Emma H. Pira
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Pure Xbox Latest Reviews
While there are more complex and intriguing crime games out there and it isn't the longest game, The ABC Murders still offers good entertainment for the interested and serves as a decent port into the murder mystery puzzle genre. Some core mechanics need fine tuning, but the balance between the different game elements is generally good. The interrogation scenes as well as the deduction phases could be a bit more elaborate and slightly longer (because they are - hands down - the best bits of the game) but the overall flow of the game is pleasant.
LEGO Batman 3 offers a lot of entertainment and is a pleasant experience overall – from the dialogue, to the little winks at pop culture, to the actual gameplay. Almost everything feels balanced and the game runs smoothly; the story and its characters offer plenty of giggles. However, it's not everyone's cup of tea to almost be forced into going back and replay sections in order to "complete" the game. It's one of the things that TT still need to figure out and balance – finishing the main story with less than 30% completion is somewhat disheartening. And it's definitely up for discussion whether or not LEGO games in general are good enough to be played repeatedly. That said, this is a very good game and it's definitely showing another side of the franchise that isn't just a tired, cloned cash-cow in a new dress.
Overall, Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments is good. It's intriguing and quite easy to get swept up in. There are always things to do, and before you know it, you've spent three hours in a timespan that felt more like one. Sure, the game has issues, but they're not impossible to overlook in favour of the more thought-through aspects. Crimes & Punishments is one of the better, if not the best, Sherlock games out there, and if that's not saying much to you, it's also one of the better investigation-style games. The balance and variation of gameplay should be applauded. The developers are definitely onto something here.
Flockers is not a bad game. It's cute and grotesque and the dark humour and settings go well together. The game is entertaining at first, and will cause some terrified giggles and as a game to kill time with, it's almost even great. However, little bits and pieces just add up and the whole package fails to live up to that classic Lemmings sensation. It all feels as if it's already been done and in no way new. If you're into puzzle games though, or if you're missing the good ol' days of Lemmings, you might like it as a substitute as it does cater to fans of both.