NextPlay's Reviews
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.
SMG Studio once again successfully managed to take the seemingly mundane task of moving and turn it into an entertaining cooperative action/puzzle experience. With core gameplay enhancements and diverse level design, Moving Out 2 will keep you and your mates entertained for hours and hours.
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying musical is another unique and well-established entry into Australia’s portfolio of games in recent years. With a captivating story, loveable characters, and some stellar performances by the cast, this one-of-a-kind game is sure to scratch that musical itch you have.
Disney Illusion Island is an engaging, modern take on the classic and beloved Illusion series that will spark enjoyment for gamers of all ages. While the game can feel too easy at times, the difficulty scaling can give ambitious gamers a slightly more challenging experience.
Unholy presents a compelling story that will keep the player engaged, even after enduring the poor gameplay design. While the innovative mechanics using ‘masks’ and ‘emotions’ are standout features of the game, the frustrating enemy encounters will find some players wanting to put the game down. Overall, Unholy offers an intriguing narrative with some unique gameplay elements, but technical flaws hinder its full potential.
Viewfinder reshapes the world into a beautiful reality that will have players completely engrossed in the thought-provoking puzzles it presents. Despite its often disjointed story, it offers a surreal experience that players will be talking about for years to come.
Planet of Lana takes everything we love from Studio Ghibli and Limbo and infuses it into one of the most breathtaking and exciting indie game experiences of the year. A must-play indie title.
Final Fantasy XVI is an exceptional departure from Final Fantasy’s RPG roots, showing the series can excel in the Action genre. From a gripping story to the epic Eikonic battles, this entry into the mainline series is one of the better ones in recent years.
Ravenlok is a game that will not please everyone with its shallow gameplay mechanics, but nevertheless offers a short and sweet adventure worthy of a playthrough. Cococucumber has piqued my interest and I am eager to see what they do next.
Respawn have taken Fallen Order’s formula and perfected it to produce what could be considered one of the best Star Wars games ever released. The combination of exceptional storytelling and cinematics makes Star Wars Jedi: Survivor an experience that I would easily recommend to anyone.