NextPlay's Reviews
Nightdive Studios’ System Shock remake revitalises the 30-year-old game with modern upgrades alongside design choices that give a hefty sense of retro, 90s-style gameplay. While some of these design choices could have been left in the history books, the game respects the OG title in this great remake.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is the expansion that the fans have so eagerly been waiting for. With more brutal challenges and exploration around every new corner, Shadow of the Erdtree is a masterclass expansion on par with the most exceptional expansions of all time, such as The Witcher 3’s Blood and Wine DLC and Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty.
#BLUD features some of the liveliest animation of any game I’ve played this year, something that should desperately be celebrated. Unfortunately, the game’s fantastic story, art, and sound design are severely marred by the disappointing gameplay that drags the rest of the experience down the whole way.
Alan Wake 2’s Night Spring presents an entertaining ~3-hour journey through the lenses of some of the franchise’s most iconic characters. Remedy manages to squeeze in the humour, chaos, and exhilarating gameplay of Alan Wake 2 in these bite-sized episodes, which will tide over any fan until the final expansion this year.
After finishing the Paper Mario remake, I envy those who were able to play the original release, as I can only imagine how happy those original fans would be with the Nintendo Switch release. TTYD offers the best Mario centric story I have ever experienced, with brilliant writing across the entire 30+ hour adventure. While some unnecessary backtracking and fairly easy combat do hinder the overall experience, it’s hard to play TTYD without a smile on your face due to the magnificent soundtrack and sleek visuals.
Senua’s return is authentic to the original, only with more polish. The captivating and emotional story is thrusted forward with Hellblade 2’s hefty visuals and audio. The only thing letting it down is how repetitive some of the gameplay is.
Unicorn Overlord is an amazing game that should be played by all, this is the new leader in the genre. Take a journey down the path because the adventure is well worth it!
While Grounded won’t compete with the likes of juggernaut Minecraft, it forges its own path into the survival genre. Obsidian has created a captivating game boasting with personality which will have players lost for hundreds of hours.
Indika is not an experience everyone will enjoy. If you like story-driven games, buy Indika. You will love it. My words won’t do it justice. It’s far from life-changing, but it will give you an unforgettable experience that you’ll think about from time to time.
Sand Land falls victim to some pretty dull combat and level design but is uplifted by the entertaining cast, charming Borderlands-like graphics, and a decent vehicle upgrading system.
Stellar Blade is more than just a pretty face. It’s a grand entrance to what could be PlayStation’s next hugely successful IP. What the game lacks in story is made up for by its exhilarating combat and entertaining gameplay. Whatever is next for the Stellar Blade universe, I will be there on day one.
Dave the Diver is full of heart, with a charming lead character, and a cast of memorable characters. The gameplay loop of catching fish and then serving them to paying customers is truly addictive, and as the game constantly introduces new mechanics and abilities, nothing ever feels stale. Developer Mintrocket has introduced a plethora of gameplay mechanics, options, and side activities to enjoy, so many in fact that I feel I barely scratched the surface of what players can experience. Dave the Diver is a jack of all trades, and a master of most.
The TopSpin franchise has been spoiled in its first game in 13 years, thanks to 2K’s modern day splash of paint. TopSpin 2K25 provides the best tennis experience we’ve seen in gaming so far, but is slightly held back by the need to grind to access certain content.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU tells a powerful story of loss, that despite some predictable moments, leaves an impactful and lasting impression. The voice acting throughout the adventure is sublime, with uniquely epic music, and some gorgeous environments. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU does show glimpses of platforming potential, but an inconsistent camera hinders the experience from rivaling the great platformers it is obviously inspired by. Combat also has brief flourishes of excellence, before shielded enemies arrive and cause issues during chaotic battles.
The Rising Tide is the grand finale that Final Fantasy XVI deserves, reminding us of the legacy this entry into the franchise will leave. Exploring Mysidia and its surrounds, stacked on top of quality-of-life updates and new Eikonic abilities to be used, this is a must-play for anyone who enjoyed the original Final Fantasy XVI experience last year.
Princess Peach: Showtime! is a great return for Princess Peach as the main protagonist. Even though the game has some performance issues, the different costumes and genres the game explores will easily sustain most gamers’ interest throughout the 8-hour journey.
Square Enix transcends the Final Fantasy VII trilogy to new heights, providing a deeply captivating story and robust combat mechanics. These qualities, paired with entertaining main and side content, cements Final Fantasy VII Rebirth as one of the best RPGs of all time.
Rise of the Ronin is a game created from a concoction of our favourite Samurai-inspired games. While it can give you a sense of déjà vu during your playtime, the game ultimately carves its own path and follows its own direction in the soulslike genre. The game is held back graphically but is redeemed through its enjoyable story and gameplay.
Alone in the Dark’s reimagining remains faithful to the original game but is not afraid to take some traits from its modern counterparts in the survival horror genre. Be prepared to become heavily immersed in the Decerto Mansion once more, but don’t expect much variety in the co-existing stories or puzzles.
Nostalgia is best served hot, and Tomb Raider I-III is serving it hot. Aspyr has done a great job in balancing respect for the original Tomb Raider trilogy while adding additional detail to areas and enhancing the context of scenes and ambience. While some aspects of the games have aged poorly to today’s standards, Aspyr’s fresh coat of paint and polish remedies these shortfalls.