Use a Potion
HomepageUse a Potion's Reviews
With its enjoyable combat, compelling storytelling, and slick world design, Scars Above has been a really pleasant surprise. I didn’t go in with hefty expectations given the game’s budget release, but I found myself gripped into the narrative, whilst the exciting action kept me on my toes. Don’t get me wrong, it won’t win any points for originality as far as its gameplay is concerned whilst some aspects of the visuals and dialogue can be a little lacking, but nothing in the game is bad at all. It can just be a bit by the numbers, but, given the short length, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Like a Dragon: Ishin offers an entertaining adventure that maintains the high series standard, even IF the storytelling isn’t quite as engrossing as the mainline titles.
Blood Bowl 3 is a whole lotta fun to play, with the brutal action and strategic focus making for a really addictive experience. Admittedly, I am a newbie to the series so I might not have noticed some of the bigger changes made to the gameplay mechanics, but the core experience felt intuitive and it was surprising just how much depth came into each play. There is a bit of a learning curve (and the UI can be painful), but the game did enough to ease me in learn the ropes.
It’s flawed, but there’s still a LOT I liked about the game. The combat is slick, the world design and visuals are fantastic, and the story definitely kept me intrigued right until the very end. It could have just done with trimming a bit of its filler, whilst a bit more development time could have seen the more obvious technical hindrances ironed out.
I absolutely adore Theatrhythm Final Bar Line, with the brilliant rhythm-based gameplay and rich song selection making it a real treat for Final Fantasy fans. The accessibility of the gameplay makes it easy for just about anyone to play, whilst the complexities introduced in the higher difficulties ensure that it always remains entertaining no matter how many hours you’ve already put into the game. Add to that the rewarding party building elements, the host of unlockables, and the fact that you have over 380 songs to play through, and you’ll quickly find that there’s plenty to love about this celebration of all things Final Fantasy.
Metroid Prime Remastered takes a classic release and improves every aspect of it, with the game looking and feeling even better than ever before. The controls are sublime, the visuals are superb, whilst the excellent gameplay has stood the test of time, with it clear that a lot of love and effort went into ensuring this was the Metroid Prime experience fans had been wishing for.
Wanted: Dead has some cool ideas on show, but some dull combat mechanics and repetitive gameplay leave it feeling a bit rough to play. I wouldn’t say anything is outright bad in the game and it does have its cool moments, but they’re few and far between when compared to the more monotonous aspects of the experience.
Deliver us Mars offers a gripping adventure across the Red Planet that’ll keep players hooked in thanks to its intriguing storytelling and beautiful setting. It’s clear that a lot more effort was made to make the story more engaging this time around thanks to its mixture of high-stakes exploration and Kathy’s personal issues with her father, whilst discovering the sights of both Mars and what remained of the colony always felt exciting. There are a few issues here and there, with some of the puzzling proving a little dull and some technical hiccups rearing their head, but they don’t deter from what is otherwise an enjoyable experience. Whilst I will admit I preferred the Moon setting from the previous game, Deliver us Mars still manages to trumps its predecessor in just about every other way.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Cosmic Shake is a fun experience that captures the spirit of the series perfectly, but it’s a shame it doesn’t offer more variety and nuance in its gameplay. It’s very simple in design and lacks any real challenge, whilst I’d also argue the previous release (which was a remastered edition of a game from 2003) gave the player more freedom and diversity in how they play and explore the world. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad game by any means and I have no doubt that SpongeBob fans will love it, but it does mean that it might not really capture the imagination of platforming fans who are unfamiliar with the series. The game gets all of the basics spot on and deserves praise for that, but you shouldn’t expect it to do anything that’ll surprise you during its simplistic adventure.
Whalien – Unexpected Guests offers a fun and quirky platforming adventure packed with satisfying physics-based puzzling. It’s ALWAYS cool to see how you can cause chaos across each environment with your handy gadgets, whilst the world itself looks wonderful, is full of colour, and feels good to explore. Sure, it is a bit on the easy side and the journey isn’t a particularly long one, but there’s definitely plenty on offer here to keep puzzle-platforming fans entertained.
PowerWash Simulator takes a typical everyday chore and turns it into a cathartic gameplay experience that’s a lot of fun to play. I didn’t think that I’d find cleaning the filth from an assortment of locales and objects so entertaining, but I’ve found myself completely addicted to the game and pouring hours in. It’s the perfect game to play when you want to unwind, whether that’s alone or when chatting with friends in online co-op.
Season: A Letter to the Future offers a beautiful and emotional journey of discovery as you witness a world that’s about to be reborn. There’s plenty to see, learn, and do along the way, with it hard not to feel a sense of emotional attachment to the world you’re leaving behind. It all makes for a deeply memorable experience though, and one that players can shape in their own little ways. It's not perfect, but I certainly won’t be forgetting my time with Season: A Letter to the Future anytime soon.
We Were Here Forever offers another gripping co-op puzzle adventure that is more varied, clever, and prettier than the releases that came before it. The vast majority of the puzzling feels rewarding to solve thanks to the unique variety of enigmas on offer, whilst the need for proper communication is more important than ever before. When you do finally put the pieces together of a puzzle with your partner though? It’s super rewarding. There were some puzzles that were bit annoying, whilst some areas of the game felt a little bit drawn out thanks to the longer length. Thankfully, these issues don’t stop We Were Here Forever from being a ton of fun to play, with the series going from strength to strength with each subsequent release.
The King’s Dilemma: Chronicles delivers a unique strategy experience that’ll hook players in with its brilliant decision-making gameplay and gripping plotline. I genuinely found myself engrossed in the game from the moment I started playing, and whilst there is a bit of a learning curve before you figure things out, the steps to get there are always entertaining. Players will have to juggle a lot of different mechanics as they progress through the game and there’s as much of an emphasis placed on luck as there is strategic nuance, but it’s the unpredictable nature of the game that makes it so entertaining. If you’re a fan of strategy action with a clever narrative-driven twist, you won’t want to miss out on The King’s Dilemma: Chronicles.
Hi-Fi Rush is an awesome rhythm-based adventure which looks stunning, feels great to play, and has some amazing music… what else could you want? Whilst I’ll admit that some of the explorative elements of the game didn’t hit the heights seen in the combat and world design, every other aspect of Hi-Fi Rush is just top notch. 2023 was already shaping up to be an exciting year for Xbox thanks to some upcoming high-profile releases, but it’s already started off with one hell of a bang with Hi-Fi Rush. I don’t know how they managed to keep the reveal (and the release) a secret, but Tango Gameworks Softworks have given Xbox fans a real treat with what is easily one of the console’s best exclusive releases.
It’s never a bad game at all and I think some of the disdain towards the storytelling and writing seen on social media is unjust, but there’s no denying that it is very much a game of two halves. My score reflects how I felt about the game by the end because I really did love those later hours, but expect to have to go through a few tepid moments before Forspoken really hits its stride.
Monster Hunter Rise is an absolute joy to play on the PlayStation 5, with the addictive gameplay loop and visual enhancements making it essential for fans of the series. It’s newbie friendly thanks to its more streamlined approach, whilst some of the new additions ensure the experience will remain fresh for long-time series veterans. Whether you’re looking for a story-driven single player experience, some fleshed out co-op action with friends, or simply a wonderful world to explore that’s full of incredible yet vicious creatures, Monster Hunter Rise has it all.
WWE 2K22 marks a return to form for the series, with the entertaining wrestling and wealth of modes sure to keep WWE fans happy for a long, long time. Whether playing in the likes of MyRise and building up a career, MyGM and running your own show, or Showcase and playing through the stand-out moments of a legend of the sport’s career, there’s plenty of variety here that ensures that the game is about MORE than just the wrestling. Add to that the creativity offered when it comes to your own creations and it’s clear that WWE 2K22 has covered all avenues in offering the most robust experience yet. Of course, it’s not perfect and there are a few technical hiccups here and there, whilst the fighting can be a little formulaic in places. WWE 2K22’s strengths certainly outweigh its weaknesses though, and believe me, it DEFINITELY makes up for the travesty that was WWE 2K20.
Martha Is Dead is an intriguing experience that won’t be for everyone, but still managed to hook me in with its engrossing storytelling. Whilst I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find the game unsettling, I NEEDED to see how the plot played out and just how dark it could really go. It can be shocking at times, but you know what you’re signing up for before playing. It doesn’t always hit the mark, especially when it comes to some of the frustrating interactive moments, whilst there were a handful of scenes where it did feel like it went too far for the sake of it. Still, it’s one of the most memorable and unique narratives I encountered in a game for a while, so I won’t be forgetting Martha is Dead anytime soon.
Horizon: Forbidden West is a remarkable game that blew me away with its excellent storytelling, deep and engaging gameplay, and breath-taking visuals. I found myself eagerly anticipating every twist and turn of the story, the set pieces left me in awe of just how fun and varied combat is, whilst exploring the world and uncovering all of its secrets and side quests was a real treat. And did I mention it looks ridiculously stunning? It really has it all. The first game is one of my favourite PlayStation titles of all time, but Horizon: Forbidden West exceeds it in almost every way. Some minor graphical issues here and there do stop the game from feeling ‘perfect’, but they don’t stop Horizon: Forbidden West from being a masterpiece of game design.