Qualbert.com's Reviews
It’s been 5 years of the PlayStation 5 and Astro’s second outing on this console is brimming with charm. Whilst the 10-12 hour story is bare bones and the PlayStation theme borders on overbearing, the endearing little Bots more than make up for these slight negatives. Astro Bot feels like a direct continuation rather than a sequel, but this doesn’t subtract from the glorious visuals, smooth gameplay and crisp audio. If you played Astro’s Playroom then you may feel like this is slightly less original, but regardless, the hunt for iconic characters to feel that sense of nostalgia and the special additional levels are a joy for PlayStation fans of all ages!
I’ll keep riding this wave of nostalgia if the end result is a great game, and Akimbot is just that. Developed over three years in spare time, Evil Raptor knew their target audience and have a solid title to offer here. With just some nitpicks here and there, no glaring issues are present in Akimbot. It’s the total package, with a decent game length and has enough going on to keep players hooked.
Stellar Blade isn’t a perfect game. But in my view it is a great one, particularly as a first major ‘AAA’ release, and the first release for the studio on any console. Sony definitely did the right thing in snapping up Shift Up Corporation to bring them into the Sony Studios family, and I am looking forward to see what they come up with next!
It pains me to not easily recommend Star Wars Outlaws, as it’s got so much Star Wars DNA and a competent formula for the most part. If the stealth felt more like being sneaky and less like moving like a snake to avoid sightlines, and the combat rewarded skill in your ability to overcome enemies instead of just spawning more and more, this would be a home run. What’s really here is unpolished, tiresome fighting that makes up most of your gameplay amidst the rest of the pieces of the pie that are strong.
Returning to this one of kind RPG world created by the talented team of 8 at The Gentlebros has been an absolute delight albeit a very short one. This can be forgiven by how much attention to detail they have placed in the pirate themed designs, sounds and of course puns. Cat Quest 3 lives up to its promise of being a seafaring adventure for all to enjoy whilst containing snippets of an overall story that fans will enjoy. Come for the booty looting pirate travels but stay for the puns and catitude!
I’m torn on this title. From the original announcement, I was excited to get my hands on something where I could test my skills online with the games I grew up with. But the majority of Nintendo World Championships’ missions are just abysmal wastes of time that are barely fun to play once, let alone repeatedly. This title does have some promise, but unfortunately in its current state I would much prefer to play any of those three games rather than this.
To close the case, this is a perfect example of “less is more” as Nobody Wants To Die provides an enthralling story that you can’t tear yourself away from. Like almost every good thriller or murder mystery, you need a good twist or ending to make sure it imprints on the viewer/player. Whilst the set up, audio and graphics is incredible, the slightly confusing ending might go over some people’s heads, especially if you weren’t paying attention. It also wrapped up everything very quickly and had me wondering if that was all there was.
Of the three collections in the Integrum Masterpiece, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 Remix has all the essentials and the ones that the majority of fans grew up with. With an MSRP of $49.99 US for hundreds of hours of gameplay, it’s a no-brainer for anyone seeking the nostalgia, as these ports are of magnificent quality and polish – a rarity in the modern PC gaming landscape.
Made it to the end of the review and made it out alive? Then surely you’re intrigued enough to venture into the mysterious metro tunnels. Despite its minimalist nature, The Exit 8 VR is a surreal experience only enhanced thanks to the immersion provided through virtual reality. At just over an hour long, it’s a bite-sized experience that feels less like a videogame, and more like an interactive piece of art. If you’re a VR enthusiast and have a fascination for the disturbing, you’d be mad not to enter the Exit 8 VR.
Sometimes more of the same isn’t generally a good thing, but here it’s what everyone has wanted plus more. This is the perfect example of an expansion done right, by adding a tonne of new enemies, new mandatory and optional areas to explore, challenging bosses all whilst fitting into the existing game seamlessly. From Software continues its winning streak of difficult but rewarding games as Shadow of the Erdree is officially the best rated DLC of all time. After completing it, I can definitely see why it earned that well deserved title.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a game that exceeds the previous game in the series in every conceivable way. It looks better, it sounds better, there are more minigames (WAY more), the entire adventure is significantly longer and, most importantly, it hits many of the emotional highs and lows of the (almost) unbeatable Final Fantasy VII story. We meet more of the main characters of the original game in this outing, and they are more fleshed out than ever before.
A true 90s classic has been brought back to life by Nightdive Studios in amazingly difficult precision. Although released last year on PC, console players now have access to this intricate revival. Whilst definitely not a game for everyone, System Shock fully deserves this remake treatment despite its 30 year old flaws. The satisfaction of figuring out the demanding puzzles and punishing boss battles are reminiscent of a Soulsborne game, making the trek through this hazardous space station more than worthwhile.
As with most Devolver Digital titles, gameplay is the name of the game, and Children of the Sun is at its best when you’ve just figured out how to whittle away a staggering amount of enemies with what looks like relative ease. The process of getting there can be frustrating when you’ve brainstormed and tinkered around tons of strategies, but the end result of puzzle success generates dopamine like no other game can.
From top to bottom, Horizon: Forbidden West’s PC port is a great thing for PC gaming. Not only does it show that a feature-complete, well-polished AAA port on PC should become the norm and not a diamond in the rough, it’s a grand time to have with its enhancements on the platform. It’s must-play territory for anyone who enjoyed Horizon: Zero Dawn or wants to sink their teeth into a large adventure in the shoes of a protagonist that gets things done.
Alone in the Dark doesn’t break new ground gameplay-wise in the horror survival genre, but the story really delves into heavy psychological horror themes. This, along with the acting and frantic characters, really is a love letter to this genre, even if it is a bit too similar to older games in some aspects.
In creating the universe of Helldivers, Arrowhead Studios has drawn inspiration from the sci-fi cult classics Starship Troopers and Alien which really shows. The gameplay elements and world-building are fantastic, with a solid and fair progression system alongside a few minor inclusions for those who want to invest a touch more money into this game. A lack of story mode and online-only component may deter some players but with the servers struggling at launch this doesn’t seem to be an issue.
The tale of the two Banishers is one that is worth being told. Although some parts of the story may seem a bit drawn-out this is more of a case of experiencing the smaller details to add up to the whole. Some games may be bingeable but Ghosts of New Eden is best done slowly. Your choices will effect the ending and there is a tonne of side content and smaller stories to experience. Each one different to the last.
While Penny’s Big Breakaway maintains everything that wowed players in Sonic Mania’s presentation, Evening Star’s transition into 3D isn’t without some stumbles and trips. A few fixes, like being able to bind the dash button away from the swing button, or some more keen playtesting to iron out certain sections that feel like work to get through, and this game could reach greatness.
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean is a game that despite being over 20 years in age still manages to soar above the typical JRPG fare with its whimsical mix of floating islands, mystical cards, and a revenge plot that becomes a mission to save the whole world. This is a game that has aged gracefully, and with its shiny new coat of paint, it remains a delightful rollercoaster ride through a stunning fantasy world.
While the Geometry Survivor’s lack of traditional levels may deter some players looking for a more structured experience, this is the perfect indie homage to the beautiful simplicity of Geometry Wars. If you’re a seasoned veteran of the series, or a newcomer who loves a good arcade shooter, you’d be mad to not give this one a shot. It’s clear that the devs have strived to carry on the neon-lit legacy of this cult classic series.