JumpCut PLAY
HomepageJumpCut PLAY's Reviews
I wasn’t convinced that using a webcam was going to add anything to a video game, but I’m glad to have been proven wrong. Before Your Eyes is an innovative title that uses webcam technology to enhance the story. With a world that you’ll fall in love with and characters you’ll care about, you’ll want to soak up as much of Benny’s life as possible, but only as long as you don’t blink—and unfortunately, that’s got to happen at some point.
Zombie Army 4: Dead War is a zombie fun house, bringing back good old fashioned co-op fun.
Ghost of Tsushima is a sprawling, epic adventure with some flaws, but these take nothing away from the overall power of the game. It has an emotional, powerful story with a complex central hero and fabulously written side characters, a brilliant combat system that is as fun to get to grips with as it is once you’ve mastered it, and a stunning open world to explore on horseback with something to do around every corner. There is so much to do on the island of Tsushima that it can seem like completing it for completion’s sake, and the mission types are repetitive but, mercifully, the game is so endlessly fun that I didn’t care. The highs of this game are astronomical, with the story ramping up steadily throughout each act resulting in wildly exciting sequences and shocking character moments both in the main story and in the side quests. If not for the existence of The Last of Us Part II, Ghost of Tsushima would be my Game of the Year. As it is, it’s a worthy addition to the packed PS4 exclusives library and Lord Jin Sakai fits right in among Sony’s vast lineup of memorable main characters. Ghost of Tsushima waves goodbye to the PS4 generation in sumptuous style.
Buying Death Stranding was a risk. I’m not one for massive open-world games, I didn’t know what the hell the game was about, and the early divisive reviews made me even more unsure. And yet, the further I got into the game, I realised I was playing something in a way that I’m not sure I’ll ever experience again. The online system is fantastic, the world is photo-realistic and absolutely beautiful (the game reaches its peak visually when you’re up in the snowy mountains), the BT encounters are consistently tense, and as weird as it sounds, the walking is the best part about it. There are cutscenes aplenty to wade through with varying degrees of success (the late game cutscenes, while interesting, are a chore to finish), but you should come to Death Stranding for a wholly satisfying gaming experience that needs to be played to be believed, filled to the brim with a colourful cast of characters (and cameos aplenty from the film world to look out for!) and scenery to die for. As shocking as it may be, Death Stranding is my first ever Hideo Kojima game. I think I know what I’ve been missing out on.
I loved my time with Age of Calamity, even the hours and hours I spent in the post-game. There’s so much to do, and it rarely feels repetitive. The wealth of characters and places to explore really set itself apart from other spin-off games in the Warriors franchise, and you get to rediscover a fully-realized Hyrule once again. The map design and mechanics really capture the magic of Breath of the Wild, even when it comes to combat. Although the story might not be what you want it to be, there are some really great moments that highlight certain characters, especially Zelda. The loot and weapon system is also fun, with endless amounts of customization when it comes to upgrading your characters. I’ve been obsessed with this game since it came out, constantly wanting to get back to it and try to 100% it—and I usually never feel compelled to fully complete a game like that. I cannot recommend this game enough if you’re a Zelda fan, especially if you loved Breath of the Wild.
Yet the real beauty of Planet Coaster is that it has something for everyone. You may be inclined to a more task-oriented game, hoping to save the worst parks from the brink of bankruptcy, or you may rather splurge cash on everything and anything to make the wackiest park ever. Even if, like me, your creative design choices go as far as “make coaster go very fast and high,” you will still find yourself giggling away as you make ridiculous business decisions with little consequences like some crazed tycoon monster (charging $111 for a decaf coffee is just oh so funny). Despite a learning curve on the control scheme and the tragic fact that guests may not ride your coaster if it is absolutely insane to the point of traveling warp-speed, Planet Coaster: Console Edition is a blast and a worthy port of an already excellent title.
Hitman III is a personal game of the year contender, and not because it is asking nicely with lavish graphics and large-scale levels. Instead, it has an ICA Silverballer pressed hard against my skull demanding to stand atop that list, with some of the best level design I’ve ever seen and a density that elicits a real challenge—and I don’t feel like arguing against it. Hitman III is a fun, addictive, and exceptionally satisfying gaming experience that highlights how we don’t need expansive open worlds—just a building full of bad guys, a slick-looking suit, and a tightly strung garotte wire. I would go on, but I’ve got some Emetic rat poison to serve and a trilogy to catch up on.
With Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition, you are getting exactly what it says on the tin; this is the complete edition, with no real added bells or whistles. The original DLC is included, which adds Knives and Wallace as playable characters, along with a few bonus modes that offer some decent distractions from the main story, yet there is a real lack of legacy content here to make the title feel like a true celebration. Regardless, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition remains the same blast of a game that it was over a decade ago, whether you are playing alone, locally via co-op, or even through online co-op, it is a game that will appeal to most, and is a must-have for those who are fans of the source material. Now, let us just pray that Ubisoft doesn’t have to take this version off the store in the future too!
The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners may well be the very best single-player game available on the Quest right now, as well as already being one of the best VR games on the market period. While the dull narrative presentation does make the story elements a real slog, once you get past them (or skip them), you will find a game that understands everything that makes a VR gaming so special—and I doubt zombie killing is ever going to get more fun than it is here.
New Pokémon Snap is one of the most relaxing games I have ever played… until it isn’t. But once I let my frustrations with Professor Mirror’s strict and often nonsensical rating system go, I had an absolute blast. At its core, the notion of being able to become immersed in the world of Pokémon in such a unique way, interacting with them and getting to know them at such close quarters, is such a valuable and wholesome experience and I can’t wait to keep snapping these Pokémon for years to come.
For every beatdown you take and every run lost to the ether, Sifu always maintains there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Sloclap has crafted an astounding, rewarding experience, one that serves up engrossing combat and intricate visual / music direction to accompany each fist of fury. Even with only five levels to beat, this doesn’t mean there isn’t any nuance or sense of scope to them. Every level is filled with vibrant atmospheres that sell the notion of a kung-fu adventure. Sifu’s narrative shortcomings are unfortunate, but overall this is a tapestry of martial arts excellence. Is Sifu the best kung-fu game ever made? It wouldn’t be a stretch to think so.
With a story that lets die-hard fans and casual players get in on the fun, without feeling shortchanged, the experience is an exceptional pickup for the Switch. Grab your web-shooters or your Vibrainium shield. It’s time to assemble.
Crown Trick is an amazing roguelike with a satisfying battle system, a stunning art-style, and intriguing characters.
Quake Remastered—on the whole—is a damn fine shooter with great gameplay, beautifully touched-up graphics, a hauntingly stunning score by Trent Reznor, and a plethora of content.
Monster Hunter Stories 2 has been an incredibly pleasant surprise in all aspects. It’s a great and well thought-out monster battling game with a fun narrative.
Monster Hunter Rise is another triumph of the series. While it doesn’t do much to win over new players, fans of the series will appreciate the smoother, faster experience.
So though the Switch port of It’s About Time takes a significant step down graphics-wise, it’s a fair trade-off to ensure the game’s colourful, zany antics aren’t lost in translation. That is to say, it’s the brilliantly rich and responsive platforming that should be focused on here, rather than the dulled-down visuals – it’s certainly not enough to hinder your capacity to bash crates, munch wumpa fruit, and spin attack your way through time and space. Oodibigah!
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a beautiful game that is a charming distraction from the real world (despite me still owing over 100,000 bells to an entrepreneurial Tanuki). I don’t even think I have begun to scrape the surface but I am so excited for my island to flourish.
Astro’s Playroom may not be a killer app at launch, but to have such a surprisingly enjoyable and well-rounded experience bundled in with the PS5 should be commended. It’s an experience that everyone can have as soon as you plug the console in, and that is a wonderful thing. Its standard platforming may not push the genre forward in any ways, but the portions where it utilizes the DualSense’s new features are truly exciting and feel groundbreaking in their own sense. Top it all off with some rewarding nostalgia trips and excitement for the future of the console and you’ve got one killer launch title.
Ultimately, Ride 4 is a rare beast: a motorcycle racing game with the potential for mass appeal and difficulty that is open to all. Personally, while I am a fan of racing games in general, I have always struggled with vehicles of the two-wheeled variety. They have been so unforgiving and can be quite isolating, requiring far too much effort for the casual gamer. Not with Ride 4 though. This is a genuinely fun and well-crafted racer with the potential for immense longevity, both in single player and multiplayer. As motorcycle racing games go, this very well might be the best I have ever played.