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Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon surpassed my expectations. There were things overly familiar in more ways than one, but it's not fully covering old ground. Plenty of new features and details will make fans of the franchise very happy and while I still mourn for the DexNav to this day, the new content is well worth becoming Alolan Champion once more.
Having flirted with the dark side in the run up to launch, Star Wars Battlefront II has had its reputation sullied by its underlying business model and how that is tied to character progression. That distracts from how much it improves on the first game though, with much better variety in Galactic and Starfighter Assault, character classes and team play being gently encouraged, and a broader and deeper player progression.
I was so ready for an action RPG entry in the Neptunia series to come along and scratch my itch, but instead it puked on my lap and barely touched the itch. I had so much fun with the story and characters, but with better combat and more consistent performance, this game could've been something special.
If you can play it on a more powerful platform, then you probably should.
Three years ago, Sledgehammer took a bold step forward with Advanced Warfare. Now, in 2017, it's taken a bold step back. Despite some interesting additions like Headquarters and War) Call of Duty: WWII is arguably the most reserved entry we've had in years, but is already proving a hit among fans. There is still that sense of fatigue, however, and if Call of Duty is to soar to the top once again, Treyarch and Infinity Ward will need to change something more than the time period in the coming years.
There is such a thing as being too laid-back and Morphite is most certainly that. With visuals that are too basic and lacking in character, an almost sleep inducing pace, and some technical issues on Switch that can't be ignored, there are few redeeming qualities for this utter snooze-fest.
The Inner World: The Last Wind Monk is far from being a bad adventure, game but it is nowhere near as good as some other recent releases. Neither the story or the characters really grab you, and some main characters even become unlikable. One of the few saving graces are the puzzle designs themselves which are put together really well. The balance is skewed toward the puzzles, while the story it is wrapped in becoming quite a forgettable and a boring affair at times.
The saying “Too many cooks spoil the broth” certainly rings true with Sonic Forces. It's a game where despite it's many level types none of them quite leave a lasting impression. As a result, it comes off as merely average in all departments with the sole exception being the visual design. Sonic Forces is far from the train wreck that Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric was, but it doesn't come close to reigniting the series' magic in the way Sonic Mania did.
Those hoping for the same on the Nintendo Switch should probably avoid purchasing Doom for Nintendo's platform as it's easily the worst place to play it on.
Episode Five brings the season to a positive close, and while we all like a happy ending, it does perhaps paper over a few of the more negative choices you've likely made. The character-driven aspects of the series have been brilliant, as has learning more about each of the Guardians' pasts, but it's still been foisted by Telltale's creaky engine and often dull interactivity. I'd still be excited for another season, or indeed for another Marvel property to be given the same treatment, but we need some real changes made to how you physically take part in the story to keep people coming back for more.
Demon Gaze 2 expands and improves on everything from the first game, but when the first game was the video game equivalent of 3am fast food, though, those improvements don't amount to a ground-breaking new title in the genre. Demon Gaze 2 is just a fairly decent, quirky JRPG.
The Frozen Wilds enhances an already excellent game. The improved dialogue for a number of the characters shows that Guerrilla have clearly taken onboard the criticism levelled at Zero Dawn, while the additional enemy creatures are welcome and make the game feel well rounded and complete. I really enjoyed returning to the world of Horizon Zero Dawn and simply can't wait for the next game.
It's been hard to find horror games that scratch my itch to be disturbed without catching me with cheap scares or leaving me with weeks of nightmares. I long for tense, atmospheric experiences that get me shivering and shaken and Yomawari: Midnight Shadows shook me to my core. It's a masterful horror game that tops anything else on the Vita, and rivals many other things on the PS4 as it blends detailed sound-design with rich art and a somber narrative to craft a breath-taking horror experience. Some puzzle segments can be obtuse, and the ending lacks the same sense of accomplishment of the first game, but despite all that, Yomawari continues to perfectly define horror.
Super Lucky's Tale is a charming and sweet indie platformer that provides hours of retro platforming joy. It's probably had far too much weight put upon its shoulders as the Xbox One X's sole launch title, and is by no means perfect; a fact that's been amplified by the recent antics of a dungaree-wearing plumber. However, while the genre has undoubtedly moved on, taken on its own merit Super Lucky's Tale is simple, inescapable fun.
Disneyland Adventures is a terrible remaster of what should be an enjoyable family game. Running around hugging cartoon characters, taking pictures and grabbing autographs is what everyone would want from a trip to Disneyland, it's just a shame that this is the kind of trip where you miss your flight, the weather is terrible, and your hotel room is dirty.
Spintires: MudRunner is utterly unique, and as a driving simulator of a niche field it is basically unparalleled. However, the difficulty level and lack of pace are likely going to make it a very niche game, while the camera is an extra challenge in itself. Still, there's grit, determination, freedom and reward to be found here for those ready to wade in.
I do admire the effort, but in a year where Sonic Mania outdid its franchise's reputation and Mario stands tall, Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back is a mere afterthought. Its length is pathetically short and, surprisingly for Bubsy at least, the game is really easy. Not everything that could possibly go wrong did go wrong, yet if this is the pinnacle of Bubsy games, then the poor Bobcat should be laid to rest in peace.
Pinball FX 3 is a fantastic sequel and offers everything a fan of the series could hope for. It brings added sheen and shine to every conceivable area that was lacking in Pinball FX2. The true test of its longetivity will be in its forthcoming table packs but judging on the quality of the Universal Film Studios pack, we've nothing to be worried about.
Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure is a gentle set of challenges set in six of the most beloved animated movies of recent times. For the younger members of your household it'll likely hit the mark, with attractive graphics and welcoming gameplay, but don't expect it to offer much, if any, replay value if you're past puberty.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a great follow up to The New Order, though it isn't necessarily that much better. The gameplay presents a solid first person shooter while the narrative gives us a protagonist who bears scars of battle outside and in. There are some issues when it comes to how difficult the game can get at times, but fans of first person shooters and compact single player titles should definitely give Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus a shot.