Includes PushSquare
Last reviewed: Mina the Hollower · 5 days ago
A referential and joyful deep dive into the world of Batman, the latest LEGO effort from TT Games is elite brick gaming. Legacy of the Dark Knight just wants to be an enjoyable time, and it refuses to falter from that commitment. This new LEGO Batman will be some of the best fun you have all year.
Marathon doesn't have that instant fun factor and casual appeal that an extraction shooter like ARC Raiders does. And for a lot of people, that likely means it isn't the game for them. But Marathon is a game that gives more to you the more you give to it. With impeccable Bungie gunplay, a gorgeous world and artstyle, and a gameplay loop much denser than its competition, we think Marathon is something special. The more we play, the more we love it.
It's a shame the combat is quite so tough, because it can be discouragingly unforgiving, and there are no difficulty settings to toy with either. However, we definitely get the sense this is a game that masochistic players will love to master. From where we're sitting, Slave Zero X is slightly too hard-edged for its own good, but there's undoubtedly depth to be plumbed if you're so willing.
Dragon's Dogma 2 is an absolute masterpiece in terms of offering a true sense of adventure.
MLB The Show 24 tweaks an already sturdy foundation, with new defensive animations bringing the biggest change to gameplay. Its success as a compelling package largely stems from its single player additions, with the documentary-like Storylines mode starring Derek Jeter accompanying the second season of the outstanding Negro Leagues. The addition of female athletes to Road to the Show is sure to inspire an entire generation, while foundational favourites like Franchise and Diamond Dynasty remain at the top of their game, despite their underlying familiarity.
Taxi Life has so much promise, but in its current state it’s extremely hard to enjoy. Some menu options still have Xbox buttons assigned to them – press A, we were told. One accident we were in saw our car flipped onto its back (maybe the road rage had gotten to us at that point), and we had to quit the game and reload just to be able to move the taxi again. The lack of polish feels evident throughout the game, and it’s a real shame, because the concept is a compelling one.
Aspyr has done a serviceable, even admirable job with its porting of Star Wars titles up to this point, but the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection represents a monumental misstep and a much-deserved blemish on its reputation. These are two beloved games representing some of the very best experiences the Star Wars IP has ever offered. To release these remasters in this state is deeply concerning. Our only solace is the fact that, eventually, most of the problems should be fixable.
Hi-Fi Rush is a gorgeous rhythm-action game with a strong cast of characters, addictive gameplay, and an incredible musical score. The game has a ton of replayability with the way its structured, allowing you to improve your timings to perform better in the game's rhythmic combat. This is an essential title for PS5 owners, and we're glad Xbox has allowed us to finally experience it.
There's an undeniable charm to Outcast: A New Beginning, and twenty years ago this could have been the breakout hit for an ongoing Outcast franchise, but in 2024 players are spoilt for choice in the realm of third-person action-adventure games. If you're a fan of the AA, mid-tier shooters we used to get back in the day then this might be worth a look, but otherwise, there's just not enough here to warrant your attention.
Much like last year's The Making of Karateka, Digital Eclipse’s format sets a high standard for retro collections going forward. It's made the story of these games accessible to all audiences. As a portrait of Jeff, it’s a heartwarming and educational depiction of a personality every gamer should know about.
The game's story mode is short overall, but thankfully there's an Arcade and Challenge mode that offer great replayability. The challenge mode in particular is a highlight as it doles out mini-challenges for you to blast through, like tricky platforming or a pacifist run of a level. So, all in all, this is undoubtedly the best game the series has had in a long time, and one fans of the classic games won't want to miss out on.
It's hard to say whether Unicorn Overlord is objectively Vanillaware's best game, but for us, it's right up there, competing for the crown - and that's incredibly high praise. This is an immaculate and deeply engaging strategy RPG; the best example of the genre that we've played in years. For those who are looking to get lost in tactical thought, it's essential - and for everyone else, it still stands as an engrossing fantasy adventure. Vanillaware's done it again.
Despite a sputtering start, As Dusk Falls eventually finds its footing with a character-driven story that rewards replays with insight into the backstories, motivations, and psyches of its troubled cast that’s been battered down by their everyday existences. It’s a tale that grows increasingly engrossing, provided a tolerance for some sensationalised theatrics and protracted payoffs.
That said, while we realise this is rare for the genre, qualifying before races would be nice. Perks like starting races in 9th place don't provide a real substitute. Furthermore, online multiplayer's omission is also disappointing, though at least there's local multiplayer for up to four players. These aren't deal breakers, though, and when the core campaign is this good, New Star GP comes recommended.
The bottom line, though, is that Dragon Ball FighterZ is still an amazing fighting game. It was top tier on PS4 and it's yet to be equalled in the anime space, despite being five years old. Assuming the online systems will be improved, there's no reason not to jump back into this brilliant adaptation.
Far removed from the haunted carnival ride that was WWE 2K20, 2K and Visual Concepts have settled into an extremely reliable groove. The amount of content on offer is absolutely staggering, with grapple fans certain to delight in at least one of the many available modes and 200+ available Superstars. Some visual inconsistencies and a somewhat lacklustre WrestleMania Showcase let the side down, but beyond that, WWE 2K24 is another strong, if safe, entry in the 2K-driven WWE series.
It may not be the next single player terror fans of its predecessors are looking for, but The Outlast Trials successfully translates the series' formula for a co-op setting. Hiding from gory psychopaths and utilising night vision is still the name of the game - now you simply do it alongside up to three friends online. Though silly enemy AI and some repetitive visual assets drag the experience down, The Outlast Trials is an example of a former single player game turned online title done right.