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The Alters is 11 Bit Studios' magnum opus; a tense, thrilling, thoughtful game that makes you question what kind of person you want to be.
MindsEye is a broken, boring mess of a game that has somehow been allowed out in the world. It has little glimmers of something semi-entertaining in there with its cutscenes and story, but it's bogged down by a vapid large scale map that is at odds with its aggressively linear campaign, and padded out with a dull repetitive gameplay loop that is nothing short of archaic.
There's a fair amount of depth to Star Trucker if you have the patience for it, and it's all presented with pleasant visuals and Americana stylings that lend it a fun atmosphere. There are some potentially frustrating elements and it's tougher than you might expect, but there's a fulfilling and novel game here for sim fans.
Splitgate 2 is an interesting sequel. In a lot of ways, it fixes the issues we had with the original; it looks nicer, runs better, gameplay is far improved, there's a lot of content on offer, and the portal mechanic is good fun to learn. It's a great pick for those casual sessions with your mates, but we still can't help but feel underwhelmed by it all. The maps are fine, and the cosmetics are dull as dishwater. If you removed the portal mechanics - which were arguably more freeing in the first Splitgate - you'd be left with a competent, but ultimately uninspired shooter.
With out-of-this-world anime production values and a revamped structure that brings a better pace to the overall experience, Zenless Zone Zero is only going from strength to strength. With the introduction of its new district – featuring a pretty fun tycoon management-style minigame – and ever-increasing stakes, the coming year looks bright for HoYoverse’s hyper-cool urban outing.
From one odd scenario to the next, to a T manages to be just as quirky and ludicrous as it is personal and touching. The overriding emotion, though, is one of joy. to a T is the perfect pick-me-up, guaranteed to make you smile no matter the circumstances.
Elden Ring Nightreign is a very interesting game that's likely going to divide FromSoftware fans. It's not the hand-crafted RPG that we've come to expect from the storied developer, but it does manage to take much of the gameplay depth of Elden Ring, and retrofit it into a fast-paced multiplayer experience. While we don't think it really holds a candle to games like Dark Souls 3 or Elden Ring, it isn't really trying to. This is basically FromSoftware having some fun with its IP, and with a squad of friends, Elden Ring Nightreign is a blast.
EA Sports F1 25 is overall another rock solid entry in the annual franchise. The driving is reliably good fun and impressively flexible, and the return of Braking Point is a welcome one, even if it's not the best story ever told. A robust set of modes means there's something for everyone, and it looks and sounds great on the whole. One or two career mode changes might ruffle some feathers, and navigating the game can feel slow, but by and large it's a podium finish for this F1 racer.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a surprisingly monstrous outing. It can be a seriously addictive RPG adventure, utterly stuffed with things to see, do, and eventually master. The grind can be a bit overwhelming at times, but Level-5's trademark charm and well-designed gameplay loops should keep you coming back. This is vibrant all-ages fun, pretty much from start to finish.
Deliver At All Costs' greatest strength is its ability to reinvent itself, but its missions lack tension and its story is a bit of a misfire. If you really enjoy that isometric era of GTA games, then you'll find fun in this physics-heavy escapade – but expect bumps and blemishes, because this is far from the perfect package.
Blades of Fire is a well-made and lengthy action adventure romp that will test your combat skills, provided you can see it through. Taking inspiration from some of gaming's greatest hits, it never quite manages to reach those lofty heights itself, let down by a generic setting and lacklustre art direction. Still, it offers some interesting concepts, with combat and crafting mechanics that remain satisfying throughout.
Even with the baggage of its PS2 origins, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a welcome trip down memory lane.
RoadCraft takes the intricate off-road fun of MudRunner and SnowRunner, and melds it with involving micro-management and building aspects, resulting in a fantastic experience that's the dev's best vehicle sim to date. With eight big maps full of ruined environs and treacherous conditions to contend with, a huge array of complex vehicles to master, and co-op play to maximise the fun of it all, this is a big old blast of a thing, a huge sandbox that's got excitement, depth, and challenge in spades.
Yet another timely reminder that Capcom has been the king of its craft for decades now, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 superbly digs into the Dreamcast era of the Japanese publisher's iconic output.While its commitment to arcade conversions means you're missing some of the single player modes from the various included titles' home console ports, there's simply so much quality content on offer here that it's hard to complain, with the likes of Capcom vs. SNK 2 and Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper having legitimate claims at being some of the greatest fighters ever made.
The Precinct is an impressive sandbox romp. Fueled by a dynamic crime system that offers up hours of fun, bite-sized objectives, it's a very difficult game to put down. Every patrol is different, and although tedium does start to set in as the campaign approaches its conclusion, it's still easy to appreciate the intricate and tight design of this ode to old cop movies.
As we rolled credits on The Midnight Walk, any issues we had technically or otherwise had long since faded away. Instead, what stood out to us was the game's haunting world filled with pensive storylines, impactful visuals, and an emotionally weighty score.If you're expecting an engaging survival horror gameplay experience, you won't find it here. That may have been what we were looking for as we first played the game - especially considering the VR format. But what we got instead was memorable, moving, and evocatively melancholic. The Midnight Walk is not a game we'll forget anytime soon.
Overall, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is a wonderful example of modernising a classic game, providing new quality of life features and a fresh coat of paint while retaining its original feel. For hardcore RTS fans who are itching to pick something new up this is a must buy, and an adaptable AI difficulty level means there’s something for everyone.
DOOM: The Dark Ages goes for something slightly different as it turns back time for a medieval assault on hell's legions. Not every change pays off, as the introduction of a mech and dragon adds very little to the overall experience. However, when The Dark Ages gets to the FPS action, there aren't many who do it better than id Software. Take some time to adjust to DOOM: The Dark Ages, and you'll discover another fantastically ferocious first-person shooter.
It’s cute and colourful, then, and something you can zone out with while you listen to a podcast or watch something else. But it won’t live long in the memory, even if its urban backdrop and light-hearted style offers an appreciated change of pace.
If you have a burning nostalgia for early 2000s action titles, you might be able to squeeze some semblance of enjoyment from Captain Blood, but even then, you've got to wade through tedious, weightless combat and bafflingly overlooked audio issues.