Elliot Attard
Divinity Original Sin 2 is that perfect sequel, it knew what made the original great, understood its weaknesses and then went balls to the wall to attempt to make the best product possible. Without a doubt, Divinity Original Sin 2 is up there with some of the best games released this year, and up their with some of the best CRPGs ever released.
Hob creates a magical and wondrous world that adapts and changes thanks to your input. Watching the world shift around you and sometimes underneath you is awe-inspiring and magnificent. Seeing the fruits of your labour literally coming to life is one of Hob’s biggest selling points and makes the game worth playing by itself. The game’s art, world design and wordless narrative all come together to make a genuinely special experience. Some aspects of Hob’s gameplay and systems can hold it back from being truly unique and captivating, but it more than makes up for it through personality and liveliness alone.
There is a chasm the size of middle-earth itself that separates the ingenuity of the game’s Nemesis system and the snorefest that is the game’s ‘point of interest’ system
Combining cathartic Nazi-slaying violence with genuine poignancy, beautiful writing and moments of great humour. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a game you should experience
The devs updated almost every aspect of the game, most of which for the better, but I just can’t get over how the game handles scenarios. It feels like such a fantastic product structurally speaking but I’d be lying if I didn’t say my enjoyment wasn’t heavily impacted by long and frustrating decks
What frustrates me the most about Anthem is that the things that work in the game's favour are really well implemented. It feels like a complete waste to have these awesome traversal and combat mechanics utilised in such an uninspired game
Baba Is You is genuinely impressive. Changing the rule set of the game as you play is a powerful and compelling tool.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice scratches the Souls itch but does so with some uniqueness and refreshing ideas. This game is not for the faint of heart, however.
...the longer you play the more problems you notice and the more you realise that the game simply doesn’t feel complete or coherent. I don’t think Generation Zero will be remembered fondly in the future, if remembered at all.
It may not be a flawless victory, but Mortal Kombat 11 puts up one hell of fight.
DARQ certainly doesn't overstay its welcome, presenting a short and concise experience. But when is short too short?
I can forgive the game for a lot of its shortcomings, although there’s something about Borderlands 3 that I absolutely cannot forgive – its technical problems.
Orangeblood throws you into an alternative history timeline where you control a party of girls taking on the dirty and corrupt underworld of a Japanese municipality. It’s a game that merges cultures and aesthetics in a uniquely interesting way, but also struggles to find its footing at the same time.
Journey to the Savage Planet borrows from a bunch of different titles and genres but combines them in a way that makes a unique and engaging experience. The game is a testament to how a focused vision backed up by a talented team is a winning formula for game design. I found the game captivating, enthralling, exciting and wondrous. It’s a game I won’t soon forget and intend to return back to with a coop partner for another session of otherworldly exploration, humorous shenanigans and punting Pufferbirds across the gorgeous landscape.
The Suicide of Rachel Foster has all the components of a great game. It has mature themes and storytelling, an idea for a mysterious and captivating narrative, and the ability to replicate a style of game that’s been embraced by gamers for the last decade. Unfortunately the game also stumbles across a few hurdles that it was never able to recover from.
Bloodroots isn’t overly long but the game length was more than satisfying. There’s a story that will carry you through the game but it certainly isn’t the most important or noteworthy element of the experience. Impressively, Bloodroots mixes things up as you play with boss fights or sections of game that differ from what came before it. I particularly enjoyed the moments where the game would spice things up, alter the perspective, or change up the playing field to keep things fresh and stylishly new.
Very few games are able to make me feel as powerful as this one does. So bust out you gun, sharpen your blade, and get ready to wipe demon juice off the soles of your feet.
...Deep Rock Galactic finds a way to create one of the most compelling co-op games I’ve had the pleasure of playing in recent memory.
When it works, Fall Guys is a remarkably fun experience. It’s a rich and satisfying romp that silly yet rewarding. It’s the exact kind of game we needed right now, a perfectly joyous distraction from a lot of the shittyness around us. Fall Guys has the structure of a delightful game with a lot of longevity. All it needs now is continued support and smart updates to propel it even further forward.
Risk of Rain 2 is definitely a content-rich experience. The game has ripened and matured throughout the Early Access process and has turned into a co-op game well worth experiencing. Even solo, the Roguelike elements keep things feeling fresh and fun with so much potential for satisfying chaos. Take a bit of time to get over the initial difficulty barrier of this game and you’re set for an incredibly cathartic experience.