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Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is a somber and peaceful game. Its gorgeous visuals, astonishing environments and the fun core mechanics of discovery make for a joyful experience. However, despite the polish and the variety of things to do, the game lacks finesse in its storytelling and personality in its characters. This keeps Yonder from being an incredible game, but it's still a great one.
Rugby League Live 4 is a step in the right direction. There's a level of polish that we haven't seen in an Australian sporting game in some time and whilst there's still some A.I issues, I never felt that they changed the result of the game. Attack is more realistic, which can lead to frustration when trying to get over the line, but the game rewards you for spending time with it and learning the new offensive/defensive mechanics. If you liked the last game, there's no reason why you won't like this one even more.
The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind is completely at odds with itself. At times, it doesn't feel like an expansion – featuring just more of the same rote quest designs that you've seen in Elder Scrolls Online. At other times, the writing is some of the best in the entirety of the Elder Scrolls Online world. Nostalgia for the region aside and Battlegrounds that'll surely flourish with updates, Morrowind doesn't do anything aggressively offensive, but doesn't quite innovate either.
The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy has exceeded my expectations as an overall package. Vicarious Visions have done a really good job at improving the overall presentation of all three games as well as fine-tuning things such as the save system and added time trials. Above all, they've accomplished this whilst maintaining the core platforming aspects that made Crash so memorable to begin with.
It's a rarity these days that you come across a game which feels like nothing you've ever played before, but ARMS is exactly that. It's fresh, vibrant and genuinely a lot of fun to play. It's a fighting game with depth, which even non-fighting enthusiasts can get into. I have some concerns about how long it will take for the game to become stale in its current state, but I'm equally excited to see where Nintendo takes the franchise.
It's brutally old school and will push your hand-eye to the limit, but Wipeout Omega Collection represents style, substance and value for money in equal measure. This is a glorious homecoming of a flagship PlayStation title, an unmissable synaesthetic treat for your ear and eye holes that earns its light-seizure warnings. Your Star Wars prequel memes are mistaken. THIS is pod racing.
At its core, Tekken 7 manages to prove that the series still has a place after 20 years, showing no signs of slowing down. Newcomers will find their way into the game quite easily, and experienced players will be able to jump back into it and find most of their favourite characters ready to go and familiar to play with.
Rime explores a profoundly melancholic story and plays on the wanderlust we naturally feel as gamers. We're spoiled with how many engrossing worlds and intelligent subtexts have made their way into the medium and Tequila Works have delivered on both fronts.
While it won't be for everyone, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a fun remake that showcases the history of the series with a brand new look. Seasoned fans of the games will find themselves slightly out of it with missing mechanics, but as the game's difficulty has been toned down since the original, it will appeal to more players. A fitting last instalment for the 3DS, the game is worth a look for those craving tactical RPG battles, or for long-running fans wanting to see the evolution of the series.
Ultra Street Fighter II: The New Challengers feels like a lazy afterthought from a developer reluctant to commit fully to the Switch. It's so frustrating given that Street Fighter II is itself a classic game, but Ultra does little to provide reason to purchase it yet again. Way of the Hado and an Art Gallery are nice touches, but ultimately superficial and fail to justify the game's price tag.
Injustice 2 is a fighting game that's accessible to anyone, but also deep enough for veteran fighting fans. An incredible step up from Gods Among Us in practically every way possible, it successfully leverages heaps of content and a strong roster with tight and fast fighting mechanics. Gear pushes customization without sacrificing balance, and both Multiverse and Online modes keep Injustice 2 interesting no matter how you play.
With its smooth and bright visuals, catchy soundtrack and easy gameplay, LocoRoco Remastered is a great way to unwind and play something a little less serious. Not much has changed in eleven years since its initial release, but that goes to show how simple and solid a game it was at the time of release. Prepare to get stuck with earworms over the soundtrack though!
Though it might not be particularly remarkable or memorable as a whole, the science fiction future setting is a nice departure from the dark fantasy that pervades hardcore action RPGs, and there are some new ideas in combat and advancement that differentiate The Surge from its peers.
Farpoint is the first game that has made me believe that fully-fledged games could make use of the technology in order to provide a better experience. It's the most in-control I've felt whilst playing a game and without doubt the most I've ever felt immersed in a game world. Farpoint definitely doesn't have the most interesting story, and there's still some issues surrounding the length due to the fact that it is a full-priced game, but Farpoint is going to give gamers a world of hope, when it comes to VR.
It's hard to recommend Narcosis to anyone who wants something more than just a story. There's some interesting concepts here that could've translated to some great gameplay mechanics, but they feel under developed. The story and characterisation is great, but everything else pales in comparison. Narcosis is a great premise that unfortunately never really lives up to what sounded like high potential.
The Hot Wheels expansion pack may not be what players were expecting from the franchise, but by combining both the spirit of the main game with the insanity of the brand, Forza Horizon 3: Hot Wheels is about as much fun as you can possibly have.
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 has to be partially excused for some of its shortcomings, given CI's inexperience at producing larger scale, bigger budget games. It does have a pleasing core experience that is sadly let down by, more or less, every other facet of the game. Come for the poor load times, the dreadful writing and the painted-on, wooden expressions the game's cast has, but stay for the sniping. Because the sniping is great.
Prey is another win for Arkane. It's a game where everyone who plays it will have a different experience. One thing is certain though – that Prey remains a consistent experience from beginning to end. Providing players with intuitive gameplay systems with great synergy, freedom to approach combat how you want and game design that rewards creativity are just three ways that Prey succeeds. While BioShock was heralded as the spiritual successor to System Shock, Prey feels like a much more successful attempt. An absolute joy to play and experience.
FIFA it ain't, but it wasn't ever going to be. AFL Evolution is a game that, given its niche market, we're pretty fortunate to have. Wicked Witch have yet to craft the perfect footy game, but there's certainly fun to be had here.
What Remains of Edith Finch is an example of an inventive and engaging experience that both aligns with the traditional definition of what a 'game' can be, and yet also seeks to challenge it. The story can be cliché at times, and sometimes the symbolism lacks subtlety, but what's offered here is a perfect blend of bittersweet themes and motifs. It's linear, but it's enjoyable and intriguing enough to demand your attention for its perfect run time.