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There are very few games this year that I have enjoyed as much as Rollerdrome. It may lack a proper story and be light on levels, but the moment-to-moment gameplay is nearly flawless. Because of this, there is plenty of replayability and challenges to work towards. The introductory price of £16.49 is a good deal and one I recommend everyone intrigued by this review, checks out!
Splatoon 3 is an absolute joy to play. It manages to refine and fix many of the problems found in the previous two games, leading to a highly polished third entry. With continued support and new content, the series looks set to reach new heights, so long as Nintendo are able to fix the connection issues holding it back a little. This is a wonderful game that should keep you coming back for more. At least til Splatoon 4.
Two Point Campus is a superb sequel to one of the best management sim games ever made. It takes the winning formula and puts it in a new setting with both interesting and hilarious consequences. The difficulty has been tweaked for the better and quality of life additions are peppered throughout the game. Minor performance issues on the Switch aside, it’s an A+ from me.
A Plague Tale: Requiem is an excellent follow-up to one of the surprise hits of 2019. It builds on the foundations of the first game and uses the investment you have in the characters to craft another gripping narrative. The beautifully gruesome world is a technical marvel, but one that at times can be let down by an inconsistent frame rate. Aside from that though, this is one of the best single-player experiences of 2022.
I love this game! Sleeping Dogs to me absolutely nails the blend and balance needed for a strong open world experience. It doesn’t do everything perfectly and for me personally having the whole of Hong Kong speaking English really breaks the immersion but it does do a very good job of what it sets out to – an open world action adventure, heavily focused on hand to hand combat in the bustling neon lit streets of Hong Kong. Don’t sleep on it!
The Devil in Me is a success. If you’re a Supermassive fan you’re not going to be disappointed. It’s more of the same format but this time with a premise and story that’s double the fun and deliciously gory.
Ostensibly Pentiment is a murder mystery narrative driven point and click video game. But, it’s so much more. It’s a commentary on the nature of perception, how time is an utterly critical factor in our lives, about how relationships evolve over that time: growing and withering equally. It was a truly magical fifteen hours and I was genuinely emotional when I finished the game. It’s not often I use the word but it’s a masterpiece, a lovingly crafted piece of gaming art.
Picked as #5 in my Pure Dead Gaming GOTY, Chained Echoes is an absolute masterpiece. Everything you love about classic JRPGs is here with the addition of some newer and welcome mechanics. A gentle reminder, ONE man, Matthias Linda, made this game, mostly in his spare time. Incredible, really. Final Fantasy fans, Chrono Trigger fans and Dragon Quest fans – you know what to do.
Hi-Fi Rush opened 2023 with a very promising start and it’s hopefully a sign of things to come in the future. There are several difficulty options available; so don’t be afraid to drop it if you aren’t having fun. For fans of Viewtiful Joe, No More Heroes or the various River City titles, you will definitely find something to love here.
Diablo IV is an excellent game that delivers on the promise of being a worthy successor to the Diablo series. It has all the elements that fans of the series love, such as fast-paced combat, a deep loot system and a compelling story.
DAVE THE DIVER begins off pleasantly and lays out new mechanics at a steady pace. The joy never dwindles and it’s a pleasure to play through. Whether you’ve settled in for a long or short session of play, you will get a sense of achievement thanks to the structure of the day and night cycles. I played this primarily on Steam Deck and it feels right at home there. An incredibly endearing adventure and one of the easiest game recommendations of the year.
Sea of Stars is an outstanding title, if any newcomers were curious about turn based RPGs, this is the game I would steer them towards. Old hands will also have a great time revelling in this nostalgic quest. Although it may lack the full heft of a classic RPG, there is still enough meat on the bone to satisfy the seasoned RPG connoisseur. In a year already packed with future classics, this stands tall among them. Sabotage’s Kickstarter project has delivered exactly what the fans wanted and took no shortcuts in delivering their promised vision.
This game ended with me placing down the controller and reflecting over what had transpired. Something that has excelled in its narrative goals and left me excited for what comes next. For newcomers, both this game and the predecessor Like A Dragon are excellent jumping on points for the series.
It’s safe to say that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an incredible adaptation of the original game, made by people who really understood the essence of the original game on the PlayStation. With its captivating storyline, refined gameplay mechanics, and impressive attention to detail, it's a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike (who started with Remake). While it's not without its flaws, such as lengthy side quests and one too many systems, the overall experience is nothing short of remarkable. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is not a game you will regret sinking 100+ hours into. It is a very welcome addition into the Final Fantasy VII franchise as it is not just a game; it's an unforgettable journey that will leave you craving more.
If you have preconceived opinions of Alan Wake, this remaster is unlikely to change your stance. As someone who holds the original game in high regard, I was absolutely delighted to get an enhanced version of it. The gameplay feels dated, but the narrative does a great job of carrying the Twin Peaks style atmosphere. If you missed this cult classic at the time, or have fond memories, the £24.99 tag is well worth the price of admission.
A Juggler’s Tale is a joy to play from start to finish. Gorgeous visuals, fun gameplay with puzzles that don’t frustrate and a narrative that plays out uniquely through the lens of the storyteller. If you enjoyed games like Limbo, Little Nightmares and others of a similar ilk, this is definitely one to add to your collection.
The Riftbreaker is a perfect blend of twin-stick action, base-building and tower defense, and feels like the natural evolution of all three.
It’s clear that Supermassive’s Dark Pictures Anthology is improving with every new release. House of Ashes is the best of the bunch so far. Everything clicks, everything works. It’s a damn fine game and worth every penny even at full price. I’m now excited for the future of this series and will be pouncing on the next game. Of course, I’m not done with this one yet. Still got to try to kill them all off because what’s video games without an occasional slice of sadism.
I was really impressed with Road 96. I always enjoy these narrative adventure games, but few have managed to deliver such a powerful story while also incorporating over the top characters. There are a few niggles like dialogue options moving with the character and the graphics certainly aren’t anything to write home about, but the overall presentation is good and fits the style of the game. Road 96 is a journey worth taking.
Super Perils of Baking is a tough and rewarding 2D platformer that will challenge you every step of the way. The beautiful 16-bit visuals, catchy soundtrack and tight platforming are all wrapped up in a superb price point. Highly recommended.