Qualbert.com's Reviews
Dead Island 2’s HAUS DLC is an enjoyable little excursion into a new area that slightly expands on the original ending and leaves us with more questions than answers. In many ways, I feel there is a lot of missed potential from this DLC. It could have expanded the world more than it did and it could have offered significantly more playtime.
If you’re looking for a puzzle game to immerse yourself in, then Jusant is it. With a chilled-out soundtrack and not overly difficult gameplay, it’s perfect to zone out and just enjoy the climb. Whilst some story elements have taken a back seat, the details and mystery more than make up for it along with the impressive views. Oh and don’t forget to give Ballast a hug!
Sailing through the cold southern area of The Pale Reach was an icy blast even though it was short-lived. Leaving you wanting more is generally a good sign that the developers have done their job right and this is definitely the case for this DLC. However, unlocking the new equipment would come in handy during the main game rather than after it as after completing these missions there is nothing left to do.
An equally absurd follow-up to the motion-controlled madness of Smooth Moves, Move It! injects even more absurdity into its microgames, making it possibly the most ridiculous (and entertaining) WarioWare game to date. Although some games are held back by the inaccuracy of the Joy-Cons, this is barely a dampener on the enjoyment. Despite a smattering of single-player content, a huge set of delightful party modes make Move It! a must-have multiplayer title that’ll result in non-stop laughs every time you pick it up.
The Invincible is a stunning narrative that takes you to the edge of science fiction. Exploring a desolate planet feels isolating, yet the tension almost never wavers. With an unpredictable story and great characters this is for any sci-fi fan or anyone who wants an in depth tale of survival, exploration and pushing the barriers of the unknown.
Justice Sucks: Tactical Vacuum Action is more than just a sequel to a small 2-hour indie game. This contains around 6-7 hours of story alone with numerous levels to go back and complete. Whilst the narrative may be simple it does so in the weirdest and most wonderful way possible, with puns, silly jokes and all the blood-filled action your robo heart could desire.
There are new plenty of new ideas here, with the Wonder Seed mechanic in particular allowing Nintendo to throw some really interesting (at time insane) ideas into these levels. At the end of the day though, this is still just a side-scrolling platformer. It might be the best side-scrolling platformer available on the Switch…but I left wanting more. Regardless of my personal feeling above, Super Mario Bros Wonder is a worthy addition to the Mario series and it is a must-play game for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. It is a reminder that even after all these years, Mario’s adventures whether in 2D or 3D continue to be a source of wonder and joy, offering a timeless and heartfelt gaming experience that will undoubtedly leave players with a smile on their face.
If you’re a fan of both rhythm games and electronic music, there’s no doubt that Spin Rhythm XD hits every single note perfectly. Boasting a massive setlist and intuitive, fluid gameplay that can be catered to your own skill level, this is arguably one of the most polished music-based games on Switch. Even if you’re lacking a musical bone in your body and find that rhythm games aren’t your forte, we highly recommend giving this one a spin.
Lies of P may not be as grand as Elden Ring or as challenging as Sekiro but it sets itself apart with its unusual depiction of Pinocchio. A gameplay combination of dodging and parrying makes it feel fast paced and the game does a good job of keeping you on your toes.
I’ve been a colossal Spider-Man fan for 20+ years now, and I can confidently say that from all of the games I’ve played, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 evoked all of the warm, fuzzy feelings that Spider Man 2 gave me almost 2 decades ago. The web-swinging is supreme, the fights are an absolute joy, the presentation is superb, and it all culminates in a video game that I sunk an entire three days into and never wanted to take a break from.
Mortal Kombat 1 is a perfect example of how a long running franchise still has a few tricks up its sleeve. By redefining the whole universe, the future is now a clean slate and can be moulded into new and interesting narratives. Adding a worthy multitude of additional modes with seasonal changes will keep MK lovers coming back long after completing the campaign. This is a new age for fighting games and the sequel just needs to get over here asap!
In an industry where innovation often takes the front seat, Sea of Stars sits atop the flagpole as a remarkable tribute to the golden age of JRPGs. It is a heart-warming yet bittersweet love-letter to the past simply brimming with nostalgia. Sea of Stars respectfully pays homage to the legendary JRPGs of the past whilst simultaneously forging its own path with a total package that is simply beautiful.
The story of the Teal Mask is the main draw here, with a great folklore tale unravelling as you adventure across the small region of Kitakami. This is almost a must play if you intend on playing the Indigo Disk as it will continue the characters story found here. Unless you lose your poke eggs at the notion of filling your Pokedex, this expansion offers little more than that. Short and sweet is the key word here and is probably better waiting for it to go on sale.
It is far from a seamless transition from any other previous Bethesda game into Starfield, and that’s perfectly fine, because with all that Starfield has to offer, it’s worth it to learn how the game works; I was scared this game wouldn’t click for me, but four hours in and I was hooked like nothing else I’ve played to this point this year.
Immortals of Aveum weaves a thoughtful tale of enchanting powers and deadly misunderstandings but is held back due to the FPS genre it boxes itself into. Whilst most of the gameplay is smooth and fun it does get repetitive towards the end against stronger enemies. A more extensive reach into the RPG elements may have been beneficial to achieve an even better finished product.
Layers of Fear 2023 is a perfect blend of psychological horror and jump scares. It has multiple interesting and interlocking stories that have just enough breadcrumbs to tell a story but leaves room for your own interpretation. The game has some replayability too as each story (except The Writer) has multiple endings. If I HAD to pick one thing I wasn’t a fan of, it’s that The Writer’s story ends a little abruptly but everything else was fantastic.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Final Fantasy XVI does what it needed to do – breathes new life into a series that had fallen from its once lofty position at the pinnacle of RPGs. The story returns Final Fantasy to its roots as a true medieval era inspired fantasy adventure with dark and mysterious undertones. While not flawless, Final Fantasy XVI’s strong points overshadow its minor shortcomings, solidifying its place as a must-play entry for both fans and newcomers alike.
When you reach the checkout screen for a game like Atlas Fallen, you know exactly what you’re signing up for. You know that this isn’t the hyper-polished, AAA experience, but instead, a game you can sink a ton of time into and flex your gaming skills with. To answer the question I posed in the introduction, Atlas Fallen may not be a $50 game, but it’s one that’s going to be worth your purchase when it inevitably, swiftly hits a sale soon. You’ll not regret your time exploring, delving, and completing everything you want to in this great action RPG.
Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg Remake is a fantastic game, it faithfully recaptures the original in a modern style while offering players a fine tuned gameplay experience without sacrificing its identity. The new soundtrack is excellent and the game takes a super streamlined approach with the well established formula of the series. This title may just be the best game in the series with its perfectly pitched length and tremendously addictive gameplay loop.
Dave the Diver is an easy first-ballot game-of-the-year contender for 2023. It’s that rare game that checks every box, does something fresh, and is a shoe-in to recommend to just about anyone. There’s no pain points, nothing that sticks out like a sore thumb; on the contrary, it’s hard to say what Dave the Diver does best because it does everything so well. I will be delving the depths of Dave the Diver for dozens of hours to come.