Alex Stinton

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Alex Stinton·Dec 23, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Steep is very successful at capturing the breakneck exhilaration of Alpine extreme sports, and with an atmospheric open world that's packed full of enjoyable challenges it picks up the mantel dropped by the likes of SSX well. While it doesn't quite hit the lofty peaks it's aiming for – mainly due to some poorly explained mechanics and the underwhelming multiplayer – you won't be piste-off if you decide to take the plunge.

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Alex Stinton·Dec 8, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

While PlayStation VR owners should already be used to the premium entry fee many titles charge, your initial reaction to the cost of Pinball FX2 VR is unlikely to be positive – especially if you've already invested in the same tables for Zen Pinball 2. Despite all this, though, if you've ever found enjoyment at the apron of a virtual pinball machine this really is the definitive experience, and while the occasionally distracting presentation – a hallmark of Zen Studios – has been heightened in VR, you'll still find yourself flipping out over the just how easily you'll lose yourself chasing that elusive high score.

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Alex Stinton·Nov 18, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

By throwing you into its gloriously open missions with a bag full of tricks, running wild in Dishonored 2's fascinating world of stealth playgrounds never fails to be both fun and challenging. While anyone who doesn't have the patience for its particular brand of methodical exploration will likely find the experience tedious, if you can commit to trying to ghost your way through its lengthy campaign, even disappointing shortcomings – especially in terms of its story – likely won't stop you from having a whale of a time.

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Alex Stinton·Nov 6, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Terror, exhilaration and nausea. It's a testament to the power of VR that such a simple, straight-forward game as Windlands has the ability to makes its players feel so much. The biggest problem of course is trying to work out just what it's going to make you feel. Fortunately, if you can master your stomach – with help from the numerous VR comfort options – and throw yourself in head first, you just might find a frequently thrilling experience that despite its frustrations is worth falling for.

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Alex Stinton·Oct 23, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

While it can't resist urge to go over the top at times, in doing so, it at least delivers one of the best Battlefield campaigns to date.

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Alex Stinton·Sep 27, 2016

Critic60/100

Agreement—

The Dead Rising Triple Pack represents the perfect opportunity to revisit this divisive series. While it's a bit disappointing to see only a cursory effort being invested into presentation improvements, it feels as if enough time has passed since the titles were originally released that series evangelists will enjoy returning to the zombie mayhem found in these faithful ports. Newcomers, however, must be warned that any enjoyment you find here may be regularly overrun by a shambling horde of questionable design decisions.

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Alex Stinton·Aug 27, 2016

Critic60/100

Agreement—

Prominence Poker's free-to-play approach certainly has its benefits. By restricting the flow of money at your disposal it manages to make you feel each triumph and failure a little more keenly, while also keeping those hopelessly erratic players, with a penchant for going all-in, all the time, from over-running the tables. This makes it an enjoyable way to play poker for anyone who doesn't particularly want to risk their bank balance playing for real money, though the lack of a compelling progression system and underwhelming single player scenarios will more than likely stop you from going all-in.

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Alex Stinton·Jul 24, 2016

Critic40/100

Agreement—

Boring is not an adjective you expect to use when talking about an arcade racer, but somehow Carmageddon: Max Damage manages to be so tedious that you'll struggle to keep yourself interested enough to see out all of its events. The disappointing car handling, aimless AI, and basic visuals all come together to make a real clunker, which even with its few interesting aspects, doesn't come close to being classed as roadworthy.

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Alex Stinton·Jun 29, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

So far, its been a great year for turn based strategy games on PlayStation 4, and SteamWorld Heist has added further to the bounty. With its addictive and accessible gameplay, not only is it the perfect title for players of any skill level to test their metal, but you'll also have such a good time playing it that you'll quickly forget it isn't the direct sequel to SteamWorld Dig that you may have been hoping for.

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Alex Stinton·Jun 6, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

With the addition of an open world, Mirror's Edge Catalyst successfully builds upon the fun, free running gameplay of the original to deliver exhilarating, high-altitude action. It's perplexing that, while demonstrating a clear understanding of what the first game did so well, this reboot still forces you – albeit relatively infrequently – into unsatisfying combat. Like Faith herself, this release is at its best when it's on the run, and while the combat, story, and characters do cause it to stumble occasionally, it never actually falls.

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Alex Stinton·May 30, 2016

Critic90/100

Agreement—

Blizzard has never been a genre trailblazer when it comes to the games that it develops, but when it does arrive fashionably late on the scene, you can be fairly certain that it's going to deliver something special. With Overwatch, the studio has delivered once again, splicing the heroes of a MOBA straight into a team-based shooter, and while the asking price may feel a little steep at first, it's the selection of characters – that are easy to learn, but difficult to master – as well as its positive recognition system that'll undoubtedly win you over.

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Alex Stinton·May 14, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

With issues peppering its campaign as well as its multiplayer, Battleborn's fusion of first-person shooter and MOBA is far from a complete success. A lengthy list of complaints comes perilously close to overshadowing proceedings, so it's fortunate that its engaging upgrade system and varied roster of characters end up being the true stars keeping you invested in the multiplayer.

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Alex Stinton·Apr 30, 2016

Critic90/100

Agreement—

In a genre that's traditionally concerned more with open combat, Invisible, Inc.'s stealth focus is a revelation. Chock full of smart game design, you're gifted plenty of options in how you approach your mission, and despite having so many tools at your disposal, it remains satisfyingly challenging, without ever crossing over into being unfair. While the roguelike progression could potentially be a downside for some, the high level of customisation around the difficulty settings will swiftly rob you of this complaint. Simply put, if you have even a passing interest in turn-based strategy games, you shouldn't let this exceptional title sneak under your radar.

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Alex Stinton·Apr 11, 2016

Critic90/100

Agreement—

Games based on movies have a pretty poor reputation on the quality front, however Ratchet & Clank emanates class in so many aspects that even referring to it as a movie tie-in sells it short. If you've never had the pleasure of enjoying this series' brand of third-person blasting before, then this is the perfect chance to see just why the property has remained popular for over a decade. Meanwhile, if you're already a fan, then this remake is a truly worthy entry in the franchise, and while it doesn't do anything particularly new of note, it's a greatest hits compilation so compelling that you won't want to skip it.

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Alex Stinton·Mar 21, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

Any enjoyment to be found in The Division could easily have been smothered by its tremendously dull side content. Fortunately, it's saved from some all too familiar open world bloat by not only the high stake thrills of the Dark Zone but its top notch story missions. When added to a wealth of other positives – like its loot system and detailed open world – this entertaining action RPG manages to muster more than enough antibodies to overcome what thankfully turns out to be a mild case of the Ubisofts.