Dominic Leighton's Reviews
Just like its forbear, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is an oppressive, powerful and haunting example of the power of video games, and one that sets its own parameters for what a digital experience can be. It is a game that must be experienced, not least because, there’s nothing else quite like it.
The combination of open-world and supernatural foes has become increasingly wearisome in the last few years, and immediately after playing through Dead Island 2 I wasn’t particularly looking forward to Redfall. However, Arkane Austin should never be underestimated for putting their own spin on a genre, with Redfall offering enough surprises and memorable moments so far to set it apart from the open-world crowd.
All in all, the Dominion Malta DLC adds a welcome batch of extras to your park building inventory, while its campaign mode adds further context to a world where dinosaurs present both a capitalist and a conservationist proposition.
The final new addition is a fresh new timed challenge scenario, tasking you with turning a hidden oasis bazaar into a thriving tourist trap while updating its power grid and amenities. It’s a stiffer challenge than some of the previous packs, but there’s every chance that you’re a Planet Zoo master by this point so that’ll probably be welcome. At this stage, Planet Zoo’s ability to transport you across the planet is the escapism we all need, and few games do so with the joy and vibrancy that Frontier have created here.
Experiment 101 have certainly tried to make the world of Biomutant all the more unique via its language, but it performs the cardinal sin of overloading you with new vocabulary every few moments.
The Labo Vehicle Kit is simply wonderful, and really brings Nintendo's cardboard-filled vision to life.
As far as nostalgia goes, plenty of aging gamers will fall for Shenmue's shonky charms all over again, and revisiting Ryo's tale of revenge can be a deeply enjoyable experience. However, newcomers will face an uphill struggle to get past the poor controls, terrible English voice acting and grinding repetition. It's still a great primer for the third game, but only if you've been here before.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition takes a great game and makes it greater, though it's fair to say that for anyone outside of Legend of Zelda or Warriors series fans it will undoubtedly feel less special.
With the game's release on Windows and the final additions to the game on console in the Royal Edition, it now feels that Square Enix have put the final brushstrokes to their masterpiece. As Final Fantasy XV comes to the end of its long adventure, it's fitting that it do so in such style, letting people savour the artistic vision behind the game in such glorious detail.
Being able to take this huge adventure with you everywhere you go is fantastic, and, if you thought that Skyrim took over your life before, now it actually can.
Hand of Fate 2 is a welcome reminder that RPGs don't have to fall into one of two categories, and its heady mix of deck building and Arkham-esque combat make for a unique experience. Arriving on Switch it's found its perfect home, and its bite-sized story and action that are ideal for gaming on-the-go.
It may not be the most action packed in the series thus far, it's certainly one of the most memorable.
There's something that just feels right about playing Fire Emblem Warriors on 3DS, and as the spiritual home of the Fire Emblem in recent years, it's nice to be able to indulge in some serious hack and slash action in this universe before the franchise moves on to pastures new.
Monster Hunter World on PC offers the same awesome experience that console gamers have been enjoying, and brings one of the best games of recent times to a slightly different audience. With the right kit you'll be able to push the game further than anywhere else, and with the promise of future updates it's likely to become the definitive version, even if it's not quite there yet.
The storytelling sags a little in the middle, but just when you think you know where everything is heading, a little change of direction – and plenty of space brawling – brings things back around. Bring on episode four.
There are still plenty of reasons to tune in to Telltale's Guardians, but this is a B-side rather than a hit single.
Forza Horizon 3's Hot Wheels DLC is something of a missed opportunity. Visually spectacular, but adding virtually nothing to the core Horizon 3 experience besides some new-found problems and annoyances, fans are arguably better off sticking with the tarmac/dirt/sand of the mainland.
Telltale have crafted their own story from the Guardians comic-book lore, while keeping the flavour of the hugely successful movie. There are plenty of nods to both, and fans on the lookout for Knowhere, the Kree and other notable characters from the series will likely be more than happy. This is still a Telltale game though, and there simply aren't any new mechanics to be found here that'll convince detractors otherwise.
For fans of the series who've perhaps tired of the ceaseless march of movie tie-ins, Lego City Undercover is a hilarious, expansive, brick-infused open-world experience that's begging to be explored.
Road To Boruto is a successful expansion that provides more of what fans of the Ultimate Ninja Storm series love. Fun characters, including the adult versions of those that Naruto fans have grown up with, an enjoyable storyline, and yet more visually incredible battles to take part in. If this is genuinely the end of the CyberConnect2's Ninja Storm run, they've gone out on a high.