game review

We previewed Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 just over a month ago, so I apologise if we retread a few things here. But it needs to be said; I’ve rapidly been descending into various rabbit holes of Warhammer 40,000 lore over the past few months, and I just can’t stop. So Space Marine 2 really…

For a few important reasons, Dustborn immediately grabbed my attention upon its reveal. This Telltale-inspired adventure looks like it was ripped off the page of a comic book and translated into video game form, while the story of a rock band on the run seemed like a cool promise to bring a group of misfits…

I’ve been a Star Wars fan ever since I was a kid, introduced to the franchise via the original trilogy of films. While the quality of Star Wars media has fluctuated over the years, there have indeed been a few decent Star Wars video games to grace our consoles. But for every Knights of the…

Cygni: All Guns Blazing admittedly caught me by surprise when I saw its first trailers. But upon playing it, I couldn’t have felt more at home. They might have been released before my time, but I still grew up playing arcade classics like Gradius, Galaga, R-Type and even Space Invaders, soaking up the addictive moment-to-moment…

Since its debut in 2002, the Kingdom Hearts series has enchanted gamers around the globe with its unique combination of both Final Fantasy and Disney characters. The series has earned a dedicated fanbase by blending action-packed RPG adventures with a rich tapestry of beloved intellectual properties. As someone who missed the boat as a kid—when…

I’m a sucker for anything Cyberpunk-infused or tech noir. Blending futuristic themes like technology with old-school plots and character arcs has always appealed to me, ever since watching Blade Runner for the very first time as a young teen. Nobody Wants to Die admittedly came out of nowhere, but it intrigued me immediately with its…

I took the liberty of reviewing Elden Ring back in 2022, and I stand by pretty much everything I said then. It’s one of the most refined, polished and fleshed-out games within its genre, and a shining example of how the genre itself can evolve and grow, without sacrificing its roots. The Shadow of the…

Shin Megami Tensei V might have been released back in 2021 but didn’t really catch much traction with Western audiences. It was back then, a fantastic traditional JRPG with some unique story elements, and is still considered a relatively great game. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, however, feels like the definitive release, complete with new…

Over the years, developer Codemasters has done a fantastic job at creating numerous Formula 1 games that look gorgeous, are fun to play, and are meticulously crafted to include a number of customisation options for controller and simulation users alike. The F1 World mode has incorporated online and offline components in unique ways, while career…

I really enjoyed Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice when it launched back in 2017, for its intriguing lore, emotional narrative and stellar sound design. That was really all I needed to want to return to this world in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2. While this sequel feels incredibly familiar in most departments, developer Ninja Theory has made every…

It’s hard to believe that the original Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is 20 years old. Yes, you read that right. It’s also just as hard for me to believe that I remember checking out the original Gamecube version like it was yesterday. This remake will feel incredibly familiar to anyone who has played the…

I’m a huge Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan and have been ever since I can remember. I’ve kept up with most of the comic books, shows, games and movies, and even played the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants when it was released back in 2017, so I had an idea…

TopSpin 2K25 marks the return of the beloved tennis franchise after more than a decade, and I could not be happier. While TopSpin 4 was released back in 2011, I still find myself going back to it now and again, simply because it’s one of the best tennis games ever made. Thankfully, TopSpin 2K25 serves…

Stellar Blade caught my eye a few months ago for its dazzling visuals and downright bonkers gameplay. It was something fresh, yet familiar, with developer Shift Up drawing on a number of inspirations from the hack-and-slash genre. While Stellar Blade’s story is either tired or outright ridiculous at the best of times, it absolutely shines…

Children of the Sun is one of those games that struck me from the moment I saw it – crazy visuals like this will do that to you. With that distinctive, disjointed look combined (and contrasting) with some strong and precise gameplay it certainly delivers on the wild, thrilling, and violent ride its trailer promises….

I have vague memories of playing the first Dragon’s Dogma, mainly the enhanced Dark Arisen version, but I’ll be the first to admit that nothing stuck. I don’t remember hating it, but hadn’t really held enough love in my heart to make a return. Dragon’s Dogma 2 felt like the fresh start I needed, that…

My past couple of weeks with Rise of the Ronin have left me feeling a little conflicted. I’ve been bouncing back and forth between the logic of my mind and the feeling of my heart. In many ways, this is a true cut above developer Team Ninja’s previous efforts with something like Nioh. Its combat…

I’ve been a huge fan of the Contra series over the years, and still go back to the original when it pops up. Upon hearing that Contra: Operation Galuga would reimagine the first entry with some fresh visuals and gameplay, I was pumped. Contra: Operation Galuga is certainly a good time as far as 2D…

We all remember WWE 2K20. If you don’t, there isn’t much to see before you realise exactly why the franchise took some time off to revitalise and regroup. That being said, recent iterations have been much better for it, with WWE 2K24 wrapping up pretty much all there is to love about the sport and…

When the Final Fantasy VII remake was initially announced, you could say it broke the internet. That original 1997 game changed the gaming landscape forever and hearing that it would be released to a new generation on a new platform made you feel like you were witnessing the second coming of Christ in gaming pop…

Helldivers 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the cult classic, has finally landed on both PlayStation 5 and PC, delivering intense action and strategic cooperative gameplay. Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, this instalment brings significant changes, notably shifting from a top-down perspective to a first-person view. While this feels like a major departure from the…

I’ll be the first to admit that Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden remained relatively low on my radar up until its release. It looked interesting but was yet to draw me in with anything I hadn’t seen before. I am now incredibly glad that I gave this a chance. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden borrows…

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Tekken franchise. In fact, Tekken 3 was one of the first games I ever played, back when I got my original PlayStation all those years ago. Since then, I’ve stuck with the franchise, and while most entries have been good, not all have been great. Be it…

I consider myself a casual fan of the Yakuza (now Like a Dragon) franchise, yet, I’ve played almost all of them. Having played this game’s predecessor Yakuza: Like a Dragon sometime after its launch, I was pleasantly surprised at the decision to bring combat into the turn-based frontier, making for a more tactical blend of…

The Prince of Persia franchise might have been in hibernation for the past few years, but there’s no doubt that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, the latest entry in the franchise, looked to bring things back to the old school. With the franchise beginning back in 1989 as a 2D side-scrolling adventure, it’s simply…

After the success of recent PS5 remakes like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and The Last of Us Part 1, it was inevitable that a full upgrade of The Last of Us Part II was on its way for the PlayStation 5. Fortunately, this time around it comes with an A$20 upgrade price tag for existing…

Hot off the heels of one of the most commercially successful film sequels of all time, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora delivers a visually stunning experience that showcases the capabilities of the PS5, and earns its stripes as a graphical powerhouse. Running at a smooth 60 frames per second, its visuals are simply breathtaking, and the…

For what it’s worth, I tend to enjoy the yearly Call of Duty, even if it’s just for a few months. The breakneck pace and punchy gameplay are generally enough, while some of the recent Modern Warfare entries have pretty much kept me around throughout the entire year.  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 looks…

It’s a long title, but this is also a long franchise. With the Like a Dragon series heading in a new direction, we see the Gaiden games coming back to piece together some of the missing pieces. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name picks up the story of the previous protagonist…

I’m a somewhat casual UFC fan when it comes to the real-life sport. But I’ve rather enjoyed the past few EA Sports UFC games for their balanced gameplay and variety of modes. If our UFC 4 review had anything to say about the context and position of the MMA franchise in video game form, it’s…