here is unique. Ultimately, fans of Hellboy are likely to just appreciate that they have a decent game based on one of their favourite comic book characters – though Web of Wyrd should also appeal to those who like third-person brawlers and roguelikes in general.
All in all, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged isn’t all that different from its predecessor, but it is bigger and better in just about every way. A brand new range of environments and additional vehicle types help to keep things feeling relatively fresh. And new event types are also very much welcome. It’s the new moves at your disposal that really elevate the experience, though. Being able to jump has allowed Milestone to get even more creative when it comes to track design, and it also adds yet more depth – you have to think more about how to use your boost. This is a very worthy sequel, then. It’s just a shame you can’t carry over your vehicles from the first game.
It’s hard to write about – and indeed review – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 without spoiling it. Just know that this takes everything from the previous games and improves on each aspect considerably. It looks nicer, plays better, and is packed with much more variety. It’s the story here that’s the biggest delight, though, filled with genuine surprises, heartfelt moments and epic scenes that will stick in your mind for a long time to come. Spider-Man is no stranger to adjectives such as “amazing” and “spectacular”, both of which can be applied to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. More than just an accomplished sequel, it’s the best superhero game ever made.
Transformers: Earthspark – Expedition would have benefited from a wider range of activities; as it is, repetition doesn’t take long to set in thanks to limited mission variety and bland environments. But it’s not all bad: taking control of Bumblebee is plenty of fun, and being able quickly switch between two forms keeps the action fast and fluid. It’s hardly going to set your world on fire, then, but if you’re a Transformers fan, there’s enough to keep you occupied for a few hours.
With its stunning visuals and unique mechanics, Lords of the Fallen has quickly become one of our favourite Soulslikes. Its setting may be derivative, but it’s so well realised that you likely won’t care, especially when you’re switching between the worlds of the living and the dead, each with their own monstrosities to deal with and treasures to find. Hexworks has created something that genuinely feels like a successor to Dark Souls, leveraging the power of next-gen to push the genre forward. And so, put the mediocrity of the original Lords of the Fallen out of your mind: this may have the same name, but it stands head and shoulders above its predecessor in every single way.
For fans of puzzles and point and click adventures, there’s so much to love in Bilkins’ Folly. Sure, it may leave you stumped from time to time, but its charming pixel art and lovable characters are enough to keep you invested. With a solid sense of progression, plenty of islands to explore and so much content to sink your teeth into, it’s a must-play for any wannabe treasure hunter.
Forza Motorsport has been worth the wait. While this isn’t a huge departure from previous entries in the series, changes have been made that make it more rewarding. It’s a racing sim that caters to both those who want serious online competition and single-player fun. And what’s more, it aims to make players better drivers with its safety rating system and its approach to car upgrades. Throw on top noticeably improved physics and sublime visuals, and you have one of the best racing sims currently available. With more content set to arrive after launch, it’s only likely to get better, too.
If you’re a long-time Assassin’s Creed fan that fondly remembers the early entries of the series, you’re likely to love Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Those who have found the last trio of entries simply too big will appreciate its sharper focus, too. While it does little to propel the series forward mechanically, it’s a return to what made it stand out in the first place: an open world stealth game where hiding in plain sight and making use of your parkour skills is key. Factor in the brilliant setting and some challenging assassination scenarios, and you have a game that pays homage to the series’ roots while successfully standing on its own two feet.
You could argue that Horizon Chase 2 plays things safe, but when what’s on offer is this much fun, does it really matter? Developer Aquiris may have stuck to its tried and tested formula, but with a bold new visual style and improved gameplay across the board, there’s enough here to make the experience feel fresh. And whether you like to race alone against the CPU or online against others, there’s something for you here. For arcade racing game fans eager for something new to test their skills with, this is very highly recommended.
Cyberpunk 2077 may not have had the best start, but CD Projekt Red has taken criticism to heart and not only delivered an outstanding expansion, but also improved the base game into a state that should have even its harshest critics paying attention.
While Mortal Kombat 1 feels a little streamlined and cut down compared to Mortal Kombat 11, it surpasses it where it really counts: the gameplay. This is quite simply the most fun we’ve had with a Mortal Kombat game to date. The improved combat with its faster pace, combined with a brilliant roster of fighters and the new Kameo system, means that we’re once again excited for the future of the series, as well as what’s to come to this entry. We’ll be returning to Invasion mode time and time again as its seasonal content is refreshed, and look forward to more characters being added into the mix.
We loved it when we tried it in Early Access, and we still love it now: Warstride Challenges is a bit of a gem. This is a thrilling, fast-paced first-person shooter that’s rewarding to play and has that “just one more go” factor that keeps you playing until the early hours of the morning. Whether you’re simply a fan of the genre and want something that offers quick bursts of fun or are into speed-running, you’d be wise to consider this a must-have.
If you have any love for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, the Dimension Shellshock DLC should be considered essential. It’s as simple as that. Both characters included here are wonderful to take control of and bring yet more variety to the game, and Survival mode adds a fun and lasting challenge in which no two runs are ever exactly the same. Ultimately, it makes a brilliant game even better. What more could you ask for?
It may look basic, but don’t be fooled: Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate is packing one hell of an enjoyable strategy game underneath its old-school aesthetic. If you’re not a chess fan you’re going to struggle – but if you are, the only struggle is going to be tearing yourself away from jumping in for just one more game. Playing chess has never felt so bad-ass.
For those that don’t mind that its story is passable, and that its difficulty wildly varies from mission to mission, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is likely to be a bit of a treat. It looks great, the action is lighting fast and always remains smooth, and there’s genuine joy to be had in amassing a wide range of parts and then using them to create builds that allow you to much more effectively complete missions. This is a far cry from FromSoftware’s popular output in recent years, but can be just as engrossing – providing you have an open mind.