NextPlay's Reviews
WarioWare: Move It! takes the chaotic and unhinged WarioWare series to new heights with its near-on perfect utilisation of the joy-con functionalities. While some microgames are hindered by inaccurate joy-con registry, they are still ridiculously fun.. just make sure you have friends to play with to get the full experience.
Just Dance 2024 guarantees an entertaining time to share with friends and family. The plethora of content is unmatched when comparing to previous titles, allowing for players to dance their socks off.
It’s clear RGG Studio went with a less-is-more approach to Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, but the game continues to offer the charm of other titles in the series. While the combat can feel repetitive at times, the story and subquests allow for the game to shine.
While Lords of the Fallen has some great ideas and foundations for a successful game, it’s trying far too hard to reinvent itself that a less is more approach to the game would’ve seen a much tighter and more fun experience overall.
The Invincible may have simple gameplay mechanics, but where it shines is the story, making you question what comes next, or at some points, your sanity. Starward Industries has crafted a captivating experience that is hard to put down.
Nintendo has delivered yet another memorable experience that is delightfully ridiculous with surprises from start to finish. There’s a perfect combination of old and new mechanics executed flawlessly which feels fresh yet nostalgic at the same time. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a masterpiece worthy of being titled one of the best platformers of all time.
If you had told me that one of my favourite games this year would be a videogame about a souslike Pinocchio, I would’ve told you that you would be dreaming. Lies of P scratches the itch that is a Dark Souls experience that’s as close as you will ever get to the original. The story draws you in as familiar characters come back to life in a gothic inspired world, but it’s the fantastic soulslike gameplay that made me come back for more. Just one more turn, one more checkpoint.
Vlad Circus: Descend Into Madness is an essential horror/adventure game title with a gripping story that leaves a haunting sense of emptiness upon completion. Indiesruption has delivered an experience that will stay with me for years to come.
Whether you are playing this on the go or sitting on the couch, the story of Detective Pikachu Returns is engaging and kept me wanting to play through the game even though it got repetitive at times and I feel that says a lot for the overall presentation of the game. If you have a little one or a Pokémon fan in the house, don’t skip this game.
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged provides players with an upgraded Hot Wheels experience, offering new gameplay mechanics and additional online features that were missing in the first game. There are few racing games that cater to all ages, but this one hits the mark and earns my recommendation to just about anyone.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the game many fans of the series have been waiting for for a long time. The game no longer strays from the assassin-based combat from the earlier titles, promoting a more stealthy approach to combat. That, combined with the culture-rich story contained in a world that is genuinely fun to navigate will have new and old Assassin Creed fans satisfied.
Separate Ways delivers a compelling experience that compliments Resident Evil 4’s narrative by providing unique insights into Ada Wong’s character and actions. The DLC offers a thrilling and enjoyable expansion to the Resident Evil 4 universe with more than enough additional content to warrant the $15 purchase.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is magnificent and will become the new standard for the RPG genre and what it can provide players. It delivers a fantastic main narrative, an incredible cast of loveable characters, a nuanced number of choices and side quests, alongside a satisfying/challenging combat system, with a brilliant soundtrack and sleek visuals. Even the aforementioned issues of companion following, and late game crashes hardly hinder what is a true gaming masterpiece, and my current frontrunner for game of the year 2023.
The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo’s vintage hand-drawn art style, expressive characters, and nostalgic music create an entertaining short but sweet experience.
Mortal Kombat 1 is a very well-polished reboot of the MK universe with an engaging story despite the lack of originality. The new, quick, and accessible Invasion mode will ensure players will keep coming back for more without reliance on micro transactions.
Bethesda delivers an expansive space experience with Starfield, blending its signature RPG formula with one of the strongest main story plots from its flagship titles. While the monotonous combat may leave some players wanting more, there’s a lot to love here. The immersive cities, engaging plot, and meaningful character interactions make Starfield a worthy addition to Bethesda’s legacy, offering countless hours of exploration and engagement in the Settled Systems.
Stepping back into NBA 2K24 was like riding a bike with one new trick up my sleeve. While the game modes were fun and plentiful, microtransactions are too prevalent in the game to get any meaningful progression completed by normal grinding.
Under the Waves tells a powerful story that will resonate with many, and also offers a beautiful under water environment to explore. Despite some repetitive mission structures, an occasional annoying camera, and some underutilised gameplay features, Under the Waves is an experience that narrative-driven fans will truly enjoy diving into.
Immortals of Aveum offers an engaging introduction to a new IP featuring a magical world with a unique narrative. Despite occasional crashes and a sometimes overwhelming amount of combat options, the game’s vast world, well-acted characters, and captivating visuals make it a compelling experience worth exploring.
I enjoyed my time with The Texas Chain saw Massacre in short bursts. However, I can’t recommend it at its initial $69.95 AUD price due to its limited content of only three maps and 10 characters (five per side). Once you’re familiar with the exit locations, the game essentially becomes a cat-and-mouse chase. I hope they expand the game in the future, and if they do, it might become worth checking out. For now, it’s worth a try if you have an Xbox Game Pass subscription.