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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, is a near-perfect remaking of one of the greatest games of all time. While it's enhanced in ways both big and small, the foundations of Ocarina remain largely untouched, cementing that its excellence is deeply rooted in timeless design and effortless storytelling. Regardless of whether or not you've undertaken the Hero of Time's journey, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time simply can't be missed.
Phantom Blade Zero is a spectacular martial arts action game that understands style matters as much as survival. Its superb combat, inventive weapon systems and unforgettable bosses easily outweigh a few technical blemishes and repetitive encounters. S-GAME has delivered a confident, ambitious knockout that deserves to be experienced by action fans everywhere.
MW4 ain’t perfect but it gets the fundamentals so right that IW’s conservatism starts looking less like a lack of ambition and more like a much-needed intervention.
After a long absence, it feels incredible to play another turn-based Final Fantasy, especially one as strong as Resonance. Complex characterisation and a satisfying combat system combined with smart progression incentives make for an excellent return to Square Enix's important heritage, even if the dungeons leaves much to be desired.
If you've played one of Nintendo's Sports or Sports Resort games before, whether on Wii or not, this collection isn't likely to excite or inspire as it's all, by now, well worn territory-even if bowling is still a clear standout. Efforts to expand the experience with free roam feel rather strange, and the online helping and infrastructure doesn't feel robust enough to keep the attention of players, or families, when the console has better party options.
Bluey's Happy Snaps is a family fun filled experience aimed at empowering kids to own their game time. It feels like a genuine Bluey episode that immerses players into the whacky adventures of the Heeler family, whilst providing easy controls and mechanics kids will love. Although replayability is dictated by how kids wish to tackle post game content, Happy Snaps will keep them smiling from play on and off the screen.
Despite an 18 year absence, it feels like 2D Castlevania never left. Belmont's Curse is an excellent return to this hallowed series - standing tall with some of the best Metroidvania entries in the franchise. If this is just the start of a Castlevania renaissance, I can't wait to see where it goes.
Valor Mortis is a captivating take on the soulslike genre, framing the horrors of war through the viewpoint of William, one of Napoleon's best and brightest. A genuine balancing act of systems, Valor Mortis takes both the good and bad from the genre, discarding enough of the latter to create an experience that's challenging but forgiving enough.
Forever Ago is all at once powerful, funny, and sad, telling one of the year's most aching stories about how debilitating the mix of grief and isolation can be. Sadly, the story's vehicle is a rather dull, paint by numbers point-and-click adventure that, to Forever Ago's detriment, refuses to shy from the mundane distractions of a life trying to be lived.
Hellraiser Revival has all the blood, sex and grotesquerie you'd expect, almost perfectly capturing the Hellraiser experience in video game form. But it struggles to carve out an identity of its own, mimicking plenty of horror greats without quite understanding what made them so great. Regardless of its flaws, Revival tells a story that Hellraiser fans should enjoy, even if its uneven gameplay makes it a much harder sell for everyone else.
Minecraft Dungeons II adds depth without losing the approachable chaos that made its predecessor work. The Sift and expanded gear game broaden the formula, while a reduction in start-and-stop co-op menu faffing is greatly appreciated. I just wish its teasing glimpses of an open world went further.
While it doesn't feel as impactful as Ghost of Tsushima's Director's Cut, Ghost of Yotei: Complete Edition is a definitive repackaging of Atsu's vengeful tale. Echoes of Sekigahara's place against the broader story can make for some awkward delivery, but the Ashoro Foothills and Most Wanted mode end up balancing it all out.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is a fast-paced thrill that successfully captures the spirit of the Star Wars racing classic and delivers it in droves. While the story is drab and the longer runs can grow frustrating, everything else makes up for it. The unique rogue-lite structure, excellent handling and constant risk-reward choices make every run feel worthwhile and addictive, even in the face of failure. It's this perfect combination that makes Galactic Racer anything but - it's a strong success in every sense of the word.
Though fault can be found with its meaningless side quests and examples of knuckleheaded dialogue, Gears of War: E-Day gets so much of its core loop right. It's hard to recall a game nailing the desperate, helpless feeling of invasion quite like this, and E-Day sets a new benchmark for Gears' iconic gunplay. More than anything, E-Day is a technical crown jewel that delivers an audiovisual experience that, on Xbox, is unrivalled.
The core gameplay of EA Sports FC 27 is as good as it's ever been, while a range of new additions to Career Mode and Ultimate Team show promise. However, The Grounds is a slog, and the game itself is marred by badly designed menus and technical issues.
Ultimately, when it came time for me to eject from AC8, I was left with the impression of something fun but not flawless. Target-selection nonsense, overcooked dialogue and some not-so-novel decisions that decelerate the pacing keep it from being a perfect sortie. But when Wings of Theve is firing on all afterburners, it delivers exactly the kind of high-speed, high-altitude blockbuster nonsense I wanted from it.
Well Dweller's simplistic approach to the metroidvania genre creates a neutral void that the Kyle Thompson adventure ultimately lingers in. On one hand, it's beginner friendly and won't deter gamers not hungry for a Soulslike challenge, while on the other, it's simply not bold enough to break new ground within the genre. Well Dweller remains an enjoyable folk tale romp that, for anyone looking to take a chance on a metroidvania, is safe as houses.
Silent Hill Townfall blends stealth, action and tense horror into another compelling take on the Silent Hill formula. Its monster designs and scares disappoint, but strong combat, excellent puzzles and a well-written story make up for those shortcomings. It may not reach the series' greatest heights, but Townfall comfortably earns its place in Silent Hill's ongoing revival.
Control Resonant continues the Remedy tradition of offering an ambitious experience filled with incredible ideas. The game controls beautifully, the combat is fun and flexible, the side stories are strong and the presenation is, of course, excellent. But repetitive encounters, beautiful but underwhelming boss battles and an uneven open-world structure all make Resonant feel uneven. Regardless of its flaws, Control Resonant is both bold and enjoyable, though it doesn't reach the usual heady heights established by the illustrious Remedy canon.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is another slam-dunk for the Nintendo Switch 2. A bona fide evolution of what came before it, combining the best elements of its recent entries with spectacular results. Perhaps most impressive, is just how well paced this enormous adventure is despite its lengthy runtime.