SA Gamer's Reviews
Metro Exodus proves that you can have atmosphere and tension in above ground, open areas, but it still shines best in confined, dark spaces. Despite all the modifications, most weapons end up feeling very similar, and you will probably stick to the weapons that you can craft ammo for in the field anyway.
Going up against some stiff competition in the sandbox arena, the destructive power and nostalgia that come with Crackdown 3 doesn't do enough to make it stand out, or even stand up, to the competitors. Even though they took some time to make sure we get it, the cracks are too evident in its foundation and it makes us wish they cracked down on these imperfections.
A fun to play, quick to pick up, horror-themed twin-stick shooter. With stylised art that resembles the arcade classic Ghosts 'n Goblins and light RPG elements that are incorporated with a randomised dungeon room and boss battle set up.
Let's get this straight, Far Cry New Dawn is a reskin of Far Cry 5. It never claimed to be anything different. But in the process of trying to create its own identity, it accidentally stumbled onto something great. The new characters, as well as old ones, make this an experience that is worth going through. The new mechanics and systems are equally as engaging with special mention given to the wonderfully realised Expeditions. The microtransaction heavy resource system and the fact that it is still the same Hope County does hinder it a bit, but it doesn't stop it from being fun. If you like Far Cry 5, this game is for sure up your alley.
Fans have been waiting a long, long time for Kingdom Hearts III and the wait was worth it. Smoother movement and combat, better graphics and large worlds for players to explore feel great, while the story finally ties up many many loose threads that the various prequels, sidequels, alsoquels and the like have added to this spiderweb.
This remake will speak to both newcomers and veterans alike. It's an old school formula that's been spiced up for a modern generation and it works. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat and have your heart skipping a beat, but, most of all, it'll remind you just why it has such a legendary status. It's simply one of the best Resident Evil stories ever told and this remake honours that.
Tales of Vesperia rightfully holds its reputation as one of the most surprising JRPG experiences out there. With a wonderful cast of colourfully fleshed out characters, this adventure is one that you won't soon forget and will be happy that you embarked on it. The start is still slow and the decision to use a new voice actor in new scenes is pretty jarring, but once you get over that and allow the game to spread its wings, you're off to paradise.
Battle Princess Madelyn is what happens when one mixes the whimsical mind of a seven-year-old child with the gameplay of old-school retro titles. Despite its flaws, the game provides an overall enjoyable experience.
While going away from the franchise's roots may have been an interesting idea in some far off universe, we instead got a game devoid of any cohesion or structure that is also really badly designed to the point of frustration. Suda51's off-the-shelf humour couldn't save a story so full of holes that you can mistake it for Swiss cheese. Nothing in this world can make me recommend this game. With dull combat, terrible visuals and just lazy design, this is an instantly forgettable game that failed its legacy completely. A true tragedy.
The conclusion to The City That Never Sleeps still carries the sins of the previous entries, giving us recycled activities and a rushed story, but the overall experience is a genuinely fun final romp through New York City. Lots of areas could have been improved, but if you're looking for more Spidey action, that's exactly what you're going to get.
The Mega Drive Collection is a wonderful nostalgic return to the games of SEGA's golden age. Despite missing a few favourites, the collection includes something for almost everyone and with the addition of save states, a rewind feature and a virtually immaculate presentation it feels fun, familiar and accessible. In short, this is what a great retro-game collection looks like.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is all things you want from a traditional side-scrolling Mario game. It is fun, creative and the platforming feels great. However, while the few additions do bring something new, after finishing it - it felt a little like seeing James Bond ordering tea at the bar. He may ask for it "shaken, not stirred" and it may be really good tea, but it's missing that 'kick' to make it truly cool and special again.
Beat Saber is, quite simply, the perfect VR game. Slashing blocks with lightsabers couldn't be more fun and it's accessible to everyone. It takes the concept of virtual reality and implements a hyper-focused gameplay experience to deliver an experience unlike anything you've ever seen before. While being relatively simple in its design, everything is just set dressing for the lightsaber flailing madness that you'll partake in. And you'll love every second of it.
There are so many modes, fighters, stages, a soundtrack to die for and, finally, an adventure mode that'll last you longer than most single-player games. It's not just the ultimate Super Smash Bros. game - it's the ultimate crossover fighter.
Ride 3 is a rock solid racing game. It combines realism with outright fun in a manner that few motorbike games before it have managed. The graphics are starting to look and feel a bit dated, but the game has the right heart. All we need now is for them to make it look the part!
Mutant Year Zero is full of fun and tense moments. If you enjoy being challenged at almost every turn, this tactics game is something to cut your teeth on. If not you might find the game too frustrating as you hit the load game button once again.
A wordless, calm game that manages to transmit so much narratively using only wonderfuly serene music and pretty visuals. The somewhat undirected gameplay loop suffers a little from underused mechanics and can become a little repetitive, however, due to its 2-hour-long duration the music, visuals and fun tranquil exploring is substantial enough to provide a short but very enjoyable experience.
Darksiders 3 has heart, but a lot of the organs around it are failing, detracting from the experience. So much has been stripped away from the other Darksiders games, making it far too easy to stare at the flaws.
As someone who never saw themselves living out life in the country managing crops and livestock counting every grain as to determine whether all my efforts were fruitful, Farm Simulator 19 reaffirms that it will never be part of my train of thought. For those who are interested though, they may find a lot to look forward to and will be bombarded with many pieces of information based on the time put into nurturing their piece of horticultural heaven. Beginners won't feel that at ease during the early stages, but I guess a decent amount of time spent in the game might start making sense after a while. It's no technical marvel, but like any trusty old tractor, it does what it does for those who like it.
With a new world, a host of new items, a new career and a fleshed out fame system, Get Famous is an excellent addition to The Sims 4. If you enjoyed previous fame-themed packs in the Sims franchise, or are looking for something fresh for your Sims to do, check out The Sims 4 Get Famous.