VDZE Media's Reviews
Street Power Football is one of my big gaming disappointments of 2020 so far. I had really hoped this game would scratch the itch that FIFA’s VOLTA mode did not. However, what we have here is a basic (at best) arcade game with very little redeeming qualities. Couple this together with the outrageous price and this is a game you should pass on.
I can’t help but feel the wiser choice would have been to add some more sarcasm and adult orientated humour. As it stands Skully is an interesting title, taking cues from Super Monkey Ball, Crash Bandicoot and Knack – although lacking the charm of the two former. If you like what you see in the trailer my suggestion would be to pick this one up in a sale, which likely won’t be too far down the road.
Destroy All Humans is by no means a classic, then. It’s showing its age in more than a few ways in 2020, however it’s unique “charm” (read: crude humour) holds up in 2020 and will serve to provide a solid nostalgia trip for fans of the original release. For this reason, it’d be hard to recommend at full price, but if it paves the way for a true, modern sequel with a proper open world, then all aboard the flying saucer!
Mafia II is still the game I know and love from 2010, with memorable missions, characters and a tone and time period that it nails as well as LA Noire. But there’s no denying this Definitive Edition is not in an optimal state.
Blair Witch is unfortunately a missed opportunity. You can see P.T has been a partial inspiration along with the original subject matter but large bouts of empty wilderness leave you more frustrated and bored than on the edge of your seat. Despite it’s relatively short length, it would have been better if it lasted half as long.
Hunt: Showdown has been a difficult game to review, then. When you’re in the swing of things, perhaps with a friend or two in tow, you can easily sink a number of hours into the game if you let its undeniably addictive nature sink its claws into you. However, it’s hard to recommend to anyone except the most die-hard fans of this particular niche, due to its exceptionally steep learning curve and consistently unforgiving nature.
Gigantosaurus: The Game is something that is likely to appeal to gamers aged seven and below. If you have a youngster that is just starting to dabble in computers this is the best entry level title I have seen since Paw Patrol: On A Roll and it comes packing much more content
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.
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.
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.
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.
Overall I really enjoyed WWE 2K Battlegrounds and it is a game I will continue to dip in and out of, especially when the DLC characters are added. The limited move lists were a bit of a disappointment but both the graphics and the campaign over-delivered. Microtransactions may still be an issue for some, but they can be avoided. I have no problem having to grind to unlock characters. It’s the way things used to be.
GORN is a lot of fun. Combat is very satisfying which is the core of your experience. Movement is my biggest fault with the game, but once you set up shop you can largely get away with staying in the one spot. It’s also a good cardio blast, which many of us could do with in the current climate.
I truly enjoyed Maneater despite it’s limitations and performance issues. In my head I would have preferred a more realistic simulation, but in practice that would have probably been boring after an hour or so. It is definitely one of the most unique games of 2020 so far and an experience I will remember fondly.
There are no character classes or skill trees to muddy the waters which does make the game more accessible to a younger audience but there is depth here to be found if you want it. I think Mojang have done a really good job of creating a core experience that Minecraft fans will enjoy.
This is another great addition to the PSVR library. It fits in alongside titles like GORN and Drunken Bar Fight as mindless fun that can only be truly realised in virtual reality. It also serves as a decent workout, as despite the lack of weight behind what you are throwing/smashing, it burns some serious calories.
I’m a firm believer that a bad game should not be excused for being a bad game just because it’s aimed at kids. Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated is not a bad game, and I – a twenty-five-year-old guy – had a moderate amount of fun exploring its world and reminiscing about early mornings before school watching the cartoon with my brother.
Covert is an great addition to the PSVR roster. Hardware limitations hold it back at times but the concept is strong enough to carry it through. For too long VR has mainly been an anti-social gaming platform and White Elk Studios has proven that not only can you enjoy VR with friends, but that local co-op is alive and well.
Hidden Through Time is a solid game that when you factor in the creation suite is good bang for your buck. It has a nice art style and is good wholesome family content at a time when that is in high demand.
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.