Qualbert.com's Reviews
Over the several hours I played, I felt like I did everything I could in the beta, unlockable skins aside. Each match rarely took longer than 10 minutes and occasionally I had such a bad team it was over in 5. There is a real lack of depth here which is probably not that surprising, however I was hoping for something more than just a general multiplayer game.
Bramble is known as a rough and prickly shrub which has long thorny roots that generally grows different types of sweet berries. This is exactly what this game is, a rough adventure with a sweet message at its core. This game is heavy in its exposition and themes, so if you decide to open this book be wary but also you will get glued to the screen to see what happens next. Although only taking about six hours to roll credits, this is definitely an experience that everyone should enjoy.
Let me be the one to get the brew ha ha happening for Coffee Talk 2. Toge Productions have definitely served up some liquid gold here. If you are looking for a cute story with interesting characters and simple gameplay then this might be the game for you. Though it will be served up on every platform, the morning buzz is that Coffee Talk 2 is releasing day one on Xbox Gamepass – so anybody on that platform in particular has no excuse not to wake up and pour themselves a cup of Joe.
For a spin-off to stray so far from the gameplay of its source material is a huge risk, and yet Bayonetta Origins somehow delivers this in spades. Crafting a charming narrative exploring Bayonetta’s beginnings, this game does so with a delightfully unique visual style and unbelievably polished audio design. By blending fairy-tale style with intuitive single-player co-op that relies upon the relationship of its protagonists, Cereza and the Lost Demon is an origin story you won’t want to put down until you close the book on the final chapter.
Black Salt Games have certainly proven they can create something that is set apart from everything else. Dredge will reel you in with its addictive gameplay loop and beautiful landscapes. Whilst the story and music lack slightly, for a developer team size of four, this is an incredible feat for a first outing. If you love fishing in larger sized games as a side activity and want to play something solely focused on that, then this is the one!
It was a pleasure to return to the world of Tales of Symphonia and experience the fantastic story once again. However, it was not a pleasure to look at this version of the game. Maybe we are spoiled in this era of 4k / 60fps games, but I honestly found it hard to push through this one, even knowing the excellent narrative that awaited.
Like a Dragon: Ishin has a little something for everyone. A compelling story, mini games to suit all tastes, an easy to learn but repetitive combat system and plenty of side jobs to keep you busy. At first I found it all a little overwhelming but found myself soon running all over the city knowing I had so much to do. Even after almost a hundred hours in, I still haven’t finished everything. Though I have also heard that if you just want to stick to the story you can get everything done in as fast as four hours. Why you want to do something crazy like that though is beyond me.
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.