F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

As a first person shooter this game is great but as a follow up to the excellent F.E.A.R its hard not to be slightly disappointed. The emphasis is on all out action with only a few spooky bits thrown in here and there. As long as you don’t expect the same experience as the original game you will have fun, but there are definitely less thrills and chills.

Gameplay: The scares have been replaced by action which is somewhat disappointing.

Graphics: Nice but maybe a bit too cartoony for its own good at times.

Sound: Very good but could have benefited from a bit more oomph from the weapons

Dub Dash

Dub Dash

Take control of a spherical object without brakes as it rolls straight into danger with this fast-paced and colorful rhythm action game. Your job is to dodge whatever is coming at you, something which is easier said than done. We could have done without some of the modes, especially the Flappy Bird style sections, but overall this is a great game for those who relish a proper challenge. It is not perfect, but making it through all the tracks in one piece will keep you busy for a while.

Gameplay: Simple controls and straightforward objectives, but the challenge is quite steep.

Graphics: Good, but there is rarely time to gawk at your surroundings.

Sound: The soundtrack is excellent, but until you are good you will be hearing it in bits and pieces

Dominique Pamplemousse

Dominique Pamplemousse

Dominique Pamplemousse is not the best looking or sounding game available but it has a lot of heart a pretty unique experience to offer. It tackles some interesting topics in a unique manner and packs some nice twists in its short playtime. When judged purely as a game it is a little lacking but as an experience it is quite good.

Gameplay: Film noir style point & click adventure.

Graphics: A mixture of claymation and homemade props.

Sound: The singing might not appeal to everyone

Saints Row

Saints Row

There is no denying that Saints Row stole most of its ideas from the Grand Theft Auto series but at least it pulled it off with style. Causing mayhem in the city of Stillwater is lots of fun and at times the game does an even better job than what Grand Theft Auto managed. If you like open world games then you might want to check out this one.

Gameplay: Definitely worth looking into especially if you enjoy the GTA games.

Graphics: Good but a few glitches here and there.

Sound: Good voice acting and lots of humour

Borderlands

Borderlands

Borderlands is a unique first person shooter with some nifty RPG elements making it very action packed and addictive to play. For the best results the game should be played in co-op as the story is rather thin and the game has a very MMO feel to it. The unique art style and abundance of weapons makes this game a great time waster.

Gameplay: Thin on story but lots of action and loot hunting.

Graphics: The visual style sets it apart from other first person shooters.

Sound: A good soundtrack and decent voice acting

Defragmented

Defragmented

Defragmented makes the most of its Cyberpunk setting and while the visuals are not exactly cutting edge the gameplay is very addictive. It is a game that is not afraid to challenge players, but prevailing against the overwhelming odds is extremely satisfying. The game also features a synthwave soundtrack so good it is almost worth the price of admission on its own.

Gameplay: Fast paced and very challenging, but also very addictive and rewarding.

Graphics: Simple, but fitting and the destructible environments are a great touch.

Sound: The soundtrack is pure synthwave epicness

Assassin’s Creed® Revelations

Assassin’s Creed® Revelations

While not quite the “revelation” that I was hoping for, this game does tie up the stories of Altair and Ezio. Not much has changed gameplay wise and the story is not the best in the series but the game is still very entertaining. It is definitely not for newcomers to the series as the story is a direction continuation of Brotherhood but it does fill the gap until Assassin’s Creed 3.

Gameplay: Pretty much the same as Brotherhood.

Graphics: Not bad but the colours are a bit dull.

Sound: Good voice acting and atmospheric music

Gahkthun of the Golden Lightning

Gahkthun of the Golden Lightning

With its Steampunk setting, great characters and intriguing storyline it is easy to get sucked into this visual novel. However, it is not perfect as the pacing slows down considerably in later chapters and too many superfluous characters with little impact on the story keep getting introduced. Stick with it though and you’ll find a great visual novel with characters that are truly memorable.

Gameplay: Some chapters drag their feet, but the overall story is quite captivating.

Graphics: Great visuals, but the relatively low resolution is disappointing.

Sound: Full Japanese voice acting, great sound effects and very nice music, but some tracks repeat too often

BeatBlasters III

BeatBlasters III

BeatBlasters III shows a lot of imagination but has the gameplay to back up the wacky plot. The developers have gone for a quality over quantity approach with each level looking totally unique. It takes a while to get used to the controls but using a controller makes a big difference. If you are looking for an interesting fusion of platforming, puzzle solving and rhythm based action then grab yourself a copy.

Gameplay: A very interesting fusion of genres.

Graphics: The 2D visuals are packed with detail and imagination.

Sound: The music is not my favorite genre but it matches the theme of the game

Fallout 3 – Operation Anchorage

Fallout 3 – Operation Anchorage

Operation: Anchorage takes place inside a military simulator and offers a unique look at one of the “historical” battles in the Fallout universe. The feel of the DLC is quite different from the main campaign and almost feels like an old Call of Duty title at times. With the RPG elements removed and the linear shooting sections taking the place of meaningful quests this DLC falls a bit short but still offers a pleasant enough diversion.

Gameplay: Makes for an interesting departure from the main game.

Graphics: Some snowy new environments and Chinese enemies.

Sound: Fitting