Nexus Hub's Reviews
Forza Horizon 4 is one of the best racing games of this generation, and a perfect open-world driving showcase for the Xbox One, Xbox One X and PC.
Horizon Zero Dawn is a perfect mixture of great gameplay and excellent story. It has introduced PlayStation’s next big franchise and its next iconic figure in Aloy. The dissonance of Stone Age people living together with futuristic animal-like machines is a mystery steeped in intrigue, set in an open-world with rich rewards for exploration.
With crisp and colourful visuals, a soundtrack that mixes traditional and modern music scores and out of this world boss battles, Super Mario Odyssey is a milestone in both the highly acclaimed Mario franchise and gaming history in general.
Monster Hunter World is the most well-rounded, visually spectacular, and overall best Monster Hunter game in the entire series.
I certainly will keep on playing. A game like this that has over 95 different species that need to be curated, hundreds of objects to research and decorations to be… decorated? There is still so much to be done! I'm ready to dive right back in.
The Outer Worlds' dark sense of humour and dialogue is what makes this satirical capitalist introspection great, and proves that a small team with a passion for their craft can outclass a big budget and flashy set pieces.
Ghost of Tsushima is a fitting swan song for the PS4, and ends this generation of PlayStation on a triumphant note. Sucker Punch have to be applauded for once again creating a jaw-dropping open world with strong visual fidelity and some of the best art direction they've ever achieved.
Bluepoint Games have once again proven to be masters of their craft with the Demon's Souls remake. The visuals are jaw-dropping, making it feel like the most next-gen game out on the market. However, it does nothing to jeopardize the novelty of From Software's classic; instead, it simply enhances and improves the experience.
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition just made my 2019 Game of the Year pick even better. Vergil is arguably now the best character to play in the game, with a playstyle that's fast, aggressive and super-stylish - and best of all, it contrasts beautifully with the core group of characters.
Little Nightmares 2 is an absolutely brilliant puzzle platformer, with just enough creepy to keep you on the edge of your seat. An excellent step-up from their first outing, Tarsier Studios has created a phenomenal world, tackling incredibly adult concepts from the perspective of a child.
As much as I can break down all the great things about Returnal, I think a simpler statement would be that this is the strongest candidate for Game of the Year so far for me. More importantly, is the addictiveness that is repetitive insistence in trying to conquer a challenge that has done nothing but beat you down. The joy and elation when you finally beat a section you have struggled with, or a boss that has given you your backside, is a feeling that is indescribable, and that is what Returnal is: indescribable.
For fans of Arkane waiting for a Dishonored 3, this will not scratch that itch, nothing can, but it will give you a new Arkane sandbox to play in - a new universe to practice your death dealing skills in, and a terrific new mystery to lose yourself in.
With the best handling model on console, truly breathtaking visuals and a comprehensive and extensive campaign to boot, this is the series' finest outing yet. Anyone with a mild interest in racing should add Gran Turismo 7 to their library.
I hate and love everything Naughty Dog and its developers make me feel through this game. I still love every second of it. It goes without saying that if you have not played The Last of Us before, well there should be no question about whether you should pick this up.
Hogwarts Legacy beautifully captures the awe-inspiring magic and wonder of the Harry Potter movies and the Wizarding World. It's a massive, densely packed RPG with so much care and passion poured into it by Avalanche Software.
Final Fantasy XVI is not perfect and won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it personally hit almost all of the right notes for me to consider it an absolute must-play and a refreshingly mature take on the franchise. The combat is highly addictive, the story is captivating and the Eikon battles are jaw-dropping spectacles.
Dragon's Dogma 2 makes bold creative decisions that pay off big time - highly ambitious, demanding and rewarding in equal measure, it's the kind of masterful action-RPG that rewrites the rule books.
I can’t praise Xenoblade Chronicles 2 enough. I loved every moment of the game and even after finishing it there are still so many secrets to unlock. It’s very rare that I can play a game for 16 hours straight and still want to go back for more the next day.
F1 2019 does an amazing job, once again, at making you feel like an actual Formula 1 driver, and the attention to detail is what has always set this franchise apart. The inclusion of F2 into the F1 campaign is fantastic, but it would be great to see it extended.
It is a return to form for the series, and it’s great to see another official 2D Metroid title come out from Nintendo after more than a decade.