Qualbert.com's Reviews
At the time of its original release in 2005, Resident Evil 4 was hailed as one of the finest horror games of all-time. Almost 20 years later, the Resident Evil 4 Remake reaffirms that claim to fame. Through a near flawless remake, Capcom reinvigorate the horror classic and add a level of polish rarely seen in remakes. By crafting the perfect blend of new gameplay while staying true to the original, the Resident Evil 4 Remake is without a doubt the definitive way to enjoy the series at its peak. So now that you’ve finished reading our review, I have one question to ask about which game you’ll be purchasing next: Whattaya buyin’?
Given time to polish their new formula over the last few years, Square Enix have finally crafted the crown jewel of the HD-2D series in Octopath Traveler II. Improving on all aspects of the original game, this engaging tale of eight delivers superb visuals, a colossal soundtrack, and one of the most charming sets of characters ever to feature in a single title. The classic JRPG is well and truly alive, and if you’re eager for yet another incredible adventure, we encourage you to follow the Octopath.
If you’re wanting to stay up-to-date with your WWE video gaming roster, are looking to delve into the two-decade career of John Cena with an autobiography flair, or just want to experience WWE on your own terms with no questions asked, WWE 2K23 can do all that and more.
Crossovers can be hit-or-miss, but this one makes more sense than the majority of them – the difficulty, tone, and slow approach to fighting is positively seamless and ensures this game will not only appeal to fans of each/both franchises, but will serve as a nice entry point to those even slightly interested.
Hogwarts Legacy is a fantastic return to the Wizarding World and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In my 50 hour playthrough of the game I finished all of the major character driven side quests, but left many of the minor open world activities uncompleted. There certainly wasn’t any shortage of things to do in this world and it was an enjoyable experience from start to finish.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line truly is the Ultima musical love letter to Final Fantasy. With a gargantuan offering of tracks from across 35 years of musical history, and a tonne of added gameplay to keep you hooked, this is easily one of the most impressive rhythm games ever made. Where the series set a solid foundation on the 3DS with the original and Curtain Call, Final Bar Line lifts the bar in every single way possible.
My main complaint is that there isn’t enough content here. Yes, there is the Generator Mode where an endless array of levels can be created, shared and raced against friends. But after a while these feel very ‘similar’. I do admit that I was unable to test out the multiplayer mode, however I doubt that this would provide significant longevity to the title. Rooftop Renegade isn’t quite the smash hit game I was hoping for, but as a first up effort there are still enough things here to like that I’ll definitely raise my expectations for Melonhead’s follow-up game.
Metroid Prime Remastered is a classic made flawless and an essential title to add to your Nintendo Switch library. With the release of Remastered, the Nintendo Switch is without a doubt the definitive way to experience the crown jewel of Nintendo’s timeless Metroid series. Given a complete visual overhaul, modern dual-stick controls, and a surreal surround sound mix with more atmosphere than ever, this is Metroid at its absolute Prime.
From the moment the game opens with The Black Keys’ “Lonely Boy“, to smashing bosses with a guitar while Beethoven’s 5th Symphony blares, Hi-Fi RUSH is musical headliner packed with melodic mayhem. Its platforming and combat are enhanced every step of the way through clever incorporation of its soundtrack, offering an approachable blend of classic beat ’em up gameplay mashed together with rhythmic elements. With a colourful performance from its charming characters, and an even more vibrant visual style, Hi-Fi RUSH is a videogame treat that doesn’t miss a beat.
Rhythm Sprout is yet another creative rhythm game that proves the indie scene is truly pushing the genre forward. While it’s simple enough for anyone to pick up and play, the game’s difficulty will put even seasoned pros to the test. Boasting a super sleek visual style and an absurd sense of humour, players hungry for a short and sweet rhythm game will be left satisfied by Rhythm Sprout.
Deciding if purchasing the Remake is worth it is a point of contention that players familiar with the original Dead Space franchise will have. The case that the 2008 game still plays fantastically today is undeniable – I had a rollicking good time getting frightened by it just last year. Luckily, Dead Space Remake does just enough to be a cruise down memory lane, whilst perfecting the formula and expanding the universe where it has room to be expanded.
Persona 3 is the kind of game that comes along maybe once in a decade. This title revolutionised Persona and developed the core gameplay of the series as we now know it. For the longest of time, Persona 3 has been inaccessible for millions, with many new fans of the series lacking any means to play it. The Persona 3 Portable remaster has changed this completely and brings one of the finest games of all-time finally to a console near you.
Persona 4 and Persona 4 Golden were in the absolute top tier of JRPGs on their respective systems on initial release. Despite a 10 year gap, the HD remaster of Persona 4 Golden shows that this is a simply a classic game, and it remains amongst the best JRPGs that have ever been released on any console. This is a massive game that will take about 60-80 hours to complete a single playthrough, with a ‘New Game +’ option available for those wanting to experience more of the magnificence on offer. Definitely value for money.
One Piece Odyssey is a stunningly brilliant game that’s full of charm, put together with love and a guiding hand from the series creator himself. Odyssey is the perfect game for any long time One Piece fans and even perfect for those looking for a new game with a classic RPG feel to it. The characters are wonderfully portrayed, the story is interesting and the gameplay is wonderfully pieced together. The overworld is full of colourful scenery while the combat is fast-paced and well balanced. You can see how much love, care and planning went into the game as a whole and it’s one I can see myself playing for quite a while to come.
GRIS is a moving, excellent trek through processing grief and battling inner demons. It’s presented in such pristine fashion and is as worth it to pick up for those who played in 2019 as it is for newcomers. It’s marketed as “free of danger, frustration, or death”, so don’t expect a massive challenge aside from nabbing every collectible, but expect to feel some strain when the plot comes together as it concludes. GRIS is an easy recommendation for anyone in the market for a touching experience to sink your teeth into.
It’s obvious to see why Crisis Core is revered as such a PlayStation Portable classic, and with the game now available to play on all modern consoles, there’s really no excuse not to play it. Returning to Midgar for this thrilling prequel will give newcomers far more of an appreciation for the world of Final Fantasy VII and its characters, while those who have played the PSP original will appreciate the significant improvements in Reunion. Overall, this is a delightful spin-off that should be considered as part of the core Final Fantasy experience.
Dragon Quest Treasures is a real gem of a spin-off that will delight any fan of the Dragon Quest series. Those who grew up playing Dragon Quest Monsters will have the most appreciation for Treasures, which pays homage to and modernises the gameplay of this fan-favourite series. Through its approachable combat and expansive exploration, Treasures manages to create a simple yet addictive adventure that’s truly worth its weight in gold.
Them’s Fightin’ Herds is a fun homage for fans of My Little Pony, but also quite a strong contender for a competitive 2D fighting game. The visuals are very pleasing and the comedy is on point. However, while it’s an easy game to pick up, it’s a difficult game to master. I wouldn’t advise anyone to attempt this with just a controller and to invest some money in a fightstick, which should hopefully make the fights much easier and enjoyable. Overall, I did enjoy my time with the game, but would have preferred to see it be more beginner friendly for anyone not overly adept at fighting games.
Pokemon Scarlet is a conflicting experience to say the least – like a confused Pokemon. While it’s certainly the least polished Pokemon game to date, most fans of the series will still find plenty to enjoy in Paldea. The open world formula and fresh gameplay, even riddled with visual glitches, is clearly a step in the right direction for the franchise. Scarlet also treats players to not only a heartfelt story, but some of the best battle themes heart across the entire series. This is still a must-play for Pokemon fans, even if at times it hurts itself in confusion.
Evil West isn’t going to be for every gamer, as it caters to the hyper-action-savvy players that want everything turned up to 11, and not for those who want to sail through and experience just the story. While it isn’t impossible, it’s a worthy challenge to play through Evil West on Normal or higher, as you can be taken out in a few hits, but the game warrants high-risk-high-reward players with wiping the floor with these enemies once they get a handle on how the game plays.