TheSixthAxis
HomepageTheSixthAxis's Reviews
What really stands out with Figment is the way that it deals with loss and despair whilst managing to be optimistic and uplifting.
It's always nice to see Marvel and Capcom working together on a fighting game and Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite is still a great fighting game with neat ideas. Infinity Stones are a breath of fresh air, and going back to a less chaotic 2v2 format makes it more playable at a lower level, but ultimately some of the silliness and wonder has been sucked out of its DNA. For the hardcore audience, it'll still play wonderfully and I had fun, but casual players will find little to sing and dance about.
INK is an ambitiously simplistic platformer that creates its own identity with its level splatting gameplay. The only problem is that despite the attractive colourful visuals at various points, the game's simplicity can get tiresome in long sessions. INK is worth picking up if you're a puzzle-platforming fan, but those looking for a bit more depth may find other 2D platformers more enjoyable.
Death of the Outsider might be smaller in scope (and launch price) than the first two games, yet Arkane has crafted a game that meets the quality of design found in those games. It takes the best bits of the series and improves them, putting together a story that feels personal despite its huge ambition and featuring what may be the best Dishonored protagonist yet. If Death of the Outsider ends up being the closing chapter for the Dishonored series, then it is a truly fitting conclusion.
With an expanded roster that only improves on an already great lineup, fantastic gameplay, and an increased range of challenges and modes, Pokkén Tournament DX is true fighting game gold.
Redout is an ambitious attempt to recapture the glory of futuristic racing games, while paying homage to WipEout. The game's controls and responsiveness have been fine-tuned to make the hardest of tracks very interesting and engaging to race across at supersonic speeds. Redout is an example of a game that's given and old formula another coat of paint, but it could also mean the beginning of another futuristic racer franchise, in the absence of a true contemporary from Sony.
PES 2018 is a great football game that delivers a fun experience across its various modes. The actual in match gameplay can be sublime and its hardly ever boring thanks to the lack of stoppages. Konami has created a real contender for this year's footballing crown, but issues like the simple nature of the commentary, and AI being a little silly at times hold it back from being proclaimed champion just yet. However, if you love your football then PES 18 is well worth picking up.
Destiny 2 is a fantastic new beginning for one of the most popular online shooters out there, and I can't wait to see how it grows and evolves over the coming months and years.
Baja is about as middle of the road as remasters get. While it's great to see Nordic paying attention to its stable of dormant THQ properties, exhuming an average racing game from 2008 seems a tad misguided. Baja hasn't aged particularly well, but it's far from bad and there's still some fun to be had taking to the track. You just have to question why this remaster even exists.
Metroid: Samus Returns shows why 2D Metroid is still top-tier. It's far from the perfection that Super Metroid had, but this takes my least liked 2D Metroid game and reimagines it so completely that it almost beats the remake of the original Metroid in my estimations. If someone at Nintendo can add the ability to switch control schemes, it would make a huge difference. This is the return we've been waiting for, though I want Nintendo to develop the “Next Mission” in 2D for the Switch themselves.
In some ways Everybody's Golf has been well worth the wait. This is still the same gentle and appealing brand of arcade golf that fans have come to know and love, and it's easy to get caught up in the sheer fun of it all. However, once you venture online you'll discover that the game is currently deeply unbalanced, with micro-transactions and mobile-esque grinding sapping any sense of competition from proceedings, while asking players to reach for their wallets in order to gain an advantage. In a game that's supposed to be all about the golfing fun, Sony have categorically found a way to put you firmly in the rough.
Sparc is the first in what will hopefully become a burgeoning genre for virtual reality. It's a frenetically charged competitive sport that doesn't bog itself down with too many rules. At the same time, it's a risky investment. I hate being a pessimist, but as soon as the number of active players begins to dry up, you'll be left with an empty husk of a game.
X-Morph: Defense successfully mashes up the shoot 'em up and tower defence genres which is no mean feat. and the co-op mode is a really great addition and helps alleviate the repetitive nature of the tasks. There is at least fifteen hours of gameplay on the easiest difficulty level and as you are ranked at the end of each battle there's a good reason to go back and try again. If you like tower defence and big explosions it's well worth a look, especially if you have a friend to join the battle.
While it's certainly more approachable than your typical Monster Hunter game, Stories fails to capture what has made the series such a hit over the years.
Whether you have played Tyranny and want to delve back in, or have yet to experience the game, The Bastard's Wound is a very successful addition.
While I liked a couple of the ideas behind Dead Alliance, they're not capitalised on to create something truly interesting. What we're left with is a painfully generic, often broken online shooter that's begging to be put in the ground, preferably under ten feet of quick-set cement.
Knack 2 is a bright and breezy action romp that keeps up its breathless pace throughout its runtime. Its well-trodden gameplay beats are far from revolutionary, but it is undoubtedly accomplished, and redeems much of what the first game managed to somehow get so wrong. A surprise and a somewhat guilty delight.
Absolver is superb yet flawed. Sloclap have some really fun and innovative ideas though, for some reason, they've built a gorge between players and their game. Like digging for gold, if you want to get anything of value from Absolver then you'll need to work hard and put in the time. Needless to say, those with a casual curiosity will likely find themselves completely turned off.
Sneaky Bears is simply great fun while it lasts, so it's a shame it can be completed so quickly, as I would have loved to spend more time with Buddy and Frank. It's also a bit expensive (£15.99) given the content, but that's the case with most PSVR games. All in all, it's one of the best wave-based shooters on PSVR and definitely worth a look, especially if you have younger players in the family.
Despite many expectations, revisiting a younger Chloe Price and Arcadia Bay is very rewarding for fans of Life Is Strange. Deck Nine have found a story of discovery, growth and friendship that's well worth telling, and doing so in a delightfully unexpected manner. Especially if you're already a fan of the series, Life Is Strange: Before The Storm is easily recommended and I'm eager to see what's next.