Jump Dash Roll
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A couple of niggles can't hold back this beautiful and brutal avante-garde experience.
Partisans 1941 combines fun real-time stealth strategy gameplay with some stupidly enjoyable base-building mechanics for an overall experience that genuinely makes you feel like a leader of a group of guerrilla fighters.
Hades is a masterpiece of carefully considered design which Supergiant has poured its heart and soul into. It delivers on every level.
Despite its inconsistent difficulty, Crash Bandicoot 4 is still a blast. With a focus on fun and with a heavy dose of challenge, even in it's most rage-inducing moments it can't be denied that Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is excellent. It may even be the best the bandicoot has ever been.
Squad may not be for everyone, but if you're willing to deal with its slow-paced combat and communication-heavy gameplay, it offers an experience that simply cannot be found anywhere else.
Ultimately, Spelunky 2 is a game for platforming fanatics. It reminded me of my time with Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which was another frustrating, but fine-tuned game that I kept playing almost to spite the game. It’s a game that can feel stagnant, random, and insurmountable, only to break once you sink your teeth into it and find a real opening. Those moments are truly cathartic, and there is always more to do and see. You’ll die a lot, but if you keep climbing up from Spelunky 2’s depths of despair, you’ll be platforming forever.
Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia's gameplay is okay, its visuals are fine and its story is either a mess or passively engaging depending on your level of interest in its source material, which all makes for a game that should be skipped unless you're insanely desperate for another form of media from the Trollhunter universe.
CrossCode is a wonderful throwback to 90s RPGs, meshed with the modern sensibilities, gameplay and story that players expect from today's titles. Old-school Zelda fans will adore it, as will anyone who loves a satisfying blend of action and narrative.
When you're shooting hoops and playing basketball, NBA 2K21 is rather fun to play. However, it suffers from obtrusive microtransactions and game modes that are made in such a way that they try to nudge you to buy more virtual currency. NBA 2K21's appeal dives even more when you realise very little has changed from NBA 2K20. Hopefully Visual Concepts will come back strong on next-generation consoles with something that feels more than just about making money.
Ride 4 does simulation motorcycle racing incredibly well. Its collection of licensed bikes and ways to tweak them is unparalleled. However, basic game modes, rigid progression, dry presentation, and a lack of accessibility for new players stops it from reaching the heights of other sim racers on the market.
Mafia: Definitive Edition maintains its source material's amazing story, adds some solid gameplay and brings the graphics into the 21st century for an overall experience that's one of the few remakes that is genuinely worth a purchase.
Serious Sam 4's core shooting is as fun as can be, and the writing is on par with Hollywood's best action flicks, but everything else in the game is too dated for the overall experience to be truly enjoyable.
Lancelot's Hangover will provide an enjoyable experience for those who click with its raucous, Monty Python-esque humour
Going Under is a superb dungeon crawler wrapped in some stupidly stylish and silly art that comes packaged with writing that hits a little too close to home for anyone who's ever held a job.
The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos is the game equivalent of a Netflix knockoff of an HBO show: it's not terrible and it has occasionally fun ideas, but it's still worse than the source material in almost every conceivable way.
Paradise Killer may have bitten off more than it can chew. Weak courtroom mechanics, disappointing finale, and rudimentary dialogue system keep it from reaching the dizzying heights it aspires to and allows you to jump from. Yet every other part of the game is a joy, from the energetic soundtrack to the strange, alluring locales of Paradise Island. Let's hope the next one is Perfect 25.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is an immensely enjoyable fantasy RPG that doesn't have as much remastered content as it could, but one that's still well worth a purchase for anyone looking for a change of pace from modern sword and board games.
Solid tactical RPG gameplay set in a varied world filled with incredible characters and 'water-cooler' storytelling. Glaring issues aside, Wasteland 3 shines as the pinnacle of this genre and as one of the best games released this year despite its issues.
Destroy All Humans! is an example of a remake done right. It keeps all the charm from the original while updating the aspects that didn't age well.
HB Studios continues to improve the title that had a rather humble beginning. Each year brings with it new features and improvements and that's no easy feat. That being said, PGA Tour 2K21 isn't perfect and whilst the presentation has seen a much needed improvement it's still a touch limited, especially in the commentary department. Though if you're keen for a round of golf but don't fancy the walk that goes with it, you won't find anything better on offer.