Doublejump's Reviews
Hades is a lesson in taking the best of a number of genres and combining them into a smooth, slick gaming experience that players will be eager to return to.
Projection: First Light is a beautifully designed Australian gem that still needs a lot of refining before it can be a viable option in the puzzle-platforming arena.
Although there’s a bit less to the game than I’d have hoped for, Star Wars: Squadrons is well worth the price of admission, and there’s plenty of enjoyment to be found.
Death end re;Quest 2 is both brave and surprising. It’s got a strong sense of direction and it exudes Compile Heart’s confidence in its idea and narrative, which complements a powerful combat engine that encourages creative experimentation. It’s definitely one for the more patient players, but any JRPG fan — or anyone with an open mind — would do well to pick it up.
DOOM Eternal – The Ancient Gods – Part One is a fantastic addition to an already stellar experience, providing more challenge, interesting new levels, and an engaging narrative that will leave you clamoring for more. Some may be turned off by the two-part structure, but if you want more DOOM Eternal now, The Ancient Gods – Part One is bound to satisfy.
With the same old-school gameplay and plenty of welcome additions, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is a worthy sequel to the original trilogy.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope tells an intriguing and spooky story that’s well worth a playthrough for any horror fans, even if the ending leaves a bit to be desired.
A stunning new world and powerful abilities await in Destiny 2: Beyond Light, but all the good is outweighed by the amount of content Bungie threw in the Destiny Content Vault, forcing future Seasons to pick up the slack.
Although Nintendo didn’t choose to remaster Pikmin 3 for this rerelease, Pikmin 3 Deluxe is the same enjoyable experience with a couple of shrewd additions that add to its value. Worth a look if you’re a fan of the series, a fan of puzzle games in general, or just looking for a nice, relaxing co-op game.
The best version of one of the best puzzle games of all time. You owe it to yourself to play this one. It’s even better with immersive lighting or VR.
Watch Dogs: Legion is an ambitious effort with a lot of unique ideas that unfortunately doesn’t quite stick the landing.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity makes some clever improvements over the original Hyrule Warriors, but ultimately feels a little more separated from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild than many fans might have expected. Despite some messy design choices, it still manages to provide a polished and satisfying experience in the Warriors line.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a game bursting with content, and for that it’s well worth the price of admission. It’s also a game that you’ll likely take time away from before finally reaching the ending.
Cyberpunk 2077 ultimately fails to deliver on most of the promises made during the lead up to its launch, but what it does deliver on is really spectacular. It’s one of the strongest RPG experiences in this kind of setting, with killer characters and a thoroughly enjoyable suite of side quests that’s easy to love in spite of its faults.
Despite the issues with Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders, the sheer intensity of Space Invaders Extreme and the multiplayer fun of Space Invaders Gigamax 4 SE are enough to make Space Invaders Forever a fantastic collection of classic arcade games.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is a neatly refined Nintendo Switch port that makes some appreciated updates to the original Wii U title. It’s great to have yet another 3D Mario platformer on a current-day console, while Bowser’s Fury is a great episode of jumps, twirls and enemy-bonking that all 3D Mario fans will enjoy.
While the AU$36.00 price is ambitious for an Early Access title, Fights in Tight Spaces is a simple and fun game that you can easily lose yourself in.
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante is an engaging fantasy RPG. It’s not perfect, but the demo is worth at least a look.
Rise snatches the torch from World and runs on ahead, further streamlining every aspect of the Monster Hunter series. While I’m sure there are broader issues beneath the surface, as always, and hardcore fans will be frustrated by some of its many changes, Rise is exceptional where it counts. Capcom has finished off what World started and succeeded where it didn’t.
A critically intelligent and passionate journey through space and time, Genesis Noir is a stellar example of gaming, noir, and art. A must-play.