Stephen Tailby

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Stephen Tailby·Jun 5, 2018

Critic70/100

Agreement—

This is a very straightforward port of Far Cry 3, a game loved and loathed in equal measure. The Classic Edition is a great way for newcomers to experience one of the best games in the series, despite some clunky controls. Many people will have made up their mind about Jason's journey years ago, but on its own merit, this is a competent re-release of a fun, if a little dated, open world shooter.

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Stephen Tailby·May 27, 2018

Critic80/100

Agreement—

Moonlighter is a delightful mix of action RPG, rogue-lite dungeon crawling, and shopkeeping sim with an ingenious gameplay loop that'll have you hooked. The way the game's contrasting parts blend into one another means you're always making progress, and it feels great. Exploring the dungeons is challenging and fun, and managing the shop is addictive, thanks to an intelligent economy system. There are some rough edges, such as complex menu screens and one or two minor bugs, but when this game gets its hooks in, you won't care. Shopping around for your new favourite indie? Look no further.

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Stephen Tailby·May 26, 2018

Critic70/100

Agreement—

PixelJunk Monsters 2 is a brave sequel that attempts to fix something that isn't broken, and has ended up taking away more than it adds.

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Stephen Tailby·May 15, 2018

Critic70/100

Agreement—

If earning gold trophies isn't enough, there are collectable coins to find in each race of the surprisingly lengthy campaign. As you progress you'll unlock new cars with unique stats that you can enhance with permanent buffs. Additional modes give you slightly different ways to play, but this is where Horizon Chase Turbo begins to let off the gas. Screaming through its colourful courses at ludicrous speeds can be lots of fun either alone or in local multiplayer, but the repetitive nature of the game will hit you sooner rather than later. You won't be left wanting for more content, but it's arguably too much for such a simple title. If you're after a very different racing game on PS4, this certainly fits the bill -- but watch you don't fall asleep at the wheel during the long haul.

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Stephen Tailby·May 13, 2018

Critic80/100

Agreement—

When you find yourself in the zone, Laser League is a joy to play. Controls are as straightforward as they come and the game's rules are easy to follow, meaning anyone can pick up a pad and join in. However, the depth that comes with the various character classes, their abilities, and power ups is surprising. This is classic "easy to learn, difficult to master" territory, in other words, and whether you're playing online or offline, it can be excellent fun with a few friends. Ultimately, this is the sort of game that lives or dies on the strength of its player count, and we sincerely hope it remains healthy. Aside from the occasional bout of lag, fairly limited content, and one or two disappointing omissions, this is a unique multiplayer title that deserves your attention.

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Stephen Tailby·May 7, 2018

Critic60/100

Agreement—

Some performance issues aside, this remains an engaging, and rather different, racing game that just about overcomes its problems to offer some good old fashioned fun.

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Stephen Tailby·Apr 8, 2018

Critic90/100

Agreement—

All told, Owlboy is a delightful game full to bursting with character. Otus' bittersweet tale is engrossing, the supporting cast is consistently charming, and there's an admirable level of polish across the board. From its stunning visuals and soundtrack to its fun, responsive gameplay, Owlboy is rock solid from top to bottom. It took them 10 years, but D-Pad Studio has created one of the best 2D adventure titles in recent memory.

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Stephen Tailby·Apr 3, 2018

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Minit is a lighthearted and cleverly designed adventure that successfully builds a game around a peculiar premise. Playing in 60-second bursts can initially be frustrating, but once you wrap your head around the game's structure, it becomes an addictive and memorable little title that doesn't outstay its welcome. The abundance of secrets makes the game much deeper than it may seem, too.

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Stephen Tailby·Mar 26, 2018

Critic70/100

Agreement—

A Way Out is a successful experiment in co-operative play with some excellent presentation and varied gameplay. The story may be predictable, but you'll be surprised how attached you become to Leo and Vincent, and you'll be compelled to see their journey through to the end regardless.

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Stephen Tailby·Mar 18, 2018

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Octahedron is an unconventional 2D platformer with clever level design centred around an innovative core idea. The controls are very simple but can take some adjusting, especially when your allowance of platforms changes from level to level. However, the stages introduce some great mechanics that make you use your platforms for more than just makeshift floors. If you're looking for a platformer with a difference, Octahedron offers up an accessible, intelligent, and challenging game with more ups than downs.

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Stephen Tailby·Mar 12, 2018

Critic60/100

Agreement—

Scribblenauts Showdown is an agreeable party game that applies the playful vocabulary-stretching gameplay well enough to entertain you and some friends for a while. Unfortunately, the numerous minigames are all pretty shallow, the Showdown mode can grow tiresome, and the appeal of the Sandbox levels only lasts for so long. This will certainly make for an amusing evening with family and friends, but it's not likely to be a title you'll come back to more than a couple of times.

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Stephen Tailby·Mar 2, 2018

Critic50/100

Agreement—

Jettomero looks and sounds great, and entertains for a few hours, but it's a little too shallow for us to wholeheartedly recommend. Stomping around as a big, clumsy robot is fun, however, and we enjoy the game's relaxed atmosphere. The lack of content, some control issues, and performance problems hold back Jettomero from meeting its potential, and the result is an experience that's quite throwaway, despite its charms.

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Stephen Tailby·Feb 28, 2018

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Bridge Constructor Portal successfully combines Portal with a bridge building physics puzzler. There's a clear love for Valve's series on display, with great presentation that takes you back to Aperture Science from a different perspective. While not as funny as either of the main games, the levels themselves incorporate Portal's elements in clever ways. The controls can be fiddly, and the trial and error nature of the game isn't for everyone, but this remains an addictive, fun title that fans of both Portal and physics-based challenges will appreciate.

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Stephen Tailby·Feb 22, 2018

Critic60/100

Agreement—

Fe is a decent puzzle platformer with some nice ideas, but it all rings a bit hollow in the end. The various songs are a fun way to interact with the world, but some are barely used at all, while you'll rely on others almost constantly. It can also be surprisingly difficult to control, with a camera that isn't always cooperative and platforming that isn't as tight as it needs to be, especially in an environment as vertical as this. The story, which strives to be poignant, fails to leave an impact, and while the world is a nice place to explore, there isn't a whole lot in it. Ultimately, it's a fine game, but it struggles to leave a lasting impression.

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Stephen Tailby·Feb 8, 2018

Critic60/100

Agreement—

Although Strikers Edge doesn't quite reach the lofty heights of its peers, it's still a decent multiplayer game with a good premise and fun action. The differences between the characters give the combat just enough nuance to keep things interesting, but a lack of stages or alternate modes may quickly diminish your interest. If you're on the hunt for a new multiplayer title to play with your buddies, this certainly will do the trick, if only for a limited amount of time.