VDZE Media's Reviews
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.
In short, Hotshot Racing is great. As someone who never really sticks with racing games for long, I can honestly see myself coming back to this one a lot. It’s just so much fun to pick up and play. Drifting is so satisfying and the different modes add some variation. With free content coming in the future and a rock hard trophy list, there is always more to strive for. In terms of over-the-top arcade gameplay, this is my favourite racer on PlayStation 4.
While this is as the name suggests just a season update, it does improve on PES 2020 where it matters most and that is on the pitch. Once you add a option file in and get the latest transfer updates applied it really is a good package and one that will be iterated on throughout the year. In terms of modes PES needs a serious overhaul, but while we wait for that in 12 months on PS5, this is a good stop-gap.
I really liked Cuphead. While not having the skills to finish the game – yet – I will be plugging away at it. It’s a mountain and I am determined to reach the summit. The game has one of the best art styles I have ever seen and while I do wish there was an ‘easy mode’ so that more people could enjoy what Studio MDHR has created here, it’s impossible not to admire the execution.
Some reviews I have seen state that the formula of Paper Mario is getting a little old, but as a lapsed Mario fan (Odyssey was the first Mario game I saw through to the end since Sunshine) I really enjoyed it. I had never seen this side of the wee red plumber before and so it was not only fresh but beautifully designed, really funny and with that signature Nintendo polish. I highly recommend checking the Origami King out.
Saints Row: The Third is on the high end of remasters. The bulk of the work has went in to visual upgrades, but that was what was needed most. With the game not aiming for realism, you can get away with the odd bit of sloppy AI or an unforeseen glitch. Sometimes it only ends up adding to the insanity and hilarity going on all around you. If you want a crazy, fun and exciting open world to blow stuff up in, you can’t go wrong!
Bloodroots is an excellent game and one of the first true gems of 2020. It takes all that was great in previous games of a similar ilk and builds on them with a beautiful art style, slick combat and great level design.
Super Mega Baseball 3 is an improvement over the previous game in pretty much every area. It looks fantastic and manages to appeal to both newcomers and seasoned pros alike. Customisation is at the heart of the game. From the difficulty all the way to the creation suite Metalhead Software give you the agency to play how you want. The result is a game that all sports fans, not just baseball enthusiasts, should check out.
Streets of Rage 4 is a welcome return for a classic franchise. Hardcore fans of the series are likely to be smitten with the amount of fan service and love that has gone in to this and rightly so. In not overhauling the game further though it may lose some appeal with new gamers.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II Campaign remastered is not only a mouthful, it’s great! I enjoy revisiting improved versions of games I loved years ago and I think £19.99 is an excellent budget price as well. If you didn’t play through this the first time around don’t expect the level of polish from last year’s entry to the series, but buckle yourself in for a thrill ride that rarely gives you a moment to breathe!
My Friend Pedro is an absolute gem of a game. It is one of the most fun releases on PS4 in some time. Varied level design and cool boss fights compliment the relatively short campaign, but the replay value is high and you will likely find yourself returning over and over again for better scores.
Moving Out is the next great local co-op party game. The lack of online play is disappointing, but with all the accessibility options this is a title that will bring gamers and non gamers together. If you enjoyed games of a similar ilk like Overcooked you can’t go wrong with this title.
Twin Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Adventure is a great arcade brick breaker that goes over and above in terms of storytelling and varied gameplay. Lillymo Games has proved to be an excellent choice of developer to bring Colin’s vision to fruition and when you consider that this is cross-buy with the PlayStation Vita it represents great value for money too.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I honestly challenge anyone who liked the original games not to enjoy this remaster. It met my expectations in every way and then exceeded them by being an even better game than I remember. Sure, it’s frustrating at times, but that’s because I sometimes fall below the required skill for the really high combos. The game is unforgiving, but it makes you want to get better and keeps you coming back. This is a must-play.
I am a big fan of both narrative adventure and episodic games. Over the course of this generation, Dontnod has provided us with some great stories that stick with me to this day. So when I say that this is their best work to date I don't make that comment flippantly. There are themes tackled in this game that we don't see enough of and they are done so in a mature and natural way. It really is great to see boundaries being torn down. Tell Me Why is a must-play title.
EA Sports have taken the formula of the previous games and made subtle improvements. Career mode is great fun, even if it does lose some steam by the end. The new KO mode allows players who don’t want as technical a battle to stand and bang, while online will retain a base of players until the inevitable UFC 5. Marry all this up with big improvements to the ground game and you have not only the best UFC game to date, but one of my favourite fighting games on PlayStation 4.