Blaine Smith Reviews
The creative mind behind the foundations of the critically acclaimed X-COM franchise, Julian Gollop returns with his new studio Snapshot Games to deliver its spiritual successor: Phoenix Point. This title has grand plans to deliver the challenging strategic combat made famous by the X-COM series alongside in-depth character progression, conflict on a global scale, and all-new story. Does it match up to its more experienced predecessor?
Blaine Smith Reviews
Cheese, wine, a perfect dry-aged steak – some things get better with time, but can the same be said for Shenmue III? Fans have waited nearly two decades for the continuation of Ryo’s story, and after a record-breaking Kickstarter, it’s finally here. Does it live up to nearly 20 years of expectations?
Blaine Smith Reviews
Need for Speed is one of the most beloved franchises in racing, but recent additions have been struggling to find the right gear. Need for Speed Heat hopes to return the franchise to its former glory with an insane amount of character and vehicle customization, the return of epic encounters with the police, and enough cars to fill a parking garage. Is this a return to form for the series?
Blaine Smith Reviews
From the creative mind of that one dude that started the Metal Gear franchise way back in the 80s comes a game that is as divisive as it is mysterious: Death Stranding. Boasting a stellar cast with the likes of Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen and Tommie Earl Jenkins, Death Stranding is the result of creativity gone wild. A huge budget, an incredible soundtrack, massive celebrity names…it’s got everything, but is it any good?
Blaine Smith Reviews
Infinity Ward and Activision hope to deliver a return to form for Call of Duty with the latest release of the franchise. Does the realistic and gritty approach provide enough of a fresh take on a stagnating genre, or is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare much more of the same?
Blaine Smith Reviews
Obsidian Entertainment looks to the stars with the release of The Outer Worlds, a science-fiction, first-person RPG. This title will give players the chance to build a family of space-faring misfits, tackle the challenges of the struggling Halcyon colony, and forge your own path in one of this year’s most anticipated releases. Does it live up to expectations?
Blaine Smith Reviews
Lemonbomb Entertainment looks to add their own colorful spin to the world of farming and exploration with the charming world of Stranded Sails: Explorers of the Cursed Islands. With the likes of Yonder, Stardew Valley, and My Time at Portia reinvigorating the genre with fresh ideas and new, creative directions, does Stranded Sails offer than same level of innovation, or is this better left out at sea?
Blaine Smith Reviews
Raising over $2,000,000 on Indiegogo, Lab Zero Games and 505 Games’ Indivisible combines a passion for artistic quality with an innovative take on the sidescrolling platform genre. Blending turn-based RPG combat, thrilling platforming, and an intriguing tale of self discovery and growth, does Indivisible live up to its high expectations?
Blaine Smith Reviews
Bandai Namco returns with another title heavily influenced by the hugely successful Dark Souls formula: the dark and gritty Code Vein. Offering a more direct narrative, a post-apocalyptic dystopian world, and a story heavily influenced by vampiric lore, does it stand up to the high expectations of the genre?
Blaine Smith Reviews
Shoot, loot, repeat. The tried and tested formula of Borderlands returns alongside the wacky comedy, larger-than-life characters, and iconic cel-shaded graphics. Borderlands 3 looks to build on the successful formula of its predecessors but times have changed. Does it stack up to the more modern take on the looter shooter genre? Let’s find out
Blaine Smith Reviews
Promising to deliver the franchise’s famous, visceral combat alongside the new additions of open-world exploration, co-op campaign, and a flurry of multiplayer modes, Gears 5 hopes to bring the franchise to new heights. Does it meet the mark?
Blaine Smith Reviews
One of the most successful independently developed movies of its era, and for some, the birthplace of found-footage horror. There’s rarely a better premise for a horror experience and with the critically acclaimed Layers of Fear behind them, developers Bloober Team have everything they need to make another huge horror hit