Not a lover, not a fighter, but a gamer.
If you don’t find me down the pub, it’s because I’m never there as I’m playing video games. I consider Bioshock the greatest game ever made and love to express my opinions through writing!
Shantae and the Seven Sirens on the Xbox One is the best in the series yet. Despite some truly obscure pacing issues and some irritating map design, the base adventure remains extremely enjoyable, with rewarding exploration and a constant sense of progression. While the formula may need more quality of life improvements to really stand out in the genre, Shantae and the Seven Sirens is a step in the right direction and places the series on the right track for success.
With a more robust combat system, inventive quest design and more polish, Quest Hunter on the Xbox One could have been a true diving point for newcomers to the RPG genre. As it stands, it feels like a completely missed opportunity that’s inoffensive but lacks any degree of imagination, charm or gameplay hook.
Essentially, Arcade Spirits on Xbox One feels like an entry point to the visual novel genre. It lacks the depth, complexity and hook of games such as Phoenix Wright, but instead relies on its relationships to suck players in. With a slow build, it’s hard to recommend to anyone but veterans of the genre, especially with a script that never evolves beyond its basic humour. But its charm is hard to deny and, infused with the nostalgic factor, it can be downright difficult to resist at times.
With years of support, a fantastic throwback to games of olde and superb gameplay, Shovel Knight on Xbox One is an absolute treat. The initial campaign is worth the price of admission alone, but with the plethora of updates over the years, it’s a must have for any gamer. The package delivers something for everyone, beautifully marrying multiple genres in one satisfying bundle. Shovel Knight is a testament of getting your money worth for a game and has definitely dug itself a massive range of incredible content to enjoy.
Playing Super Box Land Demake on Xbox One is a reminder of the days of Pong; a two player game with a very basic premise. The same can be said here. The gameplay never ventures off its initial premise and the difficulty remains stagnant throughout. But nonetheless, it’s an enjoyable experience with a clear focus on being played with a friend. It’s a story of block meets switch, and a lovely one at that.
It’s clear that the Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King collection on Xbox One has been made with love. Despite their punishing difficulty, these are two games that have the power to warp us into our favourite Disney worlds and relive classic moments.
These days, movie tie-ins are a rare breed. After years of becoming a stream of shovelware content, simply to cash in on a popular product, they’ve lost their place. It’s a shame as amongst the wreckage a few gems stood out from the rest. The Spongebob Squarepants Movie is one of those enjoyable treats. A fun, energising and varied platforming adventure that didn’t take itself too seriously.
Whether you’re a fan of the original or want to experience this franchise for the first time, Cat Quest II is the superior game of the two and builds upon the original in all departments.
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered remains as fun and nostalgic as it did in 2009. With punchy combat, creepy exploration and a hilarious script that’s beautifully voice acted, it’s hard not to recommend this Halloween treat.
DISTRAINT is clearly a story that wants to be told and while it’s not always successful in its endeavours, it does manage to successfully create a horrific brooding atmosphere to portray many dark human emotions.
One of the beauties about gaming is the ability to introduce people to games you love and see their reactions. Having experiences with games and being able to share with someone, specifically a partner, and seeing them elicit the same response can be a feeling like no other. But it can be hard to find the right game, especially when trying to gauge what genre to open up the world of gaming to your significant other. So, here are five games that are sure to cover a variety of tastes, letting you find a suitable game to bring your partner into the world of gaming.
Inescapable: No Rules, No Rescue isn’t a bad game, it’s just that others of a similar ilk, like Danganronpa, do the social thriller visual novel concept much better.
