Completexbox
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Cat Pipes is a simplistic puzzler that is perhaps far too easy and short. The price point of £4.19 reflects the small return on content here, but it may prove as a nice challenge for the younger generation. I let my 6-year-old play a few levels and he appeared to be invested in solving the puzzles, chanting “Yes” and air punching when he clocked each puzzle. The repetitive nature does kick in though after about ten levels and even though I am not bothered about achievements, I found myself playing through the 45 levels to clock it. I’d recommend this one for younger gamers who are just getting familiar with gaming and the achievement hunters.
Classified: France ’44 is one of the best in the genre and sits beside games like XCOM2 in terms of its quality and deep progressive gameplay loop. It handles brilliantly with a controller and plays buttery smooth on the Xbox Series X. The overall experience captures the era and timescale and sets the tone and mood with the atmosphere. There are areas of the game where it may not come across as pretty as perhaps it would do on Windows PC but I would highly recommend giving this one a shot especially if you’re a lover of turn-based strategy and have an avid interest in the historical element of War.
I’m all for game preservation and am happy to see games like this being revived especially after they were on a failed console that 95% of gamers never touched, let alone saw in person. But PO’ed Definitive Edition is one of those that should have remained in the past. While the premise is unique compared to typical war-themed first person shooters, this is barely playable. I can vouch for a Limited Run Games physical version for all the collectors out there, but buying this digitally to play it is just like setting money on fire. Unless your morbid curiosity gets the better of you, don’t even bother.
Not only has playing this game filled my brain with vivid and fond visuals of being a kid in the 90s, but it has also brought me core memories with my 6-year-old son. Being able to play split screen with him and laugh and spend quality time with him whilst having the best fun, is what Hypercharge Unboxed is all about. Digital Cybercherries has managed to tear my child away from the domination of Fortnite, Roblox and Minecraft and he now craves time on this with his Dad and “just one more game” before bed. I can’t thank the team enough for bringing this to consoles and making it accessible to those without a PC. So, I have to grant Hypercharge Unboxed with the perfect score and I have several reasons for this. It sits on the pedestal of indie greatness that very few achieve alongside stunners like Cuphead and Vampire Survivors. In the three quality weeks I have had to review this, I have racked up over 50 hours of gameplay and I’m nowhere near done. It is a game that will be cemented to my hard drive for years to come because it will now be the couch co-op go-to game of choice and the closest feel to the best shooters on old-generation machines, a salute to classics like Timesplitters and the early Halo titles. If you don’t purchase this game at a very reasonable price point, you’re missing out on one of the best games to come to Xbox in 2024.
Horizon Chase 2 is definitely a must-play. It’s the best arcade racer since… well… its predecessor. It’s easy to pick up and play and can be hard to put down. Lots of content to unlock whether it be new rides or visuals styles. Whenever you need a change from racing sims or looking to give the racing genre a shot, Horizon Chase 2 is your best bet. Don’t miss out.
XDefiant is nowhere near perfect by any means, but it absolutely does have legs. There are some balancing issues with spawn points and hit registration seem to be a bit sporadic so there is clear work to be done as the game continues. Gameplay is fun, especially with a group of friends and if you can get past the grind element of unlocking attachments and characters then you’ll enjoy it. The question is how the game will be supported in future and it will need regular updates to keep players engaged. New maps, modes, characters and weapons will do the job I’d imagine as long as they keep monetisation cosmetic only. For now, though, XDefiant has some good solid foundations and with some early patches already deployed just a few days into the life cycle of the game, it shows the development team are committed. With the game not being too heavy on hard drive space at present and plenty to achieve and unlock without spending money, it is well worth a crack especially if you’re into your shooters. Let’s hope this is a Ubisoft success story like Rainbow Six Siege and it isn’t another live service game that gets shuttered within a year or two, only time will tell.
Sunny Café is nicely produced for a visual novel and gives a lot of interesting topics concerning both past and present relationships and a breakdown of important coffee antidotes. This game is a genre breaker and can be enjoyed by most gamers who enjoy a good story.
I had a great time with Another Crabs Treasure. The combat was enjoyable and the story was a treat. I went in knowing very little about it and came away really impressed. It looks lovely, the cast are excellent and the gameplay is tight. Its short length is ideal, with me finishing in about 8 hours. There’s plenty to do in that short time and it’s exceptionally streamlined. What we’ve been given is a great example of how to take inspiration from something and put your own stamp on it. The ability to tune the difficulty to your own preference is an excellent idea that would be great to see implemented in similar titles. Aggro Crab have a winner on their hands here and I hope we get to see more of Krills adventures in the future.
Despite its minor limitations, Aquarium Designer on Xbox is a delightful and immersive experience. It offers a good balance between creative freedom and educational value, making it a great choice for casual players and aspiring aquarists alike. While the limited selection of aquatic life and slightly awkward menu navigation might dampen the experience for the most demanding players, the soothing visuals, calming soundtrack, and diverse design options ensure a relaxing and rewarding journey for most. If you’re looking for a way to unwind after a long day, unleash your inner artist, and learn a little something about the wonders of the underwater world, Aquarium Designer is definitely worth checking out. Just keep in mind that the real challenge might not be designing your dream aquarium, but tearing yourself away from it at the end of the day.
Gigantic: Rampage Edition is a fun time with a bit of a learning curve to climb. Whilst I find the change to a paid entry rather than free-to-play a little baffling, it isn’t a huge cost to purchase and with the promise of more content for your money then it isn’t all doom and gloom. The connection issues to servers were really frustrating and honestly offputting but then the game had only just launched when I started this review. These issues are almost always resolved so I can give them the benefit of the doubt here. If you’re a huge fan of the original game or just fancy a new shooter experience then I’d say it is worth the investment especially if this genre is your jam. If you played the last one to death or bounced off it back in 2017, then you won’t see much in the way of changes apart from a new mode and a few characters. But the gameplay loop is still the same satisfactory fast and fluid fun as it was 7 years ago.
Nightmare Reaper is a fun, albeit frustrating addition to the FPS (or horror) genre. The shooting is solid and the environments are well done and creepy to explore, but the damage output from some enemies will lead to a quick death, especially when trying to figure out where they are shooting you from. The weapon diversity is surprisingly deep and it makes you want to keep playing to see what you can find. Fans of roguelites will enjoy this entry of the genre. However, if you’re not a fan of the genre, Nightmare Reaper won’t change your stance.
Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is the efforts of a single developer, Tomas Sala. We know his earlier work in ‘The Falconeer’ and it shares a same graphic style as well as the same universe. Both games take place over the Ursee, an archipelago that brings a feeling of isolation which matches the backstory perfectly. The skies are generally stormy, the seas are dark, ominous and the hues are beautifully kaleidoscopic. Bulwark: Falconeer chronicles is a gentle approach to the open world base builder, with total creative freedom its focus. Small towers link to wood mills and stone quarries via the use of walkways, which in turn allows your base to grow both outwards and upwards. Resource management and trade allow you to expand your horizons as well as your bases. If you want a bucket-sized dollop of chill, then this is your game. If you can riff constantly in a world that is essentially a blank canvas, you can grab a glass of whatever relaxes you and sit and chill for a few hours. Small niggles stop it from reaching really ‘must buy’ territory but it will go like hot cakes on Game Pass *hint-hint Xbox*
I really did enjoy the time I spent with Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story. Going back to some of the games from my youth put a massive smile on my face and brought memories flooding back. It is very hard to recommend to anyone but those looking to learn about a bit of gaming history or those who played these games when they first came out. The one thing I will say though, is that my personal opinion of these games hasn’t changed, I still find them entertaining. I also found the documentary style parts to be riveting. Jeff Minter was a pioneer, and has likely inspired many people to become developers. Without people like him going totally off piste with their ideas, I might not have been as interested in this hobby as I am now. This is an unabashed celebration of one of the greats, and I’m glad his legacy is being preserved for future generations even if the audience for these retro explorarions feels like it’s dwindling.
Pacman Chomp Champs is a game I’ve found incredibly addictive and moreish. One of those experiences where you have just that one more match, which then turns into another few hours of gameplay. It is nice to see this title revive from the dead after the demise of Google Stadia. My concerns are the entry cost and whether it has staying power. I couldn’t wait for a review copy so I invested £24.99 which is very steep for the base game with some fancy exclusive cosmetics. For me, it was about getting hands-on a week earlier than the official launch which is 9th May 2024. With the base copy being £15.99, it still feels a bit much for something with all the signs of a free-to-play game. The question is replayability in the long term. If the team can keep cosmetics coming, maybe some different spins on the Battle Royale experience and trickling content into the game then we are onto a winner. If it’s left to its own devices then it may get stale pretty quickly. That said, if you’re a hardcore Pacman fan or just love the BR genre then this will be your cup of tea.
I went into Top Spin 2K25 expecting a mediocre experience since we haven’t seen a Top Spin game in so long and nothing has come close to the glory days of the previous entries. My time with the game has been a really enjoyable and whilst I found there to be a fairly steep learning curve, my 30 or so hours have been addictively moreish. There is much more skill required than just pressing buttons and returning the ball. You have to gauge positioning, response, stamina and how to outwit your opponent. Whilst the monetisation aspect of the game bugs me a little, what we do have is a solid re-entry into the Top Spin catalogue. If they can build on the foundations of the fantastic gameplay loop and work on player animations and crowd integration then we would be sitting on one of the best sports games out there. Is it worth it though? If you love Tennis games then this takes the crown as the best one out there since Top Spin 4. The Grand Slam Edition asking price of 105 English pounds is a huge ask though unless you want everything the game has to offer. Future tennis star additions are coming for free though.
To be honest, when I saw Ratalaika Games pop up on screen, I tempered my expectations, but when I starting playing the game, I discovered one of the most boring, tedious, games I’ve ever played. The fact that you can’t control when you shoot is a giant red flag leaving no control to the player. Trying to kill bigger enemies or figuring how to complete certain objectives (such as the Meat tower thing) is borderline as possible. This is the pure definition of shovelware. Pass.
Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants is a fun and enjoyable, albeit very short experience. Its budget price appeal makes it very tempting; given the length of it, it feels right. Kids and Nickelodeon fans will enjoy the hell out of this and it’s even better with friends. However, while it’s fun, it is very limited in appeal and repetitive in combat. In a world where we already have the excellent Shredder’s Revenge, it’s hard recommending this one as for a few bucks more, you get a longer experience and more playable characters. Unless you’re a die hard TMNT fan who needs to play everything or have kids at home, you can’t go wrong with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants. But if you’re looking for something more substantial, this ain’t it chief
Avatar The Last Airbender: Quest for Balance is a decent game perfect for younger gamers who are fan of the TV series and want to experience the storylines themselves. For better or for worst, this is clearly a GameMill Entertainment game; decent, mildly enjoyable, slightly too easy but oh so close from being a must play experience. I can only image how much better this could’ve been in the hands of a AAA developer. It’s a fun experience as a whole; worth it’s $20 USD price tag.
It is said that the definition of madness is repeating the same actions and expecting different results. This is a perfect example of what Abriss delivers with puzzles based around creation of structures and the application of physics to use that structure to destroy your target. This is the essence of Abriss… A peculiar, yet captivating puzzle game that combines building and destruction. The game lacks a traditional story, although the path which you are lead along is comically referred to as a Campaign mode. This gives the game a great feel for a game to drop into for a couple of rounds, exit and forget it until you next have time on your hands.
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster is not for the impatient gamer. It’s a fun, mindless shooter set in the Star Wars universe that fans of the genre and the franchise will learn to appreciate. However, bland level color palettes makes it too easy to get lost and go around in circles; requiring to display the map in order to find doors otherwise blended in the decor. But at least cheat codes can alleviate the frustration a bit. Younger gamers used to Call of Duty’s hand-holding might find this FPS experience frustrating as they go around in circles, but older gamers will revel in re-expericing this classic N64 experience. If you’re played this in the past, this is a no-brainer. If you’re more used to the CoD series, you might find endless frustration instead of fun.