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Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance does feel its age in places, but that doesn’t stop it from offering an entertaining and exciting dungeon-crawling romp. It definitely felt special re-playing it in HD and with a silky smooth frame rate for me, especially since it’s a title I’ve come back to on a regular basis ever since its initial release back in 2001… I’m happy to report that it is just as fun for me to play now as it was then. It’s a bit of a shame that more wasn’t added to this re-release and the £29.99 price point does feel a bit steep, but it doesn’t stop Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance from offering a good time. Whilst returning gamers will probably appreciate it the most, newbies looking for a satisfying co-op quest should enjoy its adventure too.
I didn’t expect to love Earth Defense Force: World Brothers quite as much as I did, but I’m completely hooked to its absurd action-packed adventure. There’s something so satisfying about taking down its onslaught of giant monsters, whilst the varied nature of the characters you unlock allows for plenty of flexibility when putting together your team of heroes. Add online co-op with friends to the mix and you’ll just find yourself completely addicted… I know I am. Well done, Earth Defense Force – you’ve made a new fan out of me.
Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection marks a great revival for the series, with the steep learning curve complimented by some fun and varied gameplay. Whilst there’s no doubting that most players will end up as a heap of bones more times than they would like to mention, the satisfaction of pushing on and persevering through each challenge makes the whole experience all the more rewarding. With the revamped visuals, the varied arsenal at Arthur’s disposal, and the replayability that comes with unlocking the true ending, Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection is an entertaining old-school title that has stood the test of time – just expect a bit of a tough time fighting your way through the Demon Lord’s minions.
With its clever puzzle design and stunning visuals, Call of the Sea stands out as one of the more impressive puzzle-adventures that I’ve played. I had a good time solving its strong variety of enigmas, whilst the intriguing narrative kept me invested too – especially with all of the documents and recordings you can find which flesh out the tale. There were some overly elaborate puzzles that could break the pace of the experience and there were some minor annoyances to be found with some aspect of the game’s design, but Call of the Sea is otherwise a very entertaining experience that kept me hooked in from start to end.
The TakeOver is a thoroughly enjoyable beat ‘em up romp that’s slick, stylish, and full of variety across its levels. It doesn’t do too much to re-invent the genre (outside of the fun mini-games) and some of its mechanics can be easily exploited, but that won’t stop players from having a good time clearing the mean streets of Steel Haven.
The Mass Effect titles were magnificent back when they originally released, but the Legendary Edition makes them even better and more fitting for modern consoles. There really hasn’t been a better way to experience Bioware’s epic sci-fi trilogy, with the original game’s refinements particularly standing out as being something special. There’s more consistency than before and it makes all of the decisions you make more impactful by the time you reach the third game’s finale. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is simply an outstanding experience and one that returning gamers are sure to love. Never played the series before? Now is the perfect time to jump in and see why it’s so fondly remembered by gamers worldwide.
Capcom Arcade Stadium offers a neat way to re-live some genuinely great arcade classics, whilst it was a treat discovering titles I’d never heard of before. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few that fall short of the mark and it is a bit of a shame you can’t purchase them individually, especially since not every title in a bundle will appeal to everyone. Thankfully, the relatively cheap price of each bundle means you won’t be breaking the bank too much to get an awesome selection of games – even IF you might not touch some of them again after trying them once. There’s no doubting that Capcom Arcade Stadium won’t be for everyone, but those who want a trip down memory lane or the opportunity to discover an arcade classic they never played before are in for a treat. Not every title delivers an exciting experience, but those that have stood the test of time still feel great to play decades on from their initial release.
Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield’s auto-running gameplay makes for an exciting time, whilst the slick audio and visuals are top notch throughout. It is a little lacking on replayability after you beat the relatively short campaign, but at the same time the length ensures the gameplay doesn’t get too repetitive. Still, it’d be nice to see online leaderboards or some form of scoring system added in the future, if only to keep players coming back for more. As it stands though, Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield is certainly one of the more impressive auto-runners I’ve played, with the futuristic adventure offering plenty of running, jumping, and sliding thrills… just don’t expect to spend too long with it.
Shin Megami Tensei III’s intriguing narrative and strategic combat are just as good as I remember, though it does feel a bit dated in other facets of its design. The visuals feel a little janky throughout for example, whilst the dungeon design is bland when compared to modern RPGs. It’s a bit overpriced too, especially since there haven’t been too many new features or refinements added to justify the price tag. Despite its flaws, there’s still a special RPG here that did, in many ways, feel ahead of its time. It might not be as gripping to play now as it was in 2003, but that doesn’t stop Shin Megami Tensei III from offering an entertaining RPG experience that just has some age-related missteps here and there.
It’s rare for a strategy title that doesn’t have some element of conflict in it to provide a satisfying challenge, but Before We Leave shines despite it. Its mixture of charming gameplay and resource management provides an enjoyable experience to scratch that civilization building itch, and I found myself spending HOURS setting up a thriving resource chain between planets and islands. Believe me, a good time was had. Perhaps some players would argue that it’s a bit more basic in comparison to heavier games in the genre, but Before We Leave shows that you don’t need complexity to have fun. It’s definitely the most fun I’ve had with a civilization builder in a while. Give it a chance, and you won’t be disappointed… just watch out for the Space Whales.
‘Wrath of the Druids’ marks a triumphant return for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, with the luscious landscapes but eerie vibe making for a unique and enjoyable adventure. It definitely takes a much darker turn than what players faced in the base game, especially when it comes to dealing with the titular Druids themselves… With its more streamlined approach, its wonderful world, and the enjoyable missions, ‘Wrath of the Druids’ is a fantastic piece of content. It sends Eivor on a journey that feels unlike anything experienced in England, and it makes for a damn good time.
The Longing is a real test of patience thanks to its slow sense of progression, but there’s no doubting that it offers a unique and intriguing experience. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy some of my time with the game, with the clever time-based puzzling and the mysteries of the world certainly keeping me invested in Shade’s long wait. However, it didn’t take long for that appeal to wear thin. I didn’t have the patience to fully appreciate The Longing for the long term, but instead find myself waiting for those four-hundred days to be up just to see how it ends. I completely appreciate what the developer was trying to do here, but it just wasn’t for me. I didn’t hate the game or think that it was necessarily bad… I just struggled with the amount of time it takes to do anything. But hey, who knows, The Longing could be the perfect game for you. There’s nothing quite like it out there and it deserves praise for that. Just bring some form of extra entertainment with you if you’re planning out a long trek in the game… you’ll need it.
When played with friends, Hood: Outlaws & Legends is a whole lot of fun. When played with strangers, it’s just a bit tedious and dull. It really is a multiplayer game that demands strategy and player coordination and, when played right, it can really make for a thrilling experience. If you end up with players who don’t want to chat and just do their own thing, though? Expect to be left frustrated. The lack of content doesn’t help either, with the one game mode and five maps growing repetitive the more you play. It’s clear that there’s Hood: Outlaws & Legends is doing something right (I can vouch for that with the fun I’ve had with friends), but it does lack that special *something* right now. With the right amount of support and content though, I can see it being a game I’ll come back to again… well… as long as my teammates are willing to communicate with me, that is.
Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is a charming and nostalgic platforming romp that was a lot of fun to play through. Between the neat abilities and the slick level design, there was plenty to appreciate in Tako’s wacky world. Add to that a myriad of collectibles and levels to complete, and it’s easy to find yourself completely invested in the meaty Game Boy-inspired adventure.
Star Wars Pinball VR is the best representation of pinball you’ll find in virtual reality, with its brilliant pinball tables and iconic collectibles making for one heck of a fun experience. There’s no doubting that it’s going to be appreciated more by fans of Star Wars, but even those who simply enjoy playing pinball will find themselves very impressed by the selection of tables on offer and their wild moments of interactivity. Add to that the elements of progression with the Career Mode and the Fan Cave that’s packed to the brim with Star Wars memorabilia to unlock, and you’ll quickly find yourself losing hours on end in this pinball experience from a galaxy far, far away. There’s no doubting it: the force is STRONG with Star Wars Pinball VR.
Judgement was already a brilliant game on last-gen consoles, but the PlayStation 5 enhancements see it moving close to perfection. It is renowned for its excellent story, action-packed battling, and wealth of content, but the revamped visuals and slick performance really take it to the next level. It’s a real shame that it’s not available as a free next-gen upgrade, but it’s the only real sticking point in what is otherwise a stellar release. If you missed out on Judgement the first time around, don’t make the same mistake again… play it now!
Skate City isn’t the most engrossing of skating sims, but it still manages to offer a relaxing experience that’ll appeal more to the casual crowd. It’s not particularly difficult, it doesn’t have a ton on offer content-wise, and it can be a bit too easy to string together tricks, but it’s fine – it isn’t trying to constantly test your skating skills, but instead absorb you in its relaxed world of skating. Skate City won’t be for everyone, but if you’re looking for an extreme sports sim that never feels TOO extreme, it might just be for you.
I love revisiting gaming memories from my youth, and Total War: Rome Remastered definitely scratched that itch for me. Sure, it may not have all the bells and whistles of modern Total War games but there’s something wonderful about its simplicity in comparison. It has seen plenty of improvements to modernise the experience and make it more intuitive too, so it certainly doesn’t feel like a game that released in 2004. Whether you’re a first timer or returning once again to gloriously conquer your enemies, you won’t go far wrong with Total War: Rome Remastered.
NieR Replicant is another brilliant remake to add to the ever-growing collection, with its touching narrative and fantastic combat making it a true RPG gem. Where it really shines though is in the way that it does *unexpected* things. NieR Replicant is constantly changing things up, whether that’s through the gameplay or with a twist in the plot that changes your understanding of the events that are playing out. It’s full to the brim with surprises and they’re all so magnificently presented – it’s what helps make the game feel so special and memorable to play. It’s not completely flawless and seeing everything it has to offer can feel a little bit repetitive, but it’s worth it. NieR Automata might have brought the series into the limelight, but NieR Replicant proves that it was already special to begin with.
The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark offers another weird but wonderful spooky set of mysteries for point-and-click fans to unravel. It’s a lot simpler in design when compared to similar releases in the genre, but certainly doesn’t lack ingenuity as far as its puzzle design is concerned. The writing is top-notch throughout too and I genuinely found myself laughing out loud at times… what more could you want? The simplicity of the gameplay might not always appeal to hardcore point-and-click enthusiasts and one or two puzzles could be a little bit TOO out there, but it doesn’t stop The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark from offering a thoroughly enjoyable adventure. They may be a pair of fools, but I can’t wait to spend more time with Detective McQueen and Officer Dooley.