Well Played

• SWITCH
• 8 / 10
• Australie

• PS5
• 7.5 / 10
• Australie

Wo Long was always destined to be judged in the long shadow of the exceptional Nioh 2, which here is slightly to its detriment. It does an admirable job of rolling some fresh core mechanics into the now well-established hardcore hack and slash dough recipe, but accidentally only used three quarters of the required amount of yeast and then left the heat on medium. The result is a title that doesn’t quite rise like it should, and is a little doughy in the middle. Elaborate bread metaphors aside, Wo Long is absolutely a good game from a talented studio, but it falls short of being a great one.

• PC
• 7 / 10
• Australie

Despite the simplicity and a few missteps, I actually quite liked the roughly seven hours I spent playing through Scars Above. The story was interesting, the environments were diverse and lovely to look at and the sound design and music were sensational. I’d describe this as something akin to a refreshed PlayStation 2-era sci-fi shooter rather than a contemporary title, but I say that with a fondness for it, rather than disdain. I think that Mad Head Games should be proud of what it’s achieved, and if third-person shooters are your thing, I’d encourage you to check it out.

• SWITCH
• 8.5 / 10
• Australie

• PS5
• 5.5 / 10
• Australie

• PS5
• 7.5 / 10
• Australie

Like A Dragon: Ishin! does exactly what it says on the box. It takes the recognisable characters that have appeared throughout the series and transformed them into 19th-century analogs. The super dramatic storyline, backstabs and betrayals remain pleasingly offset with the eccentric substories that feature memorable characters in the wildest of circumstances. Kiryu-Ryōma-Saito remains the ever-loveable stone-faced uncle driven by honour, stoically seeking the goodness in hearts everywhere before curb stomping a handsy mugger.

• PS5
• 8.5 / 10
• Australie

Through clever innovation and stellar design choices, Wild Hearts stakes its claim on the monster hunting genre with gusto. A serviceable story and some minor issues hold it back from true greatness, but the bones of this beast are mighty and point toward a bright future for Omega Force’s latest. With an emphasis on player expression and co-operative gameplay, Wild Hearts introduces us to a world rich with possibility and ripe for a sequel. I personally can’t wait to see where their heart takes them next.

• PS5
• 8.5 / 10
• Australie

Although it’s probably destined to be a hidden gem that never quite gets the amount of eyeballs and attention it deserves, A Space for the Unbound is a truly excellent game that deserves plenty of love. It does occasionally fall victim to pacing issues, and its gameplay is rather simplistic, but pretty much everything else the game tackles is done with great success. Its enjoyable exploration, heartbreaking narrative, and beautiful anime inspired visuals come together to craft one of the best indie narrative driven games of recent memory. If you value games where story is of the utmost importance, I can’t help but recommend that you give A Space for the Unbound a chance.

• PS5
• 8 / 10
• Australie

• SWITCH
• 7 / 10
• Australie

• SWITCH
• 9.5 / 10
• Australie

• PC
• 7.5 / 10
• Australie

The point-and-click genre is one that has fairly rigid foundations, with the bulk of games not straying too far from what we’ve come to expect over the years. With Children of Silentown, Elf Games and Luna2 have created a gorgeous dark world that looks marvellous and its unique puzzles are commendable, and although the narrative didn’t fully satisfy me, it’s one I would recommend adventure game fans suss out at some point.

• PC
• 7.5 / 10
• Australie

In a way Blacktail reminds me a lot of Fable: The Lost Chapters, a flawed game I love dearly, specifically in the way it places emphasis on your morality and then fails to follow through, narratively speaking. Like Fable though, Blacktail is an enjoyable experience despite its noticeable shortcomings. The exploration, the traversal interlinked with combat, and some humorous quests are in fact the brick house that stands strong. Blacktail does an admirable job building something unique of the bricks that came before, and most importantly captures the essence of what makes fairy tales so iconic…child murder.

• PS5
• 8 / 10
• Australie

• PC
• 6 / 10
• Australie

• PS5
• 7 / 10
• Australie

• PC
• 9 / 10
• Australie

• PS5
• 8 / 10
• Australie

After a slow start to the series, The Devil in Me is a satisfying end to The Dark Pictures’ first season with its fascinating setting and improved gameplay leaving me excited for the second season.