Becca Smith
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Latest Reviews
Lil’ Guardsman is so much fun to play. Players will be laughing out loud from the very beginning and will enjoy the fun references and silly jokes throughout. And those that like to play games multiple times will be able to see all of the different options and outcomes. Sure, this is a pretty easy game, but for something that’s mostly about the story and the characters, we didn’t find this too disappointing. If you’re looking for a relaxing, funny time, Lil’ Guardsman is well worth picking up.
There’s a lot to love about Chicken Police. Clawville is such a unique city and I wish I could spend more time there getting to know its history and its residents. Sonny is a dark but quirky protagonist and he’s a pleasure to step into the shoes of. It’s a mature title with violence and cursing, however, so don’t let the cute animals fool you. If you’re looking for a engaging detective story with a very distinctive flavour, Chicken Police should be the top of your list.
Clever puzzles, a decent story and beautiful pixel graphics make up Alwa’s Legacy‘s strengths. But there’s little here that makes it stand out from a sea of more superior games in the genre. If you enjoy classic Metroidvania-style platforming, Alwa’s Legacy is worth a play – but don’t expect an experience that will blow you away.
I loved my time with Beyond Blue. It’s incredibly relaxing being able to swim through the ocean, and mesmerising to reach depths that many of us will never see in real life. From its interesting story, fantastic soundtrack and admirable inclusion of educational elements, Beyond Blue is an excellent title that a wide gamut of gamers will enjoy. It isn’t free of issues, but they don’t deter from the magic of diving into an unexplored underwater world.
Some players might be put off by Spirit of the North due to how heavily it relies on its players to figure things out, but that’s also its biggest charm. You are in the shoes of a creature that can’t speak – and yet, as the game’s world and the story reveal itself to you, it speaks louder than any dialogue could. It’s not perfect by any means – the controls can be awkward, and getting stuck and needing to restart is frustrating – but look past that and you’ve got a wonderful, engaging adventure on your hands. If you’re looking for a relaxing game about exploration and discovery, Spirit of the North is a great one to pick, regardless of your age or skill level.
There has never been a better time for a new Animal Crossing game to arrive. It cannot fix what’s going on in the world right now, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons gives us the joyful, meditative escape that so many of us desperately need right now. Whether you’re young or old, you’ll find something to like. What isn’t to love about customising your dream island and being able to sit on a bench by the beach, listening to the waves, just because you can? Nothing I can think of, that’s for sure.
More than being a video game, Kentucky Route Zero is a work of art – in fact it probably belongs in a museum rather than on our PCs or consoles. And just like any piece of art, it’s unlikely to resonate with everyone who experiences it. But if you’ve been waiting for the conclusion of this drawn-out adventure, you’ll be glad to finally have it.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 shines in almost every way. Its levels are unique, expansive and detailed. You’ll never have a dull moment. And the humour is genuinely funny. Not that Mario games aren’t known for tidbits of humour, but the writers have really outdone themselves here. I laughed out loud when I accidentally revealed a ghost inside of a changing room who was as shocked as I was to have found him.
Night School Studios’ new title offers up a good laugh, and not just at the unfortunate glitches. Its art style is adorable, and the neon lights and bloody backgrounds truly make it feel like you’ve jumped down into hell. But while the story is intriguing, it feels too slow at times and its main protagonists fall flat against an otherwise fantastic cast of characters. Despite its well-written dialogue and extensive-world building, Afterparty‘s technical problems are too numerous to overlook. Multiple playthroughs will yield different endings, but with its biggest issues being quite glaring, it might be something to pass on until a few updates have been made.
The game’s art style is absolutely gorgeous; there’s a distinct Blade Runner kind of futuristic vibe to everything. The colours are vibrant, and both the city of Los Ojos and the characters themselves are doused in neon hues. Dialogue is realistic, intriguing and very engaging. There’s no voice acting which is a shame; it did become a little inconvenient when I couldn’t look away for even one second for fear of missing something.