XGN.nl's Reviews
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is a pretty comprehensive game that is bursting with content. Some of this (the minigames) is also really fun for kids, but the vast majority definitely isn't. The game's adorable little smock hides a nightmare, even for seasoned gamers. This game is only for people who are up for a challenge and don't give up after dying ten times.
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FIFA 22 offers a lot of new elements on next-gen. Gameplay is finally going in a clear direction and provides a clear picture of what to expect from this iteration of FIFA. Even though the gameplay finally seems fine, there are quite a few problems. Career is near unplayable thanks to loads of bugs and glitches, Ultimate Team is still a pay-to-win fest and a lot of modes are clearly less important than cash cow Ultimate Team, which is understandable, but still frustrating.
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While Ni No Kuni II is already three years old, this Switch still feels new and refreshing. This is partly due to the timeless, cheerful story and the colourful drawing style. The port to the Switch can safely be called successful, with short loading times and excellent performance. The game itself is unabatedly charming and offers varied gameplay and including all the included DLC a nice total package that you can lose many hours in. Ni No Kuni II hasn't lost any of its charm and is now nice and easy to play. Recommended!
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This game is nice but way too short. It's is fun but too few minigames. It looks like a lot but actually, it is not.
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Deathloop proves that the concept of Groundhog Day also works in games. The story is phenomenal, mostly thanks due to the excellent voice-acting. Arkane focuses again on stealth, but also gives the play more options for all-out warfare, with a plethora of guns, special powers, and upgrades. The stay on Blackreef Island can get a little bit repetitive after multiple time loops, but the island itself is beautifully crafted, and the ending makes it all worth it. Arkane once again hit it out of the park!
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Lost in Random is clearly a Zoink! game, though you can't compare it to other games from the studio. The game has its own style and gameplay and both of them are truly wonderful. If you like card games, dice games, or are simply addicted to adventuring this is the game for you. The game feels like a Tim Burton movie. Funny, but creepy and stylish at the same time. Lost in Random is truly compelling with an original story and once you start, you can't stop playing!
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Tales of Arise delivers a fresh start with new heroes and a world that feels all too familiar. The story of an oppressed people living in a land divided into five parts, that need to be liberated isn't quite original, but Arise does offer a streamlined experience that can be highly tailored. Those that want to, can delve into the lore, while others can happily skip that entirely. The same applies to combat, which can be tailored to the player's desire, from (semi)automatic to manual and challenging.
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Life is Strange: True Colors is another good installment in the series. However, there are some flaws. The setting is far too small and you will find yourself visiting the same locations time after time. Next to that, there are some flaws in the story. Although the writing is good, the game loses focus once in a while and lets you LARP instead of looking for clues. Overall it's just a good popcorn game, but not more than that.
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All in all, we are very much at peace with Psychonauts 2. The story is intriguing, the humor is excellent and the charm splashes off. The gameplay isn't always top quality, but it's fun and it works when it has to. If you're not afraid of miles of collectibles, or if you were already sold by the original, then Psychonauts 2 is a game for you. It's also a good ending to its predecessor without scaring off new players.
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All in all, the Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut is the best way to experience Jin Sakai's adventure. The already existing adventure looks and plays better than ever on the PlayStation 5 and the addition of Iki Island is more than welcome. This one gives you many extra reasons to enjoy Jin's adventure even longer, despite the extra storyline being on the short side.
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No More Heroes is finally back with it's third part and it's a typical game for the franchise. The bossfights are insanely good, the humour is black and over-the-top and the whole game oozes with style. The return of the boring open world is a mystery however and not every joke is super-effective. If you can't wait to put yourself in the shoes of Travis Touchdown again however, you can't miss No More Heroes III!
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Hades is a near-perfect Roguelike. The game looks great, plays smoothly, and offers tons of variation. There is no boredom in this game that lets you escape, die and repeat over and over again. You just want to reach the end and after that, you want to do it again and again. There are a few minor details that could have been better, but it doesn't get much better than this.
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A clever RPG that combines traditional turn-based gameplay with time manipulation to present an interesting story through many different locations. The story features some time-based puzzling and side-quests that make subtle (or less subtle) changes to the world around you. The random encounters and save points don't add to the fun of the game but in all, a quality, fun RPG.
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With The Siege of Paris Ubisoft delivers another excellent expansion for Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The main story line is diverse and much more than just a siege, Paris and the surrounding areas are beautifully crafted and rats are an interessant new mechanic - altough not always executed that well.
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Space Jam A New Legacy The Game doesn't really tie in with the movie. Instead of focussing on basketball, it lets you fight AL-G Rythm's goons in a brawler and a very flat and short one at that. The game can be finished in thirty minutes and even faster if you play with three players. It looks good, but the gameplay is simple. If your kids can't wait to see the movie the game is a good warmup, but nothing more than that.
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If you haven't tried The Falconeer on the Xbox yet, there is now a good reason to do so with the Warbird edition. Especially now that the game will also be released on PlayStation and Switch on August 6. The Falconeer has been part of the Xbox Game Pass since February.
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Risk System is a shmup that tries to be original but does that in a bad way. The shooting is automatic which eliminates 90 percent of the fun instantly. Besides this, you only need to evade enemies. The difficulty is very high, but the game never challenges you to try again. There are a few special attacks that make things better but still it is not really fun to play. Also, the game lacks a co-op mode which means you have to go through this all by yourself. Let's just say there are way better shmups.
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Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a great game thanks to its impressive combat system. The real star of the show however is the lively world that keeps you entertained throughout. Even though the Switch might not capable of the prettiest graphics, the game still looks great. It comes with a price however as the framerate is not that good.
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Dark Alliance can lean on an enormous amount of lore. Many locations, friends, and enemies make an appearance. the level design is pretty good and challenges to explore. However, the game is held back by bugs and battles that just do not work. The game has huge potential but sadly falls short in execution.
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Besides the obvious visual improvements, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD offers a clearly enhanced experience compared to the original Wii title. First and foremost the button controls offer a near-perfect alternative to the formerly mandatory motion controls, making the game more accessible. Beyond that, many of the original's hand-holding has been removed, leading to fewer gameplay interruptions. The game still has other flaws, but the HD version does a lot to bring out the good of the game.
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