Downtime Bros
HomepageDowntime Bros's Reviews
The Last of Us Part II's core mechanics are refined to such a degree that I’d be remiss to say it isn’t sublime. This, in addition to its incredible graphical achievements and brutally impactful story, make it a once-in-a-generation epic. Games like this don’t come along often, and we’ll be talking about it for years to come.
Tekken 8 is the pinnacle of the series. There has never been a better Tekken and few fighting games could be considered this good. It is an absolute treat for fans, both old and new, and I can’t see myself putting it down for years to come. I have scarcely enjoyed any game on PS5 this much.
Returnal is the game the PlayStation 5 needed. It demonstrates every aspect of the new console’s technical prowess and sets the standard for future games. On top of that, it packs in a thoroughly enticing story with fantastically fluid gameplay.
It says so much that Dead Space 2023 changes very little yet remains just as impressive as it was in 2008... It was a sheer pleasure to revisit one of my all-time favourites. Dead Space is a fitting tribute to a disrespected but ceaselessly beloved series.
This sequel is a significantly better game than its predecessor owing, in part, to the fact that it knows exactly what it wants to be. It is a true survival horror experience from start to finish. Alan Wake II is one of this year’s best games and cements Remedy and its creative director, Sam Lake, at the top of the industry.
Horizon Forbidden West is a phenomenal game. It does everything it aims to do to a very high standard. However, it does very little to expand upon Zero Dawn outside of refining the formula.
Death Stranding Director’s Cut is a refined experienced. From the memorable sound design to the meticulously detailed open world, it has stuck with me – even more so than when I played the original back in 2019. If that was Hideo Kojima’s intention with this re-release then bravo. Mission accomplished.
The end result is a God of War Ragnarök that stands among some of the best PlayStation games, but falls ever-so slightly short of the greatest. This is far from a disappointment. But it doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of what came before.
F1 23 is where the series finally achieves its current-gen potential, and we’re privileged to be here for it.
Best of all though is the experience of playing as our cat hero. In that regard, Stray really is a game like no other. And the team at BlueTwelve Studio have done a tremendous job at realising the feline fantasy. Even though it’s disappointingly short, Stray is a must-play game this summer.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands delivers a worthy Borderlands experience. Its action is as fun as ever, and its setting provides the series with fresh direction.
If you can master it, Sifu is every wannabe martial artist’s dream. However, its brutal difficulty can impact the fun factor and will likely force many to give up.
If you played RollerCoaster Tycoon back in the day, you’ll no doubt love Planet Coaster. It takes the same concept and brings it into the current generation. And despite some console limitations, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable package and an absolute steal as a PlayStaion Plus freebie.
Ahh F1 2021, so nearly perfect. To me, F1 2021 was a bit like going on a first date with someone who seems absolutely made for you in every way. They’re gorgeous, funny and even pay the bill, but then you find out they think Star Wars is rubbish.
After such a bumpy road, it’s wonderful that Dead Island 2 has arrived in such a commendable state. This is a game you can pick up and play and get exactly what you came for. Good ol’ fashioned zombie chaos with personality and an ambition to get it all right. And what more can you want after all these years?
Due to its launch proximity to Elden Ring and the sheer quality of AAA Soulslikes, I suspect Asterigos may be unfairly overlooked. Nonetheless, it is a resoundingly enjoyable experience that I would recommend to any Soulslike fan.
Despite some drawbacks, I still found myself coming back to Yara again and again. I don’t think Far Cry 6 is ‘Game of the Year’. But it’s the best Far Cry to date and an awesome open-world game to boot.
A Plague Tale: Innocence is imperfect. The repetitious and unoriginal nature of its gameplay does hold it back and might be a deal breaker for some. Even if it is technically sound. But I would still recommend it for its story and atmosphere alone.
A Plague Tale: Requiem more than justifies its existence thanks to a brilliant continuation of the series’ story and general improvements all round.
Amnesia: The Bunker comes together as a thrilling race against the clock that should keep even the most steely-nerved players on their toes.