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Robocop: Rogue City keeps things simple, but the chaotically fun action and authentic use of the source material ensure players will have a good time roaming the streets of Detroit as the iconic law-abiding hero. I never stopped enjoying unloading lead into enemies, throwing them through windows, and causing destruction throughout the environment, whilst the engaging side quests add a neat twist to the formula where your actions will determine how others view you. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing you wouldn’t have seen before, but it was deeper than I expected. The game is far from perfect, whether that’s with the dumb enemy AI, the lack of originality, and its repetitive nature, but it still makes for a really good time. I’m probably being half a point generous in my scoring here, but given that this is best it has felt to be Robocop in a video game, I think it deserves that bit of extra praise.
You Will Die Here Tonight wears its Resident Evil inspiration like a badge of honour, but still manages to stand out as a unique and entertaining survival horror experience. Everything about the world and character design, the narrative, and the puzzling will take you back to Capcom’s iconic release, but the game has enough of its own clever ideas with the first-person combat, the time loop, and the unravelling of the ‘true’ ending to ensure it deserves plenty of praise on its own merits alone. I had a really good time playing through it, and whilst the combat was guilty of being a little easy at times, it never stopped being fun blasting away at the vicious undead and finding out just what the hell is going on. Just be warned: you will die here tonight, but it’s the only way you’ll find a way to survive the ordeal.
I don’t like the idea of criticising a game so heavily, but Quantum Error is boring to play and has a lot of technical issues that need fixing. It’s clear that the small development team put a lot of heart into the game (and there are moments where it can shine), but a blend of over-ambition, poor design choices, and a lack of polish severely hold it back. There are some interesting ideas on show (especially with the firefighting) and the experience will be a lot more tolerable if the technical issues are fixed, but Quantum Error just isn’t a good game. Hopefully, TeamKill Media can take some lessons from it, rein in the ambition, and lean on the game’s strengths for future entries in this planned trilogy. But as it stands? It’s a tough title to recommend.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a roaring success for Insomniac Games, with the sequel managing to improve upon everything that came before it in the previous titles. Sure, there’s familiarity to be found in the combat and the New York setting, but there have been enough innovations and additions made to ensure the experience still feels incredibly fresh and thrilling. Add to that the gripping story, the clever Spider-Man swapping dynamic, the traversal that looks and feels wonderful, and the sheer wealth of things to do across the varied missions, and it’ll become clear that this isn’t only the best Spider-Man game that has ever released, but also one of the best PlayStation 5 games too.
Ghostrunner 2 improves upon the original in every way, with the refined mechanics, new additions, and smarter design making for a very impressive sequel. It’s equally brutal to play too, with a TON of deaths suffered during my playthrough – but hey, that’s all part of the fun, right? It feels like a genuine evolution of what was already a very fun formula, and whilst it does have some technical issues that could cause some frustration, there’s no denying that Ghostrunner 2 is a stylish and thrilling experience.
Sonic Superstars disappoints with its multiplayer action, but offers an enthralling and nostalgic experience when played solo. It captures everything that made the 16-bit titles so much fun to play, but also has plenty of innovative ideas on show to ensure players are always doing something that feels fresh and enjoyable. The new stages look wonderful too, whilst the Chaos Emerald abilities give the gang plenty of new tricks to use (even IF they aren’t imperative to your success). It is disappointing that the multiplayer mode isn’t very intuitive and there are a few boss battles that could feel like total duds, but these issues don’t stop Sonic Superstars from being a blast to play. Just be warned: if you were hoping for an enjoyable co-op experience, you might want to look elsewhere.
World of Horror is a fascinating horror experience that truly adds its own unique (and disturbing) take on the genre, and believe me, it’s a lot of fun to play. There’s something incredibly addictive about solving the many harrowing mysteries of the world and trying to survive through its eerie events along the way, whilst the RPG mechanics make it easy to invest in the world and your character. The combat is slick too, and whilst it is very simple in design, it offers enough strategic depth to ensure players will never feel safe in any showdown they face. It is a little guilty of being unfair with the RNG and the UI can feel a little intrusive to begin with, but it’s hard not to be incredibly impressed by World of Horror. It offers an addictive gameplay loop that’ll keep players coming back for more and more, but, most importantly, it makes for a REALLY good time.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a wonderful blast to the past that gives players a reminder of just how fun old-school Assassin’s Creed can be. There’s a greater focus on stealth and the world is more streamlined, but there’s still plenty of creativity on offer as you figure out the best way to take out your targets. And when you do pull off the perfect silent kill? It’s really, REALLY cool. I just really enjoyed my time with the game, and whilst I’m still a fan of the more expansive and RPG-centric approach taken in modern Assassin’s Creed titles, there’s still plenty of room for this old-school take on the gameplay as well. Here’s hoping it’s not just a one-off, but something we’ll see embraced again in futures releases in the series.
Lords of the Fallen is an impressive release that trumps the original in every way, all whilst introducing some splendid mechanics that help it stand out in the crowded Souls-like genre. The parallel worlds idea is really, REALLY cool, whilst simply exploring the land of Mournstead is always satisfying thanks to its wonderful environmental design and sense of unpredictability across both Axiom and Umbral. It gets all of the basics right too, with combat slick and varied throughout and each epic boss encounter putting your skills to the test. Whilst I’ll admit there were some areas which lacked the polish for it to fully match up to the likes of Elden Ring, Lords of the Fallen is still a very good game. The difficulty spikes can be a little bit unfair in places, especially when the game overwhelms you with a high enemy count, but it doesn’t stop Lords of the Fallen from being another Souls-like release that REALLY deserves your attention.
Long Gone Days offers a desolate representation of war, but the engaging storytelling and neat RPG mechanics ensure that players will be hooked into its perilous adventure. Rourke and his allies stand out as believable characters who find themselves in the midst of the devastation, whilst it’s easy to find yourself wanting to take The Core down – even IF the odds are firmly stacked against you. With a clever twist on combat and some unique ideas in gameplay, it makes for an enjoyable RPG experience. It might not be as meaty as some of its counterparts and there are some aspects of its design that can feel a little repetitive towards the end, but Long Gone Days still stands out as an eye-opening release in the genre that isn’t afraid to tackle dark and sombre themes.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the best games ever made… do I need to say anything else? Its storytelling is amazing, the combat is enthralling, and the world is one I love being a part of. It plays wonderfully on the PlayStation 5, both from a technical perspective and with its controls, whilst the sheer amount of content here will easily keep players hooked in for a long, long time. 2023 has already been a wonderful year for gaming, but Baldur’s Gate 3 really is the crème de la crème. Don’t be surprised to see it rule over the ‘Game of the Year’ lists this year…
Station to Station is a delightful puzzler that kept me hooked in with its addictive gameplay loop and charming vibe. It was always a lot of fun to plot out my railway networks and bring colour to the world along the way, whilst the introduction of additional mechanics as you progress ensures that there’s always a new challenge to face. It’s never a hard game, but you’ll still have to think things through carefully – especially if you want to complete the optional objectives. The game wasn’t even on my radar before I started playing it for this review, but now, it easily stands out as one of the most charming and enjoyable puzzles I’ve played this year. If you’re looking for an easy-going puzzling experience that’s as pretty as it is enjoyable, you needn’t look any further than Station to Station.
Phantom Liberty is a brilliant addition to the world of Cyberpunk 2077, with the intriguing narrative and exciting missions playing to the game’s strengths perfectly. Add to that the fact that the recently released 2.0 update has brought an impressive evolution to the core gameplay experience and it’ll be easy to see that Cyberpunk 2077 is better than ever right now. It has been a bit of a bumpy ride, but Phantom Liberty is the perfect way to cap off what has been one of the best comeback stories in the world of gaming.
Fate/Samurai Remnant is a lot of fun, with the compelling narrative and slick combat making for a very enjoyable action-RPG experience. There’s a lot to discover when exploring the world , whilst the Spirit Fonts mini-game adds an additional strategic element to what is otherwise a very action-driven experience. Sure, it could be argued that the core gameplay experience doesn’t offer too much you wouldn’t have seen before, but with Fate/Samurai Remnant offering plenty of thrills across the board, it’s hard to complain too much. It’s just a really cool game and one that’ll appeal to both long-time fans of the Fate series and complete newbies.
The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is a charming action RPG that’ll keep player hooked in with its slick combat and swift pacing. I loved playing through levels, completing all of their objectives, and continually upgrading my skillset, whilst the satisfying combat mechanics ensure it’s always fun to battle enemies – especially the boss encounters which offers some strategically fun showdowns. Add to that the charming presentation that manages to hold up well despite being an eleven-year-old PSP game, and it’ll be easy to see that The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is well worth the attention of action RPG fans.
Separate Ways adds its own unique spin to the excellent Resident Evil 4 Remake, with Ada having some cool tricks up her sleeve that make her a treat to play as. Of course, seeing the story play out from a different perspective is intriguing too, whilst the new additions ensure players will be kept on their toes as they re-visit the world of Resident Evil 4 once more. It’s another hit for the Resident Evil series and will keep players even more excited to see where the series will go next.
Paleo Pines’ dinosaur-themed take on the farming sim is enjoyable, though it does require a bit more patience than other releases in the genre. There’s a bit of a slow burn during the opening hours, whilst the focus on offering a player-led experience can leave you muddled as to where you need to go next or what you need to do to progress. When you do get the ball rolling though? It can be a lot of fun, with a real satisfying sense of discovery felt as you explore the world, uncover its secrets, and, of course, bring new dinosaurs back to your farm. There are areas in which it can improve, but Paleo Pines still offers a charming and unique take on the genre.
Mortal Kombat 1 is a glorious fighting experience that offers some of the best combat and storytelling seen across the series. The new Kameo system offers a whole new way to approach battles with your foes, whilst the way that the game leans into both the new and old with its overall theming ensures that it manages to feel both fresh and familiar at the same time. The Story Mode remains as excellent as expected, whilst the Invasion mode gives players a creative way to experience the game’s brutal action. There are some disappointing omissions, such as the lack of the Krypt, interactive environments, and new characters, but they don’t stop Mortal Kombat 1 from offering some of the most exciting (and gory) thrills that the series has ever seen.
The Crew Motorfest is packed full of thrills, with the varied event types and enthralling island of O’ahu ensuring the racing action is always a lot of fun. Whether speeding through the assortment of events on offer, grabbing a photo-op to show off your ride, or spicing things up by taking to the sea or skies, there’s ALWAYS a good time to be had in the game. The arcade-like driving feels slick too, whilst the fact you can almost always rely on a nitrous boost means you’ll never be stuck behind your rivals for too long. It does have some issues here and there, with the overwhelming HUD and confusion with ghost vehicles being the most obvious, but they don’t stop The Crew Motorfest from being a great racing experience that takes the series in a very exciting yet effectively streamlined direction.
Moonstone Island is a delight to play, with its blend of farming, monster-collecting, and deck-building proving to be a real treat for fans of the life-sim genre. It didn’t take me long before I found myself completely invested in the lives of the townsfolk I met during my time on the island, whilst collecting all the Spirits and building up my homestead felt equally engaging. There’s so much to see, do, and discover, with every moment I spent with the game feeling full of joy. It could be argued that the game doesn’t necessarily do anything to evolve upon the varying ideas that it embraces, but it didn’t really need to – especially since everything it offers is just a whole lot of fun and all complement each other. It’s just a fantastic little experience and one that I’m looking forward to spending even more time with over the coming months.