Retro Reviews
Review Master Reboot (PlayStation 3)
On and off
An intriguing narrative and a clever setting can go a long way in a sci-fi adventure game, but it’s a difficult thing to pull off. As such, Master Reboot – a Myst-esque excursion by BAFTA Cymru award winning developer Wales Interactive – struggles to combine its great ideas into a compelling whole. The title comes close at times,...
Review The Wolf Among Us: Episode 2 - Smoke And Mirrors (PlayStation 3)
Bite me
When the first episode of Telltale Games’ fairytale-infused noire-esque thriller The Wolf Among Us first latched its jaws onto the PlayStation 3 last October, we were completely blown away by how well its comic book source material translated. Thankfully, the agonising four month wait for the story to continue has now concluded – but has...
Review The Last of Us: Left Behind (PlayStation 3)
Girls just want to have fun
There was a lot to like about The Last of Us’ core campaign. Naughty Dog’s survival horror opus was not only successful in pushing the limits of the ageing PlayStation 3 from a pure hardware perspective, but it also exceeded expectations from a narrative stance, too. Where other developers stumble, the Californian...
Review Zombeer (PlayStation 3)
Brain dead
Games that aim to make their audience laugh are a very hard thing to pull off. After all, not everyone’s funny bone has the same comedic sensibilities, and that makes it a difficult line to traverse. As a result, for every Portal there are three stinkers like Deadpool waiting in the wings. Moonbite and Padaone Games are the latest...
Review Twisted Lands: Shadow Town (PlayStation 3)
Twist and shout
Twisted Lands: Shadow Town is a hidden objects game by Alawar Entertainment, ported from mobile platforms to the PlayStation 3. While it’s been available on the PlayStation Network for a few months now in Europe, it’s just arrived in North America. The big question is: should it have taken the long journey over the Atlantic in...
Review Forest Legends: The Call of Love (PlayStation 3)
Tree hugger
With a name like Forest Legends: The Call of Love, we were expecting one of those racy Japanese sex games here. In fact, this particular author was practically salivating over the prospect of playing such a filthy experience. Needless to say, when this downloadable PlayStation 3 adventure turned out to be a point-and-click escapade, we...
Review Adam's Venture Chronicles (PlayStation 3)
Can you Adam and Eve it?
If there’s one thing that’s missing from Uncharted, it’s puzzles that test your knowledge of the Bible. We’ve all thought it at some point: Nathan Drake just doesn’t believe in God enough. Don’t worry too much, though, as the folks behind Adam’s Venture Chronicles have spotted a gap in the market, and there are...
Review The Walking Dead: Season 2, Episode 1 - All That Remains (PlayStation 3)
Bite me
When episodic outfit Telltale Games’ macabre The Walking Dead adaptation first shuffled its way onto the PlayStation Network way back in 2012, many people were apprehensive following a string of licensed tie-ins that didn’t quite hit the mark. Perhaps this is part of the reason why Lee and Clementine’s five episode first season proved...
Review The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief (PlayStation 3)
Poirot Click
Adventure games and mystery novel plots go together like butlers and random acts of homicide. There’s nothing better than a good whodunit, especially when you’re part of the action, neck-deep in clues and yelling at innocent bystanders in the hope that one of them knows something. The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief is a decent...
Review Streetkix Freestyle (PlayStation Portable)
A kick in the balls
Soccer may not be the most popular sport in the United States, but the same can’t be said outside of the country. Around the world, not only is football enormous, but it’s a lifestyle for many. As a result, the beautiful game has its own street iteration, boasting a number of mind-boggling ball tricks. Streetkix Freestyle...
Review Assassin's Creed Liberation HD (PlayStation 3)
Assassin's speed
Retelling the rather erratic adventures of Aveline de Grandpré, Assassin's Creed Liberation HD leaps onto the PlayStation 3 after its moderate success on Sony's handheld console – and visually, it's just about what you'd expect. The game's events are now witnessed through a much clearer lens, with some drastically improved...
Review Aabs Animals (PlayStation 3)
Avoid eye contact at all costs
Do you like cute things, specifically animals? Do you like to stare at said animals without interacting with them in any way? Are you a fan of music that sounds like a compilation of the happiest melodies ever conceived by man? If your answer is 'Yes' to each of these questions, then congratulations: Aabs Animals is...
Review Robot Rescue Revolution (PlayStation 3)
Rust bucket
Robot Rescue Revolution is a strategy puzzle game for the PlayStation 3, which tasks you with guiding multiple robots to a goal while navigating treacherous terrain. Available for a relatively slender figure from the PlayStation Store, the title includes three worlds to explore and over 100 levels to complete. The core gameplay involves...
Review Mutant Mudds Deluxe (PlayStation 3)
Don't jump over this one
Twenty years ago, we never would have guessed that today’s generation of consoles would embrace 8-bit side-scrolling platformers. With the release of titles like Terraria, however, this trend does not show any signs of slowing. As these games continue to grow in popularity, developers such as Renegade Kid are fusing the...
Review Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition (PlayStation 3)
Block party
After what feels like a century since the phenomenon that is Minecraft first appeared on the PC, Mojang's block-'em-up has finally dug its way onto the PlayStation 3 courtesy of 4J Studios. Its basic visual style hides a brilliantly deep, yet relatively accessible adventure that's topped off with some thoughtful little RPG elements...
Review Rust Buccaneers (PlayStation 3)
Be a Fisherman’s Friend
Life on the high seas is tough. Forget about the maggot-infested biscuits and longing glances from your salty old sea mates who want to re-enact some of the scenes from the Titanic with your supple young body, as you have worse things to worry about. There be danger off the starboard bow, Jim lad – and it’s coming right...
Review Gran Turismo 6 (PlayStation 3)
Still in pole position
Opening with a tour around the Istituto Ayrton Senna, a school built in honour of arguably the greatest driver who ever lived, Gran Turismo 6 starts in stark contrast to any other game on the market. Cycling through images of children learning, the intro proceeds to show the motoring creation process, from concept to...
Review Putty Squad (PlayStation 4)
Killer Carrots and Crazy Cats
Back in the nineties, the eventually unreleased Amiga version of Putty Squad was praised by the press for its varied level shapes, consistent game logic, and “masterful” animation. Jump forward 15 years, and we no longer get excited by shapes (unless they’re naughty shapes and you’re a member of Reddit), or game...
Review Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers (PS3)
Seiya ain't so
Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers is almost the very definition of 'anime fighter'. It's chock full of colourful playable characters, crazy storylines, and over-the-top voice acting. If you've ever tried a Dragon Ball Z or Naruto brawler, then you'll generally know what's in store here – even if the original anime never quite caught on...
Review Angry Birds: Star Wars (PlayStation 3)
Use the birds, Luke
A long time ago (well, 2009), in a galaxy far, far away (Finland), an unassuming development studio named Rovio Entertainment gave birth to a mobile gaming franchise which would ultimately take over the world. Three years later and still going strong, Angry Birds and the beloved Star Wars empire would join forces to create a...
Review SoulCalibur II HD Online (PlayStation 3)
A tale of souls and swords, eternally re-bought
When the original SoulCalibur II appeared on the PlayStation 2, it was universally praised for its fantastic 3D fighting engine, its diverse cast of characters, and its plethora of modes. Even today, Namco's brawler is remembered fondly by many as the series' greatest achievement. SoulCalibur II HD...
Review WWE 2K14 (PlayStation 3)
Laying the Smackdown
An orphan of THQ’s unfortunate demise at the beginning of this year, the WWE videogame license was quickly snapped up by 2K, and while its role appears to have been limited to simply overseeing WWE 2K14’s completion, the final product is the most comprehensive wrestling package yet. As the 30th anniversary of WrestleMania...
Review Rocksmith 2014 Edition (PlayStation 3)
It's a long way to the top (if you wanna rock 'n' roll)
Let's cut to the chase: Rocksmith 2014 Edition will not miraculously teach you how to play guitar like Slash in 24 hours. Learning the guitar or bass takes years of dedicated practice, repetition, self-motivation, and real technique. That doesn't necessarily mean that Rocksmith is useless –...
Review Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW! (PlayStation 3)
We can't recommend a reason either
Adventure Time is ridiculously exuberant. Its characters are eccentric and weird, its storylines are convoluted and odd, and its humour is a mix of silly, low brow, and exceptionally well timed. It's a show of complexity and deep lore based on the insane. Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW!...
Review Stick It to the Man (PlayStation 3)
"I know what you're thinking"
Stick It to the Man wonderfully treads the line between dark and silly. It's Ren and Stimpy-esque aesthetic is plopped on top of a paper craft construction, which gives it a unique and endearing look that brings each character – whether it be human or otherwise – to life in a surreal and smile inducing way. Add to...
Review Battlefield 4 (PlayStation 3)
Boom! Shake, shake, shake the room
Almost every event that you're a part of in Battlefield 4 is punctuated by some sort of demolition or explosion. Pursued by a helicopter? It'll blow up sooner or later. Running up a flight of stairs? They probably won't be there on the way back down. Need to get past an armoured vehicle? Better blast it to bits...
Review Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (PlayStation 3)
Nether say nether
Ratchet & Clank have been phoning it in harder than washed up talk show hosts on a regional radio station of late. Sony’s seasoned double-act seemed to stop trying after the franchise defining Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time, with its more recent multiplayer-focused excursions stumbling harder than Captain Qwark in an IQ...
Review CastleStorm (PlayStation 3)
Shocking, in a manner of speaking
Building castles, slaying enemy troops, and launching farting sheep. CastleStorm is built around the idea of both building and destroying castles using a variety of customisable methods. You'll control a massive ballista, which you'll employ to send out a variety of troops, some awesome special attacks, and a...
Review Final Exam (PlayStation 3)
Fight school
The PlayStation 4 is fast approaching, and the PlayStation 3 is still drowning in new downloadable releases every week. The ageing system's PSN catalogue is fit to burst at this point, with stunning titles like Journey and The Unfinished Swan garnering more praise than most retail releases could hope for. Final Exam may not be as...
Review Proteus (PlayStation 3)
Kaleidoscope eyes
On our journey through Proteus, we witnessed history, mythology, nature, industry, death, ascension, and enlightenment. We experienced all of these things, but there's a chance that you may not, because part of the appeal of the release is that it's entirely subjective. As such, this is one of the most thought-provoking titles on...
