DayOne's Reviews
When it was all said and done, Battletoads isn’t going to win awards for writing, doesn’t set a new bar for any single genre, and none of their mini games should be spun off into full fledged games. Yet Dlala created something fun here, kept me engaged and offered a good amount of content without over-staying its welcome. This is a good effort for a new studio and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do in the future. In these troubled times we live in, I welcome a game that exists solely to be bright, over the top, and fun. Battletoads may not be the best retro reboot this year, but it’s a good time nonetheless.
This is not a particularly forgiving game, and for folks out there that want to see just how good it can look on your screen at home, you may find yourself unable to penetrate the heart of the simulation that lies under this beautifully crafted fuselage. And that’s okay – not every game can be made for every player out there. There’s an enormous amount of enjoyment to be had in just exploring, and that speaks to me in a way not a lot of games have over the years. Cruising at 30,000 feet with the hum of the engine, the rattle of turbulence and the world below me, available in a way it never has been is absolutely worth sending a postcard home about.
It’s honestly hard to recommend this title outside potentially as an option to keep the kids busy due to the 4 player local multiplayer. As I said earlier, the potential for something genuinely good is buried there somewhere, but there’s just too much lacking in just about every area to recommend forking over $30 to play this.
Though not as expansive as some other bigger titles, Fury Unleashed is a superb little number that compels you to stay sharp and always attack. Do that, and the rewards mount up. But it does require constant attention and vigilance, which means it probably won’t suit those who like to sit back and have a relaxing adventure.
In conclusion while not a great game I can happily call ReCore a good one now. While a technical and unfinished mess at launch the Definitive Edition has addressed every major issue and the majority of the minor ones. It is available on Game Pass for both console and PC and is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for an engaging 10 to 15-hour experience that may be light on story but is heavy on fun.
Overall if you can look past its flaws Maid of Sker provides a fun little romp through a setting haunted by the physical supernatural. Unlocking your path forward can be a rewarding experience but you may need to endure a few trial and errors to get there. The story is serviceable but predictable and is saved by the fantastic realization of the backdrop in which your playing. A serviceable game that will definitely find an audience.
West of Dead is a really enjoyable game that hooks you with its combat. While the idea of starting all over again can be a brutal punishment, particularly when you’ve found yourself nicely upgraded and powerful, the game is fun enough for it to not detract from your enjoyment too much.
This game is divisive, there’s no doubting that and I can completely understand why someone wouldn’t enjoy it or wouldn’t quite get it. But if you approach it with measured expectations and treat it as more of an experience as opposed to a game, there’s a really relaxing use of your time to be had. This is a truly ambitious indie game and I can completely see the LIDAR technology being refined and used in future games. As this game is also confirmed to be part of the Smart Delivery program for Series X, it’s possible we could see some of that refinement as soon as later this year. While this isn’t for everyone, it’s worth checking out even to take in the views that the LIDAR tech provides. As the resident achievement hunter of XboxEra, the easy-ish 1000GS and low price entry point also helps.
For what it is and what it wants to be, Maneater is an infectiously fun open world title that follows familiar grounds in terms of design, presenting a unique gameplay loop however that will satisfy fans of these legendary predators.
What is currently in the game is extremely fun, easily one of the most accessible and engaging action RPGs of the generation. The mixture of Minecraft aesthetics and fast-paced ARPG tropes creates a familiar yet unique formula that can satisfy purists and newcomers alike, both in solo and co-op. The choices made to have a game that accodomodates less experienced players takes a toll on the title’s variety and depth.
Overall Deliver Us The Moon is a solid walking sim puzzle game. With a fantastic atmosphere and a story that keeps you engaged during this 3 to 4 hour campaign. The variation in first and third person perspective is an interesting choice, which really works in the game. The production value of this ambitious title from an independent developer can only be applauded. With good voice acting, sound design and visuals and decent gameplay, this game rises above being ‘just a sci-fi game’ in a convincing way.
Sea of Thieves isn’t for everyone. After all, neither was the life of a Pirate. But if you have the time, the friends and the heart to take it on, it can reward you not just with treasure and glory, but with memories that will stay with you, long after your Pirate Legend has faded into myth.
Streets of Rage 4 is everything I could have wanted in a sequel to such a venerable series that I’ve always held in such high regard. It’s clear that both Lizardcube and Guard Crush get it. They managed to create a sequel that belongs right alongside its predecessors despite having to manage fan expectations and the ever present nostalgia that can inflate people’s memories of the old games, particularly after some three decades and change. It’s a prime example of how to modernise a bygone genre without abandoning the spirit of it, all while capturing the feeling of what made it so special and fun all those years ago. This is an absolutely mandatory play for any Streets of Rage or scrolling beat ’em up fan. I also recommend anyone with a penchant for old school gaming sensibilities to definitely give this a go.
If you enjoy the Gears of War franchise and design then you’ll like this. It feels and looks like a Gears game, from the stupidly overly-macho Gears themselves and their incessant grunting, to the continuous and gory chainsaw kills. If that’s your thing and you’d like an easy entry into turn-based game-play then yes, get this game, play it on an easy difficulty and completely ignore the micromanagement needed through the weapon and squad modifier process. Like the other Gears games, it’s a pretty, if brainless game. If, however, you’re a fan of more complex Turn-Based Strategy games you’re going to feel like a large portion Gears Tactics is either missing or dumbed down so far that it feels completely unfinished. As a veteran of other games in the genre, at every moment this very much felt like babies-first turn-based tactics game. All it needs is for the instruction manual to be printed on thick cardboard with a disclaimer on the back saying ‘these instructions are waterproof and chew-able’.
If you want a challenging but enjoyable title, this is definitely it.
Overall this game is fun for children and could be fun with friends. I don’t recommend playing this game on your own, but can see how it gets close to the appeal of Human Fall Flat when played with friends or family. If you have younger children, then this game could well be perfect for them. The open world gives children more options, so if a certain task is too difficult, they can move to a different one. The abundance of vehicles and other mechanics to play around with give it enough longevity to last for days – or weeks. Despite some bugs and annoying controls, the game is well worth a try for certain demographics.
Bleeding Edge isn’t the game I expected from Ninja Theory but definitely the game I wanted to see out of this studio. Seeing the developer behind DmC: Devil May Cry go out and create something creatively different just makes me really happy as someone who is part of this very niche audience.
A brutal sequel to an already great game. Doom Eternal adds a lot of little improvements to the formula with top-notch level design and a fantastic soundtrack. The multiplayer is a disappointment.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is everything any Blind Forest fan would have wanted, or possibly hoped for from a sequel. Moon have created a game that has every right to be in the ‘AAA’ conversation with its 3D counterparts, with a level of care and polish normally reserved for much larger studios and far bigger budgets. Ultimately, it can’t be said enough how incredible Ori and the Will of the Wisps is. Blind Forest was already my personal favourite metroidvania of all time and Will of the Wisps has managed to raise the bar even further.
Age of Wonders: Planetfall is a wonderfully crafted 4X game with deep tactical combat and a sci-fi world which looks stunning. The different biomes keep the gameplay fresh and the different playable races give the game a slight Total War: Warhammer vibe. While the campaign is interesting, it can be a bit bland at times. The lack of cutscenes to give you that extra little immersion is a pity. Overall this is a fun strategy game to enjoy a slow Sunday evening with.