Rebecca Stow
- Bloodborne
- INSIDE
- What Remains of Edith Finch
Rebecca Stow's Reviews
Perfecting the mechanics the franchise established way back in 1999, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a crazy, chaotic joy. With a gargantuan roster of fighters, an amazing adventure mode and more unlockables than would ever have seemed possible, this is a game that packs one heck of a punch.
Oxenfree really is a spectacular piece of gaming. With an original concept, an eerie abandoned island as the perfect setting and the power to shape the story as the player sees fit, this game is an phenomenal experience that should not be missed.
While Sekiro certainly shares DNA with the previous Soulsborne games, fundamental sword-fighting battle mechanic changes leave it feeling fresh. However, as the old saying goes, when you live by the sword, you die by the sword, and players need to be aware that this is a game that will see you die many, many times.
Post-apocalyptic Oregon is clearly a place developer Bend Studio have thought a lot about, and crafted with tremendous amounts of care and attention to detail.
The stunning graphics, incredible survival horror combat and wonderfully eerie setting make picking up a copy of Resident Evil 2 a no-brainer.
Clementine’s character is renowned as being one of the most impactful and most beloved videogame characters ever. Seeing her entire story retold with beautiful graphics and supported by a plethora of extras feels deserved and right.
Similar to how Breath of the Wild and Odyssey reimagined 3D Zelda and Mario, New Horizons represents an exciting new milestone for the Animal Crossing series.
Pinstripe is the result of one man’s passionate attempt to create a whimsical tale which sits shoulder to shoulder with other highly regarded indie titles. Pinstripe not only matches the success of these games but in some cases surpasses them by delivering a clean cut adventure, one which is hard to forget and easy to recommend.
In short, Old Man’s Journey is a pleasant meander through an old man’s life and the town he lives in. It’s a masterclass in visual storytelling one which draws out emotion from every player. This touching tale is a path that deserves to be trodden by all gamers.
Subnautica is a perfect example an open world survival game that doesn't rely on action, horror or combat elements to excite. Whilst these classic gaming features are involved to an extent, they take a back seat compared to the story, crafting and surviving elements. And this is what sets Subnautica apart from other survival experiences out there. Don't let this be the one that got away.
The first thing that strikes you about 2D puzzle platformer INSIDE is its visuals. The eerie dystopian environment and muted colour pallet is unsettling, and immediately haunting. Utilising minimalist white, grey and black tones, INSIDE somehow manages to be both melancholic and powerfully alluring – it’s impossible to look away.
A New Frontier mixes up the popular dynamic established in seasons one and two. But the introduction of the García family is a risk that pays off and Javier’s empathy and love for his family made for a protagonist I loved just as much as Lee in season one and Clementine in season two. Although the connection between season two and three is relatively weak, season three explores themes that are rarely found in videogames. Bottom line, A New Frontier feels fresh, tense and innovative. The most memorable season yet.
If Tim Burton was a video game developer then Little Nightmares would be his fever dream. This dark indie puzzler was one of the most anticipated games of 2017 and I’m happy to report that it didn’t disappoint.
Hot on the heels of Little Nightmares came the first of three DLC expansions, ‘The Depths’. Part one focuses on a young faceless boy (the so-called Runaway Kid) as he attempts to escape his horrifying fate upon the Maw.
With over fifteen different race tracks to test you, a range of weather conditions and the unlimited possibilities for modifying the numerous cars available, F1 2017 is anything but repetitive. The tiny details in this game make this the most authentic driving experience yet. One that truly puts you in the driver’s seat.
Aer: Memories of Old is essentially a love letter to The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, utilising the same formula which made the sixteenth edition to the Zelda franchise so successful. On a cluster of islands floating in the sky we meet our protagonist, Auk, a shape shifter who can transform into a bird to traverse the various shrines and temples scattered amongst the clouds.
Okami HD is what you would call a unique game. Traditional Japanese culture influences the art-style, the story and just about every inch of the game’s world, Nippon. Nippon itself is a peaceful place to start with, but that peace is suddenly shattered by the forces of evil. It’s up to god of the sun, Amaterasu (in the form of a white wolf), to get things back on track.
Shadow of the Colossus has proven to be a timeless classic and one which deserves to be played by nostalgic fans and first-time players alike. Although the concept appears to be repetitive, the story is powered forward by the player's desire to slay the sixteen colossi and bring back Wander's sleeping love. The final moral twist and the emotional conclusion to the end of the game is powerful, and memorable and it helps elevate Shadow of the Colossus to the highest standard of storytelling.
| Review Archaeologist Amelia Cross awakens stranded in a strange alien world. Her whereabouts unknown, the only familiarity is a fellow survivor also lost within the expanse. Fitted with a power suit which enables the manipulation of the environment via creation of ‘cubes’ Amelia must use this technology to unravel the secrets of this vast alien world and find her way back home.
Awakening in the Lady’s private residence what seems like moments after The Hideaway ended, the Runaway kid is confronted with a Resident Evil-esque mansion filled with secret passages, trick rooms and ingenious puzzles intended to keep prying eyes away. Bathed in eerie shadows, the Lady’s library comes complete with tumbling piles of books, towering marble statues and shattered mirrors.