VDZE Media's Reviews
Thanks to Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario 3D All-Stars is an essential purchase for Nintendo Switch. Even if you can’t get to grips with the ageing Super Mario 64’s controls, and if you never bother to so much as load up Super Mario Sunshine, Galaxy holds its value and is still worth paying full-price for to this day. Of course, it’s a bonus if you have nostalgia for one or both of the other two games, and their modern enhancements will help those glasses of yours feel just a little less rose-tinted.
Overall, Swordsman is a fun time. It’s similar in a way to games such as GORN and Drunkn Bar Fight. It doesn’t have much variety, in that you will see most of what the game has to offer inside half an hour. But that gameplay loop is addictive and kept me coming back for more. At £13.99 I definitely recommend checking the game out if like me you enjoy first-person combat in VR. This is one of the better examples of it on the PlayStation headset.
Projection: First Light is a charming, beautiful and interesting game that 2D puzzle-platforming fans will enjoy. It doesn’t quite hit the heights of Creaks, but it’s certainly a welcome addition to the genre. In the end, it may last a little longer than it needed to, but there is value here given the generous price.
Mafia Definitive Edition is a brilliant remake. I get a feeling of déjà vu saying that because of all the great titles that have been modernised for console this generation, but Hanger 13 have gone over and above here to make this the best title in the Mafia series. This is a must-buy for all fans of open-world action game. Just note that it is a lot less open than you may expect.
I enjoyed my time with 9 Monkeys of Shaolin. I have always had a soft spot for side-scrolling beat ’em ups going all the way back to the original Streets of Rage games. This is a worthy addition to the genre and even though the story didn’t quite click with me, the gameplay is fun, responsive and varied.
FIFA 21 is not a huge leap forward from last year’s iteration. It does, however, take some strides forward and while not all the new features add to the experience in my opinion (I’m looking at you agile dribbling), these can be turned off in the settings. I do hope we see more gameplay additions in the next-gen version though.
Cloudpunk is a stunning narrative adventure with a solid story and a satisfying gameplay loop. Some initial performance issues are being addressed by the developer, but on the whole it’s made an excellent transition from PC to PS4. If you’re looking for a chilled ten hours, this is for you. Beautiful graphics, fully voiced, well-paced story. I strongly recommend Cloudpunk to absolutely everyone.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is a truly exceptional game. Going in I just wanted a sequel that did the original three games proud, but what we have here is the best Crash game to date. It’s visually stunning, difficult yet accessible and always has a trick up its sleeve. This is a must-buy game.
Watch Dogs Legion is a great game. London is an excellent setting and the gameplay variation makes for a really fun experience. The recruit anyone mechanic is an interesting idea that works well if you are willing to overlook the awful lip-syncing and some odd-looking characters. If you enjoyed Watch Dogs 2 and don’t mind a game that is a little light on narrative, you will enjoy this third entry in the series.
With its much-improved stealth, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has won me over. This feels like the best AC in a long time. It gives you the choice on how you want to tackle your objectives, something Odyssey lacked if you wanted to stay in the shadows like the Assassins of old.