This is the last great open world game for the 360/PS3 generation. If you owned an Xbox 360 and bought only one game for it - this should be that game. Well-balanced combat, a rich dynamic world, good weapon variety, cleverly crafted sandbox dynamics, an engaging plot... the positives just keep on coming. Ubisoft have tried to remake this game so many times now that some of these features have become stale, old and boring but in 2012 this game re-wrote everyone's expectations. By grafting in elements from Assassin's Creed and removing some of the mistakes of FarCry 2 - this game demands you play it. For the sake of balance I will mention some of the negatives, the plot essentially ends half-way through the game. The second half of the game involves a much blander setting than the first half. Certain playstyles are heavily rewarded (i.e. snipers) while using a melee style is incredibly challenging. However these are minor criticisms that did not detract from this game for me. The only major criticism I have in the game is the 'legendary animals' quests which vary in difficulty from mundanely boring to impossible. This impossibility is not necessarily about difficulty but more a criticism of the physics system of the game. One quest requires killing a shark in a specific way which involves the player being out of the water. However once he is dead the item he drops sinks... so you can't get it! But again its just one thing. My recommendation, if you don't own this game buy now. Ubisoft please re-release this for modern consoles!
XCOM2 WOTC is a game I want to give top marks. Firaxis/2K have really gone back to XCOM2 and created a 'special expanded edition' with new features, content and graphical style. The game is addictive, challenging and full of customisation options. It is fair to say that no two playthroughs in the world will be the same. However despite all of its efforts, the game mechanics and engine really struggle. Graphics issues are very common (even running on a PS4 Pro) and although not game-breaking can really break immersion. However the bigger problem lies in the games mechanics where the game will set up scenarios that are literally impossible in missions. For example in one mission where the task is to extract 'VIPs' by defending them from a horde of monsters, the game spawns a recurring villain right next to them. On the first turn he wipes them out, before any of your troops are even close. I have replayed this mission 10-15 times and I cannot find a way to win. What's the point of the mission? If it is to demonstrate the concept of 'impossible' missions, why not at least create risk for your troops? As it is, I can just evac my troops in turn two and fail the mission. OK I fail a mission and some bad stuff happens, but not enough to justify it as a design concept so the reality is that it is just a mistake on the game's part and that is truly disappointing.
While not the best multiplayer experience (see various other reviews for details) this is still an enjoyable single-player experience. The game won't break the bank and can easily amuse for a few hours. The variety of basic content is small and the DLC card packs actually contain new features. However given that it costs less than £5/$7 this is a small issue.
I enjoyed playing this game. Its graphics are not breathtaking but perfectly pleasant on the eye. The controls are functional, which in this sort of game is all you need. The XL version provides a nice full range of characters and settings. If you see this game for $20/£15 buy it.
This game might have a good story and even game mechanics. However it has dreadful controls, in fact nothing I have ever played is as awkward to control as this game. In fairness some of the fault lies with the 3DS, its not the best console for this type of game. However other games manage it. I am sorry to criticise the Legend of Zelda, as I loved the Oracles games and BotW but this just isn't good enough.
Prior disclosure, I am a History graduate so I am little biased. This game is incredibly addictive, as many nations as you can imagine, a thousand different journeys to take in a world map that is largely 'alive' and changes without directly player involvement, an important feature in this type of game. Is this a historically accurate game? No, is this going to teach anyone about the history of the 19th century? No. Will you enjoy it? Yes
Pokemon SoulSilver is, in my opinion, the peak of Pokemon. All the games up to this point have lent their best features and attributes to this one. The game mechanics have been polished to perfection and the best storyline and world chosen. The original game was a marvel of its day, but early-2000s Gameboy Color games dated very quickly and lacked some of the features introduced in the subsequent two generations. This game delivers everything, a visual and gameplay treat for the ages. It is so easy to lose 100 hours+ in this game. My sole criticism is that the roster of Pokemon available in the game is a little small (even combined with HeartGold) and the player realistically needs access to Diamond and Pearl as well to get a 'universal' experience. After this Pokemon lost the plot but it saved the absolutely best for this.
Breath of the Wild is a phenomenal game, full of content, plot and characters. I have enjoyed the majority of the time I've spent playing this game. However there are two major problems with this game. First, unsurprisingly, is breakable weapons. It is a terrible idea, terribly implemented which really hurts this game. Secondly is the English Zelda voice acting, I'm from the UK and the voice is incredibly irritating, so much so that I've changed the voice language to Italian!
An excellent game, well made and presented. Easy to pick up and enjoy especially on the Switch. The gameplay mechanics are simple, fun and extremely well executed. However as a full price game the content is a little lacking.
In 1998 this was the game to play. It was the first FPS I played, it remains one of the best memories of gaming I have. The score for this game is contemporaneous as today it would struggle to score 1. The graphics are abominable by today's standards. However the innovation and range of enemies and weapons is something modern game designers could take ideas from. The cutscenes and plot and both excellent and you can end up playing for 6-8 hours without a break. However despite this game being available for next to nothing on GOG or Steam please do not buy this game. It had a fantastic run but let it rest in peace... unless Disney want to do a remastered edition... please?
Oblivion will go down in video gaming's hall of fame. It is the first truly massive Western RPG with mass-market appeal on consoles. This game changed how I looked at games altogether. With a massive array of quests and campaigns and a main campaign that could easily be a Hollywood blockbuster this is a game you will not want to leave. I am still playing my original save after ten years. This is sadly where my only criticism of the game comes in, my original save is becoming unplayable on my Xbox 360 (however my Xbox One seems to be handling it better). This means I am 'rationing' the remaining play time before it becomes useless. I wonder if Bethesda could issue a patch?
Graphically and plot-wise this is an all-time classic. The atmosphere generated in the game is an all-time classic for any form of media. If you want to literally walk around in Alien then this is the game for you. The narrative is phenomenal and engaging. However the game doesn't get a 10 as it is a little short. Otherwise a great success and I hope there is a sequel.
A excellent 'spiritual successor' to games like Test Drive Unlimited. Graphically it is absolutely gorgeous, I had the opportunity to play this on a 4K HDR screen recently and sometimes it looked actually real. The models are phenomenal and the scenery is beautiful. This is a visual orgy for your eyes. My only **** is that this could look better, the PS4 would deliver better graphics and frankly it is so close to perfection it is frustrating that it isn't on the best hardware. The game itself is standard racing/driving sim fare which is just what is required. The 'festival' theme is entertaining but I'm not a massive fan. This game would get a 10 but the DLC is overpriced and too much like content that should be in the base game. Still a classic of this generation, but unlikely to be an 'all time' classic.
EA Sports finally manage to kill a franchise. This game is appalling it fails to live up to its five immediate predecessors on an earlier generation of console! Most game modes have gone, most courses have gone, most golfers have gone. The shot system is broken, the animation is broken. The blatant Battlefield 4 promotion is unbelievably awful. I hope someone else can develop a good golf game for this generation because EA have completely lost the plot.
Simple, silly fun. These four games are a great way to wind down when your a bit stressed. While not necessarily 'hardcore' games and therefore lacking complexity and depth these are games that will provide hours of amusement. Also they give the PS4 a good family-orientated local multiplayer game which is great if you have kids. Not a lot to say about the games themselves, except that Risk's graphics are actually cutting-edge and make the game very easy on the eye.
Halo: TMCC is basically the best bits of Halo on the Xbox One. Don't expect cutting-edge graphics or modern-gen mod cons but if Halo is your thing, this is your game. I enjoyed the Halo 2 remaster and on its own for a reasonable price I'd have given it a 9. However the rest of the package is overpriced especially as the games are available for the Xbox 360 very cheaply. However if you've never played any of them before this is as good a place to start as any.
This is Dead Rising repackaged and ported to the Xbox One. As a launch exclusive it really doesn't do the console justice. No innovation, no changes, just a slightly darker version of the original game.
I want to like this game, the effort, care and dedication that have gone into this game are evident. No-one has failed to spend the time or cash on making this game as good as it could be. There are so many new features that I wonder if Bethesda were simply trying too hard. Settlements are a fantastic idea in principal but in practice this isn't the UI to deliver it. The plot and side narratives are well conceptualized but not really well written. The gameplay is good but not cutting edge. I really want to praise the game for being functionalist and well-developed but it hasn't really broken any new ground. I'm so sorry that this game isn't better and it is so close to being a great game but it really isn't.
This is a poor game. The combat is repetitious and the penalty for losing just one boss fight can be massive. The orcs try to have different personalities but they end up all sounding the same. I get the basis of the Nemesis system but its actual implementation in this game feels extremely forced. I'll be honest and say that I really did not enjoy this game, I cannot bring myself to finish it. The colour palette just makes me think of an old quarry. Everything is just a chore and I don't find it particularly rewarding.
A good remaster of a classic Xbox 360 game. However this is marketed as a full-priced AAA game for the Xbox One and on that basis this is only a 'meh'. The graphics are good, but would not be cutting-edge on a modern console. The gameplay is good but only if you are a GOW fan or you haven't played modern shooters. Also there is no-one playing this game online - try finding a game and you will be waiting for 20 mins (at least in Europe). I did enjoy this game but it was overpriced and overmarketed for what it actually was.
An all-time PC game classic. This game is epic in scope, seamless in execution and breathtaking in detail. While Historical accuracy is not a big concern in this game, as a graduate in Medieval history I still enjoy it. The strategy map gives you a massive array of options, challenges and tools to conquer the world. Your rivals act in a fairly sensible manner, attacking each other and you in equal measure. Every playthrough will be subtly different. However I have one minor criticism - diplomacy. This is an incredibly illogical and buggy system. Betrayal of alliances is virtually guaranteed regardless of what is done in the game. Some factions will act provocatively, i.e. by placing large armies by settlements but you will be regarded as 'treacherous' for responding. This is a minor bug though. All-in-all I've played it for 1,000 hours (according to Steam) and I'm looking forward to the next game.
Wonderful game, ground-breaking graphics for 1999, shocking UI. The missions do have noticeable difficulty spikes. Some missions (even later in the game) are ludicrously easy, while some earlier missions are virtually impossible. This is a game that has not aged well and by 2017 is virtually unplayable but the potential for a sequel on modern consoles is absolutely huge.
An excellent way to waste a couple of hours. Grim subject matter but addictive entertainment. I bought the game on sale and thought it would be good for a few games, it is a go-to game now when I've only got half-an-hour to play. However that is not to say this game is easy, far from it. It turns out killing the entire world population is incredibly difficult! This is not a frustrating difficulty though, it teases the player and gives you a multitude of options so you are often left thinking you have found the solution only to discover it doesn't quite work... and you want to try again. One note of caution, this is a game involving death and world chaos - some people may not find it particularly appropriate.
Not so much a comment on the particular version (Although 360/PS3 versions are infinitely superior to all others). The game itself is one of the best games ever made. A genuine open world environment with plenty of options. The challenge scale goes up at just the right pace for a challenge without frustrating difficulty spikes (with the possible exception of the faction compounds). Turning enemy stores to your family is immensely enjoyable. The voice acting is brilliant throughout and the driving mechanic is well done for its era. Combat has a good shooting mechanic but it is possible to use un-armed combat effectively. Plenty of choices throughout and a truly amazing soundtrack. I've played the game through to 100% completion three times, 200+ hours and I'm sure I'll do so again.
A highly enjoyable stealth game. The game mechanics are much improved over SE3. Italy provides a much better setting than North Africa as well. However the developers have kept the same sense of fun. The various types of kill provide a challenge and the accompanying cut-scenes never fail to amuse. The narrative is not marvellous and a few more missions would have been nice. However overall this is a good game. The large mission areas provide a range of environmental challenges and approaches. The weapon choice is not vast, but does not really matter. The main sniping mechanic is still brilliant and I'll be playing this for 100+ hours.
