73 public written reviews
The views here are this user’s only and are not representative of Giant Bomb's thoughts and opinions on the discussed video game. GB's official reviews reside at giantbomb.com/reviews.
It's been some five years since Moon Studios bought us the splendid platformer of Ori and the Blind Forest in 2015. In those five years the Austrian studio has been hard at work on it's anticipated sequel and it's finally here. But does Ori's latest adventure manage to deliver us yet another magical experience or does he fall flat on his face? Due to a series of unfortunate events, Ori finds himself in unfamiliar…
The first two God of War games established the franchises popularity all the way back in the Playstation 2 days, while we were gifted with another great entry in God of War III on the PS3. With that release in 2010, it was difficult to see where they could take the franchise without butchering it to the anger of long-time fans. There were a few extra entries, including the disappointing God of War: Ascension with…
It may seem negative of me to call The Lost Legacy just a typical Uncharted experience, but when your talking about a franchise that's provided some of the highest quality games in recent years, you know your still in for something special. The Lost Legacy doesn't necessarily do anything new with a familiar formula, but that doesn't mean it's not one heck of a thrilling ride. Chloe and Nadine don't always see eye to…
Marvel's Spider-Man might borrow heavily from a selection of other great games, some of which feature a certain Dark Knight, but it also manages to make you care about the world of the web-slinging hero of New York in a way no past Spider-Man game ever as. It all results in an experience that is exciting, action packed and full of memorable moments. Simply put, Marvel's Spider-Man is the best spidey experience…
Link's latest adventure is one of his greatest to date, a game that all but changes the DNA of The Legend of Zelda franchise whilst still feeling familiar enough to satisfy even hardened fans. See that mountain? You can climb that. From the first moments Link walks out into the vast and beautiful lands of Hyrule, you know Nintendo have created something special. The Japanese developers have long promised fans an…
Read the full review The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
STAR WARS: BATTLEFRONT 2 REVIEW. How do I start a review of Star Wars: Battlefront 2 without discussing the microtransaction saga and pay-to-win debacle that's been raging for a good few months now, I guess I simply have to face that ugly monster in the face and get it out of the way. Because even with EA's last minute changes and apologises, Battlefront 2 still features a progression system that feels broken even…
The first Bayonetta game made quite a splash upon its January 2010 release, being one of the games that introduced Japanese developer Platinum Games to many gamers, often for the first time. The action packed over the top third-person beat em up gained a great detail of praise and deservingly so. That said, it wasn't without it's shortcomings and flaws and with a sequel rumoured/dismissed for years, fans felt we…
Valiant Hearts shows a wonderful amount of respect and appreciation for the time period. The first world war is a period of history that isn't all too often recreated in video game form, you're much more likely to see another world war two shooter hit the market. However in many respects the bloody first world war that lasted between 1914 and 1918 was a turning point in the history of mankind and witnessed…
What would happen if Plants vs Zombies had a head on collision with Battlefield? Well you'd get PvZ Garden Warfare of course and if that sounds as cheesy as it seems, you'd be right. But wait, don't walk away just yet. Popcap's latest entry in the popular PvZ games is unashamed in it's humorous take on all things war games, from Call of Duty to the previously mentioned Battlefield, Garden Warfare's inspiration is…
It'd be easy to look upon Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and see nothing but a cheap cash in on the popularity and sale success of Borderlands 2, however doing so would be somewhat of an injustice. Don't get me wrong, the Pre-Sequel is very much a Borderlands game through and through, with a few new additions and variables thrown in to make just enough difference to tell the two games apart. It feels as if this latest…
Mario Kart is one of Nintendo's most beloved franchises so it's surprising than that despite it's celebrated legacy we're still only technically on the eighth iteration, hitting the Wii U in the hopes to revitalize the struggling system. It's especially surprising when you consider just how many copies the previous console based Mario Kart on Nintendo's Wii sold, over 35 million copies. So with that said, you'd…
Developing video games is tough, even from the outside that seems obvious. It's not impossible, but it's one hell of a challenge, one that takes patience, time and talent to name just a few of the requirements to make it in the industry. So designer Dean Dodrill 's accomplishments with Dust: An Elysian Tail is one to be applauded. Having developed the vast majority of this charming action adventure game himself,…
It'd be easy to look upon Tomb Raider with a cynical eye, one tinted with the knowledge that the men and women of Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal had at some point, played the highly successful Uncharted franchise and said 'hey, let's make that game but featuring Lara Croft' and to be fair on face value that's how Tomb Raider appears, a less captivating Uncharted as it attempts to reboot a franchise many would…
Hey do you like jokes about balls, poo or maybe you're in it for the fart jokes? If you do then there's a damn fine chance your a fan of South Park, if so then you're in for one hell of a treat because finally South Park gets the video game it deserves (took a while didn't it) because South Park The Stick of Truth is the best South Park game to grace the video game form. Though, let's be honest folks that's not…
Having been a long time Assassin's Creed fan, even I have to admit that Assassin's Creed 3 took the wind out of my sails. There was a part of me at peace with the fact that the franchise was past it's best and that was okay, after all some of my favorite games of the past generation were Assassin's Creed games. It's with that in mind that I took barely any notice of Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag since it's…
It might have a new name, but there's a lot that feels familiar about WWE 2K14, something that won't come as a shock for those familiar with this long standing wrestling franchise. While publisher 2K games might have purchased the rights to the WWE wrestling games after THQ's collapse, it's still long-time developer Yukes at the helm. However with 2K now involved, fans were hopeful they might be able to sprinkle…
Is Battlefield 4 simply Battlefield 3 with a new coat of paint? At first sight the answer might appear to be yes, yet in this latest iteration of DICE's ever popular combined arms multiplayer shooter, it's obvious that the Swedish developer have gone with the well trusted belief that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's not to say Battlefield 4 is without innovation, it's just many of these noticeable changes are…
Telltale Games' Poker Night 2 is the sequel to their 2010 poker release featuring a cast of colorful characters from video games, animation and more. Combining these personalities with the widely popular card game of poker might seem like the perfect combination, yet it proved otherwise with Poker at the Inventory. Whilst it wasn't a bad game of poker, it most certainly wasn't one of the best. Those with poker…
Like magical swords, walking skeletons, giant fire breathing dragons… like magical fantasy? If you answered yes, than Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep might just be for you. The latest piece of downloadable content for Gearbox Software 's loot filled shooter Borderlands 2 , it's also the last piece of content made available for free for those with the season pass. Looking back over what's been released as part of…
Read the full review Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep review.
I like being surprised, I go into each year in the hope another uniquely stunning game might remind me of how wonderful and emotionally touching video games can be. We are surrounded by the norm, and don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the norm. I like a good first-person shooter like the next guy, but over the past couple of years I've realized that the game that truly stick with me are the games that tug at…
The Saints are back and this time they've brought superpowers along for the ride. This fourth installment sees it's complete transition from a poor man's Grand Theft Auto to a unique franchise of it's very own. That said, it's understandable if you took one look at Saints Row 4 and judged it as a quick cash in considering the many similarities it as with the previous game, Saints Row: The Third released in 2011.…
The high definition upgrade to the much loved randomly generated platformer finally hit the PC on August the 8th, having been available on consoles for a good while now. Bringing with it an exclusive mode and it's usual amount of infuriating anger as you attempt to make your way through the ever more challenging levels. For those unfamiliar with Spelunky, we shall take a quick history level. Death is a constant…
The high definition upgrade to the much loved randomly generated platformer finally hit the PC on August the 8th, having been available on consoles for a good while now. Bringing with it an exclusive mode and it's usual amount of infuriating anger as you attempt to make your way through the ever more challenging levels. For those unfamiliar with Spelunky, we shall take a quick history level. Death is a constant…
Blood Dragons aren't the only unique thing in this Far Cry 3 expansion (of sorts). Developed independently at Ubisoft, Blood Dragon is an interesting new take on the idea of addition content for an established game, because whilst Blood Dragon base's itself off the core mechanics of Ubisoft's popular Island shooter, in most other ways it's a very different beast. It's an interesting experiment if nothing else and…
Saints Row: The Third is dumb fun, what more can I say. It's a pleasant reminder of why you fell in love with video games in the first place, because they were fun. In an age where we often take games a tad too seriously, it's refreshing to see a developer create a world for you to simply have fun in. Yes there's a funny story nestled within, yes there's a point to all the crazy violence you create along the way,…
At times I almost feel guilty for enjoying Deadpool, it's not exactly a bad game it's just flawed and generic in a way that seems almost fitting for the source material for which it's based. Deadpool, Marvel's hapless goon won't be converting those who already hate his endless fourth wall breaking jokes and stupid humor, yet every now and then I couldn't help break a smile. But maybe that's just me, maybe I enjoy…
The Last of Us paints a grim, depressing picture of a future where a fungal infection as run riot on the populace of the world. Highlighting humanities need to survive at any cost in a way so very few games have attempted to, let alone achieved. Let's get one thing straight, this isn't simply Uncharted with zombies, it's a new IP from a developer looking to challenge their own rules and methods of game making. The…
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Remember Me , it's a game that splits me right through the middle. I love it's the futuristic take on the city of Paris, combining classic architecture with sci-fi layers that work so well in creating a believable future, filled with robots and stuff. Yet at the same time, much of what Remember Me attempts to accomplish as been done before and done better at that. There's some…
What ho! Sir Hammerlock approves this content. Ready to go hunting on the plains of Pandora? Well you should be, why aren't you? Come on we haven't got all day, those scaylions aren't going to hunt themselves you know. Now that you're finally ready let me introduce you the continent of Aegrus, a land filled with creatures that are as varied as they are dangerous, and that's not to forget the local tribe of savages…
Read the full review Borderlands 2: Sir Hammerlock's Big Game Hunt Review.
Mr Torgue's Campaign of Carnage is more content for Borderlands 2 , not that I'm complaining. Gearbox Software's stupendous loot driven shooter was one of my favorite games of last year and I welcome any chance to return to Pandora, hell I never left. This time round your vault hunting hero is tasked with becoming the champion of the campaign of carnage, a violent and savage tournament set up by Mr Torgue, founder…
Read the full review Borderlands 2: Mr Torgue's Campaign of Carnage Review.
Resident Evil 6, what positives can I take away from a game I was so desperate to see the back of. What hope is there that I can praise the very few moments of actual quality amid the flood of mediocrity and frustration. Resident Evil 6 is a bad game, let's just get that out of the way. But it's the fact that it's bad because of decisions made by Capcom's development choices rather than any technical or performance…
Welcome to Columbia , a floating city in the sky that's as fascinating and mysterious a place as anything that has come before. As you walk its streets, travel it's skylines and breath in the atmosphere, it's clear that a loving amount of care and attention has been given to every small detail of this beautiful city. It's a familiar experience that warms the heart, yet at the same time rips your heart to shreds with…
Since its announcement DMC Devil May Cry hasn't been short on controversy. Long time fans of the hack and slash franchise have called foul, shouting from metaphorical rooftops (internet forums) in disgust and anger because Capcom went and changed their blonde haired hero and the world around him. Passing the torch onto a new developer in Ninja Theory , this revision of Dante and his demon filled world is one that on…
Black Ops 2 is an infuriating game, one that isn't the fresh exciting advancement to the franchise the advertisements would have you believe. It's certainly not a bad game, but for every smart and sensible change the folks at Treyarch made, they go and spoil it all by having dialogue which is at times laughable and over the top set pieces which fail to thrill, no matter how many explosions are on screen at once. The…
A constant that's surrounded Halo 4 since it's announcement as been the ever lingering question on if we actually need a new Halo trilogy. The much loved Xbox exclusive shooter as been well served by it's creators at Bungie, but with a new team in charge and the doubts that have surrounded the game, one must question if Halo 4 is simply a result of a console generation dragging on to long. Say Halo to 343…
Rock of Ages isn't your typical tower defence game, in fact it's art style might for a second have you thinking that Monty Python's Terry Giliam had gone and made a video game, he hasn't (though I'd love to see him have a crack at one.) Rock of Ages is the most recent release from Chile based developers ACE Team , yes the folks behind the bizarre first person fighting game Zeno Clash . Their familiar cosmetic…
Let's get one thing straight, Spec Ops: The Line is a generic third person shooter, the sort you've played to death in this generation of consoles. That's not to say it's without substance or the occasional moment of, dare I say brilliance. Don't get me wrong, it's attempts to tell an emotional story don't always work, but some credit must be given for the method of storytelling Spec Ops: The Line goes with. Spec…
Audiosurf as inspired a great many developers to follow boot and release their own rhythm inspired indie games. The latest to hit the PC is Symphony: Liberate Your Music , from developers Empty Clip Studios . Symphony is not just inspired by Audiosurf, but also the likes of dual stick shooters such as Geometry Wars with its strikingly bright and frequently chaotic on-screen action. One glance at Steam or GoG will…
ANYTHING AS GOT TO BE BETTER THEN JURASSIC PARK! I'm not sure if you knew this, but The Walking Dead is pretty hot right now. So it seemed inevitable that this zombie invested property would eventually make it's way to video game form. Who was tasked to turn the popular comic book and AMC television show into a video game? Well none other then adventure starlets Telltale games , who at one point could do no wrong.…
MEDIA MOLECULE CREATE A MASTERPIECE OF CHARMING CREATIVITY. Creation in the hands of talented, skilled game developers can be a beautiful thing, as they weave their magic to create wonders of both sight and sound, developing intense atmospheric third person shooters or high impact racing games, the only limit to their creative imaginings are time, money and technology. Yet if LittleBigPlanet 2 as taught me anything,…
A JOURNEY THAT'S ONE OF THIS YEARS GREATEST. The ancient Chinese novel 'Journey to the West' as been retold in various forms or another over the past 400 years since it's creation, but it's a tale that continues to inspire many who look to create their own interpretation of the legendary story. Ninja Theory are the latest to attempt a retelling, with Enslaved: Odyssey to the West for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. What…
CAUSE COMBAT IS ALWAYS MORE FUN ON A MONDAY NIGHT. Monday Night Combat is an charming pick up and play team based third person shooter set in a futuristic game show environment, clearly inspired by the likes of Team Fortress 2 and Defence of the Ancients. This latest Xbox Live Arcade release is able to create a cocktail of both, resulting in a complex yet approachable shooter, one that contains a good amount of…
RETURN TO RAPTURE IN THIS WONDERFULLY REFINED SEQUEL! Almost four years have passed since we gamers first got a taste of the underwater utopia of Rapture , in the years that have followed the world of Bioshock as become as loved as any other in the industry. So much so that when news hit that a sequel was in development, many responded angrily claiming that such a classic did not require a sequel. Yet the video game…
THE WORD 'SUPER' AS NEVER BEEN MORE FITTING! The fighting genre is indeed back, and kicking butt better then ever. We have 2009's Street Fighter 4 to thank for that as much as any other game out there, and Capcom are following much adored traditions by providing eager fans with an upgraded version in the form of Super Street Fighter 4 . But considering this is technically an extended version of last years game, is…
THIS HAZARD WILL BEAT YOU INTO VISUAL SUBMISSION! When Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved hit Xbox Live back in 2006, few could have guessed the floodgates it would open for competitors looking to tap into the same addictive source that made Bizarre Creations dual joystick-stick shooter so popular. Many have already tried, some succeeding better then others, but none have come anywhere near matching the thrills and visual…
A CHARMLESS CAMPAIGN MEETS A STUNNING MULTIPLAYER EXPERIENCE! Battlefield: Bad Company 2 does what good sequels do best, fix past faults and builds upon the fundamental mechanics already in place. There's a clear reason why the Battlefield name is at the forefront of this latest DICE creation, while a single player campaign might tag along for the fun of it. It's still very much a Battlefield experience and it's…
WHO KNEW SKIMPILY DRESSED LIBRARIANS COULD KICK SO MUCH ASS! Let's get one thing straight, librarians are rarely sexy. There usually mature ladies dressed to high heavens in three layers of wool, and dressed in a horrid coloured skirt that goes right down to their ankles and probably sipping a nice cup of tea. They won't suddenly start attacking angelic creatures who appear in the non-fiction aisle, they won't…
SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR INNER GUITAR HERO, EMBRACE YOUR DJ HERO! Of all the current genres of gaming, the music rhythm genre continues to be over saturated with titles that are either poorly executed or simply copying off an already successfully established formula. Every year publishers continue to throw out new titles with small insignificant changes knowing that the majority of gamers will eat it up, in the…
