The Skinny's Reviews
All in all TLoU: Remastered is a compelling package; not only does it look and play better than the original, it's full of extra content and currently has a healthy online, multi-player community. And you know what, it's so good, if it came out on PlayStation 5 as The Last of Us: Remastered (The Director's Cut) we'd probably buy it again.
While some Souls purists may grumble that the easing of the series' legendary obfuscation strips away some of the sense of accomplishment that lies at the heart its unique appeal, From Software have managed to strike the right balance with Dark Souls 2, allowing more players to get the most out of the game without compromising on the fiendish difficulty that has become its hallmark.
With the Wii U struggling sales-wise, and in danger of becoming a footnote of this current generation, a new Mario Kart is exactly the game Nintendo needed, and the fact it's perhaps the best iteration since the original doesn't hurt either.
Revelations 2 has plenty of action and atmosphere, but it's the emphasis on gunplay and tight mechanics that really make you feel like there's a glimmer of hope for the series again.
Dying Light manages to keep its errand-style missions fresh because its world is so rich; even when you're doing something that feels familiar the inclusion of co-op helps rejuvenate the experience. It might not be perfect, but Techland should be proud that they've created something that's ultimately fun to play and really gets your blood pumping.
As with previous instalments, LBP3 can be seen as a game of two halves; the standard platform fare and the online community building. The former is certainly the series' best yet although if that's all you come for you'll probably feel short-changed in gaming time. The latter is as forward-thinking and inventive as ever and fans will relish the new features.
Though brief and beset with occasional frustrations, at its best, Never Alone a simply spellbinding experience and a true reminder of the power of games to transport us to another place.
Pix the Cat is a convincing facsimile of a true arcade classic where it counts – it delivers accessible, yet nuanced score oriented gameplay that can dig right through to the bone within just a few minutes of play. Highly involving and borderline addictive, it's an experience that's perhaps irresponsible to recommend, especially since – like the Shepard Tone it's recursive mazes evoke – it's structure fundamentally dictates that it can never really go anywhere or offer any obvious resolution.
Sure, we may have seen much of what Alien: Isolation has to offer before, but never from this frightening perspective.
Another World feels almost perfect, but twenty years of game innovations have scuffed its veneer.
Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty is an incredible puzzle platformer and a stunning update to an already beloved game. Whether or not you own the original, this new version is well worth picking up, offering an equally rewarding experience for new and returning players.
This is a fantastic game, but for anyone who previously played it on last year's consoles, this version could go amiss. For everyone else with a next gen console wanting to take it for a spin whilst waiting for some true next-gen games, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition will thoroughly entertain and leave you an instant fan of this re-booted series.
Overall, Whispering Willows is a satisfying experience that's straight out of a Disney story-book. There's a happy ending, a brave tween looking for her dad whilst trying to help out ghosts, good graphics, simple but stimulating puzzles and a manageable play-time that all help to leave you with a smile on your face.
Pillars of Eternity takes some of the best aspects of the Infinity Engine RPGs of yesteryear and hammers them into an impressive game that feels slick and intuitive even by modern standards.
Frequent and humorous efforts within the game try to suggest otherwise, but Kerbal Space Program is an intelligent and inspirational game.
In aiming for a slightly different market with this Xbox port, Elite: Dangerous could have fallen foul. However, it's testament to how strong its many different facets are that you can play the game like you're Captain Kirk or Captain Solo and have it work either way.
The initial hours are a slog then, but for a game that requires months, maybe even years of play to get the most out of, that graft will be pretty small potatoes in the long run. Had Elite: Dangerous been published along traditional routes, such a steep learning curve would have probably been avoided by an industry that all-too-often likes to play things safe.
Like The Blair Witch Project, Her Story seems likely to foster a wave of imitators, such is its relative technical ease. However, writer Sam Barlow has certainly set the bar high with his reimagining of what a full-motion video game can be. Whatever it ushers in, Her Story is changing perceptions of what a game can be in the here and now. Case closed.
One minute into the game itself will tell you that there's nothing conventional about Year Walk and this grand step up to a loftier platform is entirely befitting a game of this calibre.
Yoshi's Woolly World is a game that's very easy to love. Sure, it can come across as overly simplistic at times, but it more than makes up for this with its incredible visuals and relaxing score.