Well Played

• PC
• 8 / 10
• Australie

Luckily, I found just what I was looking for in developer Bildundtonfabrik’s love letter to surrealist fiction like Twin Peaks. A combination of phenomenal visuals, razor-sharp writing and an awesome soundtrack are (unfortunately) hindered by the game’s short length and mixed levels of puzzle polish. Then again, a short but sweet experience could be just what the point-and-click genre needs to get back onto its feet. In a world now devoid of high-profile point-and-click games, Trüberbrook is more than qualified to become a cult classic some time down the road. If Bildundtonfabrik can put out more games like this, they stand to become very popular right at this intersection.

• PS4
• 2 / 10
• Australie

It’s hard to fathom what Bigben were thinking when they signed off on such a project. Sure, Olympic volleyball hasn’t had video game representation for a long time (if at all), but the level of polish and content included doesn’t do the sport justice. I feel sorry for Black Sheep Studio (the developer), because they obviously did what they could with what is likely a shoestring budget, but why anyone would pay $100 AUD for this is beyond me. Usually I’ll find a way to weave a positive aspect into the review, giving it some sort of condescending pat on the back, but there’s almost nothing here worth praising aside from giving hardcore volleyballers a chance to play their favourite sport on modern

• PS4
• 6.9 / 10
• Australie

Dick Wilde 2 isn’t the longest or deepest ride around, but it’s a fun way to get a few shots off after hours. While the options to handle one instrument or two and cross streams with a friend add some much-needed spice, I was still left wanting something a little more adventurous.

• PS4
• 6.5 / 10
• Australie

THKM is a violent and stylish game that allows you to live out your top-down vigilante killing spree fantasies. Diving, slow-mo and shooting feel awesome when strung together well, even if it does start to wear a little thin before the credits roll. The game suffers from a lack of variety, and occasionally the challenge borders on simply being unenjoyable, but I’m sure you’ll find many that relish the style of gameplay and THKM may just become a cult hit because of it.

• PS4
• 5 / 10
• Australie

Measuring in at five foot eight, the idea of being as tall as a high-rise is pretty damn alluring to me and although you do truly feel like a Goliath, that is not enough for me to enjoy this game long term. With the multiplayer only being a quick flash of fun and the single-player lacking personality and ultimately falling flat, I only see Override as a means to scratch the couch co-op itch.

• PC
• 5 / 10
• Australie

Kursk is a great idea, executed mediocrely. The story of the disaster is told very well, with great respect to the zeitgeist of the turn of the millennium. If that’s what you’re after, and you don’t mind dealing with some very janky controls, Kursk could be right up your alley…provided you can pick it up for a smaller price.

• PS4
• 8 / 10
• Australie

• PS4
• 8.5 / 10
• Australie

The lack of a single-player campaign does little to tarnish Black Ops IIII, which given the strength of its three varied modes is still an incredible amount of value. Blackout does an excellent job of directly copying its contemporaries while being objectively better than them, Zombies is Zombies, and the multiplayer is some of the strongest the series has seen in many years thanks to some meaningful changes that have genuine impact without rocking the boat too much. I’ll see you back here next year, where we see if Infinity Ward can keep the good feeling going.

• PC
• 7 / 10
• Australie

It’s pretty clear that Infliction is a passion project and although it’s a bit rough around the edges, I had a lot of fun while playing it. It’s not the scariest game I’ve ever played, but it does a pretty decent job of keeping you on the edge of your seat and pouring over every scrap of paper in the game to try and piece together the story. I also love that it’s clearly influenced by classic horror films like The Exorcist and Jacob’s Ladder, just to name a few. The fact that Infliction was mostly created by one person is very impressive and if you enjoy supporting small Australian studios, I recommend picking it up and giving yourself a good scare.

• PS4
• 8.7 / 10
• Australie

• XONE
• 3 / 10
• Australie

It’s hard to fathom how a developer could put out a racing game where the fundamentals are borderline unplayable by design. I mean no one will give a toss that your customisation system is shit-hot if your game is about as fun as sharing a toothbrush with a serial dart smoker. Super Street: The Game is a car crash of game design, and one that should be sent straight to the wreckers.

• PS4
• 8 / 10
• Australie

TGC19 offers one of the most rewarding golfing experiences released in the past decade. It is challenging enough to give budding golfers a run for their money but fun enough that any player can pick up and play a round should they feel the urge. While the PGA licence gives the Career Mode authenticity, it isn’t used to its potential. Although, with the course creator and online mods there’s enough here to keep golfing fans satisfied for a while.

• PC
• 6 / 10
• Australie

• PS4
• 4 / 10
• Australie

I wanted to like Anamorphine. I really think that gaming as a medium has the potential to tell stories around issues of mental health in unique ways that can bring about awareness and understanding. It’s not even that this game does a disservice to that cause, it just doesn’t add anything new, and despite treading well-worn ground it somehow fumbles at every step. Then it asks for a crisp pineapple for the trouble.

• XONE
• 6.5 / 10
• Australie

CPL18 is a decent enough service to the sport of lacrosse. Thankfully it’s a sport that is simple enough to recreate digitally without the need for a massive budget. Despite its lack of licensing, Australian-based Big Ant Studios has created a game that should keep lacrosse diehards satisfied until the next iteration. Although, the $75 AUD entry fee may deter the masses.

• PS4
• 5 / 10
• Australie

World of Warriors is cute and fun at times, but overall it’s a bit pedestrian and forgettable. It’s abundantly clear that this is a port of a game designed for mobile devices, but it’s done so in a way that actually works surprisingly well, like the updated visuals and omission of microtransactions. The relics of the previous format persist however and the game is only enjoyable in short bursts, which means it can be hard to justify the price tag. If you have a younger person in your life that is learning about history, this could be a great time waster to enjoy with them, but otherwise you’ll likely struggle to stay interested.

• PS4
• 7 / 10
• Australie

The American Dream is a reasonably fun on-rails shooter that made my PSVR and Move controllers feel relevant again. It’s fairly well priced for a VR game and although it can feel like a bit of a slog to get through, once you’ve unlocked each chapter you can even throw your headset on a friend to show them how fun shooting in virtual reality can be. Despite its flaws, I enjoyed my time with T.A.D. and Samurai Punk should be commended for their VR debut, especially considering they are only a small development team based in Melbourne. If you have the hardware needed to play it, I’d definitely recommend picking it up, even if it isn’t the scathing political commentary I expected it to be.

• PS4
• 5 / 10
• Australie

In order to discern whether Beast Quest is an ample enough video game adaptation I wondered whether this is something I would’ve played in my junior years, but the answer is about as varied as $2 bag of mixed lollies that I would’ve bought during the same time period (we’re talking 15-20 years ago). If you’re a fan of the book series and have been craving a video game take, then I’m sure you’ll find Beast Quest (the game) to be somewhat of a catharsis. For kids, there’s enough here to send them off on their first RPG adventure, but I don’t think the $69 admission has been justified. To be honest, I’d wait for a price drop before sending them off to Avantia.