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For quite a few years the rally genre was dominated by Codemasters and their Colin McRae series – and later Dirt/Dirt Rally. Throughout every console generation, there’s been a competitor for the rally crown and after a few years of trying, KT Racing finally nailed it last year with WRC 9 (check out our Xbox and Nintendo Switch reviews). This year, the developer is back with WRC 10. Not only does it improve on last year’s already stellar title, it also adds plenty more to the series.
After playing Fire: Ungh’s Quest earlier this year, I was eager to try out another of Daedalic Entertainment’s titles, Anna’s Quest. It is another point-and-click adventure. Will this title build upon the strengths of their previous title? Or will it leave me searching for a different quest next time? Find out in this Rapid Review.
What do a duck, gorilla and hog all have in common? Well, it turns out they are all capable of bank robbery. But not so capable of escaping the cops, as you discover while putting your best jailbreak moves to the test in One Escape. I had my chance at this prison break and we dive into more information below.
Beautiful Desolation begins in South Africa in the late 1980s. During a stormy drive home, we’re introduced to our main character Mark (A Richard Branson, circa 1990s looking gentleman) and his wife driving home during a thunderous monsoon-like storm. Almost immediately an earth-shattering event rocks the very foundations of Mark’s (and the rest of the world’s) life when a mysterious triangular object appears in the sky dubbed “The Penrose” changes society and technology as they know it forever. Flash forward multiple years and with the confirmation that Mark’s wife didn’t survive the prologue of the story, Mark is now hellbent on solving the mystery of “The Penrose” using the help of his Brother and a robotic guard dog, be it for either revenge, curiosity or perhaps fate?
Well, here we are, my first ever Xbox review and what an uncanny game to choose to start with. Golf Club Wasteland is an arcade-style golf game much like many others but its atmosphere, sound design and bleak narrative elevate it above other games of this ilk.
Video tapes, scrunchies, plaid shirts, grunge…did someone say a recipe for the ‘90s? Though I was born in 1997, which some would say doesn’t count, I still remember the ‘90s vibe going on strongly into the early 2000s. A time of Pokemon, classic Disney films and the PlayStation 1, where little me had no responsibilities!
1978 was a good year for arcades and for anyone that could find room in their business for a Space Invaders machine. The simple machine was an immediate hit and people couldn’t shovel their quarters, ten pence pieces (and every other currency) into them fast enough; creating a global phenomenon that kick started the dominance of video games over the all-conquering pinball tables that now found themselves playing catch up forevermore. The heartbeat-like thud of the invaders as they slowly but inexorably inched down the screen was hypnotic. The joy of wiping the last of a bunch from the playing area unmatched. What I’m saying, is that Space Invaders deserves every plaudit ever heaped on it and I was one of those caught in the game and loving every minute.
I’m in the courtroom, cross-examining a witness for a trial that’s been developing for the past few hours. I raise an objection, as I finally get to present the piece of evidence that’s been on my mind for a while. Its significance ultimately becoming crystal clear. It’s moments like this that are part of what makes The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles such a brilliant and rewarding experience.
I’m sure that all gamers out there have played at least one skateboarding game in their time. The infamous Tony Hawk Pro Skater titles alongside Skate will probably be your answer, and they remain at the top of the genre even today thanks to sequel announcements and remasters. For me, it was Disney Extreme Skateboarding… but anyway, the fact remains that playing these games made us crave to be able to perform these sick tricks in real life with a great soundtrack accompanying us.
Song of Iron comes at the tail-end of gaming’s Viking craze. In recent years we’ve seen the likes of God of War, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, and Valheim to name a few. Some of these are still receiving updates and ongoing support. As a lover of all things Norse, I’m delighted to see another game inspired by this influential and fascinating culture. But what makes Song of Iron stand out from its contemporaries is its size, style, and cinematic flair. Oh and the fact it was made by a solo developer.
A Little Lily Princess is something of a rarity amongst video games. Where there has been plenty of games that have been adapted from films, comics, and television there hasn’t been many that have been inspired by a novel. The only title that springs to my mind is the original Rainbow Six. But even then the game was only loosely based on the Tom Clancy novel.
What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a classic question and one that is very special to each of us. For me, I wanted to join the police. I came close, but eventually, my career path took me down a different route. However, thanks to Rapid Reviews I still got my chance to achieve my dream. Famicom Detective Club puts you in the driving seat as a member of the Utsugi Detective Agency.
Monster Hunter Stories was originally released on the Nintendo 3DS, and although it didn’t really take off over here, it’s back with its sequel – Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Was this a welcomed addition to the Switch library? Read on to find out.
Strategise before taking to the battlefield in the WW2 shooter Hell Let Loose. But should you enlist to play this 50 v 50 multiplayer experience? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Eldest Souls is a strenuous boss rush title. I played as a cloaked hero and slashed my obsidian sword through a plethora of voracious opponents. As humanities last hope, I struggled through tenacious opponents and fought for my life. Is this game worth fighting for? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Alfonzo’s Arctic Adventure tells the story of our titular character who embarks on a quest to find his best friend Bob who’s been missing. While this sounds pretty straightforward, our little Alfonzo decides to collect as many fishes as he can on his quest to find his missing friend. Why do you ask? Well, it’s simple fish is Bob’s favourite food. So why not gather a snack while searching for your best bud.
Nioh 2 arrived on PlayStation 4 in March 2020 and on Playstation 5 and PC, titled Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition, in February this year. The PC and PlayStation 5 versions include DLC packs released for the original PlayStation 4 version. Its events take place both before and after those in the original Nioh game, released on PlayStation 4 and PC in 2017. I let my passion for Japanese culture guide me in picking up this game to review. I have not played Nioh and therefore had no insight into backstory or game mechanics before beginning my playthrough. Was this a blessing in disguise? Or did this turn into a nightmare? Read my Rapid Review below to find out.
Everyone knows how much I love PSVR. It may be a bit outdated now but it is still a very enjoyable experience. The Move controllers are now three generations old but still, it was a great, affordable entry point to quality VR gaming. I used to write a monthly PSVR column and I really miss it. Anyway, enough of the pointless rambling, let’s talk about my Synth Riders PSVR review.
Although the subject matter is dark, the tone is devastating, and the outlook initially bleak, I firmly believe that anyone over the age of 12 should play this game. Many will cite Animal Crossing: New Horizons as their game of the pandemic, and with 200 hours of playtime, I’d have likely done the same. However, having recently played through Umurangi Generation, it is this that will stick with me in the years that follow.
Simulation as a genre is a very broad label over games that typically simulate real-world scenarios. In the case of Lawn Mowing Simulator, a chore or real-world job. What makes games like Job Simulator, Power Wash Simulator, or Lawn Mowing Simulator, to me is the way I can take part in a simulation for something I otherwise would not get a chance to. I don’t have access to large lawn mowers or a desire to run my own mowing company. Having the opportunity to cut grass may not seem exciting to some, but in Lawn Mowing Simulator the main draw is the zen-like monotony which can be satisfying.