Daily Mirror
HomepageDaily Mirror's Reviews
While the PS5 has hinted at its power with the odd excellent remake and some impressive cross-gen titles, Returnal genuinely feels like the first truly fresh title designed for a new generation of hardware. Gorgeous graphics, intelligent controls and an astounding level of immersion combine to create an atmospheric thriller that wouldn't have been possible on older hardware. The game is tough, but every failed loop is a lesson learned, a push to do better and a pull to uncover more of the game's plot.
The Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack is great for original fans and newcomers, all the added DLC and new features really improve the overall experience in each of the games. They all have something different to offer, that will satisfy different types of players. Like previous Atelier games the synthesising system is very daunting and can be confusing for newcomers. The game does try to explain the system but I feel it needs a much more detailed tutorial for players to understand all the ins and outs. But players shouldn't give the games a miss as they are great JRPGs to add to your collections.
Smelter is a fun action packed game with plenty of depth to keep players engaged for a while. The combat system is intuitive and works a charm with the level design actually presenting a challenge rather than just being superficial. However I do wish the developers focused more on these parts of the game and minimise the real time strategy sections which felt like drawn out mini games. Saying that Smelter is a well devised indie game filled with witty dialogue and stellar action to match.
The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark is a gloriously retro nostalgia fix for those who love point and click games. But for those who have never played them before, it's a brilliant introduction to the genre. A Fumble in the Dark is light-hearted, hilarious and often devious when it comes to the game's puzzles. But don't panic – you may get stuck from time to time but the solutions are usually fiendishly simple. A game that rewards thinking outside the box, The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark brings back so many wonderful gaming memories. If you know how to use a rubber-chicken-with-a-pulley-in-the-middle, then you're going to love it.
Narita Boy is definitely one of the best looking indie platformers I've ever seen with it's unique art style and captivating music. It's neo-retro style mixed with religious themes make it unlike anything that's on the market today. The emphasis on combat shows with its well worked mechanics and engaging system. However Narita Boy does leave you wanting more from its exploration and platforming parts. But I did enjoy my time with Narita Boy and it's definitely one to pick up.
Monster Hunter Rise is an amazing game and probably one of the best titles on the Nintendo Switch. Veterans of the series may feel there is more emphasis on the action elements of the game compared to previous entries, but I feel that the game does well to balance the RPG elements with the action. The few other tweaks made to Monster Hunter Rise are fully welcomed as they don't take away what made previous titles great making it one of the best games in the series.
Pyra may be powerful, but being slow means that players will need to be in the right place at the right time for the majority of her attacks to be effective. Plus most of her attacks have too much risk if she fails to land them. On the other hand Mythra will provide the much needed flexibility and coverage but players will have a difficult time knocking other fighters out. Mythra and Pyra are amazing additions to the Super Smash Bros Ultimate roster, the sheer size of their move list will be an instant attraction for players looking for a new main, as the different strategies to be discovered with this duo could be endless.
Bravely Default II to its core is what fans should expect from a well devised JRPG, with the depth of customisation and a stellar battle system combining for an enthralling experience. Only to be matched by its engaging script and blissful music making this a must have for Nintendo Switch owners. Saying that newcomers to the series or JRPGs in general may find Bravely Default II a bit too difficult and demanding, especially with the bosses dishing out defeats left, right and centre.
Persona 5 and Royal have established themselves as JRPG heavyweights, so fans and critics might have found it slightly odd not to follow the same winning formula. However, Persona 5 Strikers is a great follow up to the series and one of the best games developed by Omega Force. Even though it feels more of a spin off than a full sequel to Persona 5's epic story, fans and newcomers will enjoy this new direction with a decent narrative, nice changes to the original mechanics whilst remaining faithful to its JRPG roots. Persona 5 Strikers will be released for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC on February 23
WTAE is a prime example of the latter. With its phoned-in stealth, mediocre combat, poor storytelling and rough presentation, calling it a missed opportunity is an understatement, especially on a new generation console. Even die-hard fans of the tabletop game will likely struggle to enjoy this take on the franchise. There's a blueprint here for an interesting concept, but sadly nothing more. Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood is out now for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One and PC (via the Epic Games Store), priced £34.99 - £44.99
Bowser's Fury offers some great new ideas and is much more than a simple DLC. It's a great Mario game in its own right, with enough to entice those who played 3D World before with a wholly new and compelling experience, as well as offering one of the most epic showdowns in Nintendo history. Bowser's Fury is a great take on 3D Mario and finally makes Bowser the menacing villain he deserves to be. The game's only flaw is that it left me wishing there was more of it.
A Nintendo Switch copy of this game was provided for review purposes. Little Nightmares II is out February 11 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC for £29.99.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a great early entry for 2021 and an unmissable gem for JRPG fans.
It leans hard into its comic book and video game influences but also has some clever tricks up its sleeve, which is why it's aged so well and still feels fresh to play. The game can be frustrating and chaotic at times, and difficulty can be all over the place but grab some friends and you'll fall in lesbians all over again with this brilliant, resurrected classic all over again.
Sephiroth does play like other swordsmen in the game, but his long-range and explosive projectiles will make him stand out. He does have a few drawbacks that can make him less desirable like his charged attacks that can leave him wide open or his uninspiring grabs that lack range. Saying that Sephiroth's shortcomings are meagre compared to what makes him great. The One-Winged Angel is a great addition to the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster with enough depth to become a deadly force.
Overall the game was an enjoyable experience with a few glitches along the way. The iconic Warhammer 40k universe made it a fun and enjoyable experience for a veteran fan who has always had to imagine the vision of these battlefields. With a few patches and perhaps the addition of some other game modes or difficulties, this could be a great VR game for anyone to play, not just Warhammer fans.
Monster Sanctuary is a delight to play, with levels and monsters radiating such depth and creativity. The complexity of each monster's skill tree is a feature fully welcomed and would be a great addition in other monster games. Monster Sanctuary is a late gem to 2020 that gamers should pay attention to.
The game may not be perfect but given CD project Red's reputation for fixing and updating games Cyberpunk has a bright neon-lit future. It can proudly sit among its influences of Ghost in the Shell, Blade Runner and Neuromancer (as well as games like Deus Ex, System Shock) with its augmented head held high. It's been a long wait, but the end result is a massive sprawling RPG with an incredible story, heart-pounding action, solid mechanics and customisation, offering you unparalleled player choice in a deep, atmospheric world that I can't wait to plug myself back into.
However, Immortals does borrow a lot from other games which slightly diminishes its originality and fails to offer a completely new experience. There are a few performance problems, especially with the Switch version. Saying that, Immortals Fenyx Rising is still a great game and a good start for a potential gaming series, with the DLC already looking very promising.
Overall, if you like FIFA 21 current gen, you'll love FIFA 21 next gen. The graphics are incredible, the load times are rapid and the gameplay is smoother. But, don't expect the gameplay to feel completely different, because it's very similar to current gen, with significant gameplay changes expected for FIFA 22 and beyond.