Jacob Hull

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Jacob Hull·Nov 25, 2016

Critic60/100

Agreement—

Yesterday Origins has a strong cast of characters, an intriguing plot, and beautiful presentation. When you manage to work it all out, the game can be a real joy, but when things go wrong, it can be frustratingly slow and pedantic. Like its narrative, it jumps back in time to remind us of when games were far more frustrating and constrained. It brings back elements of gaming's past that we like, but it also brings back those that we don't. We've come a long way, but if all those troubles feel far away, well Yesterday Origins, to quote The Beetles, makes them look "as though they're here to stay".

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Jacob Hull·Sep 15, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

If this is indeed Two Tribes' swansong, then it's a goodbye wave accompanying tears and smiles. This is a fine way to leave, and it's pertinent to think that its final legacy is accomplished through the use of aspects which are, sadly, already in the rear-view mirror. It takes a lot of commitment for a relatively small game, and it's sometimes a little too eager for you to suffer its wrath. However, the charm, style, and sophistication by which it mixes up so many different styles successfully is a testament both to RIVE's great design and also some of the most beloved games of years gone by.

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Jacob Hull·Aug 19, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

F1 2016 is a Formula One nerd's dream come true, but not without a few small caveats in the presentation department. On the track, though, where it really matters, it's a joy to play with plenty of depth and complexity, and a career mode that's made all the more engrossing by making what happens outside of the race both relevant and meaningful to your career as a Formula One driver.

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Jacob Hull·Aug 5, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

Chambara is a smart, stylish, and truly entertaining game to play locally with friends and family. There's a timeless class to games of this ilk which offer experiences that you simply cannot get elsewhere. As long as you can provide a steady stream of willing players to engage with, Chambara returns the favour with a limited but excellent selection of arenas to engage with them in.

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Jacob Hull·Jul 22, 2016

Critic50/100

Agreement—

There are some interesting and well-implemented ideas here that make Obliteracers stand-out, but it gets drowned out amid the rest of the game which more often than not fails to make use of its unique mechanics and relies on generic tropes that have been better implemented elsewhere. There's still some fun to be had in a spare 30 minute session alone, and it excels when played with friends – but on the whole it fails to provide enough depth and variation to keep the average player Obliteracing after the initial taster.

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Jacob Hull·Jun 28, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Integrity and Faithlessness is a much faster game than previous Star Ocean entries, but it sacrifices narrative and contextual depth for it. There are a few interesting but unsuccessful design choices here which let the game down, but it mostly makes up for its shortcomings with a frenetic battle system, excellent character design, and a standout soundtrack. It's a little bit vague, and it's a little bit shallow, but there's still plenty of fun to be had in tri-Ace's latest, and for newcomers, it's by far the most approachable entry in the series.

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Jacob Hull·Jun 7, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

It may be brief, but Oxenfree has elements of greatness and stands out as an excellent example of video game storytelling. It's also a beautiful and intriguing game that draws you in from the very start and makes you want to see just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Unfortunately, the situational narrative is let down slightly in the final third where it confuses even itself and fails to merge with the far stronger and more prominent social narrative.

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Jacob Hull·Apr 19, 2016

Critic50/100

Agreement—

KOI is a game that knows how to push your buttons. It draws you in with its beautiful soundscape and enchanting premise, but then takes you through an often shallow experience with some frustrating moments that discord with its otherwise serene exterior. It's a game which seems far more suited to mobile play than console, where longer play sessions highlight its lack of depth. It has moments of beauty, and comments on larger, prominent ecological issues – but ultimately feels like a missed opportunity.

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Jacob Hull·Feb 20, 2016

Critic50/100

Agreement—

The Escapists: The Walking Dead is a visually charming game with a standout soundtrack, but its gameplay is shallow and repetitive. It follows the narrative of the original comic books, but uses them only superficially without any real depth or engagement with the license. It has its moments of fun, but more often than not is a frustrating time-sink made up of trial-and-error mechanics with little sense of reward.