Michael Brown
In all the game works mechanically well but lacks innovation and plays it too safe. The oversimplified gameplay mixed with lacklustre combat make for a game that plays well but leaves you with the disappointing notion of what could have been.
Setsuna is a good game and that’s really the problem, it’s just good. The games intention of being a love letter the to JRPG’s of yesteryear have kept the game void of any originality and spark. The game is stuck in the shadow of those games, playing it far too safe to rear a head of its own.
Hue is a great indie puzzle platformer with charm and character. It's color themed mechanics work well and allow for some great puzzle platforming.
In all Sorcerer Kings Rivals remains exactly what the original was, a decent game. It lacks the customization and in depth options of its competitors' but it's theme and unique qualities make it a fun experience, at least for a while.
This is one expansion that is a must for new and old. The improvements and additions made are useful to all players. The changes made to diplomacy and religions allow for a much more in depth experience, and traits add to that sense of character.
The Leviathans DLC is in my opinion an absolute must for Stellaris players. The content offered is high quality and produces some great in game experiences. The additions add strategic depth to the overall game and frankly, I couldn’t see anyone going back after playing this.
Another fantastic game from Obsidian, the formula they have created from Pillars has served up another brilliant RPG for people to sink their teeth into for hours of Tyrannical enjoyment.
Ascension is a fantastic stand-alone that is a superior game in every way to its predecessor. It’s perfect for both new players and veterans and both with have plenty of content to get their teeth into.
Like I said, there’s a lot to like about the game but there are problems in equal proportion that stem from the base game. The expansion doesn’t do anything to add to the game or resolve issues. It adds more content for those diehard fans of the game, but fails to do anything that would revitalize the system to attract new players.
Realm of the Wood Elves is a solid addition to Total War Warhammer and a much needed one. As the first introduction of the Elves, the DLC does a fantastic job of delivering a great roster of units with unique gameplay mechanics that allow the race to play very differently to that of any other faction.
While it still could be saved the technical state of the game is so bad that it cannot be seen for what it does right. Even the good parts of the game are plagued by the negatives and the frequent FPS drops make gameplay vomit inducing.
A solid indie real time strategy that is held back by a few flaws but retains a sense of what it wanted to be. This indie command and conquer could be a strong starting place for Stormcube to expand into the genre in the future.
Regardless of its few flaws, Rise & Shine is a fun, vibrant arcade shooter that should please fans of the genre and remain accessible enough for newcomers. Its light-hearted approach, humour and gunplay make for a enjoyable fast paced experience that is filled with smirks.
Sanctus Reach is a well-executed Warhammer 40,000 game that should easily please turn based strategy fans and provides plenty of content for the price.
Stars in Shadow has some limitations that are defined by its indie development, but exceeds preconceptions with the amount of content and its near flawless execution. It's an indie game truly for the 4Xer to revel in.
Overall, Urban Empire is a solid outing for Kalypso and has a nice blend of city building and political management that players of the genre should find interesting. It has flaws but its new perspective on an old formula is something that can be explored further in the future.
Tales of Berseria is a strong return to form from Bandai Namco and this return to form has produced one of the best Tales games out there in terms of story and overall quality.
Developers Arachnid games have created a world the is full of charm that is very vivid and fun, the game certainly has issues with its technical state and the horrendously frustrating camera but still provides an enjoyable experience.
Alone With You is overall a narrative driven game that is severely hampered by its shallow repetitive gameplay, and while the narrative has plenty of depth, the mind-numbing tasks in between story moments become tiresome quickly.
A unique enjoyable wargame that offers something different while remaining easy to pick and play.