Vamers's Reviews
Having an isometric viewpoint automatically makes the game look surprisingly like some Diablo wannabe. The assumption that it would be similar to Diablo was compounded even further by the pre-release marketing material -- gameplay videos that most definitely gave off the feeling the developers copied directly from Activision Blizzard’s homework. In short: the game is nothing like Diablo… yet it manages to be one of the best Diablo-type games I have played in years.
Kylotonn is an excellent studio and continues to release outstanding games. They recently reinvigorated WRC and brought it home to a whole new generation of gamers. Furthermore, they took what they learned with WRC 8, and put it into TT isle of Man 2. The result is a genuinely fun motorbike simulation that does not compromise on details. It is a robust, insanely involved, and a truly gorgeous game.
Despite the platforming elements possibly being the worst addition to Doom Eternal and personally feeling that codex entries and the story should be more obvious to players, I will say I adore how much effort has been put into the game to make it a wonderful standalone experience. From excellent level design where arenas grow larger, taller and deeper; all the way down to the brevity of weapon acquisitions and constant arsenal updates, it is clear the developers want fans to feel like the Doom Slayers their characters are made out to be. Doom Eternal is excellent in this regard, and is easily one of the fastest, best and most entertaining first person shooters on the market today.
Anno 1800 Seat of Power is a lot of fun. It may come with a few caveats (like needing to be a long-term player with good standing amongst the populace), but the tradeoff works in your favour once the Palace has been built. Overall, the Anno 1800 Seat of Power expansion is a wonderful addition to an already spectacular title.
It is very rare for a game to come along and hook me the way that Ori and the Will of the Wisps has. I love Metroidvania titles and have grown accustomed to the various little ways they force you to double back on yourself. In this regard, Ori and the Will of the Wisps kept reminding me of some of my favourite Metroidvanias (namely the later games in the Mega Man X series), and has rightfully earned a place as one of the best in the genre. Similarly, I love soulslike titles, which are basically Metroidvania titles where challenge and exploration take precedence over storytelling and mission structure. Ori and the Will of the Wisps peters on the fine line between Metroidvania and soulslike, which ultimately makes it a truly incredible and unforgettable adventure.
The concept of time is a core tenet of Quantum Break. It is the driving force behind the gameplay and the scientifically enthralling narrative that intertwines the game and accompanying television series. Despite the scientific complexity of using time as both a gameplay and narrative element, Remedy Entertainment has done a fantastic job of producing a compelling story that is not only engaging and filled with spectacular twists and turns, but it is also incredibly immersive – especially for players who take the time to find all of the extra collectibles. Complementing an unforgettable story are visuals and audio that defy what many think the Xbox One is capable of, for Quantum Break is an unmistakable technical marvel and one of the best looking games of this generation [thus far]. Coupled with gameplay that manages to inject a fresh spin on the typical cover-shooter genre, Remedy Games have managed to create a memorable game that deserves to be experienced, played and enjoyed. Quantum Break is, without a doubt, one of the best titles available for Microsoft’s Xbox One.
Resident Evil 3 Remake is a great game. It looks phenomenal, has incredible real-time puzzles, and spectacularly creates an eerie feel to every traversed hallway. Jill is also real badass and very much a worthy competitor for Nemesis. The game may be short and feature only a few memorable moments when compared to the previous remake, but it remains an incredibly fun romp into the everyday struggles of Racoon City.
Despite the subject material, Construction Simulator 3 Console Edition ends up being an extremely addictive title. Whether this is because of its strange easy-to-play nature, or because I just like simulation games, remains to be seen. Whatever the case may be, I can say that it impressed me far more than I thought it would. The port from mobile to consoles has also been fantastic. However, I do wish it would come to PC in the future. With that said, the only realm qualm I have is with the game’s physics – they need a bit of work.
The original trilogy (staring Marcus Fenix as the protagonist) may have been the franchise at its height, but I can see Gears Tactics becoming a whole new beast of its own merit. From the excellent gameplay boiling down to cover-based movement and fast-paced actions, through to the progression and customisation systems put in place to ensure players always have a choice, it is evident that Gears Tactics is XCOM redefined, and it is exceptional.
Whether you like methodically making your way from room to room and figuring out the greater narrative, or prefer long and lengthy spoken and/or text-based narratives that explain every single detail of the story, The Shattering should sit well with you. It has a decent blend of both, which are further complimented by the unique aesthetic. A pity then, how the player-character and accompanying cast are not as stimulating as the rest of the game. As a result, the overall experience is a mixed bag of genre filling tropes, ultimately boiling down to an adequate experience at best. Hopefully future titles from Super Sexy Software will only improve on the best parts of The Shattering.
Someday You’ll Return does some things well. It is a great psychological horror game with cool new platforming gameplay and a detailed crafting system. It also looks amazing! It is just a shame, then, that the story is as uninspired as it is, with voice acting that pulls you out of the immersion quickly. It has a lot of potential, but I would not call it a must-have just yet.
If you are hungry for a good 4X title, you need not look further than Sid Meier’s Civilization VI. Its namesake is the literal benchmark for 4X games for a reason, and Civilization VI only cemented this fact on PC, and now on console. Controls may take a bit to get used to, but other than that there are very few reasons you anyone to not to pick it up.
Two Point Hospital is admittedly a great game. From an intriguing focus always managing to stir a chuckle, to gameplay that always keeps you on your toes the game has a lot going for it. It is just a bummer that it will only reach a very niche audience.
There are no two ways about getting the expansion if you are already a fan of the game. It adds so much to the vanilla experience that going back to an expansion-less version seems like a foreign idea. While many of these changes will undoubtedly filter their way down to those of you who are holding out on the expansion, the value is there in both the new setting, the expansive new story, and the first free seasonal pass and level 30 boost.
The Last of Us Part II does an incredible job of letting you know the world is a lived one, where people exist, and animals and places have continued on with or without the protagonist. However, with all of these things going on in the background and the world, it ensures you know you are living every single moment of Ellie’s journey. You get to experience her meeting new people, learning to trust these people, and eventually love these people. You get to see her memorable moments with Joel, and how she managed to grow up into a young woman capable of doing the most perilous of tasks herself. You also get to see the slower side of her life, where she sits down and reflects, where she plays the most beautiful acoustic cover of Take on Me on the guitar, and how she sits on a balcony and stares out into the sunset. This is Ellie’s journey, and it is one of the most beautiful, aggravating, heart wrenching, entertaining, fun, and riveting stories I have ever played (and enjoyed). It may not be perfect for all types of gamers, especially those who might get irritated during sections where the combat will result in Ellie’s death; but it is perfect, beautiful, engrossing and gorgeous in every other way! Although a new decade has only just begun, The Last of Us Part II is already at the top of “absolute must play titles” for the decade ahead.
The Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is a surprisingly great game that, with the added benefit of getting two for the price of one, also includes a bevvy of improvements, new support, and multiplayer options.
While Iron Man VR is not the most spectacular or ground breaking VR title available, it does a great job of making you think and feel like you are Tony Stark. The world is big and beautiful and you can get lost in it so easily, that it is astonishing how limited the actual campaign actually is by comparison. It is also nice to see all of the classic characters make their warranted appearances throughout the experience - particularly the banter between two of Tony’s virtual assistants, Gunsmith and Friday. Naturally, it also helps how great everything looks, despite the massive lack of anti-aliasing. Overall, the game is great fun. While there is little reason to return to the game after completing the campaign, it is possible the title could become a household go-to for children and big fans of the character. Iron Man VR does an incredible job of driving home the fact that you can be Iron Man, and that is the only thing that counts in this PlayStation VR experience.
Ultimately, the XCOM 2 Collection serves its purpose of bringing a masterpiece to a mobile platform. Granted, it could do with additional polish and optimisation, and the very cumbersome UI could be better on the small screen. However, the game looks and plays well beyond the aforementioned issues, and adequately serves as a great mobile way to play what is arguably the best tactical turn-based shooter of the last decade.
Ghost of Tsushima focuses intently on telling the story of the last Samurai of Tsushima. It tells the tale of Jin's inner struggle to contain the demon he was destined to become, and to bring peace to Japan before the war reaches the mainland. The game ensures players have as many options of play available at all times, with an extreme focus on just how much they can do while exploring a beautiful open world. While the game does not push the limits of story telling or graphical prowess, it does serve as an excellent open-world title where becoming a samurai is enjoyable, engrossing, and as morally challenging as real life.
Paws and Soul may not be some triple-A action spectacle, but it is a beautiful and colourful display of what it may be like to explore and reflect on memories of a life long lived. It does so with aplomb as well, as it showcases wonderful and easy puzzle segments that never hurt the brain. The music helps to immerse you while the gameplay lets you embody the game's literal spirit. Paws and Soul successfully accomplishes what it is set out to be, a beautiful tale with ethereal ideologies to make it an experience worth enjoying.