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The Fractured But Whole is a solid game, but as a package doesn't improve greatly on The Stick Of Truth. Its combat has some added depth and there are more classes to choose from, but it doesn't feel as though it does a whole lot else that's new. Its unwavering preparedness to tackle tough social issues must always be commended and I know that'll never change with South Park. If you're a person with touchy sensibilities, know that this probably isn't for you. But if you're a South Park fan who wouldn't mind a fairly decent romp through a faux Marvel and DC face-off then you're probably onto a winner here.
The Evil Within 2 is an enjoyable, psychological and somewhat emotional trip that I probably won't forget. As a sequel to it's predecessor, it takes things in a rather different direction and tries several new things to mixed results. Nonetheless, The Evil Within 2 is a thrilling and tense experience that'll appeal to most fans of the original and newcomers looking for a harrowing experience they've probably not had before.
Shadow of Mordor was a bombastic, grandiose romp through a very storied land, steeped in a much-beloved history, as penned by Tolkien. Shadow of War takes what made the original such a great experience and magnifies it tenfold, blowing it up into a titanic game. Embrace the Bright Lord and play this game if you've got even a passing interest in the Lord of the Rings saga. Even if you don't, this high-fantasy action game has a bit of everything.
Forza Motorsport 7 has a few issues under the hood that need to be addressed, but the strengths outweigh its weaknesses as the game offers the most diverse and well-presented title in the franchise to date, along with a contender for the racing game of the year.
It's a bit unfair to compare Cuphead to almost any other of the brutally tough platformers I've grown to love recently, as it lacks the filler. It gets straight to the good stuff and gives us an almost 'greatest hits' of boss fights. And if they don't get better and more rewarding as they go, I'll go eat. So while you've still got to be a masochist at heart to get through the 'true' Cuphead, people of all ages and backgrounds would be able to sit in front of the television and appreciate Cuphead for its sense of style and its ability to evoke that childlike wonder that was, until now, dormant in most of us.
Capcom aren't going to be able to please everyone every time, but where this game makes strides in its fighting mechanics it lets down in many other facets; and while it is still a quality game to play, it leaves a lot to be desired. Don't let it sway you too much though – newcomers will find the game easily accessible and enjoy working out the best way to defeat opponents with a mix of combos and special attacks. Long-time fans of the series will take warmly to the changes that come with new techniques and will enjoy using characters they know and love, but may be left wondering what happened to the look and atmosphere of the previous games.
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider is a fun and well-made standalone title that is certainly worth giving a shot. It's certainly one that's best enjoyed if you have played the first two games and simply want to experience more and want to see the series' loose ends tied up in a nice and clean narrative.
FIFA 18 is the most solid entry in the series in several years. The presentation has never been better and the game has never been more realistic. EA have made subtle improvements to the Frostbite based gameplay that was introduced in FIFA 17, but If you weren't a huge fan of the gameplay last year, then chances are you're going to still be quite unhappy with what is on offer here. There's major changes to The Journey for those that enjoy the single player portion of the game. FIFA Ultimate Team and Career Mode have also seen several changes that will be sure to impress the most hardcore of FIFA fans too.
I put more time into the original Destiny than I've ever put into anything. I can see myself playing the sequel just as much. Though the core grinding loop might be slightly different this time around, it's still as satisfying as ever. Though it's somewhat of a prelude, the story is a compelling introduction to the Red Legion. Finishing the raid with my clan left me feeling accomplished as its ultra-hard mechanics put a team's mettle to the test. I can't say I've got a whole lot of gripes about this sequel. It feels like a pretty natural evolution of Destiny and does what it always did that little bit better.
With a decent sized roster of characters and enough content in the game to keep even the pickiest of fans satisfied, Pokken Tournament DX is one of a growing list of worthy ports from the Wii U. With a fresh coat of paint splashed over the top, this fighting game is one for both Pokémon and Tekken fans alike; and while the combat depth and lack of hands-on training may throw off a few people, the game makes itself accessible for all those who are chasing a good fighting experience.
With the 3DS nearing the end of its lifespan, games like this are often left to the wayside; but for loyalists and those not quite ready to upgrade, Monster Hunter Stories is definitely a game worth picking up. With a fun battle system that doesn't rely on grinding to level up, and a bright and open world to explore, Monster Hunter Stories takes its namesake in a completely different and impressive direction.
Metroid: Samus Returns is an outstanding reinvention of Metroid 2 and a great game in its own right. After all these years and missteps, Samus is back.
The original Knack had gamers hoping for so much, but failed to deliver. Thankfully, the little guy from launch has been fleshed out in Knack 2. The game is full of improvements and is a much more enjoyable experience (especially in co-op). It's well worth checking out for platforming fans.
This is a perfect start to a new Life is Strange saga and left me wanting more as the original series did so expertly. If you're already a fan of the series you'll feel right at home (although I do miss Max…) and if you're new, it ain't a bad place to start. If anything I would envy the chance to play this first before the original game, as my final choice and decisions throughout the original might have been very different having become attached to Chloe before Max.
After a lengthy wait, we finally have the long running Everybody's Golf series on Playstation 4. The new elements aren't quite as expansive as hoped, but the core game is still incredibly delightful
Ubisoft have crafted something extremely special in Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, and it's absolutely worth the time, effort, and patience to see it all the way through to the end. The references, the tone, and the way it all works with the Switch's portable nature makes it one of the platform's best by a good mile.
Despite its flaws, Sonic Mania is the type of game that players can keep going back to over and over. It has the replayability of the classic Sonic games with minor modernisations for current day gamers, and is sure to appeal to old and new players alike. For a franchise that for a while seemed to flounder and suffer from subpar titles, it offers hope to fans that there will be more to return the series to its former glory.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is a great standalone adventure featuring two extremely charismatic personalities. There's a story here that's brilliantly told with intertwined gameplay/narrative design that I've not seen in a game in some time. The intriguing relationship of Chloe/Nadine made playing through the game more than worth it, and some questionable new gameplay mechanics couldn't detract from an otherwise brilliant experience.
If subtlety was a person, I'm pretty sure the Agents of Mayhem would tell them to "suck it". It flies its flag of in-your-face attitude with pride and does it so well, that you can almost forgive it for making really lame jokes about things like Uranus. If you're looking for some unadulterated adult fun, then I recommend becoming an Agent of Mayhem today.
Matterfall is the kind of game Housemarque does best – easy to learn, but a little harder to master. Achievement hunters will find themselves speedrunning and shooting through for the high score points, while other players will have loads of fun with the zero-G and Matter mechanics. Matterfall's quick and frantic gameplay won't be for everyone, but for those who really dig sci-fi and shooters, it is definitely a must-get.