Vamers's Reviews
It is easy to get lost within the world and tale spun and conjured within Hades. Being the first video game ever to win a literary Hugo award for its narrative is nothing short of incredible. It is also incredibly well deserved, and an exciting new accolade for future games to aspire towards. Heart is arguably the most crucial part of any game, and it is something Hades has to spare. At its core, Hades is a relatable and timeless coming of age story about family, and is a deep dive into the greek gods and their stories – something rarely explored outside of the classroom or on the big screen. There is also a powerful underlying lesson to be learnt about embracing the journey and accepting failure as an inevitable part of moving forward. Even without any prior love for rogue-like games, Hades is absolutely worth at least trying. The gameplay is smooth and complex enough to keep the player entertained and invested, even through tears of frustration. Everything else it offers is just polishing on an already gleaming gameplay experience.
Before We Leave is a great debut offering from Balancing Money Games. It takes the common post-apocalyptic tropes associated with RTS games and adds a unique mix of 4X gameplay to its fold. The result is a moderately fun and interesting title focussed more on the idyllic notion of civilisation advancement over the high stakes gameplay normally associated with titles in this genre. As such, it is a high accessibility title with fairly low stakes gameplay; which may be off putting to some RTS purists. Even so, the overall experience is enjoyable and certainly worth trying.
The realistic focus of Insurgency: Sandstorm may be off putting to some, but in practice it features a decent balance of simulation and fast-paced twitch-shooter elements. The setting may be somewhat cliche, but the gameplay speaks for itself in how masterfully everything has been done. Multiplayer matchmaking happens quickly too thanks to the game’s crossplatform nature, and matches can last anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes – sometimes much longer if there is a constant back and forth in certain game modes, making it a nice and easy one to pick up and play after work or during lunch breaks. The game is essentially a mix between Escape From Tarkov‘s hardcore simulation and Call of Duty‘s casual and bum-rush fun. Overall, it is a good game and one that will likely be played by more hardcore fans for the foreseeable future.
The current Steam Early Access build of Sphere – Flying Cities most definitely showcases a few areas in need of serious polish. The narrative absolutely needs work and proper tutorials and explanations of key points do need to still be added. While the premise is alluded to with the game masterfully playing off the key concepts, it comes as a bit of a shock to to discover a lack of a full-fledged campaign. Where are the moral quandaries that come with a burning home planet? Where are the ideological questions and philosophical musings one must consider? How long can a player hold out before upgrading water reserves or building an extra domicile? Thankfully the game is still a preview for a reason, but with an Early Access release from October 2021, these questions become more prominent as the game is consumed by the public. Small improvements to the narrative (perhaps through answering some of the aforementioned questions) and other much needed gameplay changes, could very well elevate everything good about Sphere – Flying Cities, into a rather unique and exceptional experience. Until then, the game serves as a base for the possibility of something great.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is truly an unexpected surprise. Gamers who have played Marvel’s Avengers might know what to expect from a gameplay perspective here, but they will be blown away by the absolutely wonderful narrative design and direction. A deep, personal tale is always a winner, but when it is gorgeously executed in conjunction with everything else that makes up a gaming experience; it is sheer perfection. Despite the simpler combat leaving a little more to be desired, it is easily overlooked courtesy of the enjoyment provided by the exquisite mocap, wonderfully formatted dynamic conversations, and the sheer scale of the environments. It all tips the scale in the game’s favour by an exponential margin. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is a spectacle in terms of superhero adaptations and truly brings out the best of what games like these have to offer. Where Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) set the bar for games focused on individual heroes, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (2021) sets the bar for those focused on working within a team, and it is exceptional from start to finish.
The online/career mode presentation in Riders Republic can be a bit ostentatious at times, but it quickly fades out of memory as soon as an event loads up; for this is what the game is all about. Races and events are exhilarating, with all-out action and speed around every corner. The game has its fair share of unlockables and there are more than enough collectibles dotted around its open world map to keep one busy for many hours. Of particular note is how Riders Republic allows for any and all players to enjoy its many sports disciplines. The game’s reliance on simple button inputs for every race welcomes players of all skill levels, and thus enhances the number of players available for multiplayer events. Ubisoft Annecy truly went all out with this one, and their love for this brand-new intellectual property beautifully shines through. There are one or two niggles that need some work, but overall it is a great experience worthy of any player’s time.
Forza Horizon 5 shines as an Xbox exclusive and clearly showcases how much Playground Games cares for this franchise. From the utterly eye-wateringly good presentation, through to how it allows players to have as much fun as humanly possible (whether simulation snob or arcade racing champ); the game offers so much to see, do and enjoy. The region of Mexico is a wonderful new addition to the growing list of franchise settings, and is arguably one of the largest, yet most intricate, maps in the series. The game is exciting, gorgeous and offers seemingly endless hours of entertainment for gamers who enjoy racing titles. It is simply superb in all respects, and is truly an exceptional title!
Samus Aran’s Metroid Saga is a genre-defining franchise. The legendary intellectual property inspired hundreds, if not thousands, of video games since its inception, and it will likely continue to do so long after. With this knowledge in mind, it is easy to see why and how this trend will continue with the excellence of Metroid Dread. The game is simply fantastic and easily sets the bar for Metroidvania titles. From its somewhat cliched nature, through to how exciting collecting a simple power-up feels, Metroid Dread manages to capture all of the necessary emotions players want [need] to feel while gaming. The setting of ZDR is a new and fresh take on what 19 years of spin-offs and disappointments have offered, while the seemingly indestructible E.M.M.I. mechs spectacularly prove where the game’s genre came from. In short, fans and new gamers alike will find a lot of enjoyment out of Metroid Dread. It is certainly a love letter to fans of the franchise, but also acts as a wonderful entry point for newer gamers. Simply superb.
YouTubers Life 2 is a very unique simulator. While not exactly “based on real-life”, it does a good job of offering gamers a glimpse into what might be involved in the process of becoming a fancy pants online celebrity. It accurately portrays the glitz and the glamour of garnering likes and building a reputation for millions of viewers, while the person behind the camera slowly counts the subscriber count and wishes for it to skyrocket overnight. There is a tiny bit of overlap with other games like the Sims, but in the end YouTubers Life 2 stands on its own as a prominent new simulator worthy of interest and playtime. It may not be profound in any way, but it certainly is good fun.
Back 4 Blood has clearly been designed as a multiplayer first title, and this is where it excels. From the rather basic narrative, through to the exceptional level design and progression systems, Back 4 Blood inspires extreme nostalgia while adding enough to carve its own path in the gaming zeitgeist. In this sense, the card and deck-building systems work very well (despite an odd caveat or two) to provide a wonderful level of team based strategy whilst keeping the repetitive gameplay fresh. Alas, the wonky AI and barebones narrative leaves a lot to be desired for solo players. When coupled with friends, however, it provides one of the most entertaining and insanely enjoyable multiplayer experiences currently available, and acts as a worthy successor to Left 4 Dead.
At first glance, Far Cry 6 appears to provide the quintessential triple-A open-world experience. However, upon closer inspection and by allowing the game to truly showcase its strengths, it quickly becomes apparent how much love and attention has been put into it. From an excellent cast spearheaded by one of the most captivating villains to appear in video games, through to an enthralling world designed around its sounds and culture; everything about the game is of a very high polish and calibre. Further cementing this notion is how the title is not filled by random missions and events; rather the missions are cleverly placed to accommodate the amigos and the plethora of gear players come across. Thus providing a wonderful sense of immersion in a world feeling alive with possibility. Although the narrative may seem plain and cliche at first; the plot soon hooks and flourishes into a veritable masterpiece of storytelling. In a sense, Far Cry 6 is a game that loves to reward scrutiny. In this way, it consistently amazes with new and exciting events while a constant dramatic narrative rumbles along in the background. It truly is exceptional and easily serves as the new bar for what this franchise can be, and ultimately is.
Overall, DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power is a power trip through the everyday lives of three of Dark Comics’ most beloved female leads. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast does not become playable at any point – understandably so. The game is surprisingly faithful to its source material, which is [and it must be stressed] a whacky and warped television show based on the comics. The show, while not to everyones taste, does have a lot of heart, and so does the game. It is just an extreme shame how the game has no clear target audience: it looks and feels like a children’s game with strong messaging about obsession and social media. At the same time, however, it is a surprisingly deep arcade brawler, complete with customisation and extra game modes that tie back into the main experience. DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power serves as a neat escape into the world of the television show, but ultimately fails to wow thanks to an obvious conflict around who the game’s target audience is supposed to be.
Deathloop may not be Dishonored 3 or a Prey sequel, but one thing is certain: Arkane Lyon delivered yet another intellectual property worthy of keeping an eye on. The game simply astonishes with how its world-building, narrative, and gameplay all work together in masterful ways to deliver an incredibly unique experience. At face value, the game looks like any another Arkane title, and upon first boot, it may even feel like it is. After a little bit of further inspection and a whole lot of prodding, however, the surface-level worries are immediately blown out of the water. There is an ocean of gameplay possibilities, new and unique ways of Memento mori inspired storytelling, and world-building unlike any other. The game may not be the be-all-and-end-all, but it most certainly sets the bar for first-person action going forward. Simply superb.
While not exactly what fans of the franchise might want (more so after the outstanding remasters released in recent years), The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD serves its purpose: closing/starting the confusing time loop for the current generation. Hardcore fans and collectors will definitely find their money’s worth in this title, and new players can be rest assured how it will bring them a decent amount of entertainment as they wait for the next inevitable remaster or remake… or Breath of the Wild 2.
Quake Remastered is a fantastic release. While rumours for a remaster have swirled around for years, a remaster that is both as simple and as nuanced as Quake Remastered defies all expectations. It may look rather bland in a world where Fortnite seems average and Skyrim sees its eightieth release, but it truly does have a hell of a lot to offer. Pun most definitely intended. In short: the game is exceptional.
It comes as a massive disappointment to call Aliens: Fireteam Elite a mess, but that is exactly what it is. Take some solace in knowing many of the issues displayed in the game can easily be patched out; but gamers should never bank on that happening when purchasing a title. The game has a few things going for it (namely the franchise), but the sheer amount of unfortunate design decisions, whether out of budgetary constraints or release schedule, overshadows even those. With great sadness, Aliens: Fireteam Elite does nothing more for the Aliens franchise than Aliens: Colonial Marines before it… and that is a crying shame.
Gamers who are not fans of simulation games will most likely grow bored of a title like this in a few hours. However, RiMS Racing is not meant for the ‘casual’ crowd. For a start, the game has nowhere near the number of bikes on offer as more mainstream titles (think Forza) and requires far more patience and nuance to earn enjoyment when compared to many competing simulation games. Despite these trade-offs, RiMS Racing fits right in with the best available simulation racers on the market. Career mode is packed to the brim with features, while in-depth tutorials and training sessions exist to help bring newer or inexperienced players into the fold. The key feature of the game is its unapologetic focus on singular parts and how they are installed on the bikes. It is a crazy, truly wonderful and utter satisfying inclusion for the most hardcore of simulation enthusiasts. While the game may not have all the polish in the world, it sets a crazy new precedent for racing simulators; thus raising the bar in many more ways than even RaceWard set out to do – an exceptional feat for the studio’s first outing.
It is extremely challenging to think of a reason why anyone would want to buy and play the game if it is already available on other, more accessible platforms, for free. Furthermore, Afterpulse is an anomaly of a title that feels like it has no place on Nintendo Switch due to how the experience seems to be the same – or inferior in some cases – across the other respective platforms. It is clear fundamental changes needed to be made for it to work on anything other than mobile. Auto-aim, for instance, is so heavy-handed that no skill is ever required to win a match; while guns can be levelled up and more powerful equipment be made available at the swipe of a credit card. Players who do want a decent first-person experience are much better off looking at something like Call of Duty Mobile or just trying this one out on iOS or Android. The game is not bad, but it leaves a heck of a lot to be desired on a console platform like the Nintendo Switch.
Sniper Ghost Warriors Contracts 2 does not break any new ground, and it most definitely is not trying to do so either. However, it fills the role of a tried-and-tested sequel perfectly with no real setbacks – save for wonky artificial intelligence. Where it does go above and beyond, is in the way the game looks and feels. Production quality has been turned up a notch on pretty much all fronts. While the game does not feature a grandiose narrative, its lack of complexity lends itself to a simple and effective stealth shooter made for the masses. Simply put, the game is good. It might not win any awards and it may be subject to its own set of controversies, but it is enjoyable. At the end of the day that is all that counts.
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: The Official Video Game is, in all honesty, quite fun. While there are a few depressing omissions, the disciplines featured are all fun and easy to play and enjoy. The game leaves enough space for more to be added in the future, while having just enough variation in gameplay to keep the included sports from feeling too similar. The stylised approach to the games aesthetic is quirky and fun, and it removes the pressure photorealistic designs often put on sports titles. The way it mimics the real-life Olympics, complete with roster and schedule, is a nice touch that will incentivise players to return to see if they can be the best in the world, while the solo modes ensure players have something to do while they wait. The game is by no means sophisticated and nuanced, and it is as far removed from a simulation title as the astronaut outfit you can wear while doing a Hammer Throw; but it is quite a bit of fun. The sheer accessibility in the title is a breath of fresh air among the dozens of sports games trying to simulate every facet of their focused disciplines; making the game a good experience for even the most inexperienced of players.