Alex Hamilton's Reviews
Where it takes mechanics from others in the industry, it improves upon them; where it introduces new ones, you slap your forehead in amazement that it hasn't been done before. Breath of the Wild is development done right, and damn near the best game you'll play all year.
Despite being a fan of the XCOM series as a whole I never expected this new entry to be as polished, intricate, immersive, beautiful and exciting as it is. XCOM 2 is not only one of the greatest strategy games of all time, it's also one of the greatest videogames of all time.
Super Mario Odyssey is a phenomenal return for Nintendo's mustachioed mascot, and (whisper it) the worthy successor to Super Mario 64 that fans have been longing for.
The story is certainly starting to pick up the pace and the player is left wondering who among their current crop of characters will live to see the end. Much like the A Song of Ice and Fire series and A Game of Thrones, nothing is completely certain. A must for fans of either, Telltale are hitting their stride with this series.
Tellale Games have proven that they are more than up to the task of creating a vivid realisation of the Westeros that has found global popularity - as with their previous titles, everything they touch seems destined to turn to gold.
This War of Mine's mechanics are so well polished that you will find yourself playing into the early hours of the morning continually thinking "just one more night", "just one more improvement". Everything from the atmosphere to the characters to the gameplay is presented in a unique and fantastic way.
Overwatch is a punch to the face for multiplayer shooters. It mingles quick-fix, objective-based gameplay with a deep tactical core and intelligent meta, forming a game that is simply perfect in short bites and thoroughly satisfying to play for hours on end.
As we reach the halfway mark in this season it's hard to imagine the main characters surviving for a second one. With the story ramping up and the plot chugging along, all the pieces are moving into place. As ever, a fantastic homage to the franchise and an event better game in its own right.
There's a reason NecroDancer holds a place in the hearts of the many people who played it before its final release: it's an incessantly charming indie game that can eat up hours and leaves an impression long after you've shut it down for the day.
Total War: Warhammer is a lovingly-crafted representation of the Warhammer world that is ripe for players to forge their stories in. It's a must-buy for every Warhammer fan and Total War aficionado and is potentially the best release from the studio since the original Rome: Total War.
Prison Architect started out as a diamond in the rough and has been polished and hewn into a truly unique gaming experience. Introversion Software can be proud that they've built Prison Architect the right way and created an exceptional game unrivalled by many in the industry.
At once gorgeous, accessible, true to the lore and entirely engrossing, there hasn’t been as emphatic a tribute to the universe of Warhammer 40,000 since Dawn of War. Warhammer fans will love it and space RTS bods will enjoy its complexity and depth of tactics. Battlefleet Gothic is a game the God-Emperor Himself would be proud of.
Sandbox possibilities and endless ‘what-if’ questions bump up what is already an impressive level of replayability. Paradox Interactive have created a game that strategy gamers and history buffs should get on their shelves as soon as possible.
There’s very little to dislike about Battlefield 1. What the game is at its core is a beautiful-looking and exciting period shooter that will give fans of the series (and those that have been clamouring for a AAA historical FPS) hours of fun.
Total War: Attila is a triumphant return for the kings of PC battlefield strategy, and hopefully will usher in a new era of incredible Total War titles.
A blisteringly fun early game can be dampened somewhat by the bloated middle and late stages, but Stellaris is another example of Paradox Interactive showcasing that they are the kings of grand strategy, and is a game that every fan of the genre should have in their collection.
A heady mix of expansive story, engrossing combat and silky gameplay makes Knights of Pen and Paper 2 a must for RPG fans looking for adventures on the go.
Football Manager 2016 is another successful entry into a series that is perhaps struggling to find new things to innovate. Changes to tactics, player interaction and the 3D match engine are much welcomed and definitely mark an improvement from last year's game. It will keep fans of the series more than happy (that is until 2017 rolls off the production line next year).
Leviathans is a DLC pack that really adds some meat and bone to Stellaris. It attempts to add to the feeling of discovery the player gets when first reaching out for the stars by rewarding them with the dying remnants of old empires and the challenges of titantic other-wordly life.
A charming platformer to match those in the indie game hall of fame blow-for-blow, Oblitus is an experience that mixes pleasure with pain and can be in parts both utterly punishing and wonderfully rewarding.