Ed Orr

“A genuinely enjoyable Alien title. Mix dread with delight and a mouth full of razor sharp fangs, and you're most of the way there. A solid entry in a franchise that fails as often as it succeeds. This mix retro future industrial design and Giger's monster don't reach the heights of Amanda Ripley's adventure, but Rogue Incursion still feels like a must buy for fans of the Xenomorph.”

“An old school MMO dragged up to a modern standard. NCSoft and Amazon have a distinctly Korean fantasy adventure finessed for a global launch. The result is n enjoyable leap into a vibrant world that is more than worth the total cost of zero dollars down.”

“Get Beyond Galaxyland is a whole smorgasbord of nostalgic ideas that somehow doesn’t end up being a mess. It’s visually ambitious, taking a pixel art aesthetic and giving it cinematic scope without losing the essence of the idea. It wraps in writing and ideas that draw on Spielberg, Star Wars, and even a bit of Douglas Adams writing with a light-balanced tone that navigates dark turns and silly situations. Even in among all this, game mechanics stay true to the side-scrolling platformers of old, while throwing in bits of Pokémon, Final Fantasy, System Shock, and more, and it still feels original. Beyond Galaxyland is an impressive outing that I adored. Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe this really is worth your time.”

“A trip to Shibuya like you've never seen it before. Reynatis is a standout title that brings a bunch of inventive ideas together for an entertaining RPG. It's onyl a shame that the execution feels a little light. If you're aching to head back to the scramble and escape the daily bustle, then this intriguing commentery on how Japan see's istelf is worth picking up.”

“Paper Trail is a game that intertwines the protagonist and her ability to warp the world. That makes the discussion surprisingly spoiler-heavy. So, instead of detailing all of the upcoming challenges that await Paige, I’ll simply say that I am utterly enamored with a wonderful story. Pulling together well-worn story tropes, plunging an eager young explorer out into a new world, and crafting a vibrant new land that is equal parts exciting and dangerous, the team behind this puzzler manages simple ideas executed effectively and provides players with seemingly endless possibilities, that stick to a tight path forward. It doesn’t add up to a hugely replayable experience or explore the freedom that Viewfinder’s 3D model provides, but it is a delightfully illustrated story. I couldn’t be happier to have ushered in a holiday to the home of origami with this cozy creation.”

“Beat Slayer’s gorgeous style drew us into this underground fight club, but the razor-sharp combat systems and constant gameplay updates keep things from feeling overly repetitive. If you ever wondered what an electronica take on Hades would look like, then come kick Deitrich’s ass in Beat Slayer.”

“At it’s core, New Star GP is an arcade racer. If you revelled in the audacity of Hotshot Racing, then this doesn’t stray too far from that track. There aren’t any big boss bombs, but it does park up with an audacious swagger that invites players to simply jump in and go. The brash colors, silly moustaches, and easy action steering make this an entertaining option, especially when handheld. The magnitude of the Career Mode and the strategic decisions, such as pit stops are meaningful but not obtrusive. New Star GP is just fun! It’s a great mix of ideas, tuned to perfection. GO, go, go to the official website and get it now.”

“Wildfrost isn’t going to distract anybody looking for a hardcore high skill play on the genre, but this quest neve presents as that. It’s a joyous and accessible twist on the roguelike deck builder that you definitely want to deal into.”

“Space Academy is a frivolous and cheeky new addition to the Two Point Campus experience. If you love management sims and want something a bit more out there than dinosaurs and school yards then this is a DLC for you”

“These issues barely even touch on some of the very manual control systems used for troop deployment and the hit or miss mechanics of attacking enemy troops. Frozenheim has a huge amount going for it and manages to touch on a number of ideas that do, largely, work. It just needs a little more time to the in game combat, but there is a great game in out there on the open plains just waiting for Odin’s blessing.”

“It’s not perfect quite yet. Tthe UI systems could use more consistency across the board and the opening moments are truly intimidating. However, once you let go of your own expectations and just enjoy the ride this unusual art MMO will pull you back in when you’re ready to escape the day in a different way.”

“A fantastic new addition to a game that nails the landing. OlliOlli World's Void Riders DLC pushes the envelope jsut a little, without loosing any of the charm and delight that make the core game one of our favorite's of this year. time to All Hail Nebulord!”

“A fantastic VR horde shooter that channels everything we love about the genre into a title that leaves the competition for dead.”

“A marvelous new frontier for Guild Wars 2. End of Dragons crashes into Cantha and expands Tyria with more than jsut a new sandbox. It delivers an astounding new adventure on a stupendous scale. It isn't perfect but if this is where he end comes then it's a fitting epitaph for Guild Wars 2.”

“A fantastic follow up to an amazing remaster. this off the wall adventure takes the core of an iconic set of Freelance's finest and keeps it strange in higher definition. Get Sam & Max Save The World then get this.”

“There’s an open ended element to Grow that makes it something special. Far beyond the inviting graphics and the urgent environmental tale it tells, this is a thoughtful and deliberate balance of cute and considered gameplay concepts that make it a serious time sink.”

“The Last Friend isn’t an overly deep game but some of the classics aren’t either. It is a knowing mix of beat ’em ups and tower defense titles wrapped up in a beautiful glossy finish that would make a collies coat seem dull. The pacing is more akin to a mobile title than a night long raid, but that’s all part of this game’s overwhelming charm. If you have a few hours to spare then, whether it’s collecting all the canine cohorts or bashing end of stage bosses, you’ll find The Last Friend puts a smile on your face.”

“In the long run, Surgeon Simulator 2: Access All Areas is not a game about keeping poor Bob from bleeding out, however. Sure, there are plenty of scalpels and lots of missions but once you’re done cracking ribs with a bar stool or lighting up a lung it’s not the seasonal rewards or cosmetics that will get you coming back for more. Instead, Surgeon Simulator 2: Access All Areas will live or die by your creative skills rather than your deft scalpel skills.”

“A wonderfully laid back tale that side steps the traditional point and click spam in favour of some gorgeous Miyazaki inspired artwork. Get this if you have a lazy evening to use and you'll come out smiling.”

“Grime is, much like its central character, an odd amalgamation of ideas, from Souls based RPGs, to platforming punch em ups, all oddly twisted into something that looks like a little nightmare all its own. If you’re looking for something different but utterly beautiful, then Grime is worth your time.”