Stephen Tailby

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Stephen Tailby·Oct 11, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Shu is a decent 2D platformer that puts gameplay first, and in stripping away needless distractions provides a refreshing and pleasant few hours of fun. The art style and soundtrack are pretty good, giving way to some lovely sights and sounds on your journey, while the ever-changing set of abilities ensures the game is able to provide new challenges throughout. There are numerous collectibles and other goals to encourage players to stick around, although it all feels somewhat inconsequential. Overall, Shu is a fun distraction that goes to show games don't have to be complex in order to entertain.

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Stephen Tailby·Oct 1, 2016

Critic60/100

Agreement—

Lichtspeer's saving grace is its exceedingly satisfying aim-and-throw gameplay. Simple and yet devilishly compelling, it's the one trick up the game's sleeve that'll keep you coming back for more, despite some very challenging sections and so-so bosses. Arcade gamers that are looking for something new will have a ball with the flinger's fast-paced action, but for most, this will likely only entertain for a short while. It's not the best arcade game around, then, but it's also by no means the wurst.

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Stephen Tailby·Sep 14, 2016

Critic60/100

Agreement—

The Tomorrow Children is an extraordinary, mystifying game with a fantastic core concept of working together for a common goal. While there's a steep learning curve, and the fundamental gameplay is not all that fun, we'd be lying if we said that we weren't engrossed in our duties, and there's just enough depth to keep you absorbed for a while. We imagine that the game will change a lot over time, and as it'll become free-to-play at some point in the future, this is definitely worth a try if you're looking for something different.

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Stephen Tailby·Sep 1, 2016

Critic30/100

Agreement—

Perhaps we just didn't get it, but for us, One Way Trip's tale of two poisoned brothers on the quest for a cure in an increasingly weird dystopian setting failed to leave an impression. The aesthetic is utterly unique but maybe a little too avant-garde for its own good, while the game's story drags on and on with little substance to be found. It's a confounding mess of bright colours, bizarre characters, and unpleasant sights and sounds – but then again, maybe that's entirely the point. Either way, this is a disappointing, bare-bones visual novel, and frankly, we're glad that the trip is over.

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Stephen Tailby·Aug 26, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Grow Up is a sturdy expansion of everything that made Grow Home unique. The vast open world is complemented by new abilities that greatly expand BUD's capacity to travel far and wide. It's a gleeful game that is always aiming to make you smile, and though technical problems persist, it's hard to care when you're jetting aimlessly about, playing with the physics and climbing ever higher. Perhaps it could've afforded to change things up a little more, but at the end of the day, this is a neat little platformer that may well supplant your expectations.

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Stephen Tailby·Aug 23, 2016

Critic50/100

Agreement—

There is so much squandered potential in Armikrog it hurts. The voice acting is great, but there's not enough of it; the visuals and animations are superb, but let down by repeated puzzles. Pencil Test Studios has created a fantastic claymation setting and fun characters, but in terms of gameplay it sticks too closely to the old-school point and click formula for its own good. Fans of the genre may get a kick out of the old fashioned style, but beyond a well-realised stop motion aesthetic, there's little here for anyone else.

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Stephen Tailby·Aug 13, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

No Man's Sky is full of potential, and Hello Games has laid strong foundations on which to build. Its main gameplay is simplistic but becomes totally engrossing, and the technical achievement is impressive. The atmosphere created by the graphics and sound is second to none, and there's an amazing sense of place. Some may struggle to find the fun with the lack of direction, and there are some technical issues that need addressing, but if you're able to create your own fun with the tools that you're given, you'll be playing this for a long time.

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Stephen Tailby·Aug 1, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

Aside from a few minor presentation and performance niggles, Overcooked is a wonderfully executed game, and is one of the best co-operative experiences in recent years. The simplicity of the controls and gameplay make it extremely accessible, while there is still plenty of challenge in the later, crazier kitchens. Working together effectively with a few buddies feels fantastic, and even when things get a bit heated, it's all part of the fun. If you're looking for a light-hearted couch co-op game, Overcooked should definitely be on your menu.

Push Square

Stephen Tailby·Jul 17, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Song of the Deep has a big heart, and is a fun, uncomplicated game that players of all ages will enjoy. The abilities are fun to use, the gameplay is mostly solid, and the presentation really won us over. Exploring this lush seascape, solving simple puzzles, and experiencing the sweet story – this is where the game excels. It contains most of the established rules and trappings of a Metroidvania, and is one of the easier games that we've played recently, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, it's nice to play a game that doesn't ask too much of you, one that allows you to relax and simply enjoy being in its world. If you can forgive its technical hiccups and learn to adapt to its loose controls, you'll have a whale of a time.

Push Square

Stephen Tailby·Jun 26, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

The simple presentation and controls allow anyone to pick up a controller and know what to do, while the addition of power-ups and objectives provide a little more depth for die-hard fans to explore. More creative use of upgrades would've been nice, and as with all endless runners, the appeal will wear off relatively quickly. However, this is a strong outing for Pac-Man that's perfect for short bursts, or, just as likely, one-more-go marathons.

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Stephen Tailby·Jun 3, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

It's a real shame that the performance here is subpar, because Dangerous Golf is fantastic fun, whether alone or with friends in the co-op and competitive modes. It has surprising depth and plenty of content; the solo and co-op tours combined provide a total of 197 levels to smash through. The satisfying gameplay is its greatest strength, however, with the short stages making it an ideal game to play when you've got a spare half-hour. Some may struggle with the controls, and its appeal may not last for too long – but it's definitely no bogey.

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Stephen Tailby·May 16, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

With many nods to the original games and a compendium of retro unlockables, this re-imagining of Shadow of the Beast is a game not just concerned with moving forward, but with looking back in detail at its forebears. Stilted platforming and a short story don't prevent the deep, satisfying combat and multifaceted levels from being worth experiencing more than once. And when you're done, the very first game awaits in all its glory for you to discover – maybe for the first time.

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Stephen Tailby·May 3, 2016

Critic30/100

Agreement—

What we're trying to say is: stay away from Coffin Dodgers. It's a humorous concept, but clearly not one that supports a whole game. The awful racing and abysmal presentation are the biggest offenders here, but it's a game with problems weaving all the way through it.

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Stephen Tailby·Apr 25, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

To describe Alienation as a spiritual successor to Dead Nation is a misnomer – this is a far bigger, deeper game, pulling in elements from RPGs and dungeon crawlers to great effect. The gorgeous visuals and addictive, tactile combat make this a feast for the eyes, with intense action never more than a few seconds away. Grabbing loot and fighting off aliens in co-op is stupendous fun, and the game opens up in meaningful ways the more that you play. If you're looking for some high-octane, arcadey action with a fiendishly gripping gameplay loop, then this comes highly recommended.

Push Square

Stephen Tailby·Apr 19, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Pang Adventures is a thoroughly retro arcade game that offers addictive bubble-bursting fun in a modestly sized package. The gameplay is compelling enough to keep you playing for a few hours, but whether its trio of modes provide much replay value is another matter. It's certainly worth a look if you have an old-school itch that needs scratching, and fans of the original game will be pleased with just how faithful Pastagames has been to that decades-old formula.