Dealspwn's Reviews
Shelter 2 has its moments. Playing as a lynx is disarmingly authentic, the art design is visually arresting and there's no denying that you'l feel... something... once your first litter of cubs survives to grow to adulthood thanks to your tender loving care. But the lack of threat and its big yet pointless open world robs the game of challenge, likely leaving you broadly unsatisfied after just a handful of hours.
It's time for us to finally move on from SimCity, as Colossal Order have taken the familiar aspects of city building simulators and given it enough of their own spin to make it fresh. It's certainly not a flawless attempt, and will definitely need some post-launch patching, but the fun factor is there alongside the addictive gameplay. I guess you could even say that, for a first attempt, the foundations are solid as a rock.
Come on you apes! You wanna live forever?
In a few weeks, this episodic take on Resident Evil will be over and Tuesdays will have no longer have meaning. Episode 2 has some of the best moments I've experienced in the whole Resident Evil franchise. If Capcom can maintain this intensity and not give in to all out action (easy on the Assault rifle, Barry), they may be about to bring the series back to its prime.
ScreamRide's three modes and robust design suite are briefly entertaining, but the fun doesn't last. Lacking soul and connective tissue, this minigame collection never quite gels or comes together into anything particularly memorable.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is utterly magnificent. Newfound vertical freedom, extraordinary new monsters and native 3DS multiplayer makes for the best game in the series to date, coupled with a much more compelling storyline and some killer new features.
Both the Raid and Campaign modes are off to great starts, although the episode ends just as things are getting going. As a new idea for the Resident Evil series though, I think the episodic feel could be a hit. I'm loving that each one is only a week apart too. Raid mode has eaten up my weekend, the unlocks are starting to come together and the mode will surely continue to grow with new content each week.
Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart is a surprisingly competent strategy RPG with solid mechanics, great stylised visuals, plenty of content and well-observed videogame parody humour. Not to mention an extraordinary amount of risqué fanservice for those who love Hyperdimension Neptunia. Though pacing issues and other concerns hold it back from being truly great, what's here is still very impressive and well worth considering for fans of the genre or franchise -- and essential if you're a fan of both.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse captures the brutal thrill of soaring aerial anime battles better than practically any game I've ever played, all while allowing us to genuinely enter the Dragon Ball universe as our own character by participating in key canonical events and crazy 'what if?' scenarios.
Visually astounding throughout. Graphics fans will adore every grimy nook and cranny of the Victorian London setting. Sadly though, the game around it is crushingly average. The shooting sections are fun enough but far too few and far between, and much of the game is spent watching cutscenes or being forced to walk through one, so much so that it rarely feels like you're 'playing' the game at all.
The Book Of Unwritten Tales 2 proves that point & click adventure games don't have to change to be relevant in 2015. They just have to be better. It's enormous, hilarious, referential, satisfying and absolutely worth £24.99.
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy + is an exhilarating portable combat flight sim with some fun tweaks for New 3DS owners. Thrilling mechanics, plentiful missions and robust unlocks make it the Top Gun for genre fans who own the system.
Evolve is a handsome, smart and hectic eat 'em up that's surprisingly difficult to recommend. What could have been an underground smash as a budget download has been spread thin to justify a AAA price, leading to grave concerns about its glacial progression, value, longevity and DLC strategy. Though still utterly fantastic under optimal conditions, Evolve asks far too much for an inconsistently enjoyable experience.
With more narrative setup slowing the pace a little, it's steady as she goes for the second episode in Telltale's Game of Thrones series. New characters, some twists and turns, and more familiar faces keep things interesting, but let's just hope that, with the pieces now in place, the action can ramp up for the next episode.
Sunless Sea is a masterpiece of interactive storytelling, atmosphere and exploration that spins a unique, tense and frequently tragic new yarn every time you play. It's a shame that the spiteful economy and repetitive early game gradually forces you to focus on the systems, not the stories, but the quality of the writing elevates Sunless Sea into something rather special indeed.
Despite the limitations of its aging engine, Telltale have managed to replicate the world of Westeros in its cel-shaded art style. More than that, the dangers and intrigue from Game of Thrones are there, and if Iron From Ice is any indication, we could be in for an enjoyable yet emotional charged journey to save House Forrester.
An intriguing start for Dontnod's leap into episodic gaming. Chrysalis is very much a scene setter, easing us in gently to a host of intriguing characters and ensuring we get to grips with the rewind mechanic before we're asked to make any seriously tough choices. As long as the momentum continues to build pace, this could turn out to be something special. At this early stage, I can't wait to play more, but to put a numbered score on this at such an early stage would be strange. Such is life.
Deathtrap brings hectic tower defence, satisfying Diablo-style combat and compelling persistent progression together in ultraviolent gothic style. Smart design choices and satisfyingly hectic moments abound, while the level editor is a stroke of genius.
Even if the mechanisms of this game seem a little dated now, we're reminded how the story and its characters are timeless in their good humour and quality, and in that respect, this Remaster should hold almost as much joy for newcomers as it does for returning fans.
Unmechanical Extended is just as short and sweet as the original; a gentle yet compelling use of four hours that's best enjoyed in a single sitting. I'd recommend it to newcomers, but the disappointing new episode isn't enough to warrant picking up for old hands.