Xbox Tavern
HomepageXbox Tavern's Reviews
As mentioned in the video I love crossovers and nostalgia and this game combines both for me. The RPG mechanics may be a bit shallow but there is enough content and characters to keep you and your kids involved for hours. The voices may not be exactly as you remember but it doesn't take away from the feeling you are back watching a new episode of a cartoon you grew up with. This one was just a fun (albeit a repetitive at times but that's okay) adventure when you go in not expecting deep and complicated gameplay mechanics. So set your expectations and have some fun!
Borderlands 4 is easily the strongest entry in the franchise is years. It refocuses the core, fun gameplay, build creativity and exploration. The narrative is better anchored, and the polish in many systems shows growth. It's not without its blemishes, where it does have some performance and optimization issues, however overall it is a very, very good game.
I am not saying that Sonic games are back, but I am definitely saying that Sonic racing games are back. This is a game that loves accessible racing and has an adoration for its own franchise. It has elevated each part of what came before, and I don’t think Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds can be dismissed as the ‘other kart racing’ game anymore.
Bouts of input delay on Xbox ruin the experience, and it’s not something to play solo, but Wobbly Life, with co-op buddies, can be a surprising amount of fun. There’s a vast array of things to do, and the hilarity of the physics can make for some funny, rage-inducing moments.
Lego Voyagers is equal parts lovely to look at, simple yet engaging to play, and an all round good time for co-op players no matter their skill level.
Heading Out has a clear sense of style and carries the whole experience. It falters a little with the driving model and some small bugs.
After Streets of Rage 4, I wasn’t sure bringing back another of the 16-bit classics would have quite the same impact, but I was wrong. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an incredibly fun action platformer, with fantastic combat design, enemy encounters, optional challenges, and the audio visual presentation to really make it sing. I’m done with the story but am already itching to get back and play the unlocked Arcade and Boss Rush modes, and whether you have nostalgia for the old days or not, this is quite simply one of the best games of the year, so get it played.
It takes something special for me to love a walking sim and trust me there are some really good ones out there. Arctic Awakening does fine, and I’d hear an argument to include it within top contenders. For me though, what holds it back is the length and the slowness that comes with it. Technical bugs aside, Arctic Awakening is worthy title in the genre however and fans should keep an eye out.
A bit of style over substance, with Zoe Begone!’s controls proving too big a hurdle in getting to the fun for my tastes.
The tech art and art direction deserve commendation as Echoes of the End is frequently breathtaking. The gameplay design is similarly breathtaking but in the way that it sucks all the oxygen out of the room.
Dead Reset is an enjoyable sci-fi horror story, with fun characters, great b-movie effects and gruesome deaths, and is ripe for several playthroughs to see how different we can make the outcomes of the crew. The time loop addition means we even get a small sliver of experimentation in our choices, as a bad one means we can try again almost without penalty - a rarity in these types of games.
Nine months is a bit too long of a wait for this DLC to truly recommend returning to the game for, but newer players who will have it folded into their organic playthrough are in for a tough but enjoyable addition to an already excellent game.
A stunningly presented psychological horror title with some excellent twists and turns that is only let down by a few obtuse puzzles, Luto is a strong debut title and easily makes its case as one of the better indie horrors in recent times.
Robots at Midnight brings little to the genre that is new. It is decent enough but lacks the spark to elevate it.
Overall happy to see TMNT cross yet another genre, but Tactical Takedown just barely makes a good grade. It’s not bad but it does nothing for the genre to make me want more of it. I can, for sure, recommend this for those wanting a more toned down turn-based strategy experience, especially if you love the Turtles, however. Veterans to these games will likely find Tactical Takedown a bit slow and too simple.
What a ride that was! Viewfinder was pretty much exactly what I expected going into it and fortunately stayed that way the whole time. No matter how hard or easy a puzzle or chapter was, I always felt great completing a level. There aren’t a lot of negatives to say about the game, just an easy recommendation for those who enjoy puzzles and particularly ones that make you think outside the box.
Ra Ra Boom is a fun, colourful scrolling brawler/shooter that has plenty of charm and good replay value. Some small niggles in the combat and early game power levels aside, this is one for those looking for some couch co-op brawling good times.
If you're up for a fantastic yarn and gorgeous sights, Mafia: The Old Country is outstanding, meaning you'll be totally sold by its presentation. The moments, the story and the characters are top-notch, and there's not much to criticize on that front. However, The Old Country is old-fashioned with forced and bland stealth sections, predictable gunplay, and a lack of newness when it comes to the game's mechanics—also the knife fights are unexciting and rote. You can have a blast with The Old Country if gameplay isn't your utmost concern, but if it is, you may need to absolve it of its sins, because while the gunplay is functional and enjoyable enough, it lacks nuance and weapon variety. Altogether, The Old Country is definitely worth taking in, but when gameplay is king, you may feel underwhelmed that it spends more time focusing on its visual and storytelling qualities than it does on crafting a sophisticated playable experience.
Heartworm is a love letter to survival horrors of the 90’s, with a great look and feel that apes those older games brilliantly. Boring boss fights, an uninspiring tale, and some user interface niggles stop this being a full-hearted recommendation, but if you’re in the market for old school Resident Evil-like gaming, then this should fit the bill nicely.
A fantastic cast brings a very real light to harsh realities of the entertainment industry, accompanied by some brilliantly realised puzzle/horror gameplay that oozes tension and atmosphere throughout the entire story.