Doublejump's Reviews
As a remaster of a 2004 release, Metal Wolf Chaos XD definitely shows its age. If you're willing to reduce your expectations and just go back to a simpler time, though, there is a lot of fun to be had with it.
Ion Fury is a game that knows what it’s about, a polished version of the very best of yesteryear with the right attitude to boot. That attitude might be disagreeable to some; however, this is far from a game that should be taken as seriously as to believe it has a stance on social politics. If you can keep that under wraps, then it’s a great little homage to the titles that were once kings of the industry and maybe, just maybe, you’ll have a bit of fun.
In an industry where new IP is getting harder and harder to come by, Control is a stark reminder that there are developers out there like Remedy who are willing to push the envelope to deliver new and exciting experiences.
There are some technical issues that prevent Final Fantasy VIII Remastered from being as significant a remaster as many others on the market today, but less is sometimes more — the changes Access Games, DotEmu and Square Enix were able to make enrich the entire game, making it a fantastic and very worthwhile experience for any player.
Stark, methodical, and occasionally inscrutable but at the pinnacle of execution, John Wick Hex has been built in the image of the Boogeyman himself. A treat for fans of the films and tactical combat games alike; just make sure you bring your brain — and a little patience — to the gunfight.
Killer Queen Black is a fun multiplayer game with a solid foundation that knows exactly what it wants to do and accomplishes that perfectly well. Sadly, though, it does nothing more than that, which means that although it’s a fun game, it’s a little lacking at times.
They’re not perfect, but Pokémon Sword and Shield are sure to delight new and old fans alike with a series of well thought-out, well-implemented changes to the core Pokémon formula.
By focusing the game around risky play and speedrunning, SUPERSCARYSNAKES has made Black Future ’88 one of the most exciting and best-designed roguelikes to release in a long time.
Life is Strange 2 ends Sean and Daniel’s journey to Puerto Lobos the same way it started: as a polarising, subversive sequel dedicated to telling its own powerful tale instead of just falling back onto what made the first game so popular. It may not be quite what fans wanted but Dontnod’s second season absolutely lives up to the original in its own way.
Jamestown+’s fantastic art style, simple yet frenetic gameplay, and hours upon hours of replayability make it a fantastic game whether playing solo or with friends.
A beautiful atmosphere paired with a lacklustre narrative and light gameplay make Stela feel like a mixture of great ideas that never reaches its potential.
XCOM: Chimera Squad is an example of a spin-off done right. While it has its fair share of clunk, and shelves key aspects of the franchise, it succeeds in replacing them with interesting new tricks that one could see fitting into future installments well. There’s a lot of innovation here for the budget price, making it a refreshing jaunt for fans awaiting XCOM 3.
Obey Me is a mixed bag: the good will outweigh the bad for some players, but it’s a brawler without too much weight behind its blows. It’s not the worst game, nor is it a terrible one, but I’ve seen better at the same price point. Get it if you want to support a small studio, but don’t expect too much.
Infinite – Beyond the Mind is an action-packed delight that builds momentum from the first chibi-styled enemy to the final bulletstorm blowout. With a few rough edges, this indie title offers a solid platforming experience for both solo players and co-op setups to replay and master.
With a novel concept and brilliantly thought out execution, Signs of the Sojourner has all the makings of gaming’s next indie darling.
It’s suffering from a lack of players at the moment, but this underwater-set release has all the makings of a creative and fun take on the arena shooter genre.
With plenty of old-school charm, fantastic visuals and robust, fast-paced combat, Trials of Mana is a fantastic remake of an underappreciated ’90s classic.
A beautiful art style and a fun soundtrack lay the groundwork for Streets of Rage 4’s fun, free-flowing, surprisingly nuanced combat to make it a worthy entry into the long-dormant, much-revered franchise.
As with any compilation, some of the games in 51 Worldwide Games are better than others, but great multiplayer and that signature Nintendo design elevate this from a novelty to a truly entertaining little distraction that has the potential to be the focus of many a games night, road trip or free evening curled up on the couch.
Though it does have some online connectivity issues to contend with, Fly Punch Boom! more than makes up for its lack of properly engaging single-player content by bringing an incredibly fun multiplayer experience to the table.