Justin Towell
This author account hasn't been claimed yet. To claim this account, please contact the outlet owner to request access.
Writing For
GamesRadar
Rock Paper Shotgun
PC GamerLatest Reviews
A brilliantly fast and playable racing game that doesn't cost the Earth, Fast Fusion is a superb example of what Switch 2 can deliver. Super Hero mode is pretty perfect, though some balancing issues and oddly fuzzy visuals take off some of the shine. This is really front of the pack.
Empyreal is a richly detailed, loot-based action RPG with a real 'one more go' quality that focuses on a loop involving selectable level cards. The difficulty can be incredibly punishing and it's rather drab-feeling at times, but there's rewarding depth and challenge if you take the plunge.
Revenge of the Savage Planet is a large, ambitious adventure with great visuals, varied gameplay, and split-screen co-op to boot that's a great sequel to an underrated sci-fi platformer. However, the crude humour and corporate satire can be grating and the whole game feels like a collection of shallow busywork – though the design of the final few hours is exemplary.
Switching from 2D adventure to 3D loot-based shooter/slasher has changed the feel of the Hyper Light world significantly, and not – so far – for the better. An overly complex gameplay loop, punishing difficulty, shaky performance, and repetitive moment-to-moment gameplay means this is currently way short of the best the genre has to offer, especially when played solo. The foundations are here for a particularly fun co-op experience; it just needs a lot of work to get there.
Exploration is a joy thanks to gorgeous visuals and a varied landscape. So too is the eco-friendly job of returning the land to fertility, even if the incredible trailer scenes are not actually what you'll be playing for tens of hours. The heavy emphasis on crafting and perishable tools isn't fun, but the devs' roadmap looks promising and the rewards are certainly there if you persevere.
A surprisingly charming Lego-ified version of a PlayStation icon, this action adventure has superb combat and sumptuous, entirely Lego-built environments. Mix in some nice village cosmetic tinkering, great vocal delivery from the returning Ashly Burch, and the fact it's also on Switch and it's a very welcome offering. Sadly it runs out of steam after some 10 hours, so it's short but very sweet.
Sonic Superstars is like a modern version of the Genesis classics, with all the good and bad that entails. The four-player, same-screen co-op functionality works surprisingly well, and the new Emerald powers keep things fresh. While it isn't as good as Sonic Mania, Superstars is a fresh twist on classic Sonic action.
Forza Motorsport's fantastic online racing, brilliant weather effects, and liquid-smooth game engine are at odds with the dull, one-note offline gameplay that's nowhere near as fun as that of its superlative predecessor. Turn 10 has delivered a racing game that's slicker than ever, but also a bit of a step backwards.
An open world racer that gets better the more you play it, revealing a wealth of high-quality racing in a beautiful, technically spectacular Hawaii. While it lacks originality, it is better than Forza Horizon 5 in several ways.