Video Game Reviews & Gaming Previews - Twinfinite https://twinfinite.net/category/reviews/ Video Game news, reviews, opinions, guides and videos! Fri, 07 Jul 2023 00:29:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.3 https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-logo-2.png?fit=32%2C32 Video Game Reviews & Gaming Previews - Twinfinite https://twinfinite.net/category/reviews/ 32 32 Dave the Diver Review – A Tasty Dose of Vitamin Sea https://twinfinite.net/reviews/dave-the-diver-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/dave-the-diver-review/#respond Mon, 03 Jul 2023 20:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=962735 Gaming for a sushi restaurant. ]]>

Dave the Diver for PC

For quite some time now, I’ve been looking for a good ole’ classic slice-of-life game with a somewhat linear storyline. I’ve already had my fill with the likes of farming simulators and wanted something fresh that didn’t necessarily involve the restoration of my grandfather’s old business. Then, out comes Dave the Diver, which ultimately feels like two games rolled into one, as you take on the role of a diver by day and help run a sushi restaurant by night.

The first time I dove into the watery world of Dave the Diver, I was instantly hooked by its whimsical dialogue, vibrant 2D graphics, and addicting gameplay. However, despite the character’s 2D design, the landscape takes a different shape through its 3D environment, changing the dynamic of the overall art style. You’ll meet Dave, who often gets a double look due to his big-boned appearance, but he never lets the insults get to him and continues taking down the sea’s most fearsome creatures.

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Sonic Origins Plus Review – Bells & Whistles (& Knuckles) https://twinfinite.net/reviews/sonic-origins-plus-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/sonic-origins-plus-review/#respond Wed, 28 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=961418 Will these additions be enough to make you chuckle?]]>

Sonic Origins Plus for Nintendo Switch

Indulge me for a moment, to give you a brief viewpoint into my origins as a gamer. Though my beginnings were firmly rooted in the treasured catalogue of the Super Nintendo, my very identity was shaped by the notion that Genesis Does.

Sonic the Hedgehog and his ilk embodied everything that a radical 90s kid would cling to immediately, defined by his sleek visage and devil-may-care attitude. Of course, without the actual portfolio to back it up, you could only get so much mileage out of biting wit (hello, Bubsy).

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Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective Review – Night of the Tricking Dead https://twinfinite.net/reviews/ghost-trick-phantom-detective-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/ghost-trick-phantom-detective-review/#respond Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=961019 Murdered by moonlight.]]>

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective on PS4

In the years since its initial release, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective has remained a special offering even among Nintendo DS titles.

Designed specifically for the touchscreen-centric handheld device, it provided players with inventive and elaborate puzzles galore. Not only that, but it served up an engaging tale of mystery, quirky characters, and inventive gameplay which stood out even among creator Shu Takumi’s other notable titles from the Phoenix Wright series. Most anyone could find a worthwhile experience so long as they were willing to think outside the box and embrace some zanier twists and oddball problem solving concepts.

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Aliens: Dark Descent Review – Chestbursting With Excitement https://twinfinite.net/reviews/aliens-dark-descent-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/aliens-dark-descent-review/#respond Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=960302 Face hugs and doesn't let go.]]>

Aliens: Dark Descent for PS5

Aliens is one of those properties that has been adapted into all sorts of games. There’s been survival horror, a third-person shooter like Left 4 Dead, and an underwhelming first-person shooter. Tindalos Interactive sought to try something new by crafting a squad-based real-time strategy game that works incredibly well in the universe.

The story starts with a small act of sabotage aboard Pioneer Station. Someone posing as an engineer knocks out a worker at a terminal and opens several containers housing Xenomorphs and their eggs. Deputy Administrator Maeko Hayes is the first to notice something is amiss. She arrives at the hangar as a vessel tries to leave the nearby planet Lethe’s orbit, presumably carrying dangerous Xemomorphs onboard.

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F1 23 Review – Drive To Thrive https://twinfinite.net/reviews/f1-23-review-drive-to-thrive/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/f1-23-review-drive-to-thrive/#respond Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:37:08 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=960124 Drive to thrive in EA Sports' F1 23. ]]>

F1 23 on PS5

In a world where video games seem to be slowly moving towards longer life cycles and seasonal content, annual sporting instalments could become a thing of the past. F1 23, I’m pleased to report, does more than enough to justify its existence. It builds on F1 22 in a solid if unspectacular manner and, most of all, dials up the stakes, immersion and Formula One racing experience.

Wax and Polish

It’s probably taken as a given at this point that an EA-led (Codemasters developed) title will be refined and detailed in its approach. It shouldn’t be taken for granted in general though, with plenty of recent releases finding their way into the public domain without being ready for it. I was reminded of EA Sports’ PGA Tour in the granular detail and wealth of options F1 23 threw my way before I even got close to a racetrack.

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Final Fantasy XVI Review – Forged By Flame https://twinfinite.net/ps4/final-fantasy-xvi-review/ https://twinfinite.net/ps4/final-fantasy-xvi-review/#respond Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=958601 Final Fantasy XVI is a bold and ambitious new vision for the franchise, that succeeds on almost every level.]]>

Final Fantasy XVI on PS5

After every Eikon battle in Final Fantasy XVI, I kept asking myself “how can the next one be any better?” Only to be proven wrong each and every time.

The scale and scope of Final Fantasy XVI are absolutely staggering on every level, from the complex narrative that feels like a multi-season TV show, to the expansive action combat that grows and changes meaningfully across dozens of hours. All of this is highlighted with what might be the best boss battles I’ve ever seen in a video game. There are some minor quibbles to be had, but Final Fantasy XVI is an instant classic in a series already filled with many.

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Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life Review – Forgotten Valley’s Stuck in the Past https://twinfinite.net/reviews/story-of-seasons-a-wonderful-life-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/story-of-seasons-a-wonderful-life-review/#respond Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=958459 Get me back to Stardew!]]>

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life on PS5

Within minutes of booting up Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life, I was hit by a wave of nostalgia. The guitar-twanging soundtrack kicked in and transported me back to playing the original, Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, on the GameCube over a decade ago now. It was a heart-warming experience, encountering the cast of weird and wonderful characters all over again, but soon enough the cracks in this remake/ remaster started to show.

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life aims to freshen up the 2003 original, but the premise remains the same. You’ve inherited a rundown farm from your father and travel to the sleepy town of Forgotten Valley to give revitalizing it your best shot. In terms of changes over the original, this ‘Story of Seasons’ version adds pronouns and customization options to the character creator, gives you different outfits to purchase and wear, adds more crops to those originally on offer, adds more romance options including same gender, and enhances the various events that take place throughout each year. That all sounds quite a lot, but before my first year in the game had come to a close, I soon realized that, actually, Forgotten Valley is very much stuck in the past of the farming sim genre.

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Layers of Fear (2023) Review – Fearing the Worst https://twinfinite.net/reviews/layers-of-fear-2023-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/layers-of-fear-2023-review/#respond Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=956424 Paint by numbers.]]>

Layers of Fear (2023) on PS5

It’s a tale as old as time: The talented artist versus their turbulent battle with insanity has always been inextricably linked together. From the deeply twisted expressionism and symbolism of Edvard Munch to the bold and vibrant neo-impressionism of Vincent van Gogh, history has long painted gifted creatives in a truly tortured, troubled light.

Conceptually and thematically, this is at the heart of Bloober Team‘s latest release; a remastered double bill of its first two Layers of Fear titles, replete with all DLC as well as some additional content to keep fans busy. But are the duo of first-person horror experiences relics from a bygone era or are they truly worthy of your time in 2023? Well, there’s much to discuss!

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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review – Going Above and Beyond https://twinfinite.net/zelda/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-review/ https://twinfinite.net/zelda/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-review/#respond Wed, 14 Jun 2023 03:17:03 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=956201 Tears of the Kingdom stands tall as a sequel that transcends the great achievements of its predecessor.]]>

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Switch

Few games have left a mark as profound as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild did in 2017. Its sprawling open world and innovative gameplay marked a new era for the series and became an influence for countless other games. Creating a follow up to this masterpiece was always going to be a tall order for Nintendo—how do you significantly improve upon a game that redefined the conventions of Zelda in such a way that it became one of the highest rated titles of all time, setting a new standard for the franchise? 

Somehow, Tears of the Kingdom manages to do that. The game takes us on a second journey through this iteration of Hyrule, successfully building upon the strong foundation laid by Breath of the Wild. With new abilities, a captivating storyline, and immersive gameplay, Tears of the Kingdom surpasses its iconic predecessor in many ways, even somewhat rendering the first game obsolete along the way.

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Harmony: The Fall of Reverie Review – A Brighter Future for Narrative Adventures https://twinfinite.net/reviews/harmony-the-fall-of-reverie-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/harmony-the-fall-of-reverie-review/#respond Thu, 08 Jun 2023 17:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=954781 That's So Harmony. ]]>

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie on PC

During my initial preview of Harmony: The Fall of Reverie, I was already impressed with the complexity of its decision system and the quirky cast of characters. So, now that I’ve completely immersed myself in the official version, things were taken up a notch as the choices become more difficult with each chapter.

If you are an avid decision-based game enthusiast, you’ll undoubtedly have some fun with its unique take on the classic genre. Rather than featuring the traditional good and evil outcomes, you’ll be faced with multiple choices based on your distinct personality type, making the experience different for each player. It also helps with Harmony: The Fall of Reverie’s replay value, where even minor decisions can majorly impact the fate of the universes in the Augural timeline. 

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Amnesia: The Bunker Review – Forget Me Not https://twinfinite.net/reviews/amnesia-the-bunker-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/amnesia-the-bunker-review/#respond Mon, 05 Jun 2023 13:00:07 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=952117 At least I felt safer with my gun knowing there's a monster under the bed.]]>

Amnesia: The Bunker on PC

As I immersed myself in the realistic horrors of World War I while playing Amnesia: The Bunker for review. The dread, the fear of the unknown, and curiosity made me finish the game, making me want to try the most challenging difficulty even more.

As an avid fan of horror games, especially one who’s also a longtime Amnesia fan, the game takes a unique approach as you embody a French soldier who found his way into a bunker filled with mysteries of the unknown. After getting my hands on the game, My caffeine-induced anxiety made me stay on guard while I uncovered the secrets of the mysterious Bunker.

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Diablo IV Review – We Found Loot In a Hopeless Place https://twinfinite.net/reviews/diablo-iv-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/diablo-iv-review/#respond Tue, 30 May 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=951515 Angels and demons.]]>

Diablo IV on PC

In a world that’s been saturated with looter shooter games designed specifically to appeal to one’s lizard brain as you mindlessly kill things in search of better gear, one has to wonder: is there still room for a game like Diablo IV? Thankfully — or, unfortunately, depending on who you ask — the answer is a resounding yes.

Diablo IV marks a true return to form for Blizzard’s storied ARPG series. As a franchise that first made a name for itself as the ultimate video game addiction that sent everyone’s parents into a satanic panic, Diablo IV looks to reclaim its throne by weaving an intricate tapestry of bloody destruction. From a purely aesthetic point of view, it’s a far cry from the comic book candyland sensibilities of Diablo III, and it certainly invokes a lot of early 2000s, grungy Diablo II nostalgia.

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Street Fighter 6 Review – Taking Back the Title https://twinfinite.net/reviews/street-fighter-6-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/street-fighter-6-review/#respond Tue, 30 May 2023 07:01:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=951898 Hitting the streets running.]]>

Street Fighter 6 on PS5

About halfway through the time I spent with Street Fighter 6 for review, it became apparent I would be playing the game for the foreseeable future.

No matter how many hours I spent fighting others in matchmaking or how well I started to grasp a given character’s move set, it always felt like I had only scratched the surface. There was always a new combo to learn, or a new way to utilize different mechanics to create traps and strategies to deal with each character from the roster. The possibilities are only limited by the player’s imagination, and I know that won’t change even as I sink months and years into it.

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Planet of Lana Review – A Puzzle Platformer Straight Out of a Movie https://twinfinite.net/reviews/planet-of-lana-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/planet-of-lana-review/#respond Mon, 29 May 2023 20:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=951775 Planet of Lana is the cat's meow. ]]>

Planet of Lana on PC

Hand-drawn animations have relatively become a thing of the past to incorporate more realistic features into the modern gaming world. Yet, several developers try to keep this art style alive, adding a more personal touch to their storylines. Planet of Lana is a perfect example of this feat, as it brings hand-painted scenes to life in an immersive sci-fi world. 

It’s been a while since a platformer captured my attention, but Planet of Lana immediately caught my eye with its picturesque scenery. In a way, it felt like I was controlling a character in an ever-changing painting featuring its own sets of challenges that enticed me to want to play more. The epic adventure also furthers the movie-like feel of the entire narrative, taking you on an enthralling journey from start to finish.

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The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Review – So Far From Precious https://twinfinite.net/reviews/the-lord-of-the-rings-gollum-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/the-lord-of-the-rings-gollum-review/#respond Thu, 25 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=950104 A new thing to pitch into the fires of Mount Doom.]]>

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum on PS5

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was a big surprise to fans when it was revealed a few years ago. It seemed like something that no one was asking for, but it still provided a decent concept. As a game based on the unknown movements of Gollum from The Hobbit until Fellowship of the Ring. this should’ve been something that might have broad appeal from the casual viewer to the most fervent Lord of the Rings fan. As it turns out, the game itself feels like it wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) appeal to anyone, ever.

Gollum Forest Location
Image Source: Daedalic Entertainment via Twinfinite

The story starts with Gollum locked in a cell and being interrogated by a very insistent Gandalf. This then serves as the narrative frame that takes players back to Gollum’s days on the mountains of Cirith Ungol. He spends his days dodging Orcs, Ring Wraiths, and the hulking spider Shelob. This is before he is captured and imprisoned in the tower of Barad-dûr.

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Lego 2K Drive Review – Dream Car Creator https://twinfinite.net/reviews/lego-2k-drive-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/lego-2k-drive-review/#respond Mon, 22 May 2023 16:16:30 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=948346 If you've ever wants to create digital Lego kits, give this game a look.]]>

Lego 2K Drive on PS5

Update: A patch for Lego 2K Drive that arrived after this review was written increased the Bux earn rate for the game. While it doesn’t seem like a significant increase in the perspective of where I stopped playing, it will greatly help those just starting.

Despite the flexibility of the Lego brand, to date, it has really only been used for media adaptations. There are a few original game concepts in there, but it never feels enough. I played Lego Racers for the N64 in 1999, and I remember loving it as the bricky cars and the fun power-ups made racing enjoyable. I was excited about a new Lego racing game, and the open-world aspect was interesting. While any Lego game is certainly geared toward kids, there is something here for all ages.

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Darkest Dungeon II Review – A Light in the Darkness https://twinfinite.net/reviews/darkest-dungeon-ii-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/darkest-dungeon-ii-review/#respond Mon, 08 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=943709 Once more into the unspeakable horror.]]>

Darkest Dungeon II on PC

To say Darkest Dungeon II can be a brutally punishing game would be an understatement.

On more than one occasion, I saw promising runs ground to a halt thanks to unfortunate critical hits from enemies and less than ideal abilities assigned to my party. A matter of minutes saw runs go from being the best I’d ever had to the worst I’d ever seen, and what could have been a triumphant trouncing of a boss turned into a torturous exercise in going down with the ship alongside the party members I’d led into untimely deaths.

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Redfall Review – Vapid Vampire Vanquishing https://twinfinite.net/reviews/redfall-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/redfall-review/#respond Tue, 02 May 2023 02:31:44 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=941362 Lacking life!]]>

Redfall on Xbox Series X

Redfall is very clearly supposed to be a co-op multiplayer experience. From the way its four characters have abilities so clearly suited to complementing roles in a multiplayer party, through to its drop-in-drop-out mission structure, there’s a sense that the open-world is more of a Vampire-riddled sandbox for you and your friends to let loose against the forces of evil with as little friction as possible, than anything more immersive. But, what if, like me, you didn’t have anyone to play Redfall with? Does the gameplay stand up in single-player? That’s what I’ll aim to answer for you in this review, but in short, it’s a blood-tinged cocktail of hits and largely misses.

The story goes a little something like this. You pick one of four main characters as you try and get to the bottom of the vampiric uprising in the city of Redfall. The sun has been blocked out and the Vampire Gods now rule over the rural lands. Standard vampires float in the air, on the lookout for the next unknowing blood-filled civilian to be sucked dry, and the Bellwether security corporation has been dropped in to fight the vampires and the human cultists that have sworn allegiance to them. As such, it’s down to you to go about the world, piecing together exactly how these vampire gods came to be and taking them down one by one.

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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Review – A Sequel So Good It Demands Another https://twinfinite.net/reviews/star-wars-jedi-survivor-review-a-sequel-so-good-it-demands-another/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/star-wars-jedi-survivor-review-a-sequel-so-good-it-demands-another/#respond Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=939827 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor builds on Fallen Order's strong foundations in every conceivable way. ]]>

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on PS5

It is, in many ways, an unprecedented time to be a Star Wars fan. Disney’s commitment to releasing new Star Wars TV shows and movies with such frequency that oversaturation concerns are legitimate meant I approached Star Wars Jedi: Survivor with a mix of excitement and skepticism. The game’s predecessor, 2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, was a strong entry and satisfied the IP’s gaming fan base adequately, but I did have questions over whether a successor relatively soon after was necessary. These concerns have certainly been compounded to some extent by news that EA’s exclusivity partnership with LucasFilm will expire later in 2023; meaning the future of AAA Star Wars releases has been slightly muddied. 

It’s also why I’m so delighted to report that Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a tangible improvement on Fallen Order in every way, and makes the case for further installments under Respawn Entertainment’s hand better than any exclusivity deal or litigatory partnership ever could.

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Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores Review – Scorching LA Sightseeing https://twinfinite.net/reviews/horizon-forbidden-west-burning-shores-review/ https://twinfinite.net/reviews/horizon-forbidden-west-burning-shores-review/#respond Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://twinfinite.net/?p=938369 Bridging the gap!]]>

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores on PS5

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is an interesting proposition. While it largely offers more of the same that the base game did in terms of gameplay, it elevates it with an interesting story that more or less sets the scene for what’s to come in the franchise. Throw in some exciting new machines, characters you’ll love and hate (in a good way), and strong additions to Aloy’s arsenal of abilities and weapons, and fans of the series won’t want to skip this trip to LA.

Burning Shores takes Aloy to a selection of scattered isles which make up the remains of Los Angeles. Set off the south coast of Forbidden West’s main map, our protagonist ventures out there in search of answers to do with the Zeniths and the major threat revealed at the end of the main game. Destined to do Sylens’ dirty work yet again, Aloy flies her way over, only to be immediately shot down by a rather hostile tower and inadvertently meets Seyka, an all-new character who makes up part of a tribe that lives out here.

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